Hi all, my Dad's 1970s Omega Seamaster has been languishing in a drawer for about 20 yrs and in need of a complete overhaul. I'd like to get it serviced for him but worried if I send it to Omega, they'll replace hands, dial, etc. Ideally I'd like to service and get it in working order but keep all the original parts. Does anyone have suggestions on where to take it in the SF Bay area to get the work done, or is my only choice to work through an AD/omega? Note that we think we have the bezel somewhere and are still digging through drawers trying to find it. Thanks for the advice...

 

hiya and that's a great model. i'm sure some California members will tip you off where to go for service. by the way what's the watch peeking at us to the left in the pic?

 

Good eye. Another one of his watches...a quartz Armitron diver. Says Durasteel on the dial. I dont know much about it except that it was tucked away in a drawer as well. Didn't think worth refurbishing, but convinced him that getting the Omega working again was the right thing to do

 

Also, any background on this model would certainly be appreciated. I dont know much about it except that my Dad bought it in the early 1970s. He used it for timing sailing races throughout the 70s and early 80s. Last time he thinks he used it in a regatta was the Pan American Games in Venezuela...1984, I believe. Based in some web research, this appears to be a transitional model before the quartz craze took over. I havent seen too many good examples online, but there are a few. Please note also that we have no intention to sell this, only want to restore to its former glory and learn more about the model. This one's a keeper!

 

The watch is a 1970s front opener, which some watchmakers are wary of as you need the right tool to open it. It contains the fast-beat calibre 1012 movement, said to require more frequent servicing than the earlier equivalent calibre 565 but it is extremely accurate.

 

Excellent feedback, thanks. Sounds like a need to choose service center wisely. I've narrowed it down to a few in SF Bay Area...Rollieworks, Geneva Watche Repair in SF, Topper in Burlingame. I love Topper and have bought a few Omegas there, but only hesitation is that they might replace all the vintage parts. Any thoughts on those or other recommendations certainly appreciated...

Re the 1012, does fast beat mean above 28,000? So similar to what you'd find in a Zenith or Grand Seiko high beat? Very cool if so, but I dont think it's ever been services in its nearly 50 yrs of life, so may require quite a bit of work! Btw, watch is in process of being shipped to me so will post more pics once I get it....

 

The 1012 movement beats at 28800 bph, power reserve is 42 hours and is hackable.

Just to add to Edward53's comment of extremely accurate - it is also robust and reliable, some would even say bombproof.

 

Bezel...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Seam...869298?hash=item2161bfa0f2:g:EjYAAOSwIXZdcBMlPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Pricey. Still looking for the original but havent found yet. Will keep digging!

 

Very nice watch ! I recently bought one from the first owner with the original tool to open the case.

The reference number is 166.137

 

Beautiful! A custom strap, I presume? Where did you get It made?

 

Very expensive and I am sure that is a service bezel. The 70s ones have a different font and smaller zeroes.

If that is a 166.137 it's had some major surgery on the lugs. You can't normally fit a strap on these.

 

My sense is the dial's been re-lumed.

Art

 

Are referring to the one I posted or the other one? If mine, it has never been serviced and definitely no relume! My dad is the original owner

 

The lume on yours is a bit thicker and less tidy than I'd expect to see on a SM Cosmic ref 166.0137.


[photo credit: Watchprosite, '16]

Perhaps the lume on your dial hasn't been retouched by a watchmaker. I added my thoughts to your thread in case there were supporting or contrary opinions by the experts here.

Cordially,

Art

 

Guys, I dont want to debate the lume or relume issue except to say that the watch has been in the family since the early 1970s when my Dad bought it. He wore it everyday for 10 or so years and it's literally been in a drawer since the early 1980s ....never serviced or relumed in all that time
I'll post more pics when I have it (it's being shipped to me now).

 

Hey guys, just dropped this off for service today. Will post pics once I get it back. In the meantime, here are some pics in its current state

 

Hi Mpnunes,

I am new to the Omega Forums and have just bought a Comic 2000 Diver myself, picture below:



Although I have a few other vintage Omegas, when I discovered the 2000 Diver it immediately became my favorite watch. I'm am likely going to do some restoration to this guy but I am very interested in seeing how yours turns out.

Please do share with us when you get it back from service, excited to see what they do with it!

Cheers,
Felipe

 

That looks like a nice example. I think I can see some damage to the crystal? Obviously if that is so, the crystal needs replacing, but I would be wary of doing anything else except having it serviced. The bezel is original and apart from a couple of bumps is in usually good condition. Hard to be sure but I think that is also the original crown, which rarely survive on this model.

 

Very nice watch. Mine was sent back to Omega (local guy couldn’t do the work). Likely needs replacement bracelet and definitely needs replacement bezel. I have asked to keep dial original. Will post once I get it back