This is a vintage watch I bought for my dad to replace the one that was stolen from him. It just came in the mail, so here are the preliminary pictures. Please let me know your thoughts and advice on what should be done. Basic service? Replace band? Polish (I'm thinking no....)? The crystal definitely needs to be replaced. What other parts should I anticipate having to replace? The box and paperwork came with it, the box will be up for sale soon enough. I paid $500 for the watch, box, and original paperwork. Sonja
In my humble and others may slate me for this but give the watch a polish, new crystal and a new strap! Do you think your father would prefer it new and shiny looking rather than something to hold its' value for sale later? You can ask your watchmaker if it needs a service or not. I don't think the watch came with that box (it says chonometer n the box insert but not on the watch itself) though the box does look good and I am sure the watch will look great after a tidy up. Well done, I am sure your father will be very proud.
Would just do a very light polish on the case and crystal. If I remember it came with 2 sets of paperwork (one belongs to a Constellation), can you post some pics?
Nice catch! Yes, a service and as Kyle suggested, a light buff add a nice leather strap! that will basically do the trick to make it a great holiday gift! ….and, if he doesn't like it, just drop me a note here, I have an opening for a vintage Seamaster with a sub dial
Doesn't seem to look like the lost one, but may actually be nicer, at least a bit bigger in size. Hands in great condition, no reason to replace. The box is nice and worth something to someone.
Info from Omega's database: Seamaster Gents' leather strap Reference CK 2576 International collection 1949 Movement Type: Automatic (mechanical) Caliber number: 342 / 344 Cal. 342 Created in 1949, 17 jewels Cal. 344 Created in 1953, 17 jewels, COSC Functions Subsecond Case Stainless steel Case back Screw-in Dial Luminous (radium) Crystal Armoured hesalite Bracelet Leather Water resistance 30 meters Don't count on water resistance!
Thanks for the info, Uncle Buck! Yes, definitely not counting on water resistance after the jeweler told us to even be careful when washing hands. He said the $10 cheapo watches have better water resistance than the watches in the 50s. TNT.....thanks to Kyle and Uncle Buck I made the decision to go with a watch that was in much better original condition than my dad's, rather than continue my search for a watch that was exactly like his. No matter what watch I went with, it would never be the same watch that was stolen, so it might as well be different, right? It turns out he didn't put much thought into buying his old watch back in 1955....he was 17 and just went with what the salesman suggested. It had oxidation on the dial after 10 years or so because he wore it everywhere, then he was in a motorcycle accident in the 1960s and cracked the crystal among other things. He took it in for repair and it went in with crosshairs and came out without them, so the dial had been redone. I love the fact that the Seamaster I bought for him has the original paperwork and is in collectible condition. I'm so thankful for this forum.....it enabled me to purchase something that I know very little about without getting scammed. My husband loves the vintage watch, and HIS birthday is coming up next month.....hmmmmmm.......
Watch looks like a barn find. All original, just needs a little TLC and should be good to go for many years. The first set of papers match the watch, so they have always been together. If someone has that serial number on their cal. 505 Constellation, that paperwork would add considerable value to that watch. If this were my watch, I'd spend about $7 on some Polywatch (look it up on eBay) and some q-tip swabs and give the crystal a polish myself. You should be able to remove most of the smaller scratches, and then be able to make a better assessment if the crystal is salvageable. I'd also recommend replacing that Twist-O-Flex type band with a nice leather watchband. Those endpieces on the metal band tend to grind out the lugs over a long period of time. I think you've done very well. Hope your Dad enjoys the watch. This is exactly how I got started in this hobby 11 years (and umpteen watches) ago. Happy Holidays! gatorcpa
Just wanted to share the one I just found in pretty good conditions... It keeps very well the time and looks pretty much original except may be for the hands as one of them is oxidised... Serial starts with 13000 and reference is the 2576 - 15... now pictures will be better than words...