Grandpa's chronograph - fix it or let it rest in peace?

Folgono · Mar 22, 2019

izydor
Hi all.

Once again - thank you for all your comments.
Been to this forum few times in the past, also done some reading shortly before posting. Decided to ask for help here, not elsewhere, because it looked like the most friendly place, full of experienced enthusiasts and hobbyists. No disappointment here, thanks!

When started this thread, I was hoping to receive some easy-to-follow advises on how to handle the service, what to do and what to avoid. And I got these (except for the "easy" part 😀), which I appreciate. But things got complicated. At some point I've mentioned that I found the watch can be anything between 3-20k, rather thinking about the lower range because of watch overall condition, as I perceived it. "It escalated quickly" though, and I got a feeling that this thing is far beyond me. 😉
All this value-related talk is distracting me from the watch itself. On the other hand I'm grateful you Guys pointed this matter, because now I'm more aware of what I'm dealing with, even though I'm still not sure what the actual value is.
But seeing this

Oh dear...
I've seen some similar watches (better condition, different dials, working movement) sold on auctions for INSANE prices. I honestly hope it's not that price point.
Carrying something very valuable is kind of a risk. But I believe selling it wouldn't be simple and risk-free either.

Watch spent last 60 years in a box. I guess few more weeks won't do any more harm to it, so I have plenty of time to make tough decisions. Unless I die from gamma radiation first.
Plan is like:
1. Get a nice strap, try to find orig Omega buckle, see how it wears, feel the rays on the wrist
2. Find trustworthy and vintage-Omega-experienced watchmaker and get done what needs to be done, properly
3. See how it wears again
4. Get back here

@MSNWatch
I don't know if I want/should sell it, but I'm curious why do you suggest to leave it "as is"? Things like crystal replacement and movement cleanup/fix need to be done anyway. So why not doing it? I would expect working watch to be more valuable than not working one. If done by right person, what can possibly go wrong?

By the way, I'd be happy to send the watch to @Archer, but AFAIK he lives in Canada. I'm in central/eastern Europe. Shipping it outside of EU (and back) comes with troubles like custom taxes, VAT tax and so on. Shipping the watch in general comes with a high risk (many times I've read about watches that didn't make their way to the final destination, being lost or stolen in transit). That's why I'm considering reputable watchmakers in Europe (sorry, I forgot to mention this before). Maybe - if possible - I'll try to arrange family holidays somewhere close so that I can deliver and pick up my watch personally. Otherwise, I have a lot of reading ahead to know all about secure watch shipment.

Whatever I do, I'll keep you updated. 😀

Once more - thanks for help!

I guess I need some cooldown period, take a deep breath, calm ... ... down and clear my mind. 😀

Your plan sounds good. Most valuable advice I can give you is that whatever you decide to do, take your time. If you go for a service be 100% sure to have the right guy, if you decide to sell it seek help here and explore the internet to determine the right value.
Selling a watch may seem intimidating, but if you are cautious and do things the right way there is no reason for things to go rough.

bama2141 · Mar 22, 2019

It might be worth your while to contact Omega and purchase an Extract of the Archives for the watch. You just need to provide the movement serial number (and a bit of cash). Omega will then provide the proper reference number and where and when the watch was delivered — information that would be quite valuable in future sales or research.

mac_omega · Mar 22, 2019

bama2141
It might be worth your while to contact Omega and purchase an Extract of the Archives for the watch. You just need to provide the movement serial number (and a bit of cash). Omega will then provide the proper reference number and where and when the watch was delivered — information that would be quite valuable in future sales or research.

I am afraid you are not familiar with that kind of watches/movements...

IMO you will not get any sufficient information about the watch because the movement was made by Lemania (Orient) - it is similar to the lack of information as we experience with the early cal 321 SPMs

bama2141 · Mar 22, 2019

mac_omega
I am afraid you are not familiar with that kind of watches/movements...

IMO you will not get any sufficient information about the watch because the movement was made by Lemania (Orient) - it is similar to the lack of information as we experience with the early cal 321 SPMs

Hmmm — I thought the OPs movement was an Omega 33.3 — are you saying that Omega won’t give an extract on watches with that movement?

mac_omega · Mar 23, 2019

bama2141
Hmmm — I thought the OPs movement was an Omega 33.3 — are you saying that Omega won’t give an extract on watches with that movement?

They will send you an extract but most parts will be blank, they just say "n.a." or "not applicable" or "not available".
What you will get is the production date but no reference, no case number, etc.
The production date you can derive from the serial number anyway.

I have experienced this twice. So better save the money and buy some watch stuff you may need (hands, crowns, etc....).

kmacrae001 · Mar 23, 2019

You made my Saturday morning allowing other to view. Like a visit to a good art gallery.

izydor · Apr 16, 2019

mac_omega
They will send you an extract but most parts will be blank, they just say "n.a." or "not applicable" or "not available".
What you will get is the production date but no reference, no case number, etc.
The production date you can derive from the serial number anyway.

