Hi!
Recently I’ve purchased this nice 145.024 from a vintage dealer. I really like the watch BUT unfortunately it has (for me) a very noticeable dent at the lower side of the case front.
Could a Omega service polish (ok not totally) this out or improve the problem?
Should I give the watch back?
What’s your opinion? Would it have a strong impact on the future value of the watch?

 

Hi @DrSpock,

First up... it's just a Jedi... or at least that's the nickname that Chuck gave it.

The whole flat jedi, other jedi, jedi wearing jodhpurs, Return of the Jedi eating a sandwich, etc is nonsense dealer speak

This is something that could be laser welded, and then refinished to the original finish.

Folks like Swiss Time Services in the UK do this work, or Tanner Moorhouse in the US, and a there are a few wizards in Germany and Poland that also take it on.

Depending on where you are, you'll be able to get a suitable recommendation.

As to what you do with the watch... that's down to you... future values... the magic 8 ball is sadly not coming up with anything helpful.

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. That’s good news, because I like the style of the watch, and would prefer to keep it.

 

That dent is not going to be polished out. As @tyrantlizardrex commented, laser welding to build up the missing metal and then repolish/refinish it to match the existing finish is your best bet. Laser welding is not cheap, so it's your call on whether it's worth it.

 

Is laser welding reasonable then? I have no idea about the price range for that , but I wouldn’t pay more than 500€ I think

 

I've only ever had it done as part of a complete service - it was 3 years ago, but it added approximately £75 to the cost.

Worth speaking to the companies that offer it to see what prices are like now.

 

Wear it and get it done next service by STS.

 

Depends on location. In NYC's jewelry district there is a lot of competition and quality work is very economical. I'm sure other locales have similar outfits that offer it reasonably as well.

 

From ChronoMaddox.com -


Anakin:


Darth:



... both of which are 145.023, and since the 145.024 is a different case shape, and flatter...

 

I sit corrected @ewand

 

The dent is part of the history of an old watch, if you have it lazer welded then the rest of case will need to be refinished. Live with it, it's a great watch.

 

Well, of course, you'd only get it laser welded as part of a refinish...

 

After a couple of days wearing it, the dent doesn’t bother me so much anymore , but it’s good to know to could have it fixed if I wanted to
Here a wristshot:

 

Glad about that - these are huge lumps, so you are sure to make some more dents and scratches yourself along the way

here is my beat to hell mark 4.5 - when the time comes for a service, i’ll decide then whether to give it a refresh or not - its hasnt had a touch up so far, in almost 40 years

 

I think since it has orange hands it's more like a Sith Watch.

Great watch and I think it's worth seeing how much the laser welding will be. Polishing it instead would be a mistake and would severely depreciate it's value and appeal because that's not a small chunk to polish away of you want to make the watch even.

Good luck!!