I acquired this watch about three years ago when I did not know anything, but now I still know nothing. I would greatly appreciate if I could get some help and opinions from the respected forum members here. As I understand this is a Omega 166.088 from 1969. From what I understand from the previous owner that the "spider web" cracked dial, the bezel the hands and the movement (1002) all are original. The movement is keeping time and is running well. I did notice that the case was polished and frankly in my opinion looks terrible. I like the looks and the size of the watch. What I like to know is should I try to get an original case or try to refurbish this fubr case. What is the best place to look for a case? Or, may be in the eyes of the experts here, my information on the hands, dial and the bezel are completely wrong and one should not invest any more money into this piece. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Paul, Some years ago I acquired the little sister of your SM, a 166.089 and case was in such a bad condition that no one would have thought of getting it back to old glory. Went to a specialist here in Germany (Robin Israel from http://www.uhrenkunde.de/) and he did some laser welding before lapping the case and the outcome was such great, that I couldn't believe that it was no supernatural force involved so far There are not that much 166.087ish out in the wild, esp. with a non-damaged bezel as yours. For me the watch is worth having some more money invested to make it a core piece of your collection again (and before you ask, the restoration of the case took me around 200€). Pending where you are located someone else will know who can do the job in your surrounding. Go for it!! Cheers, Winny
Hi @guwipa Thank you so much for your response and pictures. The restoration of your watch looks beautiful and the cost was great (I don't know how long ago that was). I am located in the US and I would not mind sending the case to EU to get worked on. Would you have any idea where one might try to find a nos case for it. I will certainly contact your reference and see how it goes. Again, thanks a bunch.
Hi Paul, Happy to help here. Overhaul of the 166.089 was back in 2015 and I don't think that prizes raise significantly in that time. To the other point the only one I know who has NOS cases from time to time is watchco1974 (snoop through ebay.com with OMEGA nos case and you should find him). I recently acquired a pretty rare NOS caseback for my Mark III at a bargain as I think. But I would think you should go for the restoration (and hopefully someone else can provide contact details of one doing that service in the US) rather than waiting for the rare opportunity to find a nos case for the 166.087. And if you find a case you furtherly need such specialist to assemble it to the watch and that work goes such deep that a professional should be able the restore the old case with not that much efforts once the watch has been stripped. Cheers, Winny
Paul, Further to the above possibly worth to look at this: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vin...w-flightmaster-case-restoration-advice.83817/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-mkii-case-complete-restoration.89834/ and contact OF member Tmorehouse51?
I have this reference "baby blue" 166.088 and yours looks fine in regards to hands, dial and bezel etc. It has its original bakelite insert too which often get chipped or damaged. The only bummer is the polishing of the case which by the looks of this thread can be re-brushed and brought back to its original glory. I wouldn't hesitate in getting it re-worked providing the sides were finished the same as original i.e mirrored and sunbursed in the correct places. This is one of my favourite vintage Divers as it just wears to damn well.