Forums Latest Members
  1. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Just fitted a generic bracelet on my old Seamaster chrono & it looks much better and closer to the original 1170 bracelet it would have been sold with.

    Here's the obligatory pic (sorry about the quality):


    As far as I know the case back, dial, hands and case are all untouched (of course, I don't know for sure but it does it look genuinely aged). But, it bugs me that the starburst pattern on the front of the case has worn away so much. STC can refinish the case to restore the pattern by hand fairly inexpensively.

    So what I'm weighing up is whether I should be the first one to mess with this otherwise original piece ? I want to enjoy the watch, but I'm also aware I might not keep it forever and it might be more meaningful to a collector if the case wasn't refinished and stayed completely original. The one thing I don't want to do is make some sort of Noob mistake & mess with a good vintage watch in a way I'll regret later.

    So, what do you do - or what would you do in this situation ?

    Thanks
     
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1343408045.215962.jpg
  2. ulackfocus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    I wouldn't mind if it were done correctly and true to original.
     
  3. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    26,754
    Likes
    32,469
    This isn't a Rolex 1665 Sea-Dweller where the vintage Rolex tragics are going to declare Jihad against you for polishing it, its a Cal 861 Seamaster in wearable used, not NOS condition and it should be enjoyed, refinish it such that when you look at it, you like the way it looks instead of it being "off" in your mind.
     
  4. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    15,047
    Likes
    23,789
    Cases can be refinished so that they can not be told from original condition. Omega is actually pretty good with cases (although not with dials). Some watchmakers that can appreciate the original aesthetic are pretty good too. However, there are a lot of establishments that only seem to know to polish out all scratches and dings and in the process destroy the proper contours and form of the watch. If it is screwed up it can be very difficult or impossible to undo.
     
  5. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Thanks for that. The Omega Service Centre in the UK will do it by hand, which gives a slightly different finish to the Omega machine - but they say it allows them to keep the edges of the case sharp and takes less metal off. They sent me a pic of a Mk II they did & looks authentic. I'll post it shortly to share with the group.

    In the meantime, here is a better pic of my watch:

    P1030896.JPG
     
  6. speedycosmograph Speedmasterus Pontificatus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    325
    Likes
    68
    I agree with Ash...one should have the watch in the condition he likes best, barring any real detriment to the future value. I like watches that show wear in many cases, but if the watch had a great dial and might look better overall after a nice polish...especially if done according to its original finish, I say refinish it. You can take that from a guy with GI Joe wearing a watch as a belt for an avatar.
     
  7. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    It's always reassuring to hear from a military man :)

    Here's the sample they sent me to show how it comes out. Looks pretty good to me.
     
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk HD1343418703.723758.jpg
  8. speedycosmograph Speedmasterus Pontificatus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    325
    Likes
    68
    Spikester, have you ever seen Star Wars? You know that big guy named Chewbacca? Well.....
     
  9. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    He was a good friend of mine. I won't hear a word said against him :p

    P1030899.JPG
     
  10. speedycosmograph Speedmasterus Pontificatus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    325
    Likes
    68
    Is that Ash as Han Solo?
     
  11. ulackfocus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    That's nice work on the brushed finish. :thumbsup: Dig that HWC shot too.
     
  12. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Me & the wife had it done at Universal Studios well over a decade ago. She still knows how to handle a blaster & take down an Imperial Starcruiser ::love::
     
  13. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    The quote is £130, including VAT. I've no idea how it compares to others, but it doesn't seem a lot for work of that standard.

    By the way, what is "HWC" ?
     
  14. ulackfocus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    Seems like a good price to me.

    Hairy Wrist Club.
     
  15. ulackfocus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    Did they add those bushy caterpillars on your eyebrows or are they really yours?
     
  16. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Ooh, do members get a badge ;)
     
  17. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    All mine, right down to the last follicle. Although I have since discovered the utility of male grooming products. The fact we got married about a year after that pic may, or may not, have a connection to that :rolleyes:
     
  18. ulackfocus Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    No, but if you've owned any Speidel Twist-o-flex bands and managed to save all the hair they pulled you can send it in to HWC headquarters and they'll knit your pet a sweater.
     
  19. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 27, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Once I find a Jiffy bag big enough to hold it all, I'll send it right over :D
     
  20. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Aug 15, 2012

    Posts
    3,185
    Likes
    3,774
    Today I picked up the refinished watch. The starburst is better now, but still fairly subtle as apparently it was always a lighter pattern than on the Speedy Mk II's.

    All I need to do now is track down an 1170 bracelet with the correct ends :rolleyes:

    P1040479.JPG