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Seamaster 14389-3 restoration advice

G
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Hi forum folk, new member here following unexpected inheritance of a seamaster 14389-3 (268 cal). Looking for advice on restoration.
My wife's grandfather recently passed away and we came across the attached watch when clearing the house. We think it's from his national service end of 50s or his time in South America shortly after, which would fit with the model date (1959/1960?). It might also explain the lack of any box or papers, and the speidel band, which I'm assuming was not original.
As you can see from the photos, it's not in great shape. Doubt it has ever been serviced, although it does appear to be still working.
I'm hoping to get it restored to somewhere close to its former glory but a reputable omega restorer advised me today that because of its age and work needed, he couldn't do it and advised sending it to omega head office via a high street store.
I was hoping that someone could advise of a UK based watch restorer who may be able to do it justice? Or should I crack on with Omega head office? I'm not looking to sell it, it's for my limited collection and hopefully to pass on to my son at some point.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

171738.jpg IMG_20211126_155328.jpg IMG_20211126_155217.jpg IMG_20211126_155200.jpg IMG_20211126_155146.jpg IMG_20211126_155037.jpg IMG_20211126_155015.jpg IMG_20211126_154959.jpg IMG_20211126_154931.jpg IMG_20211126_154904.jpg IMG_20211126_154846.jpg IMG_20211126_154811.jpg IMG_20211126_154745.jpg IMG_20211126_154709.jpg IMG_20211126_154619.jpg IMG_20211126_154553.jpg IMG_20211126_154526.jpg IMG_20211126_154440.jpg IMG_20211126_154409.jpg IMG_20211126_154341.jpg IMG_20211126_154309.jpg IMG_20211126_154234.jpg IMG_20211126_152135.jpg IMG_20211126_115206.jpg 171738.jpg
 
nicks
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Looks to me like good bones but needs a TON of work and likely some replaced parts. Worth doing as a family piece. It shows signs of being serviced (not well) at least once.

I’m not in the UK so unfortunately can’t recommend a watchmaker. Someone will be along.

It would be great if you updated this with some pictures when it’s finished.
 
SkunkPrince
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What you do will depend on your goal. If you want it restored as close to as-new as possible, then factory service makes sense. If you want it tun run well and retain some of its age, then a local Omega expert is a better choice. One of the people most recommended in UK is Simon Freese.
 
Shabbaz
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I would ditch the strap, replace it for a nice cognac/brown leather strap and send the watch to our own @ChrisN. He'll get it back in shape.
 
G
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Appreciate the advice thus far. The strap has to go for sure. I'm caught between wanting to keep it as original as possible and having it in good working order. I've no issues with the scratches and knocks but I'm not sure the crystal can be salvaged (sorry my photos are so poor!)?

Ultimately I'd like to keep it as original as possible but I've no idea what is salvageable and what will need to be replaced. My fear is sending it to head office will result in a handsome but soul free version of the watch.
 
sleepyastronaut
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G G-Reg80
Appreciate the advice thus far. The strap has to go for sure. I'm caught between wanting to keep it as original as possible and having it in good working order. I've no issues with the scratches and knocks but I'm not sure the crystal can be salvaged (sorry my photos are so poor!)?

Ultimately I'd like to keep it as original as possible but I've no idea what is salvageable and what will need to be replaced. My fear is sending it to head office will result in a handsome but soul free version of the watch.

You might want to keep the Speidel in your box, (separate from the watch) as it's possible it was added at time of purchase. The older, USA-made Twist-O-Flex are thicker and heavier than the later versions.

Unless it's cracked, the crystal can possibly be saved. If cracked, you'll want to replace it to avoid moisture ingress. For the deeper scratches, use increasingly fine sandpaper to bring down the surrounding plexiglass, then polish the entire crystal with a compound using microfiber cloth. A lot of people extole Polywatch; I've had great success with the Meguiar's Ultimate compound I have on hand.

If the crown is usable, you can keep it, contributing to the originality. IMHO this is the biggest quandary. You won't get it water resistant without a replacement crown, but, who's swimming in a vintage watch? An independent watchmaker can service the movement and keep the crown in place if you're very clear about what you want.

