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First vintage purchase: advice please!

Willi
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Hi
I’ve just acquired a vintage 1963 seamaster and would like some advice on getting a replacement crystal for it. Also some general thoughts/advice (please don’t tell me if I paid too much ) would be appreciated too
I’m a complete newb to vintage watches.
Thanks in advance
Will
1FBB4F22-E205-4E11-8C27-0AB8AE80CC23.jpeg
 
la_lusigne
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Hello,

From your photos the dial appears original, the movement is relatively clean but the crown isn’t correct.
The reference should be on the inside of the caseback. With that number you’ll be able to find the correct glass.
 
Willi
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la_lusigne la_lusigne
Hello,

From your photos the dial appears original, the movement is relatively clean but the crown isn’t correct.
The reference should be on the inside of the caseback. With that number you’ll be able to find the correct glass.
Thanks. Yes I thought the crown should have a symbol. . It’s a 165.001. How does one match a glass part number to the watch reference?
 
Gav1967
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Before you replace the crystal it might be worth considering polishing via sandpaper and/or polywatch. Nothing to lose if you end up replacing anyway.
Various threads on OF and the internet in general regarding techniques
 
Passover
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Willi Willi
please don’t tell me if I paid too much

How much did you pay? 😀

Though the pictures are overexposed I think this looks promising:
Case looks very good, a rarer dial variant and the yellow gasket indicates the watch hasn't been completely serviced before.

Best thing is IMO to find a watchmaker who knows how to handle an old Omega (which country are you living in?).
He will also try to save the original (?) crystal and find a matching crown.
 
Willi
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Passover Passover
How much did you pay? 😀

Oh yes. Forgot to put that in.
$420 (AUD)

There are a few (2) watchmakers near where I live (near Sydney) I’ll have a bit of a chat with them.
 
lindo
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It is a nice Seamaster. It is well worth getting a watchmaker to replace the crystal and the crown with correct Omega parts. Don't send it to an Omega authorised dealer however - use a good watchmaker who has access to Omega parts.

You could polish up the existing crystal with Polywatch, but it looks to me like the wrong crystal, which would bug me even if the scratches all came out - it sits way too high.

At AUD 420 you have room for a service and the replacement parts, and still have a good deal.
 
__ryan__
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It may just be the light, but the hour marker at 1 o’clock looks to be flat on top, rather than angled like the others.
Edited:
 
Willi
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Following up. Cleaned up the crystal with some polywatch (wow excellent product!)
@__ryan__ the marker at 1 o’clock is the same as the others. The lume plots were dotted on the ends and make strange shadows.

79F46131-4C70-4F4D-8248-D774771E7DBB.jpeg
 
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