Omega Seamaster Restoration

Hello everyone, well, the ones who'll read this anyway. New to the site as well as new to the world of Omega. Always been a fan of the watch but never got an opportunity to acquire one until now. As you can see, this is a 1965 Seamaster 165.002 case that has according to the info on the back 40 microns of gold on the bezel and the calibre is 552.

The obvious situation is the dial and hands which look to be compromised. The inner workings appear to be in excellent condition although a proper cleaning and checkup on mechanics is in order. My question to the masses, is there anyway possible to save the face and hands? I'd love to keep them but the corrosion has got to go. I've already had a quote that would require replacement of the dial and hands and although that would make the most impact it would compromise the historic integrity, although having the face reconditioned would do the same but at least it would be the original dial. The hands would most likely have to be replaced but I would prefer NOS if possible. Oh, and if anyone has knowledge of the correct band for this era, that would also be appreciated.

Any recommendation on who is the best watchmaker to save this would be greatly appreciated. I'm in the US and would like to keep it on this side of the pond but I'm willing to go the extra mile... or miles as it were. Thanks in advance gentlemen, and or ladies! LOL!

Hello and velcome to OF! To clean a vintage Omega dial is a delicate task, and mostly not worth the risk. Omega used different methods when manufacturing the dials. Some dials can be cleaned, if the printing is on the dial metal directly and not on the lacquer. If you tries to clean a dial with the print on the lacquer it will be ruined (printing will come off.)

But a dial with the print on the metal can sometimes be cleaned. I have used cotton tops an very small brushes, with some warm water. But, and I say but, you have to be very cautious and try on a very tiny area first with no printing.

You need to remove the dial from the case to perform the task. If this model can be cleaned? Well thats up to you to find out. And if you succeed cleaning the dial the laquer will come of and the dial will appear more matte. All according to my experiences.

Another "safe" method is to just sell the watch and look for a similar one in better condition. Personally I think if the crystal is polished and all the dust comes of, the watch is in quite nice vintage condition. 😀

Example of a cleaned Constellation dial...

Maybe it is better to go for an other example - I don't think that the result of a dial restoration will satisfy you

International Dial did a Breitling for me years ago.

My personal opinion is that you have two options one sell it or two live with it as is , its not worth it to spend money restoring it if it doesnt have a sentimental value to you , you might spend half or more of the watch value just to fix it and it might not work .

There could be a third option, find another dial exactly like it that is in better shape, yes? It does work. But like any watch this old, a nice tune up is always wise.

Personally I really like your watch. If it was my watch I would service it and keep it as is.

It would probably need a lot of time but you might get lucky and find one fast .

I'm not in a hurry. Actually, the more I look at it the more I'm falling in love with it. Call me crazy but I think this is true love! Lol! It just somehow looks so elegant without really trying.

I’d vote for service, and keep the dial as is. I could even live with the hands as they are too

Watches with “patina” have a story to tell - here is one of mine

I agrees. You have to consider if it´s only on the lacquer or if the metal has been damaged/corroded.

The cool thing about leaving it alone is no one will have one just like yours.

I have got to say, I will join the others and say I actually like the looks on your watch! I would wear it as it is, without a doubt. 😀

It can be nice to find a watch in NOS condition, sure. But the ones like yours also have their beauty.

Yeah, it is growing on me. Just worried that the corrosion would get to the point of being unbearable. Hopefully it won't. I may keep looking for another dial just to have on hand for future consideration. I would like another set of hands that would have the luminous material so I can see what time it is in the dark. I wake up a lot and it's nice to see i have a few more hours to sleep, lol.

I sent a request to mailinwatchrepair. He's located in Ohio and is a certified Omega watchmaker repair man. I'm in the Detroit area so he's kind of local. I just sent him pictures and he said he would replace the dial and hands. I didn't ask him if they were NOS or not, I guess I should. I'll let you know.

I also contacted OmegaAddict as well. He said he'd restore the dial to look as new. After getting all this feedback, I'm more incline to keep the dial as is, maybe just replace the hands, keeping the original ones stashed as well for authenticity sake.

Not gonna send it out till after the holidays though, I'm having nightmares of it getting lost in all the holiday shipping storm!