Inherited Omega

J.Spencer · Jul 2, 2021

With my Grandfathers passing, he and my Grandmother wanted me to have his wrist watch. I gladly accepted what she explained was the watch he wore everyday for many years. He was a humble man who retired from the Air Force in 71 and when on to become the 117th employee of FedEx as a airplane technician. He retired as head of QC over the refurbishment of many of their planes.

I’d like any advice I can get about this really cool watch. I am very proud to wear it and would love to know more about it. She told me that she witnessed a man offer him 8K for it one time. It means a lot that he didn’t take that offer. Maybe he knew it wasn’t worth that much, or maybe it meant something very special to him. Maybe both.

I’d like to have the crystal replaced but I don’t know who I can take it to. The local Omega shop attempted to polish it with no luck. I’m in Georgia, and I would like to hand deliver it to a watchmaker. I’d also like to source the part myself so I can be sure it’s genuine Omega. I understand I need to have to back opened to identify it properly, but I also think it can be identified by an expert without this. Am I wrong? Does anyone know of a watchmaker in Georgia?

gbesq · Jul 2, 2021

The OF experts may correct me, but I believe that this is what is generally known as a "beefy lugs" Seamaster calendar. If memory serves, the very first version was reference 2849 which was introduced in 1955 with a 20 jewelled caliber 503 automatic movement. There are other versions of this model, so the only way to be sure is to have a qualified watchmaker open the caseback to give you the case reference and serial number, both of which should be on the inside (case reference on the inside of the caseback and serial number on the movement). I would like to see better photos of the bracelet, front and back, and especially of the inside of the clasp and the end links where the bracelet attaches to the watch case. The watch will likely need a full movement service and an ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet in addition to the crystal replacement. The work should be done by a watchmaker who has experience in the sympathetic restoration of vintage watches and who also has an Omega parts account. I can't recommend a watchmaker in Georgia, but I'm sure that other OF members will chime in with recommendations. This is a nice watch and a lovely heirloom, but I'm not aware of anything that would make it worth anywhere close to the $8k figure noted in your post.

Fallout Boy · Jul 2, 2021

in addition to @gbesq: the crown is not original.

The black dial is a big + when selling the watch. I would keep this Seamaster when restored as mentioned above, offered at the flea-market, I would pay maximum 900 w/o opening the case.

Nice hairloom and welcome here!

gbesq · Jul 2, 2021

I will second Fallout Boy's comment about the crown not being original and correct for this watch. I noticed that and forgot to mention it, so shame on me. He is also correct that the black dial in original and unrefinished condition is a rarity on this model as it is on most vintage Omega Seamasters and Constellations. It's much more common to find these models with repainted dials, and black dials in particular, which detract from the value of the watch even when they are well executed.

watchyouwant · Jul 2, 2021

Fallout Boy and gbesq : the OP never did ask about the crown or the value. Can you help him with finding the correct crystal himself or advice him about an Georgian watchmaker for hand delivery ? That is his question. his heirloom is important to him. Looking forward to somebody who can help him.

gbesq · Jul 2, 2021

watchyouwant
Fallout Boy and gbesq : the OP never did ask about the crown or the value. Can you help him with finding the correct crystal himself or advice him about an Georgian watchmaker for hand delivery ? That is his question. his heirloom is important to him. Looking forward to somebody who can help him.

With all due respect to your suggestion, the OP said "I’d like any advice I can get about this really cool watch." In my reply, I opined on the model of the watch, its origin, and the likely service that it would require from a qualified watchmaker WITH an Omega parts account. I also mentioned that I could not recommend a qualified watchmaker in Georgia (because I simply don't know of one), but that I'm sure that other OF members would chime in with recommendations (although apparently not you, watchyouwant). I also asked for additional photos of the bracelet and the endlinks, so that I could tell the OP more about his watch, not less. Finally, although he did not ask for the value of the watch, he did mention that he believed that his grandfather had received an offer of 8k which is well beyond what the watch is worth. I thought that he might appreciate knowing that 8k would be well beyond anything that the watch would sell for and Fallout Boy quoted a number that is certainly closer to the actual value. So far as I know, it's also no disservice to the OP to let him know that the crown is not original and correct and that the black unrefinished dial is desirable. I'm not sure what else you expect of us, but I can't help but note that your post was of absolutely no help to the OP whatsoever.

J.Spencer · Jul 2, 2021

Thank you for all of your knowledge guys! I did assume the crown wasn’t original because it’s missing the logo. It’s good to know for sure. I do plan to keep this, and can’t see any situation that selling would be an option. Knowing it’s approximate value just tells me he was very fond of it. He did have some very wealthy friends and maybe one of them just wanted it that bad. I am very curious about its rarity as well. I had a hard time finding another one just like it.

