Input on putting this Omega Seamaster 300 166024 right

timmy123 · Jan 15, 2017

Hi,
This watch is in very rough cosmetic shape and also not sure how original it is. Despite all this I would like to get it closer to what it should be. The serial no. (294065xx) seems to date it from 1969 but if so one would figure it should have the screw down crown and this crown does not appear to be an Omega crown anyway. I would like to fit it with the correct crown and also replace the crystal - which does seem original as it has the omega symbol etched on it. The dial is actually nice under the ugly crystal. To give it the screw down crown what other parts would I need to acquire and are there original parts still available?

Note the one shortened lug - I guess smashed or worn down? I would suppose something like this can't be fixed. Watch does run well!

Thanks for the help!

watchlovr · Jan 15, 2017

That is potentially a cracker.
Bit of TLC and laser welding, it will be lovely.
I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Where are you in the world?

edit, you need a crown and crystal (although it may polish ok), service and laser welding.
The date wheel with black surround is a service item (IMO), white surrounds are hard to get, not a big deal though.
All parts are available.

Foo2rama · Jan 15, 2017

There are some experts on these here. But I think there is serious value there. Let an expert chime in on how correct it is.

Vicke · Jan 15, 2017

Both crown and crystal can be obtained from Cousins https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/omega-case-parts

timmy123 · Jan 15, 2017

watchlovr
That is potentially a cracker.
Bit of TLC and laser welding, it will be lovely.
I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Where are you in the world?

edit, you need a crown and crystal (although it may polish ok), service and laser welding.
The date wheel with black surround is a service item (IMO), white surrounds are hard to get, not a big deal though.
All parts are available.

Thanks for responding! What is laser welding? Is that something for the case? I love the look of this watch. I am in the U.S.

timmy123 · Jan 15, 2017

Vicke
Both crown and crystal can be obtained from Cousins https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/omega-case-parts

Thanks for that link!

watchlovr · Jan 15, 2017

timmy123
Thanks for responding! What is laser welding? Is that something for the case? I love the look of this watch. I am in the U.S.

Laser welding is a pretty common process for building up/joining metals, used by jewellers/watchmakers nowadays.
Not all do it, not all would be able to tackle your job.
Otto Frei in the US will have the parts you require, however, if I was you i would;
1. Take my time, do my research.
2. Find someone who can do all the work rather than several people
3. Not buy parts, get the watchmaker to do so
4. Take my time.

Foo2rama · Jan 15, 2017

timmy123
Thanks for responding! What is laser welding? Is that something for the case? I love the look of this watch. I am in the U.S.

Laser welding is the addition of new material into the deep scratches/pits.

I don't see a need on this one. The patina is fine the way it is. Just don't polish it. Laser welding could make the case look brand new at a significant cost. In this example and model it may not actually increase the value due to "watchco" models.

timmy123 · Jan 15, 2017

Foo2rama
Laser welding is the addition of new material into the deep scratches/pits.

I don't see a need on this one. The patina is fine the way it is. Just don't polish it. Laser welding could make the case look brand new at a significant cost. In this example and model it may not actually increase the value due to "watchco" models.

Would laser welding help with the shortened lug?

Foo2rama · Jan 15, 2017

timmy123
Would laser welding help with the shortened lug?

Anything could be done with enough $$. I'd leave it. The other option is a new old stock case but an expert on these would have to give a pro con on value. A new case might adversely affect the value, and the cost to rework the case to like new condition might not be worth it.

An expert on these can answer that question as well as address the correctness of the bezel and hands.

TomGW · Jan 15, 2017

timmy123
Would laser welding help with the shortened lug?

Yes, sufficient metal could be added to lengthen the lug and then reshape it to the correct profile. However, this would be much more difficult to do than filling in dents etc. The real problem is that the lug will end up looking like new and I very much doubt that the overall patina could be replicated for the rebuilt lug.

timmy123 · Jan 15, 2017

TomGW
Yes, sufficient metal could be added to lengthen the lug and then reshape it to the correct profile. However, this would be much more difficult to do than filling in dents etc. The real problem is that the lug will end up looking like new and I very much doubt that the overall patina could be replicated for the rebuilt lug.

