Good Morn All! It's happened. I've been sucked in to the world of vintage watches, and after months of trawling the web I've made my first purchase. My new Chronostop Driver arrived two days ago, fresh from eBay. A bit of a punt based on the pictures and terrible description, but it has arrived and I'm rather pleased with it! Despite fearing something being horribly wrong with it, that I failed to spot, here's a couple of photos: It seems to be keeping good time, but a service is on the cards. Was thinking about sending it off for a little bit of light restoration; cleaning of the dial and a bit of a cleanup on the case, but I'm open to suggestions on this. Didn't want to go too far with it, just a "freshen up" so to speak. The final, and perhaps biggest addition I'd like to make is an original Milanese mesh bracelet, so as one hunt ends, it would appear another begins! Looking forward to getting more involved in the community and hearing your thoughts on my first purchase (be kind ). Cheers!
Welcome! Harry Potter fan? Nice catch, I'd leave the watch alone though, no freshening up needed, just wear it & enjoy it for now. kind regards
Thanks! Well sort of, but more of a Bond fan (I guess that explains the affinity to omegas!). It's the name of a boat out of Goldeneye and subsequently the name of my first boat! Yeah perhaps you're right. There's some dust on the inside of the hesalite, which I'd like cleaned, presumably this would be done during a service? On that topic I'm not sure how much I should expect to pay for a service? Don't feel like being ripped off. Also, if anyone knows or has an original 18mm Mesh bracelet with clasp for one of these, I'd appreciate them letting me know!
Where in the world are you chap? If the UK, I'd reccomend Swiss Time Services - you're looking at chronograph service costs, so I think £450 from memory.
Gird your loins for the price of the mesh bracelet and clasp. here's one that I just passed on. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/252734186745?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:ITPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
I'm in the UK. STS's website places it at CAT 3 but makes no mention of what that means. @JimInOz Yeah I realise the mesh is going to be costly, but I'm willing to pay. Shame the timing is as it is. I was watching one in ebay a couple of weeks ago, I knew I wanted it but buying a strap for a watch I don't own seemed a little silly... turns out it's not.
Looking at the last one I had serviced with them, £440. Are you in London/The Southeast? We're having a GTG next tuesday if you'd like to join: https://omegaforums.net/threads/time-4-a-pint-london-gtg-tuesday-21st-february.52408/
I'd love to but unfortunately I'm in Norfolk- out in the sticks. Sounds like fun though! Thanks for the price, I'm going to pop into my local Jewellers and vintage omega specialist and see how much they reckon it'll cost. Maybe they'll have an old mesh bracelet lying around... wishful thinking.
You can also try 'watchguy' A number of us use them but you will need to post your watch to them (Gloucester) Difficult to get a slot but well priced
Hi and welcome I'm in norfolk too and recently purchased a chronostop driver. Are your referring to zeleys in norwich as the local omega specialist? They're nice guys and have a few bits around in the shop and back room
Zelleys! Absolutely! Through strange circumstances I heard they sold one at the end of last year, it must have been you that bought it? I was oodling their larger 41mm Chronostop they had hidden out the back. I use them for all my watch-y stuff. They've done some work on my girlfriends Aqua Terra and various bits and bobs for me on other watches. Really good guys and gals. I'm going to pop in tomorrow and see how much cash they can relieve me of...
I didn't get mine from them but did get a strap from them for my 41mm chronostop They had a nice little collection in there, especially pie pan constellations
Welcome to the forum, that is a cool watch. I have always kind of liked the Chronostop Driver's flair.
Just joined and here is MINE! Needs a NOS/used chrono hand but its so unique. The mesh is awesome and that what took me so long to find one... I wanted the mesh! Cheers.