Fallout Boy · Jul 2, 2021

Communicate by email with the watchmaker and tell him what to do and -more important- what NOT to do.
atb Jo

gbesq · Jul 2, 2021

J J.Spencer
Thank you for all of your knowledge guys! I did assume the crown wasn’t original because it’s missing the logo. It’s good to know for sure. I do plan to keep this, and can’t see any situation that selling would be an option. Knowing it’s approximate value just tells me he was very fond of it. He did have some very wealthy friends and maybe one of them just wanted it that bad. I am very curious about its rarity as well. I had a hard time finding another one just like it.

The black unrefinished dial makes it something of a rarity within that particular case reference. Just understand that rarity doen't always equate to valuable. The critical question is what is the watch worth to YOU? Given that it was your grandfather's and can be sympathetically restored to its former glory, I would say that it's priceless.

Walrus · Jul 2, 2021

gbesq
The black unrefinished dial makes it something of a rarity within that particular case reference. Just understand that rarity doen't always equate to valuable. The critical question is what is the watch worth to YOU? Given that it was your grandfather's and can be sympathetically restored to its former glory, I would say that it's priceless.

My sentiments exactly. Can’t put a price on grandads watch

Boojumhunter · Jul 2, 2021

Big hippocampus on the caseback - 1958? Love the bracelet, even thought not sure it’s original. Me, I’d spring for sending this in to Omega for a refurb given the original black dial, and family provenance… but it’ll come at a cost obviously.

gbesq · Jul 2, 2021

Boojumhunter
Big hippocampus on the caseback - 1958? Love the bracelet, even thought not sure it’s original. Me, I’d spring for sending this in to Omega for a refurb given the original black dial, and family provenance… but it’ll come at a cost obviously.

Omega will ruin its vintage character. The dial and hands will be the first things they replace.

64Wing · Jul 2, 2021

timecube · Jul 2, 2021

Boojumhunter
Big hippocampus on the caseback - 1958? Love the bracelet, even thought not sure it’s original. Me, I’d spring for sending this in to Omega for a refurb given the original black dial, and family provenance… but it’ll come at a cost obviously.

Either that's Snark, or I expect this post will softly and suddenly vanish away.

J.Spencer · Jul 3, 2021

Boojumhunter
Big hippocampus on the caseback - 1958? Love the bracelet, even thought not sure it’s original. Me, I’d spring for sending this in to Omega for a refurb given the original black dial, and family provenance… but it’ll come at a cost obviously.

I don’t think it is original, but I love it. I do believe it is a 58, thanks for the input! I was finally able to find a comparable one. https://corrvintagewatches.com/prod...al-gloss-black-and-gilt-dial-on-bor-bracelet/

J.Spencer · Jul 3, 2021

Fallout Boy
Communicate by email with the watchmaker and tell him what to do and -more important- what NOT to do.
atb Jo

This I great advice. I will likely need it serviced because it doesn’t seem to be automatically winding. I will state clearly that it does not need any of the patina removed and the only thing I really want to change is the crystal and possibly the crown. Finding the exact replacement crystal may be problematic as it seems the magnified “Cyclopes” crystal is fairly rare.

gbesq · Jul 3, 2021

J J.Spencer
I don’t think it is original, but I love it. I do believe it is a 58, thanks for the input! I was finally able to find a comparable one. https://corrvintagewatches.com/prod...al-gloss-black-and-gilt-dial-on-bor-bracelet/

I think that a movement service, a new crystal and a light hand polishing will work wonders for your watch. Perhaps a new strap as well. It should clean up very nicely.

Edward53 · Jul 4, 2021

They didn't always have the Cyclops crystal and some people think they look better with a plain one, so it's your choice which to go for. I don't know if that's an Omega bracelet or not but it looks good on the watch and I would keep it.

J.Spencer · Jul 4, 2021

Is it normal to hear the movement?

smoothsecondscom · Jul 4, 2021

Yes, quite normal, especially with vintage watches! I have a few watches that I can hear tick.

J J.Spencer
Is it normal to hear the movement?

Inherited Omega

J.Spencer

gbesq

Fallout Boy

gbesq

watchyouwant

gbesq

J.Spencer

Fallout Boy

gbesq

Walrus

Boojumhunter

gbesq

64Wing

timecube

J.Spencer

J.Spencer

gbesq

Edward53

J.Spencer

smoothsecondscom

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