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Family Watch

L
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Hello all, and thank you for allowing me to post on your very knowledgeable forum. After scouring the internet for information, I came across your forum. After some time reading various threads, I think that a resource such as this is the best place for me to go to with some questions.
Back story: We moved into my wife's grandparents home after they passed, and 7 years (and 2 children) later, I found something in the furnace room that seems like a great piece of family history. I have been told by my wife's family that her grandfather wore this watch daily until the band broke, and I'm assuming at that point he stashed it in the cupboard I found it in. Full disclosure, I know nothing about watches, but seeing as though we named our son after her grandfather, I had the initial thought to restore it to working condition, put a new band on it, and give it to my son as a gift from the whole family.
I've attached pictures below, but didn't take the back off as I don't want to cause any damage just in case.

IMG_8566.jpg IMG_8567.jpg IMG_8568.jpg IMG_8569.jpg IMG_8570.jpg IMG_8571.jpg


Watch Info:
- It's an Omega watch, as far as I can tell. lol
- He was born in Italy in the 1920's, and moved to Canada in the 1950's. No info as to where he purchased it.

Questions:
1) Is it even possible to restore?
2) Is it worth restoring?
3) Who should I go to for restoration?
4) How much should restoration cost?
5) Should I attempt to open the watch or wait for a professional?

Your expertise is greatly appreciated!
 
Mark020
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Nice one!
1) Relume is certainly possible
2) YES!
3) Tell us where you live and we will tell you
4) Relume: EUR 250 / Service: 250E (assuming the movement is in ok condition and does not need loads of parts)
5) No, you need a good tool for this kind of caseback
 
Dan S
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Personally, I would start by having the movement serviced (repaired if necessary), and that's also where I would end. Once the crystal is polished and the watch is cleaned up a bit, it will look great, and will still retain its lovely vintage character.
 
Canuck
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In my opinion, that crystal is hiding 50% of the appearance of the dial. Out of the case, the dial will look much better. The crystal is damaged around the edges, and it may be cracked just below the Omega name. I don’t think it is worth salvaging. Have the repair shop fit a low profile original Omega crystal like the one that is in it. The crown looks worn, the gasket is likely shot, I would have it reconditioned and the mainspring replaced (and any other parts that might be needed), but have the case scrubbed clean, but not polished. I think your watch is likely what is referred to as a “jumbo”, and likely about 38 mm in diameter. It is very collectible, even though it needs work. Is it worth it? If there is no sentiment involved (there likely is), then a drug store watch for $25.00 would give you the time. But with sentiment involved, whatever it costs you to have a first rate job done on it, you’ll get countless dollars worth of pleasure out of it.
 
Seaborg
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Dan S Dan S
Personally, I would start by having the movement serviced (repaired if necessary), and that's also where I would end. Once the crystal is polished and the watch is cleaned up a bit, it will look great, and will still retain its lovely vintage character.

This 👍
 
perenowell
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Dan S Dan S
Personally, I would start by having the movement serviced (repaired if necessary), and that's also where I would end. Once the crystal is polished and the watch is cleaned up a bit, it will look great, and will still retain its lovely vintage character.
I guess everything is said. a good service, a nice clean up. And some love!
enjoy it!
 
Larry S
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My guess that 250-350 USD would set it right. Full mechanical service, new crystal and strap … nothing else.
 
L
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Mark020 Mark020
Nice one!
1) Relume is certainly possible
2) YES!
3) Tell us where you live and we will tell you
4) Relume: EUR 250 / Service: 250E (assuming the movement is in ok condition and does not need loads of parts)
5) No, you need a good tool for this kind of caseback

Thank you. I'm in Toronto, Canada. Hopefully there are some good shops for service near?
 
L
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Canuck Canuck
In my opinion, that crystal is hiding 50% of the appearance of the dial. Out of the case, the dial will look much better. The crystal is damaged around the edges, and it may be cracked just below the Omega name. I don’t think it is worth salvaging. Have the repair shop fit a low profile original Omega crystal like the one that is in it. The crown looks worn, the gasket is likely shot, I would have it reconditioned and the mainspring replaced (and any other parts that might be needed), but have the case scrubbed clean, but not polished. I think your watch is likely what is referred to as a “jumbo”, and likely about 38 mm in diameter. It is very collectible, even though it needs work. Is it worth it? If there is no sentiment involved (there likely is), then a drug store watch for $25.00 would give you the time. But with sentiment involved, whatever it costs you to have a first rate job done on it, you’ll get countless dollars worth of pleasure out of it.

Thank you for this.
I know Dan S mentioned getting the crystal polished. The dial will likely look much nicer in terms of visibility with a new crystal, as per your suggestion. Any benefits to keeping the original crystal?
 
Canuck
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L laziali11
Thank you. I'm in Toronto, Canada. Hopefully there are some good shops for service near?

Check with @Archer . If he’s not in Toronto, he’s not too far away.
 
Dan S
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Obviously the crystal should be replaced if the existing one is cracked or damaged. It's a minor thing. I was mainly trying to say that the watch will look great once it's cleaned up and with a crystal that isn't badly scratched.
 
L
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Dan S Dan S
Obviously the crystal should be replaced if the existing one is cracked or damaged. It's a minor thing. I was mainly trying to say that the watch will look great once it's cleaned up and with a crystal that isn't badly scratched.
Awesome, thank you.
 
bardamu
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Very nice heirloom you have there, great find!
Agree with the above, you only need a good service, probably a new glass and a nice leather strap 😀
Please keep us posted about the following 😀
 
L
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bardamu bardamu
Very nice heirloom you have there, great find!
Agree with the above, you only need a good service, probably a new glass and a nice leather strap 😀
Please keep us posted about the following 😀
Thank you. Will do!
 
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