I' don't mind a bit of sales patter, but really!?

 

Pictures, we want to see the creativity of said specialists

 

"Narrow T"-Dial on a 145.012...well. Not fully original to the Reference, if though "original". I am not sure, but the subials seem to have traces from storage.
Concerning the "Specialist Historic Watch Department", can't see a clear proof in the pictures. Buy the seller, then the watch.

 

Could you elaborate on 'storage traces'

Also, is it conceivable that, while Omega probably don't have a room with 'dedicated specialist historic watch dept' on the door, that they have sections that service different watch types?

 

The partial wear on the outer edges of the Subdials indicates improper storage over a time. I'd say there is no other way than mechanical impact.
The only "dedicated specialist historic watch dept" I know (personally) is the Omega Museum Watchmaker, he usually is not servicing customer watches.

 

What would wear the outer edges? Can't be the subdial hands... they don't reach. And the scratches don't follow any swept path. Could it not be a poorly recovered/handled/stored replacement dial that was damaged prior to fitment

 

The subdial hands look newer, could the damage have occurred when they were fitted?

 

Whether it was damaged while fitting or storage..this is just semantics But it was clearly fitted, it's too early for this reference. A newer dial on a older watch is plausible, the other way around not really.

 

A "dedicated specialist historic watch dept." why it's enough to knock one's socks off!

 

Yikes. Run away from anyone who posts an ad like that. They are trying to reel in ignorant buyers.

 

Well....

"dedicated specialist historic watch dept."

Are they employees there dedicated? Yes probably, and they are dedicated to working on watches, not tractors, cars, etc.

Are they specialist? At this point any watchmaker could be described as such, since there aren't that many around.

Historic? Yes the watches they work on are often historic.

Dept.? Yes, the watchmaking department.

Perfectly legit advert!

 

All you sceptics! He had Omega’s Atelier Tourbillon group service his watch after they finished producing these LEs with the 105-year-old 18”’ CHRO movements:

 

Bloody foreigners



Foreign bodies in the movement



How does one fit one in, and is it really foreign

 

Why does everyone keep hating on Foreigners? I thought they were a great band!

 

Wonder where/if the paperwork states that it was sent to Switzerland, rather than Southampton?

 

I'm sure Mr. Archer knows this, but since no one seemed to understand the wear around the outer edges of the subdials, I'll submit this: Almost all scratch/damage in and around the subdials is likely caused by someone removing the hands without proper tools or protective film/plastic. I would bet good money that wear is from someone sliding a blade in there to pry off the hands. Lucky they didn't break the tip off the pinion, too. You will also often see wear near the center of the subdial that is covered by the base of the hand. That wear is also from improper removal of the hands. Not likely it is from "fitting" the hands or from the movement of the hands.

 

Almost all is correct, but not likely this specific damage on this watch. This is typical of damage from the dial being stored loose, and abrasion of the dial surface.

 

Hope that was not the handling of the dedicated Specialist historic watch department...someone would get their tools taped and white glove bench inspection for that.
Having worked on historic Audio equipment for money, I can say from personal experience that work bench hygiene and maintenance is a huge part of professional practice. A dropped set screw or speck of solder lying on the bench surface can scratch the face-plate of a $$$$ piece of equipment (one misstep with a screw driver behind the painted faceplate on a McIntosh Preamp can kill the value of the piece).
Any time I see nicks, scratches, scrapes, etc on a dial I pass. It speaks to sloppy workbench practices and if that happened, I shudder to think how the movement was handled. Yes, accidents happen and the errant slip of a driver or blade can leave a mark (a teeny swipe I can let slide if I’m buying a rare watch) ...but lots of marks implies rough handling. The dial to me is 90% of the watch, I wouldn’t buy that one unless it was worth less than the sum of the parts...dial not included.