Community Stories

Refurbishment advice

H
Posts
6
Likes
12
Hello all,

I have recently inherited my father-in-law‘s watch, which was issued to him whilst in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. It’s not running at the moment so it needs a service. I wanted your advice on what steps to take with refurbishment. I gather it’s an early tritium sin arrow dial show do I just get the dial cleaned as best as they can for originality, or do I go for the full Omega replacement, and polish etc. Also, I would appreciate a recommendation for a service and restore in the United Kingdom. You will be glad to know that I’m not interested in a valuation as it will never be sold and handed to my son when I pop off!
 
9364B2EC-308B-46E0-B848-3C093004963C.jpeg 72BF72C3-56F7-4652-AE8D-D8A010732294.jpeg
jaegodylan
Posts
825
Likes
1,801
Amazing.. what an heirloom!

I would keep it as is and get it cleaned up. Simon Freese is a known sympathetic restorer who can service the movement and clean up the crystal and dial. The thin arrow dial is valuable so I would not consider changing it.

The hands could use a relume to match the dial better as they were likely relumed with that green paste during an earlier service. I would recommend James Hyman aka the Alchemist Relumer for that.

Both of them are UK based and you could send the watch to Simon and ask him to send the hands to James for the relume. If you have any trouble finding them feel free to reach out and I can send you information.
 
RoadRunner73
Posts
325
Likes
165
A broad arrow : Wow !
I agree to 200% with what @jaegodylan just suggested with regards to cleaning the dial and reluming the hands!
I would not refinish the dial to be more specific, and considering that the crystal is more than likely a plastic / Hesalite one, some nice polishing should do the job.
Also, the tail of the seconds hand looks quite smart !
 
H
Posts
6
Likes
12
jaegodylan jaegodylan
Amazing.. what an heirloom!

I would keep it as is and get it cleaned up. Simon Freese is a known sympathetic restorer who can service the movement and clean up the crystal and dial. The thin arrow dial is valuable so I would not consider changing it.

The hands could use a relume to match the dial better as they were likely relumed with that green paste during an earlier service. I would recommend James Hyman aka the Alchemist Relumer for that.

Both of them are UK based and you could send the watch to Simon and ask him to send the hands to James for the relume. If you have any trouble finding them feel free to reach out and I can send you information.
Thanks very much for the advice
 
Aroxx
Posts
2,774
Likes
13,284
Just to make it explicit, absolutely do not send it to Omega. They will replace parts and destroy the character and value of the watch. Follow the advice above.
 
SmithSJ
Posts
320
Likes
2,252
Great example of the rare thin arrow - great heirloom. Can also try Vintage Watch Fever outside London #ursmidur
 
H
Posts
6
Likes
12
SmithSJ SmithSJ
Great example of the rare thin arrow - great heirloom. Can also try Vintage Watch Fever outside London #ursmidur
Thanks
 
Franco
Posts
588
Likes
766
Thin arrow Omega Pilot 1953, ref 2777,in its original configuration with radium dial. Please leave dial untouched, and as suggested get Hyman to relume the hands with a darker tone paste. Do not change the large unsigned crown which is original. The seconds hand should not be with the counterpoise, but with the long triangular tail . Simon Freese will service the cal. 283 without problems.
 
watchlovr
Posts
1,800
Likes
2,557
As said above;
Very rare to find the original radium dial still present.
With the right sympathetic treatment, I reckon this will be a stunner, and a very very wearable size for a milwatch.
 
H
Posts
6
Likes
12
Franco Franco
Thin arrow Omega Pilot 1953, ref 2777,in its original configuration with radium dial. Please leave dial untouched, and as suggested get Hyman to relume the hands with a darker tone paste. Do not change the large unsigned crown which is original. The seconds hand should not be with the counterpoise, but with the long triangular tail . Simon Freese will service the cal. 283 without problems.
Thanks
 
Dan S
Posts
21,963
Likes
49,754
Late to the party, but I was also going to say radium, not tritium dial. Go slowly and preserve the originality as best you can. At a later date, you might regret any irreversible changes.
 
H
Posts
6
Likes
12
Thanks all very much for the helpful replies; I will endeavour to post some pictures of the completed item in a few months.
 
RoadRunner73
Posts
325
Likes
165
Wow ! the Alchemistrelumer really seems to have golden hands !! 🥰
Is definitely worth keeping his details for any specific need in the future !
Whereabout is he based ? London area ?
 
Mark020
Posts
5,924
Likes
9,193
RoadRunner73 RoadRunner73
Wow ! the Alchemistrelumer really seems to have golden hands !! 🥰
Is definitely worth keeping his details for any specific need in the future !
Whereabout is he based ? London area ?
Bit more north I believe
 
H
Posts
6
Likes
12
Hi all, just got the watch back from being serviced and it’s now working again. Tragedy is, the crown and pin were broken and had to be replaced with a non-original item as they could not source an Omega part. Anybody got a good contact for vintage Omega parts?
 
watchlovr
Posts
1,800
Likes
2,557
H Hairycamel
Hi all, just got the watch back from being serviced and it’s now working again. Tragedy is, the crown and pin were broken and had to be replaced with a non-original item as they could not source an Omega part. Anybody got a good contact for vintage Omega parts?
Who did you use?
What happened to the original parts?.
 
6 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

southtexas

Refurbishment of vintage 165.024 bezels

southtexas Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
southtexas
southtexas
Posts
22
Views
4K
G

Should I have Omega Speedmaster Pro refurbished or not.

GarthOneEye Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Larry S
Larry S
Posts
20
Views
5K
A

Constellation 14381 refurbished dial?

Anesthetist Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gbesq
gbesq
Posts
6
Views
1K
S

Omega Automatic Seamsters Watch 1980's Advice

Snuka Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
10
Views
557
I

Advice

Iggypot Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Clelow
Clelow
Posts
16
Views
1K
BrunoCodispoti

Omega Constellation Dial refurbished or not?

BrunoCodispoti Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
liquidsongbird
liquidsongbird
Posts
6
Views
2K