Omega Seamaster Pro 300M 2541.80 Quartz, can an eta e64.111 be a replacement for calibre 1538?

bigfattuna · Dec 1, 2024

hello,

dear forum, I came across a situation where no internet search helped and I am asking for help here.
I did get my hands on 2 omega watches with the ETA based cal. 1538. Both are of great sentimental value to me.
One is the SMP 300 - first gen. BOND watch, the second is an 2. gen. Aqua Terra quartz 38,5mm

One of the watches may need a new movement and since I was unable to get a spare cal.1530 nor the ETA version 255.461 / 462, my watchmaker suggested to transplant the ETA cal. E63.111 into the aqua terra.
This all because of the information we found on caliber corner web site - where it says that E64.111 is 100% interchangeable with ETAs 255.xxx movements.
And yes - they appear to be similar size and if we are not wrong, hands should fit 1:1.

So my question is - did any of you guys try such a thing? Or are we totally on a wrong path here?

thank you for your time.

best regards

Fattie.

Archer · Dec 1, 2024

Or, you could send the watch to Omega…they can either repair or replace the movement.

bigfattuna · Dec 2, 2024

Hi, thank you for your reaction.

Sure, I could do that. And I may do that if I don't find a solution. Even better, I could just stop by and drop it off, since I have an authorized Omega service center 2h drive from where I live. See, as most, I did my best to research before posting the question here.
Omega is still able to provide parts for the 1538 and they still should be able to replace the whole thing. They are not sure for how long, but for now they still service these movements. Omega charges around 800 EURO for a new movement and since I happen to have a talented watchmaker on hand, we started looking for a cheaper solution. Also - what else can we do after omega stops supporting these?

That is why I asked if any of you good people ever tried this.
I am not an Omega guy, but these two watches will never leave my collection and are maybe more precious to me than many of my "better" watches.

thank you.

Jakeys · Dec 2, 2024

My question is if this SM300 is so important to you, moreso even than more valuable watches in your collection, why not just spend the money to have the proper movement repaired or replaced? I assume that 800 EUR estimate being from Omega would be a full service/resto cost? Very worth it for a sentimental Omega.

If and when Omega discontinues the parts for this model, it'll be like any other vintage watch. You'll have to spend a lot of money, buy used parts or get creative. But I doubt many people have swapped an ETA movement in their Omega yet because it would tank the value and there's really no need. I have seen posts in the pasts of people modding theirs to get newer thermocompensated accuracy, I'm sure it's possible but it's not commonly done so you probably won't get many answers.

Archer · Dec 2, 2024

bigfattuna
Omega charges around 800 EURO for a new movement

Unless European pricing is double what it is here, they don't charge that much for the movement, so I'm not sure where you are getting that pricing from. That is likely for a complete service, which would include a new movement, replacement of all seals (new crown, new HEV, new case back and crystal seal) plus case refinishing, likely new hands, bracelet repairs (new pins/tube, refinishing), and pressure testing to the full depth rating of the watch.

If you want to shop based on price, that's your choice, but if you are comparing pricing just make sure the scope of work being done is the same, otherwise what looks like a deal could only be someone providing you half the work. If that's fine with you that's great, just be aware of it.

I can't answer your question, because when one of these needs a new movement I simply order it from Omega. This is a 1424 but you get the idea:

If your watchmaker was Omega certified they could do the same. So to keep your watch original and keep the costs down if you don't want all that other work done, you could always try an independent watchmaker with an Omega certification, who can just do the work that you want and not all the other things.

padders · Dec 2, 2024

There is nowhere in Europe I am aware of where Omega charges €800 to service a 3 hand quartz watch (which usually involves swapping the entire movement). In the UK for example which is one of the pricier locations it’s about €550 inc tax. There is some misunderstanding here presumably.

bigfattuna · Dec 2, 2024

Thank you for the reactions.
The estimate around 800€ was of course including the full service + new movement (in case they will need to replace it) my fault - I should have formulated it better. (Crown, tube, all seals and wt testing.. I guess. Plus a new movement)
I did get this over the phone, they did not see the watch and I asked about the “worst case scenario”
Yeah, looks like nobody here did a simmilar swap - my original question..
I will leave it at omega to do whatever needs to be done. And to futureproof it, I will have to be looking on ebay/chrono24 - in case a spare movement appears for sale. Who knows, I may find one.
As I said. Both of these are of great value and more precious than many of my other watches, because of whom they belonged to in the past. Long story.

Anyway thank you all.

All the best to you.

Fattie

padders · Dec 2, 2024

bigfattuna
Thank you for the reactions.
The estimate around 800€ was of course including the full service + new movement (in case they will need to replace it) my fault - I should have formulated it better. (Crown, tube, all seals and wt testing.. I guess. Plus a new movement)
I did get this over the phone, they did not see the watch and I asked about the “worst case scenario”
Yeah, looks like nobody here did a simmilar swap - my original question..
I will leave it at omega to do whatever needs to be done. And to futureproof it, I will have to be looking on ebay/chrono24 - in case a spare movement appears for sale. Who knows, I may find one.
As I said. Both of these are of great value and more precious than many of my other watches, because of whom they belonged to in the past. Long story.

Anyway thank you all.

All the best to you.

Fattie

You are overthinking this. The cost of an official service inc a movement swap is the stated price on your countries website. Yes some case parts would be chargeable if they needed changing but not any movement parts, the hands or crown, those are included. In practice they routinely just drop in a new 1538.

I picked up a new 1538 a couple of years ago on eBay for less than €100 but I’ve long since moved it on. You may find one cheap or you may not but make sure you are fully aware of the facts. It sounds like you have convinced yourself it’s more expensive than is actually the case.

Find an authorised independent like Al says. It should be much cheaper still.

bigfattuna · Dec 2, 2024

padders
You are overthinking this. The cost of an official service inc a movement swap is the stated price on your countries website. Yes some case parts would be chargeable if they needed changing but not any movement parts, the hands or crown, those are included. In practice they routinely just drop in a new 1538.

I picked up a new 1538 a couple of years ago on eBay for less than €100 but I’ve long since moved it on. You may find one cheap or you may not but make sure you are fully aware of the facts. It sounds like you have convinced yourself it’s more expensive than is actually the case.

Find an authorised independent like Al says. It should be much cheaper still.

You may be right mate. Not worth experimenting. At least for now.
I will listen to you guys and just leave it to Omega to do their thing. But as I said, I will be looking for a spare 1538. Even if I sit on it till the end of days. Makes me sleep better. knowing if something fails in the future, I will have a spare one on hand.
If I am not lucky, I will at least try to hunt down and stock the electronic module.

Funny thing, the older I get, the more I love these lovely quartz watches. I favour the aqua terra over my Oyster Perpetual any day. Grab and go. Perfect size.

thank you guys.

Fattie