It took 3 months from submitting the watch to the omega dealer until having it back . Seamaster 196-0244 with quartez movement cal.1425 that my dad bought in 1983 (im not really sure about the manufacture date) and the cristal got broken in the late 90's. Unlikely, an unexperienced watch maker replaced it with a fake cristal that leaked water and moisture into the watch! And in a very short period the watch turned into what you can see herebelow! The watch came to me in June 2015 in this condition.. damaged dial and hands.. movement not working.. i changed the battery but no response.. bracelet and case in a very bad shape.. even the crown was not turning smooth.. like the stem is stuck for some reason! I made some researches and decided to send the watch to omega for full repair.. and as soon as they replied to my email, i sent the watch to the local omega dealer with a copy of omega's reply. The watch was sent to omega's head quarters workshop for full repair and maintenance, and a small letter from me requsting omega customer services to choose a leather band with pin buckle that fits with my watch after repaired! In a couple of weeks.. i received a confirmation from omega that the watch came to the main workshop and is being examined by the cheif watchmaker for providing a cost estimate.. and in a couple of weeks i had a call from the dealer asking me to visit their office and check the cost estimate. The dial's color was described as "silver" while it was originally gray! Simply.. the gray dial comes with white printing of omega seamaster quartz.. while the silver dial comes with black painting! It's not to be mistaken! I wrote back to omega referring to this point and asking to get the dial replaced with a gray dial. Today morning December 20th 2015, i was informed that the watch landed at the omega dealer... and for me it was the moment of truth Everything was above my expectations! Its own metal bracelet was polished and brushed and returned like new.. the movement was fixed and so far running perfect.. the case was replaced with new case and case back for water resistance purpose.. hands and crown as well are replaced with new parts... and the dial was replaced as requested.. but with a silver dial!! I still dont have any idea why they put the silver dial.. but honrstly.. the silver dial looks great! I have also been given a new OMEGA box for free by the local dealer,,,,which really made my day as i have another vintage omega Geneve without a box. At the moment.. i have the old parts from the repaired watch.. and im thinking deeply of building my own watch.. all i need is quartz movement cal.1425 wich i may find on ebay! Please help me with your comments. I have uploaded a youtube video in August about my vintage collection.. Please watch the video and lat me know what you think of it!
A lot of folks on this MB would express shock that so much of your original watch was replaced! But that seems to be typical Omega. Obviously, you attach a great deal of importance to the watch. Sharp! Enjoy!
I would definitely build up the original parts into a complete watch. I actually kind of like the water damage on the dial. The new watch looks great too.
Ur right alam.. They removed the original case and case back (90% of the watch ) but good thing is that i still have them! Im wondering if i could really buildup a watch using these parts, which will be the real watch?!
It looks great, but I have to agree with the others, with only the movement remaining, there is not much of the original remaining. I would have thought that the case and caseback could be re-used, and the sealing restored with new o'rings. An early xmas present, congrats. Rob
Thanks Rob.. happy xmas to u and to all folks here. I do agree with u.. also the metal bracelet is original.. and it was restored perfectly.. sorry i did not talk much about as i was uploading those pics at midnight kuwait time where i live now.. U can see little scratches left at the clasp but im ok with it.. i belive removing them would require heavy work that may affect the metal shape. I did not remove the plastic sticker on the case back yet.. most probably i will leave it for my dad to do. I think the watch wears nicely on fomal suits..
There is usually a small compartment under or beside the main cushion in Omega boxes. I think it would be nice to lay the old parts to rest in there, or somewhere else where your re-furbished watch will reside. That way, the original and the re-born will always be together. Just what I'd do if it had been my Dad's watch. Cheers Jim
That sounds great Jim, The sentimental value of a vintage watch and the story behind are THE main difference between vintage and new watches. I have had many discussions with my dad before and after sending him those photos you see above, as we live in different places due to my work, and he is always asking me to pass this watch and two other vintage omegas that he owns to his grand children. I will do my best to keep these timepieces running and well maintained, until they go to my son and nephews. I can understand that many people do not agree on removing/replacing original parts from such beautiful timepieces and i totally agree with them, but for my dad's watches I find it better to restore them and turn them into new watches that can live for the next generation to put on wrists. Sameh H.B.
You've saved a family heirloom! Great story and I am sure the sentimental value is now over the top, especially being able to share that beautiful piece. Congratulations. I bet your dad is really proud.
I'm sure the silver dial is all that Omega had available as a service dial for your watch. That being said, the watch looks fabulous. Wear it in good health!
If I had sent in a watch the way it looked before service, and received what you did after service, I would be very, very happy. It's simply spectacular. Congratulations!
Hi Jones.. yes indeed im really happy with it... not to mention that the silver/white dial looks beautiful... iv put it back to the box last night until i remove the original metal bracelet (it's so well restored.. these guys did a perfect job on it) and attach the 19mm leather band to it. Thank u.. Sameh.
