The year was 1980/81, quartz was cool, and Jacques Mayol was a whole lot cooler than quartz.

So cool that Omega used him as a sporting marketing pony to help push interest in their divers... the quarts 120m plongeur de luxe, being the model he wore for his 101m freedive record.

Where am I going with this? I hear you ask. Is there a lizard suit involved?

I've seen these watches around in the last couple of years, but never been tempted enough to pick one up... and then I found one with some running issues (I suspect failing module?), and a cracked bezel... negotiated a price with the seller where neither of us felt that we'd been screwed over, and it's on it's way to me now.

In good news, the bezel is currently available... as is the quartz module.

Can't wait to see how this looks after Simon and the team at STS have had their way with it.

Before photos for reference:

 

Agreed... there's more than a little Royal Oak in there.

 

Can't wait to see the 'after' photos.

 

In my meanderings along the Omega roads less travelled, I've come across another couple of quartz 120s that intrigue me.....

The Recife



and the Calypso


I wouldn't say no to either

(pictures from the net)

 

This is one of the only quartz models that I keep my eye open for. Knowing that the bezel is still available makes it all the more interesting although I am very fastidious when it comes to matching lume colour in the bezel/hands/dial therefore I'm very curious to see the lume colour in the replacement bezel.

 

Me too... I've had the discussion around re-luming the hands/dial to match the bezel... and think we're at the point of making the decision based on how different the bezel is to the rest of the lume.

 

Another fan that model here - would love to get one someday.

Looking forward to seeing those "after" shots...

 

It has arrived!

So... a new bezel is on order... and looking closely at the dial, it's starting to delaminate... the dials are currently still available.

My gut is that I get this fixed up into as good a condition as is possible now, whilst the parts can still be got... it does mean putting a little more cash into it than I would have liked... but given the other pieces I've had back from STS, the watch will look stunning.

Question for other... In for a penny, in for a pound? Or don't put money into the quartz, no matter how rare(ish)?

 

Go for it!

 

Nice pick up !
Bezel and dial are very well assorted.
In for a pound !

 

Giving some love to the less favoured models is a noble vocation

 

I like the not so popular suff...

Speedmaster MK3, Speedmaster MK4.5, Speedsonic, f300 Constellation, Chronostops... and now after 4 hours on the wrist... the Plogeur De Luxe.

 

interesting to perceive some "pre-bond 200m SM" in there as well

 

Does it work? How long can you hold your breath now??

 

Two, maybe three seconds.

 

I'm not usually keen on restorations, other than a good clean to remove dirt/grunge and a service, but in this case I'd bring it back to "as new" condition.

 

I don't know how far it can be taken back to original... The bracelet had graining in different directions on the inserts to the links... So we'll see how it goes.

Tempted to have new bezel, dial, hands - to get line match/replace damaged parts... And leave the case/bracelet as is.

 

I have the two tone version, was wearing it yesterday in fact, very nice watch and smart bracelet.

Didn't realize the unusual bezels were still available! What's the "damage"?

 

£90+VAT - that's for the insert piece in Mineral Glass.