I have experienced this twice. So better save the money and buy some watch stuff you may need (hands, crowns, etc....).

Honestly, I’d be happy to have that nice Omega folder with partialy blank extract signed by Mr. Aeschlimann.

I’ve seen some CK2077s with extracts on the web, so I was optimistic.

Lately watching this thread
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-inherited-in-1987.89301/page-4#post-1207384
and considering my movement serial # being very close, I became less optimistic.

And finally got this 🙁

Dear Sir/madam,

Due to the nature of vintage archives in certain cases information has not survived, is unreadable or even missing.

We regret to inform you that unfortunately the provided serial number (9.390.xxx) falls onto that category, so we are unable to issue an Extract of the Archives. Therefore we will issue a full refund of your payment.

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Best regards

JwRosenthal · Apr 16, 2019

Wonderful story and family heirloom, and either way you go will be alright here and we hope you stick around in preparation of getting your SM300.

Don’t worry about the lume-it like lead paint, it gets everyone in a tizzy but as long as you aren’t sanding it and breathing it or eating paint chips it’s fine. The case encapsulates it and the amount of radiation wouldn’t be able to cause damage through your arm even if you wore it for 80 years. Your watchmaker is at risk from breathing particulates, you aren’t.

As said before, a good “cleaning” generally consists of pulling the movement and scrubbing the case with a toothbrush and soapy water and drying it well...or some variation of that- it’s no more invasive than that and makes a huge difference in appearance.
There have been many references to European watchmakers here before-give exact city/town and you may be a drive away.
Before you make any decisions about it’s future, wear it and see how you take to it. Keep it in the family unless you really need the cash. Your grandkids may want it one day and if you wear it as well it will only add to the heirloom values

I got my father’s 1950’s 18k gold B&M chronograph that I keep serviced and only wear a couple times a year for nice dinners out- but I enjoy having it and knowing it was his.

stahlmotte · Apr 17, 2019

Outstanding piece👍👍👍

izydor · Sep 18, 2019

You thought there'll be no happy ending in this story, didn't you? 😀

But here it comes, back from the shadows of the past. 😁

Couldn't wait to share it, but I'll post more pics later. It's a different watch now. 😀

new_heuer · Sep 18, 2019

I think quite a few have already seen photos! You must be very happy with the work Simon has done

Nathan1967 · Sep 18, 2019

izydor
You thought there'll be no happy ending in this story, didn't you? 😀

But here it comes, back from the shadows of the past. 😁

Couldn't wait to share it, but I'll post more pics later. It's a different watch now. 😀

Love the teaser and can’t wait to see more photos!
I bet you’re pleased.

All the best

Nathan

muel · Sep 18, 2019

WOW! This is fun! It would drive me crazy to have this watch not running. I'm glad this is working out for you

eugeneandresson · Sep 18, 2019

That is killer. Glad you didn't sell it. Glad you sent it to Simon. Congratulation and WIGH 😀

kmacrae001 · Sep 18, 2019

Can't wait to see more!

muel · Sep 18, 2019

I give up... What is WIGH ? Wear it... something something...?
Sorry for the redirect

Oh just found... Wear In Good Health! Got it. I second that!

krogerfoot · Sep 18, 2019

Maybe you're just fully aware that this forum would be baying for your blood if you had gone through with scraping the history and beauty off the dial, but it sounds like you're starting to appreciate the looks of watches that show their age. My own tastes have certainly changed in ways I didn't expect. Watch types that didn't appeal to me at first are now items that I just have to get my hands on, while others have gone the opposite way.

I hope the watch doesn't turn out to be an albatross that only brings you worry about it being stolen. There must be some way to enjoy possessing such a wonderful piece of your family's history.

Screwbacks · Sep 18, 2019

izydor
You thought there'll be no happy ending in this story, didn't you? 😀

But here it comes, back from the shadows of the past. 😁

Couldn't wait to share it, but I'll post more pics later. It's a different watch now. 😀

your grandpa will be more than happy for what you did to his watch. cant wait to see some wristshots.

loniscup · Sep 19, 2019

It's so nice to see you took that path!! Can't wait to see the outcome of this beauty

oinkitt · Sep 19, 2019

Its a very nice watch. Get it repaired and enjoy it!!!

Grandpa's chronograph - fix it or let it rest in peace?

Folgono

bama2141

mac_omega

bama2141

mac_omega

kmacrae001

izydor

JwRosenthal

stahlmotte

izydor

new_heuer

Nathan1967

muel

eugeneandresson

kmacrae001

muel

krogerfoot

Screwbacks

loniscup

oinkitt

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