Hey all,

A few years back my grandfather passed away, and as a lovely gesture he left his omega Seamaster cosmic 2000 in gold to me. He daily wore the watch for 40 years and works brilliantly after a service.

I'd like to know around what year the watch is if anyone can tell from not having the back off?
And also have a few other bits and pieces to ask...

I'd like to get an original omega band. Is there any ability to do such a thing these days? And what would one go for?

And upon it being serviced, the watch maker polished the brush marks off the watch, much to my dismay. Is there any way it can be rebrushed?

I'd like to look after this watch as I was very close with my grandfather, and love the look of it too.

Cheers, Hamish.

 

No one?
Where to get a real band?
Any clue on year?
Opinions on refinishing it?

Thanks,
Hamish

 

Ebay. Sometimes.

Cosmic 2000 was introduced in 1972 and manufactured along the decade.

Rebrushing and gold-plated aren't compatible.

 

hello

date 1972. the ref must be somthing like166.012x with the fabulous 1012 caliber inside. If you want to have it refinished you'll have to find somone for replating it. It must be a 20 microns gold plating. The case is a special waterproof case.

 

Ah shit.... Not good news. I'm actually so upset about that. I'll have to speak to some watchmakers and jewelers...

Oh lord... So it is actually a gold watch? Under the gold it will be silver I'm guessing? I'll have to chat to someone who knows their way around an omega... Appreciate the help guys. It'll cost me an arm and a leg to get it gold plated I assume?

 

It isn't a gold watch, it has a 20micra gold layer covering the metal underneath, which is not silver but some cheap alloy. If you brush or polish the thin gold layer will be gone.

 

Awesome. Thanks for that Rochete. Would I best be finding a watchmaker/jewelers who can do the work to the level of quality I desire?

 

yep it's gold plated. Generally, the case itself is made of brass or steel with a first coating of brass because plating directly on steel si tricky or even impossible.
The price will depend on the condition of the case. If the case has large missing parts of gold it may need a sulfuric acid bath first. The plating itslef is not very expensive because the layer is rather thin. A 20 micron coating will be more expenseive thugh.

 

The dial is in very good condition, and the crystal gasket (which are normally a reddish brown color) has been replaced with a new one, so at some point someone knew what they were doing. Which is no small feat given that these watches are notoriously difficult to open with the pressure fitted casebacks and two piece stems. Now, that said...

The case has been heavily modified. It likely was one of the models with an integrated bracelet (for an example see https://www.wristmenwatches.com/cn/vintage-omega-seamaster-cosmic-2000-automatic-swiss-wristwatch-2), which at some point was damaged and instead of finding a replacement bracelet, the "lugs" were cut wider and new lug holes were drilled to make the case accept a conventional bracelet or strap. There were other models out there that didn't take integrated bracelets, but they had different case shapes and this isn't one of them. So in short, there isn't a proper bracelet for this out there because it's been modified from OEM.

Now, the good news is that these cases are modular - meaning that if you press down on the crystal and bezel and hold the edges of the lugs in place, the watch "head" itself will pop out of the bottom as it is only held into the case/ lug assembly with friction from an O ring gasket seated in a recess. As I said the dial is in great shape, and if you were to source a new case/ lug assembly from a donor watch on ebay (which are not uncommon), you could conceivably pop your watch head into a decent case/ lug assembly, which would solve your bracelet and potentially the brushed case finish issues all in a single stroke.

 

Okay awesome, thanks for that. If 20 micron is what it needs, it will get it. I have no issues waiting to do it due to funds etc.

Well I had it sedviced last year. It was sent off to an omega specialist who replaced a part of the movement due to it not working without winding, and regasket the whole way through (what I've been told). But, they've polished the case and glass (I believe this was the stupid jeweler who did this.)

Now the case I do believe has been cut, speaking to my grandma this is what occurred. I don't wanna change it as it's how my grandfather had it for years, I'd rather keep it the same case over getting a different one and run a non omega band.

In agreement, the face of the watch is in great Nick, and the moment works brilliantly. One or two shakes of the watch and she springs into life.

I'd be keen on getting the case refinished. If you guys are telling me it's a 20 micron coating of gold (is that a ''filling" or a "coating"?) And just new gaskets, I'd be happy to do that.

Appreciate the help everyone. It's a family heirloom so I'd like to keep it in good condition.

 

For me I see no gold worn through and nothing a fine 2000 grit sand paper by a competent watchmaker to get the brushed look back. Placing it on a leather strap will do wonders and you never know a watchmaker with a Omega parts account might be able to see if the bracelet is still available.


I see no need for re- platting

Can you take a few photos of the lug ends and sides of the watch please. Also the back of the watch.

 

Hopefully that can be done, but I'm not holding my breath. I'll speak to some jewelers when I'm in the city soon, won't be too long. Here's the pics of it. Cheers!

 

A nicer photo of the watch

 

You need a watchmaker not a jeweller.

 

Got ya. Specifically an omega specialist or?

 

I would look for a independent with a Omega parts account.

Edit the tittle to include “watchmaker in (where about you live on earth) needed”

A member nearby will point you in the right direction. @JimInOz

PS Make sure you set yourself a avatar and you will get more help also

 

Done and done! I'm in Victoria, Australia, so I'm sure there will be some independent omega watch makers in Melbourne somewhere!

 

Just visited Vic for and hour and a half on my way to Tasmania for a week from Darwin.
That was enough for me. Nice coffee

@photo500 is a member here and in Perth (highly recommend by myself and many from around the globe)

 

Hahaha it's a bit flat out 99.95% of the time in melbs, glad I'm only in there for uni haha.

Awesome, doing watchmaking etc? Might be a good opportunity for me to get an idea of what i need to save in order to get the Seamaster in tip top Nick.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the plating. Even if you can get a brushed finish back without losing too much material it will, over time get wear spots and lose that "just new" look.

It's a well worn vintage watch. Let it live out its days as your grandfather saw it.

This model is a bit different to the run of the mill Omega. The movement case is a sealed can where the movement is accessed after the crystal is removed by air pressure. This "can" is held inside the middle case by a gasket. You need a watchmaker familiar with this model and one with an Omega parts account in case spare parts are needed.

I was going to recommend a watchmaker, but his workload is currently 20 weeks and counting so if you need to do it maybe check in the CBD.