Omega Seamaster gifted to me

C

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checkers2

·Apr 18, 2021

Dear Omega aficionados,

Popping into this board to ask a few questions about a beautiful watch which my aging father recently gifted me. Since he is suffering from memory loss and I am a watch novice its difficult for me to piece together the history of this piece. Any comments welcome, also about looking after it, so I can hand it on to my son before I pop my clogs.

Also a basic question, hhmm - which way do I wind it?

Warm regards
Tom

 

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dsio

·Apr 18, 2021·Ash @ ΩF

Don’t wind it until its been serviced, that’s a really, really nice watch, completely real, don’t use that NATO strap on it as it will damage the finish on that case very easily, your father had excellent taste and its very much worth keeping and restoring.

 

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dsio

·Apr 18, 2021·Ash @ ΩF

The watch is a reference 145.016 with Calibre 861 movement and it should be 18K solid gold

 

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checkers2

·Apr 18, 2021

Thanks for the advice dsio, speedy too. I'll take it for a servicing, and will not wind it up. Also good to have the catagogue number for future reference. Thanks again

 

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gatorcpa

·Apr 18, 2021·ΩF InvestiGator

I think it is one of these two:

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-not-specified-st-145-0016

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-st-145-0006

Here is a Ref. 145.(0)006 to compare:

https://www.zeitauktion.com/en/omega-seamaster-18-ct-gold-automatic-kal-321-141758

I’m not sure which one you have there. They look the same from the outside. The difference is in the movement. The second one is a little more desirable.

Also, I don’t see hallmarks in the lugs, so it could be gold-plated and not solid gold, but again, your answers are inside of the case.
gatorcpa

 

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JimJupiter

·Apr 18, 2021

No one has said it before: don’t let Omega service it! Look for a local watchmaker with vintage experience or we also can name you some good addresses!

very nice watch indeed!

 

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checkers2

·Apr 18, 2021

Why is that Jim Jupiter? BTW I'm based near Milan and Genova in Italy just for the reference in case someone knows a good watchmaker

 

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kip595

·Apr 18, 2021

Your father was a bloke of excellent taste! Congrats on a beautiful heirloom (some spend years hunting for the 'right' on of these) - and as others have said, use an independent, not Omega itself for the service - enjoy! 😀

*Edit - Jim'll have a great answer, and probably more eloquent than mine as I'm only half a cup of coffee into the day; but Omega will basically 're-new' the watch, whilst removing many of the so-hard-to-find parts that make it so special...up to and including the original dial at times.

 

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gatorcpa

·Apr 18, 2021·ΩF InvestiGator

JimJupiter

No one has said it before: don’t let Omega service it! Look for a local watchmaker with vintage experience or we also can name you some good addresses!

For this watch, it might be a good idea to let Omega handle it. Here’s why:

1. Omega may be the only place to get the correct hands (which look to have been replaced).

2. If this is the cal. 861 version, Omega is likely to have the correct movement parts in stock. Even if it is the cal. 321 version, they will have most of the parts.

3. Omega does a nice job on refinishing the case.

This watch might be the exception to the rule.
gatorcpa

 

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kip595

·Apr 18, 2021

gatorcpa

For this watch, it might be a good idea to let Omega handle it. Here’s why:

1. Omega may be the only place to get the correct hands (which look to have been replaced).

2. If this is the cal. 861 version, Omega is likely to have the correct movement parts in stock. Even if it is the cal. 321 version, they will have most of the parts.

3. Omega does a nice job on refinishing the case.

This watch might be the exception to the rule.
gatorcpa

Wouldn't the dial be a worry, however? That's often what bothers me most about RSC and Omega - just curious your thoughts, @gatorcpa

 

J

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jmnav

·Apr 18, 2021

kip595

Wouldn't the dial be a worry, however? That's often what bothers me most about RSC and Omega - just curious your thoughts, @gatorcpa

I suppose it depends what you want to do to the watch: on one side, "historically original", which most possibly means not sending it to Omega, on the other, "as new" (with some caveats). In this second case, can't Omega be requested not to update the dial / hands unless it's with the exact same original references?

 

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gatorcpa

·Apr 18, 2021·ΩF InvestiGator

kip595

Wouldn't the dial be a worry, however?

Why? The dial looks to be in pretty good shape.

I believe that the hands are not original. At least contact Omega to see if they still have them. Otherwise, it’s going to be a project to get correct ones, whether at Omega or not.
gatorcpa

 

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kingsrider

·Apr 18, 2021

The dial has tritium. This may be problematic. It was, with a Speedmaster 4.5 I sent them. The cost of Omega service for a chronograph is reasonable though ($950USD starting point)

 

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siguzzi

·Apr 18, 2021

I don't see any tritium on the dial.
Markers are gold without tritium dots.
I'm also convinced the hands are original.
You can find that type of markers with black colour and black hands on C-shape Constellations but maybe I am wrong.
In my opinion the question is what is the expection of the TS.
Shall the watch be waterproof again.
Then there is some additional cost as solid gold crown and pushers are not includet in the cost for a service in the omega price.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 18, 2021

siguzzi

I don't see any tritium on the dial.
Markers are gold without tritium dots.

 

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siguzzi

·Apr 18, 2021

The black parts on the markers are no tritium

 

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JimJupiter

·Apr 18, 2021

But why is the dial marked “T Swiss Made T” when there is no Tritium somewhere?

 

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gatorcpa

·Apr 18, 2021·ΩF InvestiGator

JimJupiter

But why is the dial marked “T Swiss Made T” when there is no Tritium somewhere?

I have other watches with “T” that have no tritium on the dial or hands. Here is an example (not mine).

We sometimes forget that these are factories producing watches. They use tools and dies which are available at the time of production.
gatorcpa