Does Omega have service cases for the 1000M?

Foxy100 · Apr 11, 2018

I just spoke to Simon, he says the risk of lapping a case like that is it takes too much off the top of the watch and the bezel will sit too loosely on top. For now he's going to give it a radial finish but I'll have to live with it until I find either a) an original case (!) or b) a service/WatchCo case.

Oh and Simon has contacted someone at Omega about a service case but he didn't sound hopeful of even receiving a reply, let alone them having a case (as mentioned above).

Vintage watches eh, who'd have them?

simonsays · Apr 12, 2018

Funnily enough I contacted Omega awhile back about service cases for these. The answer was negative. My agenda was to further confirm that the service cases you see are all fake.
Out of interest did Marcus say he had SM1000 cases in the past? I have never seen him list any, either as parts or made up watches?

Foxy100 · Apr 12, 2018

simonsays
Funnily enough I contacted Omega awhile back about service cases for these. The answer was negative. My agenda was to further confirm that the service cases you see are all fake.
Out of interest did Marcus say he had SM1000 cases in the past? I have never seen him list any, either as parts or made up watches?

Marcus told me that some years ago they found all the bits necessary to build complete watches from original NOS 1970s service parts, including Cal. 1002 movements. In reference to individual cases: "We have not had a case on its own for a very long time."

Bearing in mind the other parts Marcus has been selling off over the last few years I have no reason to disbelieve the origin of cases (sounds like a very bad book!).

simonsays · Apr 12, 2018

Maybe Marcus had a few original cases(never seen Cal1002 only Cal1012) It would be interesting to see them.

The starburst finished watches seamed to originate from Yvonne at Watchmeisteren. A den of iniquity if ever there was one. I have always suspected these were fake, and I was looking at the cases in detail again while discussing the watch with Stuart Solomans. I compared the case engravings and the disparity between the original Omega case and the 'service example' are damning.

For one I have never seen the triangle with sharp points on any other Omega case, and for another the EPSA logo is inconsistent with others. The diving bell looks more like the little man from Bod, or a head with a dress. If you are making a case you are unlikely to get your own logo wrong, whatever else you mess up!

I went to Watchmeister in about 2010 to return one of these watches because I doubted its originality. At that time the low quality of the finish and casting disturbed me. The milling is carried out in a different direction to make the lugs and the double spring bar holes are missing. They told me they could get these cases directly from Omega, in later years this story seemed to modify to them being rescued from a bin of parts destined for destruction. I think it is more likely they came direct from China. The amount of them now out in the world is quite disturbing! It has made one of Omegas rarest birds almost ubiquitous. I think the value of them has been influenced massively.

pmontoyap · Apr 12, 2018

Foxy100
Rocco says he can't do it because he has no way to hold the case to the lapping machine. I've asked if he can add the metal and Simon can lap the case but am not hopeful.

I wonder if the solution is to ask the people in Italy pmontoyap used, Laboratorio Portanova. If they can add metal and then lap the case like that for a reasonable price I'd be happy to send the case to them for work.

When I took it in the shop, the two gentleman who work there immediately commented on the fact this is a monocoque case. They had done several before and have figured out a way to solvent the issue of not being able to mount the case on the lapping machine. It just adds to the price

Send them an email with detailed pics so they can assess the job

[email protected]

Foxy100 · Apr 12, 2018

pmontoyap
When I took it in the shop, the two gentleman who work there immediately commented on the fact this is a monocoque case. They had done several before and have figured out a way to solvent the issue of not being able to mount the case on the lapping machine. It just adds to the price

Send them an email with detailed pics so they can assess the job

[email protected]

Thank you!

Simon's going to stick it on a lathe and apply a radial finish for me, which should smooth out some of the remaining bumps. He reckons it will remove a minuscule amount of metal so I'm ok with that. The hunt continues for a replacement case but when it's back I'll email your Italian craftsmen and see what they think.

Foxy100 · Apr 12, 2018

simonsays
Maybe Marcus had a few original cases(never seen Cal1002 only Cal1012) It would be interesting to see them.

The starburst finished watches seamed to originate from Yvonne at Watchmeisteren. A den of iniquity if ever there was one. I have always suspected these were fake, and I was looking at the cases in detail again while discussing the watch with Stuart Solomans. I compared the case engravings and the disparity between the original Omega case and the 'service example' are damning.

For one I have never seen the triangle with sharp points on any other Omega case, and for another the EPSA logo is inconsistent with others. The diving bell looks more like the little man from Bod, or a head with a dress. If you are making a case you are unlikely to get your own logo wrong, whatever else you mess up!

I went to Watchmeister in about 2010 to return one of these watches because I doubted its originality. At that time the low quality of the finish and casting disturbed me. The milling is carried out in a different direction to make the lugs and the double spring bar holes are missing. They told me they could get these cases directly from Omega, in later years this story seemed to modify to them being rescued from a bin of parts destined for destruction. I think it is more likely they came direct from China. The amount of them now out in the world is quite disturbing! It has made one of Omegas rarest birds almost ubiquitous. I think the value of them has been influenced massively.

I can ask him if he has any photos of case and innards.

I too heard the story about bins and I also had contact with someone in Switzerland who was selling lots of 1000Ms on eBay. I asked if the cases were reproductions fitted with service bits from Omega and she became a little bit angry and that was the end of that. Those ones also only had a single pair of spring bar holes at each end, which made me a little suspicious.

simonsays · Apr 12, 2018

Foxy100
I can ask him if he has any photos of case and innards.

Thanks Simon, I have already shot him an email, I have a slight obsession about these watches.

Foxy100
I too heard the story about bins and I also had contact with someone in Switzerland who was selling lots of 1000Ms on eBay. I asked if the cases were reproductions fitted with service bits from Omega and she became a little bit angry and that was the end of that. Those ones also only had a single pair of spring bar holes at each end, which made me a little suspicious.

That sounds like Yvonne. I have heard nothing positive about her. Big seller of fake Heuer boxes and also many amazing watches, unfortunately a large proportion of them turn out to be Franken or with big problems.

Foxy100 · Apr 12, 2018

simonsays
That sounds like Yvonne. I have heard nothing positive about her. Big seller of fake Heuer boxes and also many amazing watches, unfortunately a large proportion of them turn out to be Franken or with big problems.

That may well be the person but I can't remember. Sounds right though.

I always wanted a 1000M and bought a Helson Sharkmaster before I found one (and it confirmed I'd get on with the Omega). I have a soft spot for these big chunky Omega divers - I have Big Blue and PloProf too, plus the Marine Chronometer, which kind of loosely falls into the same category. I'd love to own completely original untouched (serviced properly, obviously!) examples but for now have the ones I have. Both Big Blue and 1000M had been sent off for full restorations before I bought them - crucially both came with the (lovely) original bits, although I had to find a nicely aged bezel on here for the Big Blue. I'm all for tool watches retaining their bumps, dinks and patina.

Does Omega have service cases for the 1000M?

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