Some might remember my 105.003 i presented a while ago and how i tried to bring it back into "authentic" condition
I bought it as a first owner watch, but unfortunately the seller couldn´t remember if or when it undergone a severe
revision in the end of the 60ties.
As i proceeded in changing bezel, crown, dial to "authentic" specifications, i also did apply for an extract of record at Omega
also in regard to the very high serial number starting with 260....

So here is what i received from Omega



I immediatly did contact the seller again, who was also pretty surprised by that outcome.
So what happened here?

Any wild guesses are welcome.

On the positive side... Omega is still able to provide case reference for 321 movements

Here and here are the other links to this watch

 

Interesting

It means the movement originally came in a seamaster
like this: (borrowed photo)



I expect this sort of thing to be common as swapping a movement is so easy i can do it.

I also hear stories from "old men" who used to work on Omegas, for Omega, in the UK many years ago, who said they didnt really care which movement went back in, as long as it was the same calibre. (they also said that case backs were swapped too.)

There is also evidence to suggest Omega themselves swapped entire movements on service, but I am talking over 30 years ago.

Still, it isnt nice news to get, just no surprise.

I dare not certify mine....!

 

It is still a very lovely watch. There is nothing really wrong with it, just had an engine swap !
I know, I know - always that little feeling in the gut, but then again it is a fully correct Omega 105.003.
Like owning a Porsche 911 Turbo and finding that the engine does not have matching numbers. It is still one hell of a ride!

 

Yeah that was the one i googled too, still would be great to find out when the swap happened.
I am thinking about calling the Omega store he bought it 50 years ago, they still exist today, maybe they have some documents left.
Tried that once with my 145.012 as it was bought in 1969 in a store not far away from my hometown, they were really cooperative and
interested but had no papers left.

 

Right you are, but still leaves a bad taste and if i really wouldn´t know that it is a watch from orginal first buyer, i would be really tempted to sell
it again.
+1 for the 911 Turbo whatever engine it houses it is a hell of a ride

 

I know exactly how you must feel, I had the same experience with a nice SM300 165024 cal 552.

When I received the extract from Omega I read it and re-read I think 3 or 4 times before finally the penny dropped...

I still have the Extract but the watch is long gone!

 

Respectable Member cristos71

I would do, what you did.

Vintage-watch lovers and collectors are different from someone who bought an old or second-hand watch to be put on his wrist.

Thank you.

 

Respectable Member sulaco

I share and can feel your frustrations.

However, it is not the end of the world.

Thank you.

 

I suppose it's one of those things. Your head may tell you it really doesn't matter (which it doesn't) but if your heart tells you something different, it is hard to build up a good relationship with the timepiece. Life is too short to keep watches just don't do it for you.

 

That was also the reason i sold a Seamaster 120m/400ft Chronograph Ref 176.004 i once had, i also still have the extract at home

 

Respectable Member Seamonster

thanks for your kind words, you are absolutely right.

 

now the biggest problem is, that you have to mention it, when re-selling. and that will affect your loss..... take it completly apart and sell the 321 with extract;case middle;case back,crown,bezel,mvmt. ring and inner cover, hands and dial. all extra. sounds cruel, buit that will recoup youjr money. kind regards. achim

 

Considering the point that it didn´t cost me a fortune and also that it still has a reasonable background

 

That´s exactly why i opened this conversation Achim,... to get rid of the temptation to sell it without mentioning this little detail
When i sell it, it will be in parts, sad but true.

 

Respectable Member sulaco

I wish every luck and success.

However, the next time around when hunting for another vintage-watch be wary and God willing, you will be right. Most important of all is to get over it.

Thank you.

 

I've been here before. When it happens to me, I lose interest in the watch and sell it, usually at a loss. But the sum of the parts you have is still highly desireable, so whether you decide to keep or sell, I hope all works to your satisfaction and peace of mind.