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Inherited 1965 Seamaster

Dream34
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My dad recently dug this out of a box in his closet and gave it to me. As far as I am aware it has never been tampered with aside from the band being replaced. My dad said he bought it at the PX in the Philippines in 1965 and wore it daily until about 1972 or 1973. He confirms that he has never had it serviced so I’m sure that the dial and all parts are original. He was not sure when the second hand became detached (it is resting in the upper right side of the dial. I do know that I wound it up and it does still keep time, but obviously needs to be serviced. I also could not figure out if it has a quick set date feature or if you literally have to progress it by continually passing midnight? I guess at this point my dilemma is whether I take it to a local watch guy or send it to Omega. I’m familiar with my local watch guy and he did a good job on my grandfathers gruen, so there is that. At any rate, thoughts?
 
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SkunkPrince
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What you do depends on your goal. Omega will restore it as closely as they can to as-new condition. A local watchmaker may or may not have a parts account with Omega. There are independent Omega-authorized service with said parts account; I use Nesbit's in Seattle and mail watches there. That's pretty much what you have to do these days, not many places have a lot of watchmakers around.

If you tell us where you are, recommended independents can be suggested. Or, as you said, you can take it to your local watch guy.
 
Dream34
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
What you do depends on your goal. Omega will restore it as closely as they can to as-new condition. A local watchmaker may or may not have a parts account with Omega. There are independent Omega-authorized service with said parts account; I use Nesbit's in Seattle and mail watches there. That's pretty much what you have to do these days, not many places have a lot of watchmakers around.

If you tell us where you are, recommended independents can be suggested.
I’m in New Orleans, but I’m in Houston regularly as well so either of those is pretty easy for me. I was half thinking of taking it to the Omega boutique in the galleria, having them send it in and be done. Personally I’d like it as close to original as possible, but not over done.
 
SkunkPrince
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Dream34 Dream34
I’m in New Orleans, but I’m in Houston regularly as well so either of those is pretty easy for me. I was half thinking of taking it to the Omega boutique in the galleria, having them send it in and be done. Personally I’d like it as close to original as possible, but not over done.
Then Omega service might be what you'd want. I do want to warn you that the crown on your watch is no longer available and it will be replaced with something different. They will also refinish the case and perhaps replace the hands. These things bother some people, so it's worth considering.
 
Dream34
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Then Omega service might be what you'd want. I do want to warn you that the crown on your watch is no longer available and it will be replaced with something different. They will also refinish the case and perhaps replace the hands. These things bother some people, so it's worth considering.

Gotcha. If that’s the case then I might want to consider an independent as I want all of the original parts to remain, provided they are still serviceable. The only things I want removed and replaced would be those items which are damaged beyond repair. Other than that I want it cleaned and very lightly polished. The crystal looks fine aside from maybe being hit with some poly watch…..at least from what I can tell.
 
SkunkPrince
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Crowns and crystals are usually service parts changed at each service to preserve water resistance. If they are not, then the water resistance cannot be guaranteed, and likely there will be none. So that's worth considering as well.

Having no water resistance is no barrier to daily wear of a watch, however. Many wristwatches have no water resistance at all.
 
wagudc
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Dream34 Dream34
Gotcha. If that’s the case then I might want to consider an independent as I want all of the original parts to remain, provided they are still serviceable. The only things I want removed and replaced would be those items which are damaged beyond repair. Other than that I want it cleaned and very lightly polished. The crystal looks fine aside from maybe being hit with some poly watch…..at least from what I can tell.

Not sure if you make it to Florida often, but Rik at Time Care Inc has been recommended here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/recommend-watch-maker-for-speedmaster-3572.93867/

@TexOmega may have a recommendation in Dallas. Also don't be afraid to ship the watch. I ship my watches from Northern California to Portland Oregon (Kelly Hunter at Art of the Watch).
 
Dream34
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Crowns and crystals are usually service parts changed at each service to preserve water resistance. If they are not, then the water resistance cannot be guaranteed, and likely there will be none. So that's worth considering as well.

Having no water resistance is no barrier to daily wear of a watch, however. Many wristwatches have no water resistance at all.

Honestly, I’m not going to take it swimming or diving. I have a modern 300m that fills the bill, so water resistance is low on my priorities.Likely I will wear it as a dress watch or to the office occasionally.
 
TexOmega
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Yes, PM if you wish to ship to North Texas for service.
 
perks713
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Dream34 Dream34
The crystal looks fine aside from maybe being hit with some poly watch
Ha, I had to go back and look again, my first reaction was that no amount of poly watch was going to fix that massive crack… then I zoomed in and saw it was the second hand 😀
 
ConElPueblo
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Whatever you do, just don't keep it going by winding it, setting time or shaking it about. You risk having the seconds hand either getting out of shape or making drag marks on the dial.
 
Dream34
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perks713 perks713
Ha, I had to go back and look again, my first reaction was that no amount of poly watch was going to fix that massive crack… then I zoomed in and saw it was the second hand 😀

Actually I thought the same thing initially and didn’t realize it until I took a clear picture and zoomed in on it!
 
Walrus
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It’s going to look great when you have it serviced and put together and 10 times cooler it’s from your dad. I’d use someone independent since all you really need is a service but I know people who insist on sending everything to omega and they are always happy so dealers choice I guess. Good luck either way
 
DON
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If you think the local guy can do the job. Then use him. Not a complicated movement. Sweep may just need a tightening and refitted.

Leave the case as is.

Parts not difficult to find if needed. Don't need an Omega parts account on the vintage models. Suppliers should have a good supply of most parts. If not. There's Ebay. Could be the hard to find part, but the later auto movements are plentiful and yours started running, so nothing possibly broken

DON
 
Sherbie
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Crowns and crystals are usually service parts changed at each service to preserve water resistance. If they are not, then the water resistance cannot be guaranteed, and likely there will be none. So that's worth considering as well.

Having no water resistance is no barrier to daily wear of a watch, however. Many wristwatches have no water resistance at all.
Not sure i would recommend wearing a watch with no water resistance in Houston ( or NO for that matter) - humidity is brutal

just saying ….
 
Dream34
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DON DON
If you think the local guy can do the job. Then use him. Not a complicated movement. Sweep may just need a tightening and refitted.

Leave the case as is.

Parts not difficult to find if needed. Don't need an Omega parts account on the vintage models. Suppliers should have a good supply of most parts. If not. There's Ebay. Could be the hard to find part, but the later auto movements are plentiful and yours started running, so nothing possibly broken

DON
I wound up going this route. I talked with him and he is simply going to clean and service the movement and reattach the second hand. If he comes across any issues then he will consult with me 1st. He also will do no polishing aside from the crystal with polywatch and a light hand polish.

I figure if there is more that needs to be done I’ll go from there.
 
SkunkPrince
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Dan S Dan S
For people who like shiny scratches. 😁
I don't necessarily agree. You can take out quite a few shallow ones and improve the appearance just going by hand.
 
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