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Omega 165.024 restoration opinions welcomed

Knudsen1971
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Hi,

I`d like to get your opinion, suggestion for restoration of this one owner, original, unrestored and unserviced watch.
I fell in love with how it looks now, so I can do from keep-as-is, with only movement service, to full resto including micro welding, full relume including new bezel insert...or something between...so, what you would do with it? Thanx!

IMG_7587.webp
 
SerP
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Hi. Could you provide more pictures, please..?
 
Knudsen1971
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I sure can, question is why 馃榾
The important part is visible and the case itself is in quite nice unpolished shape, including original flat feet crown. As I said, it has never seen a watchmaker, never been serviced/polished or whatsoever, as it has spent its whole life on an iceland. That also mean the watch was facing extreme humidity and temperature changes, leading to tritium deterioration. Watch is in running condition, but it stops.
I have some more from the auction, and can give some more once with me, since on its way.
 
JimJupiter
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The pic is to bad to give any recomandations. For example I can't see the sharpness of the case etc. If its a still running auction I get your point and we wait. Good luck with it!
 
p4ul
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If you love it as is, why do more than service? What does it matter what others would do?

Oh, one last question for experts, why does the second hand look like new in comparison to the rest of the watch?
 
Knudsen1971
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I`ve bought the wach after some price negotiations on chrono24, and since the watch is on a way to me, I cant make sharper pictures now.
I thought that the pic is good enough for some opinions, as clearly can be seen the cracked bezel insert on 15min, condition of the dial, hands... that is the main area of interest.
Would you keep it as is, or only polish the hesalite, or relume just the hands, or the whole thing...
This is not a rocket since, just want to know your taste....
 
JimJupiter
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p4ul p4ul
If you love it as is, why do more than service? What does it matter what others would do?

Oh, one last question for experts, why does the second hand look like new in comparison to the rest of the watch?

I don't think its new. It's just the white paint, that maybe make it look newer then the rest imo.
 
JimJupiter
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Knudsen1971 Knudsen1971
I`ve bought the wach after some price negotiations on chrono24, and since the watch is on a way to me, I cant make sharper pictures now.
I thought that the pic is good enough for some opinions, as clearly can be seen the cracked bezel insert on 15min, condition of the dial, hands... that is the main area of interest.
Would you keep it as is, or only polish the hesalite, or relume just the hands, or the whole thing...
This is not a rocket since, just want to know your taste....
ok just from the pic:

  • dont touch the case (if it has the condition you said)
  • give hands and dial to a good reluming (James Hyman or Horoluma)
  • Crystal polish
  • movement service
  • Crack in the bezel can be fixed with glue

my 2 cents
 
Knudsen1971
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JimJupiter JimJupiter
ok just from the pic:

  • dont touch the case (if it has the condition you said)
  • give hands and dial to a good reluming (James Hyman or Horoluma)
  • Crystal polish
  • movement service
  • Crack in the bezel can be fixed with glue

my 2 cents
Hi, thank you, I was thinking the same as a maximum I`d do... I`ll keep it as is, just service the movement for now and will see what next. It can be relumed anytime, but not reverted back, true...
I have access to Omega parts, reluming, polishing, welding here localy, so full range of services is available. For me it is just a matter of taste/decision.
This is I think like 7th SM300 I`ll be sorting out, just wanted to know somebody elses oppinion, taste... as it is always subjective, it is interresting to know. Peace.
 
SerP
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Knudsen1971 Knudsen1971
I sure can, question is why 馃榾
The important part is visible and the case itself is in quite nice unpolished shape, including original flat feet crown. As I said, it has never seen a watchmaker, never been serviced/polished or whatsoever, as it has spent its whole life on an iceland. That also mean the watch was facing extreme humidity and temperature changes, leading to tritium deterioration. Watch is in running condition, but it stops.
I have some more from the auction, and can give some more once with me, since on its way.
To get a comprehensive impression of the watch's condition. There is only one photo and it is not of the best quality to judge by it.
 
Knudsen1971
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Once with me, I`ll open it for you and use the microscope, but I expect from local experts storm of opinions then! 馃榾)
 
SerP
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Knudsen1971 Knudsen1971
Once with me, I`ll open it for you and use the microscope, but I expect from local experts storm of opinions then! 馃榾)
Ok-ok))
A few good photos will be quite enough... even for experts.
 
Donn Chambers
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JimJupiter JimJupiter
ok just from the pic:

  • dont touch the case (if it has the condition you said)
  • give hands and dial to a good reluming (James Hyman or Horoluma)
  • Crystal polish
  • movement service
  • Crack in the bezel can be fixed with glue

my 2 cents
Agreed. I might just have the hands relumed to match the dial and leave it alone, though. And the only reason I鈥檇 do that is because of the missing lume.
 
Davidt
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Personally I wouldn't service the movement without reluming the hands as there's the potential for more material to fall out and into the movement.

My plan would be:
1. Clean crud off case and polish crystal, to better assess the dial.
2. Get hands and likely dial relumed, along with movement service.
3. Given the condition of the bezel and case etc i wouldn't be having any casework done, just an ultrasonic clean and try and get the bezel secured so it can be worn without risk of any pieces falling out
 
JimJupiter
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Davidt Davidt
Personally I wouldn't service the movement without reluming the hands as there's the potential for more material to fall out and into the movement.

My plan would be:
1. Clean crud off case and polish crystal, to better assess the dial.
2. Get hands and likely dial relumed, along with movement service.
3. Given the condition of the bezel and case etc i wouldn't be having any casework done, just an ultrasonic clean and try and get the bezel secured so it can be worn without risk of any pieces falling out
But don't put the bezel in the ultrasonic cleaner 馃榿 !!!
 
Knudsen1971
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Thank you all for your inputs!
What is for sure, at first the watch will be completely dismantled and cleaned in ultrasonic bath, all parts inspected.
Apart from complete movement service which is a must, I`ll probably polish the hesalite and try to change the o-ring in the original crown + caseback seal. The hands will be cleaned and polished and sent to my friend for relume + bezel crack fix with clear epoxy.
As there is a great story behind the 1st owner, I`d love to keep it, as all watches from my collection are bond with some interesting history, that prevents me from selling them, for me it is important part of collecting the watches.
What is a pitty, that Omega EoA service is stopped, as I`m very curious, where exactly this was sold, as bought new by Greek Navy navigation officer somewhere during his duty on sea.
Will share more pics, once on my bench...
 
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