Community Stories

Omega 14389 repair

O
Posts
43
Likes
5
Hello,
I've found an old Omega 14389 (Seamaster) watch that belongs to my father (1959-1962 period). I want to repair it because the glass is broken and the dial is yellow.
In a jewelery they ask me about 20€ for the glass, 160/180 € for the new ceramic dial and 60€ for the revision of the watch. Total: about 250€.

I can't find how much this watch worth. Do you think that I should repair it? You would spend 250€ to repair this watch? I'm not an expert and I would like to know if it worth 250€. Repair or not repair it? this is the question 😀

You can find a photo of the watch here: http://www.poshtime.com/watches/3024.151f.jpg (this is NOT my whatch, just an image of the model)
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,132
Likes
27,425
How bad is the dial? Can you provide a picture?
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
Foo2rama Foo2rama
How bad is the dial? Can you provide a picture?
Hi, thak you for your reply.
I don't have the watch at the moment but I'll try to post a photo if possibile. Do you know how much the watch can worth? I find prices from 250 to 3000 $ online and I can't understand the medium value...
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
Sorry for the double post.

The jewelery kindly sent me a photo. The the attached image.
 
img.jpg
ConElPueblo
Posts
9,596
Likes
27,692
A few issues here...

O omega-me
Hello,
I've found an old Omega 14389 (Seamaster) watch that belongs to my father (1959-1962 period). I want to repair it because the glass is broken and the dial is yellow.

The question is not about repairing it because it needs repairing, it's...

O omega-me
I'm not an expert and I would like to know if it worth 250€. Repair or not repair it?

...Whether the watch will have a monetary value that is €250 higher after the repair. If it's about sentimental value, it's a completely different game.

I don't think the watch will gain much value from servicing, but I'm pretty sure that it may well lose value from

O omega-me
160/180 € for the new ceramic dial

First off, the dial isn't ceramic, it's lacquered. Secondly, the shop will most likely NOT replace the dial with an identical, new dial - they (or someone they farm out the job to) will get the dial cleaned and refinished, which is likely to make the watch look different from what it did when new - have a look at some of the examples of how bad THAT can go here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/worst-redials.2304/

At the very least, insist on having them explain the procedure for you and seeing some examples of their finished work. Collectors would probably shy away from redialing (even though the dial is pretty heavily "patinated") and for them it will make the watch lose value, not gain. Others might find it adds value - just don't blindly say yes to getting it restored.
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,132
Likes
27,425
O omega-me
Hi, thak you for your reply.
I don't have the watch at the moment but I'll try to post a photo if possibile. Do you know how much the watch can worth? I find prices from 250 to 3000 $ online and I can't understand the medium value...
Value tends to be in the case and original dial condition hence the variance in price and the need for s picture.
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
I don't know if the watch has ever been used. I think that the yellow color is due to a patina and not to water but I really can't be sure about it.

ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
A few issues here...
First off, the dial isn't ceramic, it's lacquered. Secondly, the shop will most likely NOT replace the dial with an identical, new dial - they (or someone they farm out the job to) will get the dial cleaned and refinished
I asked if they use original spare parts and they said YES. They also said me that the CERAMIC of the dial will be reworked from the original one. After your message I understand that I may have misunderstood what they wrote and they will do a sort of CLEANING of the original one. But they really wrote that the CERAMIC will be re-made.

So are you suggesting me to do not re-dial it?

P.S. I can't believe that the "worst redial" watches are made from professional people. They must be amateurial re-dials
Edited:
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,132
Likes
27,425
I'm going to call water damage. The worst is near the crown. Redialing will lower the value of the watch. What you need to balance is at what cost is a sympathetic restoration going to run vs the value of the watch to you or at resale.
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
Thank you all for your replies. I think I will not do nothing with this watch. I like it and it would be great if it could be repaired as new, but if I need to spend 250€ for "destroy" the watch's value I won't do it. I read on other forums that a rework of the dial will likely halve the value of the watch also if it's done well. I could do it if I want to use the watch, but the value will be far lower.
You definitely convinced me that is not a good idea. I'll keep it as reminder of my family history but I'll not repair it. The game doesn't worth the candle.

Thank you! You saved me to spend 250€ for a bad idea.
 
Mouse_at_Large
Posts
2,043
Likes
5,502
In my opinion keeping it, unless you simply want to consign it to a drawer, take it out from time to time to look at it, then put it away again, may not be the best answer. What you have at the moment is a non-functional object that cannot do what it is intended to do - that is to be worn and to keep time (reasonably accurately. As such, it's only value is sentimental.

If you have it refurbished, you may find you have something that you can wear every day and will have utility beyond the purely sentimental. Yes, the cost may be more than the watch is worth if you sold it in its present condition, but you have already said you have decided to keep it.

A while ago, I had three of my late fathers non-running watches refurbished. In two of the cases, I'd guess that the costs outweighed the value of the watches, but now my two brothers and I have functioning watches that can be worn rather than left in a corner of a sock drawer.

I would go down the restoration road, but the watch is yours, and of course, so is the final decision.
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
Mouse_at_Large Mouse_at_Large
In my opinion keeping it, unless you simply want to consign it to a drawer, take it out from time to time to look at it, then put it away again, may not be the best answer. What you have at the moment is a non-functional object that cannot do what it is intended to do - that is to be worn and to keep time (reasonably accurately. As such, it's only value is sentimental.

If you have it refurbished, you may find you have something that you can wear every day and will have utility beyond the purely sentimental. Yes, the cost may be more than the watch is worth if you sold it in its present condition, but you have already said you have decided to keep it.

