Gentlemen,

I just bought this absolutely stunning Flightmaster 145.013 with a 910 calibre 1st gen, early serial of 29131xxx. The watch has been serviced by Omega in Bienne and it came with a lot of goodies, like the original dial, hands, bezel, pushers, crowns, etc....

Now here’s the issue...

The casing has been swapped for a 145.026 model, and I truly belive this to be brand spanking new as there are absolutely not a single scratch or mark on it.

Most likely, (speculation only), I believe this to have been swapped at Bienne, so would you consider this to be a full “Franken” or not...

I bought the watch knowing of this, and I will use the watch for the next decades so I do not plan to sell it any time soon.

Most likely I will put back the original dial, hands, bezel and maybe crown, to get some of the personality returned to the watch.

But I’m still impressed how this watch feels like it did new soon to be 50 years ago after its service, how the chrono pushers “chunk” when you push them, or the spring resistance when you wind it up, etc...

So is this a “restored” watch, a Franken, a bastard or what? Could a collector still look at this after 20 years from now, or no?

Valuing your master opinions, as I’m a true newbie to vintage watches, but the bee has stung hard.

 

Looks great, I'd leave it as it is, IMHO the original dial is in heavily worn and damaged condition and will clash with the 'newness' of everything else if you put it into that case.

 

Seems to me that you have bought the watch. How one may choose to describe it may be open to interpretation. From my point of view it looks great, you obviously like it and intend to keep it. This being in my opinion of primary importance so all you need to do is enjoy. Wear in the best of health. Personally I would leave as is and not change the dial back. Enjoy!

 

I think it looks great as it is and I wouldnt refit the original dial etc. I'm not sure about the case, in the plastic bag you have case tubes, if the case was new / replaced why would there be old case tubes?

Mt 145.013 has a serial number 291304xx and a very early dial, but it has quite a bit of patina

 

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated!

 

Yes, I bought it already as I liked the “new” look on this watch and intend to wear it for some time. Thanks for the comments!

 

Great watch you have! This was my thoughts also about the case tubes. But i was given parts from two watches, so I belive these to be from an older watch in the past, as it has different dates on the return bag. (But i’m not 100% sure of this).

 

Ah ok, I was wondering if they were from a flightmaster case

 

For the life of me, I can't imagine what would possess you to have the old parts reinstalled. Your watch looks great as is. And who cares what the "collectors" (whoever they are) will think in 20 years from now. If I were you I'd just be happy to be wearing the watch and let my "heirs and assigns" worry about what those collectors thought should the H&As decide they want to sell it off.

Just my 2¢

 

Word! My thoughts at the moment I bought this watch. Just wanted to hear if I was way off in my thoughts. I truly understand keeping a watch original, but for this one I thought, what the hel, lets get it...

 

It looks great - let your family worry about the value with the new parts after you're gone, and enjoy it until then.

 

I'm with these sentiments, and others of the same ilk. If the watch was rebodied by Omega you should enjoy the watch as is. I don't think you say what clarification you've sought from the vendor about work carried out on the watch and the location of the original case (if indeed that was the original).
I think originality/provenance is a tricky thing and comes down to personal subjectivity when determining what is, or is not, acceptable. I recall back in the 1970's when people were "restoring" Type 35 Bugattis around the original dipstick (or similarly relatively minor component) and I know of a wonderful and lovingly restored Porsche rally car which has a mahoosive history. The fact that it has several replacement panels is not seen as a problem but the fact that the original suspension is elsewhere is perceived by some as being a problem. Personally I'd be content - initially at least - with the steering wheel.
Enjoy your watch and stop beating yourself up.

 

Thanks for your comments. I will do an email to Omega for a receipt on what work they did, hopefully they can answer this as I have the work order number. Will also get an Extract just for fun.