Please help me identify the model number of this Seamaster

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A replaced crystal is no problem, especially since it will be replaced with a genuine crystal at an official Omega watchmaker.

I think, on the outside they will just slightly polish the stainless steel case and perhaps work a bit on the hands/dial. They will probably re-lume the hands and perhaps the hour markers although I can't see whether there's something wrong with them due to the quality of the picture apart from the fact that, probably, due to age they no longer light up.

Crystals can be polished but it reduces their durability and also their water resistance. It also depends on the type of damage they have (scratches/cracks).
 
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Hi - new to this forum - i have a 1953 calibre 342 that Omega sent to switzerland to be repaired and called today to say they dont have the spare parts required to fix it - (no other info although going back to them to see if they can tell me which parts they determined were required). Can anyone recommend a quality repair shop in NYC that would be able to deal with a watch of this vintage needing spare parts?
 
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Hi - new to this forum - i have a 1953 calibre 342 that Omega sent to switzerland to be repaired and called today to say they dont have the spare parts required to fix it - (no other info although going back to them to see if they can tell me which parts they determined were required). Can anyone recommend a quality repair shop in NYC that would be able to deal with a watch of this vintage needing spare parts?

A Seamaster I presume? Ugh, that's worrisome as I just shipped off a cal 344 to them.
 
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V vronp
BUT, just for my own education, does replacing the crystal diminish the value? Of course, I don't know if crystal polishing is even an option....
In general: no it does not. Happens lots of time. You might also want to use Polywatch yourself to lightly polish the crystal (only).

Worth mentioning is, that if you send the watch to Omega, chances are that they will try to 'fix' to watch to 'as new' standards, meaning most of the time that they will replace quite some essential parts (hands even) that will be considered 'original' by true collectors.
Up to you wether you want that or not.

Same collectors will not like the dial to be touched (let alone cleaned) nor re-luming of hands and hour markers.
But if you want to have that done: up to you too.

Most collectors will send the watch to a trusted watchmaker, with instructions/request not to polish/touch the case and stay away from the dial, hands and what have you. Service the movement and that is that.
I think your fine watch deserves to be left alone, but serviced.

But that might well be just My2Ksh
Edited:
 
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Hi - new to this forum - i have a 1953 calibre 342 that Omega sent to switzerland to be repaired and called today to say they dont have the spare parts required to fix it - (no other info although going back to them to see if they can tell me which parts they determined were required). Can anyone recommend a quality repair shop in NYC that would be able to deal with a watch of this vintage needing spare parts?

I don't have a recommendation for you, however I just finished a 342 that had a similar situation, and I was able to find parts either on the open market, or from a donor movement. However Omega certainly won't do this, and many parts for this series are discontinued (they don't even supply a mainspring for this one anymore) so really your only option is an independent who is willing to look for the parts, or perhaps has a stash on hand...

This is why I encourage people to get fairly regular servicing done on vintage watches, in particular those where the parts are no longer available - the priority is to preserve the parts that are inside the watch...

Hope you get it fixed.

Cheers, Al
 
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I don't have a recommendation for you, however I just finished a 342 that had a similar situation, and I was able to find parts either on the open market, or from a donor movement. However Omega certainly won't do this, and many parts for this series are discontinued (they don't even supply a mainspring for this one anymore) so really your only option is an independent who is willing to look for the parts, or perhaps has a stash on hand...

This is why I encourage people to get fairly regular servicing done on vintage watches, in particular those where the parts are no longer available - the priority is to preserve the parts that are inside the watch...

Hope you get it fixed.

Cheers, Al

So i spoke with Omega and they told me the reason they couldnt repair it was that it needed a new timepiece case......?
 
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Interesting - was the case is bad condition?
 
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Interesting - was the case is bad condition?
No - the watch was my fathers for 60 years - he stopped using it about 5 years ago when it was loosing time and he just gave it to me and i was trying to get it going again. It's been worn and looked after well for 55 of the last 60 years.... i pushed omega to give me more info but they cant really provide.
 
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I would get it back from them and find another watchmaker.
 
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I would get it back from them and find another watchmaker.
Yeah - they said it should be back from switzerland in about 2 weeks hence original post trying to find a watch repair shop in NYC that people would recommend for a vintage omega
 
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Here's another picture from Omega Switzerland. I'm waiting to hear from them regarding how to proceed.