Hey everyone, just wanted to share this watch which I brought from eBay.

A little back story, the evening before I purchased this, I missed out on a full set C shape Connie, Box, Papers, Receipt, Bracelet. Lost at the last second to a bid for £559. I would have bid more but I am a student and havn't sold off my previous eBay catch. This was the auction https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-CO...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

So feeling disappointed, and thinking that the fees for a Masters would have been better spent on a watch (or a few), I looked at what was coming up next on the flebay. This was the image I was confronted with
Much to be desired on the photography. Clearly the dial isn't great and the crown is certainly not original. However, it did look like there was a 'fab suisse' on the dial. Feeling like I should have won the Connie, I put in a rash bid of £250. And won.

Looking back at the pictures, thinking if the dial is due to water ingress, because the crown is badly fitted I could be in trouble here if the movement was shot. The seller refused to give me any more pictures. So I paid, waited and hoped.

And it arrived today.

Okay I thought, This isn't too bad! And then saw our friend the Golden Eagle on the case


Who actually reminds me a little of

But anyway, for those who don't know this means (I think) it is 9 Carrat gold. On the subject of gold, this dosen't look like any normal gold...

Perhaps not the best picture to show it, but it is definitely of the Rose variety. (bonus points for guessing the other watch in the picture).

So, already quite pleased with this purchase, I am brought suddenly down to earth by realising the 'automatic' on the dial. I assumed that I would be feeling a bump from the automatic movement, but nothing. Probably all rusted over by the water, which you can see on the dial.

And I go to open the case

Someone has been here before...

I crack it open




Okay, not brilliant, but not as bad as it could have been. But why isnt the rotor moving? I give it a nudge with my finger in trepidation...

A screw falls out. I grab it and put it in a bag. Well, thats not good. But honestly, the movement is much better than I was expecting. Looking at the caseback

again, our Eagle friend is here also.

And finally looking at the dial again.

So, I am certainly not an expert on these. Could anyone run their eye over the photos and tell me if there is anything I have missed? I believe it all to be original, except the Crown and Crystal (please correct me if I am wrong).

I shall be sending this one off for a service. New crystal and crown. Now...where to find a rose gold crown?

Also any history on this is greatly appreciated! Also, I have no idea on value of these, but I suppose I havn't overpaid significantly for this?

Thanks for taking the time to read my thread! To quote Mr Stephenson 'There’s gold in them thar hills'

 

I see evidence of only two watchmaker’s repair number inside the case back. This watch had obviously been good for someone, to have been worn and worn until it reached the state it is in in the pictures, with next to no maintenance. The dial will likely only deteriorate further if there is an attempt to clean it. So the options are to wear it the way it is, try to locate a donor dial, or have the dial re-finished. The movement appears to have great potential from what can be seen. I think it has the potential to be turned into a very nice watch.

 

actually it is 18K gold!

 

That looks like a dial screw. Oddly, I have just finished a bumper for another member which arrived with a blocked train so wouldn't run. It was a dial screw just like yours but had worked into the train. You're lucky there. As it only has one dial screw, don't use it as the dial may be recoverable although as @Canuck says it is probably too far gone. Note the emphasis there is on "may". I'm not sure but the scratch lines seem to be on the crystal?

I don't see anything obviously wrong with the movement except for a worn rotor axle and as @Canuck says, it could make a nice watch. Heck, for a sixty five year old watch, that movement looks good. Looks a great find.

Edit - I meant to say that these bumpers will loosen screws with ease so, loose screws on these are not unusual.

Cheers, Chris

 

Yup. Non bordered eagle is a French 18k hallmark.

 

I am guessing the other watch is a seamaster 176.007. Gold plated. (20 microns)

 

Thanks, that is really helpful!

You are Correct!

Thank you both. I guess we will see if the dial is saveable (I hope so, as one with Rose Gold Dial furniture and Fab Suisse will be hard to come by). Will probably just be wearing it as is, but I will ask my watchmaker about if it can be cleaned. I believe almost all of the scratches are on the crystal. I hope it will come up well, I was also surprised about how good the movement condition was!

Thank you all very much for your help!! I will be sure to post a picture after it has come back from the spa.

Lucas.

 

I knew somebody that went to these people with a very poorly watch dial and they did a very nice job on it.

http://www.watchdialrestoration.co.uk

Worth considering.

 

Great story. Very interesting read and find.

 

That dial has patina, but I bet it will look a lot better with a new plexyglass. I wouldnt touch it!.

 

Great find!

 

Leave the dial, it will look great!

 

Seeing as you've already have the back off, why not pop the module out and show us the dial sans plexi. It does indeed appear the worst of it is scratches and cracks to the plexi crystal.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I will leave the dial as it is I think. I have packaged it up and sent it for a service today, I don't think the dial is too bad to be honest, and I would rather leave it than refinish it. Will post back once it has had a good service and new crystal and crown etc.

 

I do not think you overpaid at all! As others said, this could be a nice wearable watch when properly serviced. End these French gold cases are usually of very good quality. The case alone could be worth 250£ - considering the value of the gold content.

 

Frankly think the dial looks good, but would have been interesting to see without the glass and scratches. Will be watching this with interest to see how it comes up - nice to see some older pieces getting some needed love.

 

Just an update on this. It arrived back today, the movement looks great. I left the dial and I think it has a certain charm. I will throw it on a strap and try to take a better photo soon.

 

That's a real tropical dial!!

 

That's a great result. The hands and hardware are in very very good condition IMO. Was it just a simple service to get it up and running or was there more involved?

 

It was just a new mainspring, crystal and crown. I am really pleased with the outcome.