A while ago, I had three of my late fathers non-running watches refurbished. In two of the cases, I'd guess that the costs outweighed the value of the watches, but now my two brothers and I have functioning watches that can be worn rather than left in a corner of a sock drawer.

I would go down the restoration road, but the watch is yours, and of course, so is the final decision.
This is a good point of view and I would repair it for a lower price... but 250€ is a too high price if it is not balanced by the watch worth. For the same price (or lower) I may buy a new watch. Not good as an Omega, but good.
 
gatorcpa
Posts
13,148
Likes
18,054
The shop can say what they want. The dial is not ceramic and even a replacement will not be ceramic.
Dials on 1950's Omega watches were generally some sort of lacquered paint over a base metal. This was usually brass, but sometimes precious metals like silver or gold were used.

I suspect something is being lost in translation here.
gatorcpa
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
gatorcpa gatorcpa
The shop can say what they want. The dial is not ceramic and even a replacement will not be ceramic.
Dials on 1950's Omega watches were generally some sort of lacquered paint over a base metal. This was usually brass, but sometimes precious metals like silver or gold were used.

I suspect something is being lost in translation here.
gatorcpa
The translation is correct.
ceramica.png


Maybe the jewelery shop is not so expert... anyway, I decided to not repair/redial the watch 😀
 
François Pépin
Posts
1,531
Likes
1,087
The dial is one thing - and I agree you should not have it redone or "ceramiced"! But the service is another thing and your watch needs one. It has likely suffered a water damage at some point. Probably too late to prevent the damages but a service will deal with them.

By the way, 60E for a service... Well you cannot have a correct work done that cheap! I would spend the 250E - maybe a little bit less, but probably more if parts needed - for the service alone!
Edited:
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
François Pépin François Pépin
The dial is one thing - and I agree you should not have it redone or "ceramiced"! But the service is another thing and your watch needs one. It has likely suffered a water damage at some point. Probably too late to prevent the damages but a service will deal with them.

By the way, 60E for a service... Well you cannot have a correct work done that cheap! I would spend the 250E - maybe a little bit less, but probably more if parts needed - for the service alone!
My father and I went to a shop which repairs watches just to know how much it asks. He confirmed a 50-60€ price for the service. He said the internal movement, the balancer, is perfect and don't need a lot of work (let me know if the translation is not clear because I'm not sure how to translate the technical terms). He disassemble the watch's internal parts, clean these parts and reassemble them testing that everything work fine. He also provide a certificate (or warranty) of the work.
I think the watch is perfectly working as I used it for almost a day and it worked fine.
 
François Pépin
Posts
1,531
Likes
1,087
Well, if it happens to be true, you absolutly should have your watch serviced! If it had not have one for years, it is a good idea even if you think the watch is working fine.

I am surprised by the service cost. I know that there were old watchmakers charging that sort of money in France (not in Paris!) till a few years ago. But they tend to retire and, actually, cannot anymore charge you 60 euros for a full service and pay taxes, equipement, the rent, and eat.

Maybe it is different in Italy (if that is were you live). But if it is a full service, even on a rather simple and perfectly working movement, it is about a 2-3 hours work. Do the maths!

There is a watchmaker on the main French speaking watchmaking forum that used to say that when you pay cheap service you should except cheap service (not sure of my translation, but you get the idea!).

But I would certainly have a try with this watchmaker! Could be the goose that lay golden eggs!
 
O
Posts
43
Likes
5
François Pépin François Pépin
Well, if it happens to be true, you absolutly should have your watch serviced! If it had not have one for years, it is a good idea even if you think the watch is working fine.

I am surprised by the service cost. I know that there were old watchmakers charging that sort of money in France (not in Paris!) till a few years ago. But they tend to retire and, actually, cannot anymore charge you 60 euros for a full service and pay taxes, equipement, the rent, and eat.

Maybe it is different in Italy (if that is were you live). But if it is a full service, even on a rather simple and perfectly working movement, it is about a 2-3 hours work. Do the maths!

There is a watchmaker on the main French speaking watchmaking forum that used to say that when you pay cheap service you should except cheap service (not sure of my translation, but you get the idea!).

But I would certainly have a try with this watchmaker! Could be the goose that lay golden eggs!
Yes, we have chosen to do the service. He is a watchmaker like the ones you were talking about. It's the last watchmaker in my city (the last I know), a 60+ old man which opened the shop in 1984. I think he will retire soon. The shop always has a "back soon" message on the door... you need to call him on his phone and he comes out from the house next door and opens the shop! But he is a professional and passionate watchmaker and he does his work very well. I think he is near to retire... 😀
anyway, he suggested to NOT rework the dial, too
 
23 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

5

565 movement repair

565fixme Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Knebo
Knebo
Posts
27
Views
2K
J

Vintage Omega Watch repair

jdcrowley Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
JimInOz
JimInOz
Posts
8
Views
783
kewteddington

Disputed ownership of my Grandfathers Vintage Omega 14381 9 SC CB Pie Pan Constellation

kewteddington Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Speed2Sea
Speed2Sea
Posts
18
Views
1K
artisgil

1953 Omega Seamaster Damaged back case. Repair?

artisgil Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
artisgil
artisgil
Posts
3
Views
344
stevenellner

Omega Speedmaster Professional botched repair - is this beyond help?

stevenellner Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gatorcpa
gatorcpa
Posts
12
Views
1K
Bernardino

No.27 Clasp repair

Bernardino Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Bernardino
Bernardino
Posts
7
Views
485