found a NOS box of Omega gaskets on Ebay...

 

I would have thought gasket degrade just as fast outside a watch as in one - would that be mistaken?

 

I would think that there would absolutely be degradation. I deal with Mil Spec gaskets in my business, and they all have a defined shelf life, dependent upon base material.

 

I wasn't planning on using these...just a nice set for the collection in a cool little pull out drawer style box.

 

very cool, from about what year?

 

I completely forgot that these are cool just from for their display value. Nice find!

 

its not dated, I would guess 60's

 

Most O-rings for watch use are made from Buna N - acrylonitrile butadiene. And yes they will degrade over time for sure. Omega also used those yellow plastic ones that some people here love (unsure of material but they are usually brittle when I remove them), and of course the lead ones don't go bad.

Some other brands have gone a step above like Sinn, and used Viton.

Cheers, Al

 

Are they the ones that turn into black tar like goop Al?

 

Yes.

 

if you are afraid of the health risk of lead gaskets, pls. send them over ! kind regards. achim

 

I know Omega used lead gaskets in Connies and I believe some early military watches, anything else?

 

too late, I already licked them to see if they were real lead.