Seamaster Flat Jedi, advice requested

DrSpock · Aug 13, 2020

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?

tyrantlizardrex · Aug 13, 2020

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. 😉

DrSpock · Aug 13, 2020

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

kaapstadflaneur · Aug 13, 2020

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.

DrSpock · Aug 13, 2020

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

tyrantlizardrex · Aug 13, 2020

DrSpock
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.

STANDY · Aug 13, 2020

Wear it and get it done next service by STS.

janice&fred · Aug 13, 2020

kaapstadflaneur
Laser welding is not cheap, so it's your call on whether it's worth it.

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.

ewand · Aug 13, 2020

tyrantlizardrex
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 😉

From ChronoMaddox.com -

Anakin:

Darth:

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

😀

tyrantlizardrex · Aug 13, 2020

I sit corrected @ewand 👍

oldmangrowls · Aug 15, 2020

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.

ewand · Aug 15, 2020

O oldmangrowls
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...

DrSpock · Aug 15, 2020

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:

Sherbie · Aug 15, 2020

DrSpock
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

Nobel Prize · Aug 15, 2020

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!!

Seamaster Flat Jedi, advice requested

DrSpock

tyrantlizardrex

DrSpock

kaapstadflaneur

DrSpock

tyrantlizardrex

STANDY

janice&fred

ewand

tyrantlizardrex

oldmangrowls

ewand

DrSpock

Sherbie

Nobel Prize

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