I understand. Well the lug is still doing it's job. So not the end of the world.

Edward53 · Jan 15, 2017

If that were mine I wouldn't touch the case. It's a wonderful honest vintage watch and doesn't look nearly as bad as you think. Once you start meddling with it, you affect its originality and vintage appearance. And if you laser-weld it, you can't put it back if you decide you prefer it the way it was, and then you've affected its resale value as most collectors would prefer the case the way it is now, even with that lug, than with scars etc filled in. So it's a no-brainer IMO.

watchlovr · Jan 15, 2017

The only dilemma I see is the case lug, everything else can be easily sorted.

Your choices (and potential issues with this choice in brackets) are;
1. Leave as is (Ugly but original)
2. Replace mid case with new, they are available (The new case is a slightly different profile, it can be noticed)
3. Laser weld and refinish the case (Everyone on this forum will know it has been done, and it might be noticeable)
4. Buy another vintage SM300 with knackered dial and transplant the case, sell the damaged case with knackered dial (Cost implications with buying another watch)

I know a guy in Honk Kong (Michael Young) who I think could do all the work including laser welding and it would be unnoticeable.
His laser welding and refinishing is astonishing, the other tasks are pretty basic.

If money is no object I'd go for option 4.

Your money, your choice.
One other thing, done properly, the watch is worth pretty serious money.

Vicke · Jan 16, 2017

The watch has got a limp 😉
It's part of the personality, leave it as it is.

Archer · Jan 16, 2017

Nothing wrong with it as it is now - just a service of the movement, new crystal, and new crown is all that's needed. The watch has lived an interesting life and in my view laser welding it would be a big mistake, and would detract from it's history and value.

Cheers, Al

kox · Jan 16, 2017

timmy123
The serial no. (294065xx) seems to date it from 1969

Besides the condition, my main concern is the serial number (in regards to originality and collectors value). I have never seen a 166.024 nor any SM300 in the 29x range, neither confirmed by extract from Omega or not.
The last 166.024's were in the 27x or 28x range and produced early month's of 1970.
Doesn't mean that it couldn't be correct, I just havn't seen one/archieved one in the last 10 years or so. Anyway, all other parts besides the crown looks like correct ones for a late 166.024. Think the movement might have been swapped.
Because of that I would get an extract of the archieves from Omega (from a collectors POV).

alam · Jan 16, 2017

@timmy123 , I would run with this course of action....

Archer
Nothing wrong with it as it is now - just a service of the movement, new crystal, and new crown is all that's needed. The watch has lived an interesting life and in my view laser welding it would be a big mistake, and would detract from it's history and value.

Cheers, Al

timmy123 · Jan 16, 2017

kox
Besides the condition, my main concern is the serial number (in regards to originality and collectors value). I have never seen a 166.024 nor any SM300 in the 29x range, neither confirmed by extract from Omega or not.
The last 166.024's were in the 27x or 28x range and produced early month's of 1970.
Doesn't mean that it couldn't be correct, I just havn't seen one/archieved one in the last 10 years or so. Anyway, all other parts besides the crown looks like correct ones for a late 166.024. Think the movement might have been swapped.
Because of that I would get an extract of the archieves from Omega (from a collectors POV).

Good points and kind of what I was wondering about after I looked at the serial no. So with Omega - if the movement and the case do match they will send an extract? And if these do not match - what do they do? Just take the money and say no it is not original or just do nothing?

I do want to get the crown replaced since it isn't correct or original. The crystal I also want to do just so that I can see the dial. I won't mess with the rest of it.

timmy123 · Jan 16, 2017

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will leave as is aside from crown and crystal. I will attempt to get an extract. I also had the concern about the movement serial no. as regards production dates for these.

Input on putting this Omega Seamaster 300 166024 right

timmy123

watchlovr

Foo2rama

Vicke

timmy123

timmy123

watchlovr

Foo2rama

timmy123

Foo2rama

TomGW

timmy123

Edward53

watchlovr

Vicke

Archer

kox

alam

timmy123

timmy123

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