New to this site and looking for advice, do I keep this nice condition omega as is and just get movement serviced or send to omega for full service . Has been in a drawer for 27 years but works perfectly.

 

don't send to Omega...find an independent watchmaker that specializes in vintage Omega. Make sure nothing is replaced and have movement fully serviced. Its a great looking example.

 

What exactly do you mean by "works perfectly" and how were you able to confirm?

And a minimum, the oils have probably dried up quite a bit, and every second it runs it is causing unnecessary wear on the parts.

Follow CajunTiger's advice -- do not sent to Omega.

 

here is his cousin the Poppy.

 

Hi Bazzer whereabouts are you based? Between us we will be able to recommend someone suitable to undertake any work.

 

As stated above, find a preferably local watchmaker and make sure nothing is polished or replaced. unless it need a new part because it wasn't functioning. but given that its supposedly functioning perfectly, keep away from replacing parts if at all possible.

 

You're asking the question to a bunch of collectors. Collectors love originality. Some demand original perfection, many more accept original and used with appropriate patination. The only answer anyone here's going to give you is to service and clean the movement. The case and bracelet can be cleaned (not polished .. which involves a polishing wheel to remove metal and so scratches, but also the original finishing and edges of the watch). Personally, I have no problem polishing the clasp and there's absolutely no reason not to tighten the bracelet replacing any worn pins springs etc as needed.

All that said, it's your watch. You can choose to polish it like a beach pebble and be buried with it if that's what makes you happy.

Nice watch.

 

Hi Nathan, I live in Dorchester ,Dorset.

 

Wound it , put it right and its running keeping perfect time. Had it on my wrist for three days to heat oils in watch.

 

Quoted for posterity...


@Bazzer - you realise that there isn't any oil to be "heated", right? And that even if the watch keeps time, it doesn't mean that it isn't in need of a service?

 

As you're in the U.K. I would speak to Simon Freese or Swiss Time Services both are in Essex. Both would be able advise you on the various paths that you could take.

 

Here's the list of BHI accredited watch repairers: http://bhi.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/00005-Accredited-Register-WATCHES-V22-17.07.17.pdf

They really are becoming few and far between but you have one in each of Gillingham, Bath and Bridgewater. Alternatively, you can't beat the service provided by STS or Simon Freese as already pointed out.

 

Right in one respect ,wrong in another. All moving parts of the watch movement have a micro ammount of lubricant on them apart from the hairspring. My question was how far do I go regarding service to the watch ,not should I service it but dont want it brought back to new look via omega. I have my own watchman who I will take to at some point for a general check over and service, cheers

 

Cheers Nathan.

 

Yeah, I realise I went out on a tangent

I believe in fighting ignorance wherever I find it.

I definitely think you should go to a competent watchmaker and not Omega. I can recommend www.watchguy.co.uk in addition to those already mentioned.

 

And you can have a Dorset GTG with @nonuffinkbloke

 

Hello Bazzer... yeah I'm only up the road. I live and work around Poole Harbour. There is a vintage watch shop in Dorchester although I haven't been in there as yet. There is also a very nice, high quality, watch shop in Bournemouth who deal with STS in Southend. The shop is Michael Matthews.They are in Westover Road. Just off of The Square where they have the big balloon ride.

These shops are all very well, but you have a lovely old watch mate. I think the fact that we live within driving distance of Swiss Time Services and Simon Freese Watchmakers should be a big factor in deciding where to take your watch. I agree with the earlier advice from @jimmyd13 and @Nathan1967 . The question shouldn't be "Where should you take it?" It should be: What would prevent you from taking it or sending it to either STS or Simon Freese?

Simon used to work at STS but is now independent. When it comes to vintage Omega watches, he's the 'top banana''! Give him a call. I've met him twice and on both occasions he gave me great advice regarding my vintage Speedmaster. He's a helpful bloke and his advice and skill are highly regarded by a number of experts and collectors on this forum.

A35, M27, M3, M25, A12 and up a few country lanes. 185 miles from you. You could make a day of it with a ride around London.

P.S. I don't like the sound of that "find a local shop" advice. It aint a new watch in need of a battery change. Be a bit careful regarding 'so called' vintage watch specialist shops along the Dorset and Hampshire coast. I've had some suggest that my Dad's 1965 'brown dial' Omega Speedmaster is "not worth much money". One of them looked at it and said "Hmmm... I would give you...maybe £800".

Oh and for 'fakks sake' don't send it to Omega Baz! .... not unless you want a different watch back with half of your vintage parts in a bin somewhere!
Kind regards.
Jonathan.

 

Oil does NOT last in a liquid state for 27 years! Run it at your peril.

 

Cheers Jonathan, as its a basic clean I will probably let Mark at Willes jewelers in weymouth do it, cost approx £120, he done my my tri compax universal geneve for me which is a monumental task in itself. Thanks for all advice although you can ask omega not to touch certain aspects of the watch it would still cost £400 plus.

Its going for a service next week , according to my watch specialist if it was that dry it would not be keeping exact time as dry oil would not enable the watch to run with the same precision as it was at last service.

 

I realise it may sound as if I'm being somewhat an armchair enthusiast here and taking pot shots at a newcomer, but a watchmaker claiming this is someone I wouldn't let near my watches. I have experienced nearly flawless time keeping from 70+ years old watches that haven't the slightest sign of any servicing on them. I don't doubt that wearing them will mean that they will wear out much faster if they were serviced...