I would only send it to Omega for service if I wanted to try to have the dial replaced, and I would only do that if the dial were damaged. If you're interested in having the dial cleaned, an independent watchmaker can attempt to clean it, but there's always the risk of damage in the process.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Here's my Seamaster before and after polishing the crystal.

img_20211023_125628-jpg.1306157
img_20211023_125752-jpg.1321233

img_20211116_161212-01-jpeg.1321234
Edited:
 
gbesq
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Good luck with your restoration project. I have two 14389 Seamasters. One of my favorite references because there are so many dial variations and the 26x calibers are bulletproof.
E89F1A6E-A9CF-4585-988F-18EC97401C5F.jpeg 7FD375D3-ADDE-432A-95DB-A2083481C25F.jpeg
 
SkunkPrince
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G G-Reg80
Ultimately I'd like to keep it as original as possible but I've no idea what is salvageable and what will need to be replaced. My fear is sending it to head office will result in a handsome but soul free version of the watch.

If you take it to Simon Freese he will advise you well. I prefer crown and crystal to be replaced because those parts wear out and a Seamaster needs to be at least partly water-resistant.

If you send to Omega, your fear will be realized.
 
G
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
If you take it to Simon Freese he will advise you well. I prefer crown and crystal to be replaced because those parts wear out and a Seamaster needs to be at least partly water-resistant.

If you send to Omega, your fear will be realized.
Thanks for the advice. I've contacted Simon Freese and hope he is willing to take it on. The photos on his website give me hope!
 
G
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gbesq gbesq
Good luck with your restoration project. I have two 14389 Seamasters. One of my favorite references because there are so many dial variations and the 26x calibers are bulletproof.
E89F1A6E-A9CF-4585-988F-18EC97401C5F.jpeg 7FD375D3-ADDE-432A-95DB-A2083481C25F.jpeg

I'm just starting out on my seamaster journey but already hooked. Love the green strap choice, unusual.
 
gbesq
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G G-Reg80
I'm just starting out on my seamaster journey but already hooked. Love the green strap choice, unusual.
Thanks. Pairs well with the gold hands and dial indices.
 
G
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sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
You might want to keep the Speidel in your box, (separate from the watch) as it's possible it was added at time of purchase. The older, USA-made Twist-O-Flex are thicker and heavier than the later versions.

Unless it's cracked, the crystal can possibly be saved. If cracked, you'll want to replace it to avoid moisture ingress. For the deeper scratches, use increasingly fine sandpaper to bring down the surrounding plexiglass, then polish the entire crystal with a compound using microfiber cloth. A lot of people extole Polywatch; I've had great success with the Meguiar's Ultimate compound I have on hand.

If the crown is usable, you can keep it, contributing to the originality. IMHO this is the biggest quandary. You won't get it water resistant without a replacement crown, but, who's swimming in a vintage watch? An independent watchmaker can service the movement and keep the crown in place if you're very clear about what you want.

I would only send it to Omega for service if I wanted to try to have the dial replaced, and I would only do that if the dial were damaged. If you're interested in having the dial cleaned, an independent watchmaker can attempt to clean it, but there's always the risk of damage in the process.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Here's my Seamaster before and after polishing the crystal.

img_20211023_125628-jpg.1306157
img_20211023_125752-jpg.1321233

img_20211116_161212-01-jpeg.1321234
Stunning piece, and gives me hope the crystal can be somewhat restored. They appear to be scratches rather than cracks. Will wait to see what Simon Freese says and go from there.

Don't know why I didn't come to the forum sooner, experience and knowledge in abundance. Have fallen down many an Internet rabbit hole trying to find info on this model.
 
G
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Busy few months and it's taken a while but finally had the watch back from Simon Freese and im so pleased with the result. It's been spruced up without over doing it.

I opted for a new crown and I'm torn as to whether it was the right decision. Obviously I won't be taking it in the water but at the time I didn't know whether it was damaged or not. Still, it's done now.

Also undecided on whether to stay on top of the winding or only as and when I intend to use it. Wfh has seriously reduced my watch wearing opportunities!

Anyway, here are some photos of it post restoration...
 
G
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I'm assuming the clasp is genuine, but the strap is just a standard leather one.
 
fjf
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It is a nice watch to wear, with some dial patina and personality. Enjoy it!.
 
felsby
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G G-Reg80
I'm assuming the clasp is genuine, but the strap is just a standard leather one.
Alas, the clasp is fake. But original gold plated models can be found.
Don't worry that you got a new crown. The one mounted when you found the watch was not original to the watch, plus it was worn down.
 
G
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felsby felsby
Alas, the clasp is fake. But original gold plated models can be found.
Don't worry that you got a new crown. The one mounted when you found the watch was not original to the watch, plus it was worn down.
Hadn't appreciated it wasn't the original crown so I don't feel as bad now about replacing it/losing originality.

I'll bide my time with the strap and clasp...I've hopefully got plenty of years use ahead of me and will no doubt swap the band a few times over the years.
 
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