Community Stories

The Flightmaster thread

MTROIS
Posts
2,026
Likes
7,155
Fellows, here is my new (to me) 145.013!!

IMG_2528.JPG IMG_2532.JPG IMG_2533.JPG IMG_2534.JPG IMG_2535.JPG IMG_2536.JPG IMG_2544.JPG IMG_2543.JPG IMG_2542.JPG


Overall, the watch is in great shape but has a couple of items that make me pause to decide whether I will send it in for a service:

- the gasket between the case and the case back is new but there is a small gap between the two. In other terms, the case back is not making full contact with the case.

- also, at the 5 min location, there is a "stain" on the bezel from what seems some kind of oil.

- the watches is about +16s/day, so it could use a service (movement looks new so it has never been serviced) but I don't care for precision.

- and overall, the o-ring below the crystal could surely be replaced.

On the other hand, i am worried that servicing the watch will lead to losing the original pushers and I am also wondering if the hands will have to be removed, thus removing the original orange paint where they make contact with the axis.

Any thoughts? Any advice? Also for a place that could perform this TLC work??

Thank you!!
 
ATWG
Posts
2,149
Likes
6,642
This is a very fine example. I would venture a guess that the case is unpolished as I still see some remnant of the original purple factory film on the edges close to the pushers. I would get the watch serviced and not change any of the pushers or original hardware. Taking out the pushers won't damage the paint, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as it's handled by a qualified watchmaker. The gaskets should most defiantly be replaced as they will turn into goo if not addressed.

Here is my NOS 911 with it's original factory film....



MTROIS MTROIS
Fellows, here is my new (to me) 145.013!!

IMG_2528.JPG IMG_2532.JPG IMG_2533.JPG IMG_2534.JPG IMG_2535.JPG IMG_2536.JPG IMG_2544.JPG IMG_2543.JPG IMG_2542.JPG


Overall, the watch is in great shape but has a couple of items that make me pause to decide whether I will send it in for a service:

- the gasket between the case and the case back is new but there is a small gap between the two. In other terms, the case back is not making full contact with the case.

- also, at the 5 min location, there is a "stain" on the bezel from what seems some kind of oil.

- the watches is about +16s/day, so it could use a service (movement looks new so it has never been serviced) but I don't care for precision.

- and overall, the o-ring below the crystal could surely be replaced.

On the other hand, i am worried that servicing the watch will lead to losing the original pushers and I am also wondering if the hands will have to be removed, thus removing the original orange paint where they make contact with the axis.

Any thoughts? Any advice? Also for a place that could perform this TLC work??

Thank you!!
 
IMG_3868.JPG
LeCorb
Posts
21
Likes
76
Hi,

although collecting vintage (Omega) watches for quite a while, today is my first day as member omegaforums.
Great to have this Flightmaster thread here!
The 145.026 is one of my favorite watches in my collection

FM911_2.jpg


What I realized recently is that for the 911 at least two different dial variants were used.

FM911_dials.jpg

This one has the angular shaped "3" in the hour register (like the 910) and small scale numbers in the second register on the left.
In contradiction the second dial variant has a round "3" and a bigger sized font in the second register and can be found quite often in the internet.
Unfortunately although checking various flightmaster forums I couldn't find any explanation so far.
So facts or assumptions highly appreciated!
 
speedy4ever
Posts
640
Likes
793
Hi it's a transition dial, everything will be explained in the future Flightmaster Only
 
LeCorb
Posts
21
Likes
76
speedy4ever speedy4ever
Hi it's a transition dial, everything will be explained in the future Flightmaster Only
Sounds great, thanks a lot for that info
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
Orike Orike
Speaking of Ducati valves and timing belts...I've been there too... The guy behind the counter told me to grab the desk first, before he would tell me the maintenance costs (LOL). Just fire her up again and you forgive and forget everything 😀 Well I assume you know what I'm talking about...(that sound...briljant)
But you have both toys in for maintenance! You do have something to look forward to though! 😀 Will you please post the Flightmaster pictures, when it has arrived? I'm very curious how it looks!
Just keep enjoying your toys in this insane world. Good motto! Cheers.

Finally arrived back!!!!!!!!! Call from STS yesterday saying she was on her way home. Just the news I needed as I have been unwell for the past week or so. Even the Duke is sitting there on her own devoid of all cambelts.... Anyway, I need some thoughts as I am not quite happy with the finish on the case. I have tried to show in my pictures but the grinding marks on the lugs sweep to the right rather than being at a right angle to the top of the case where the crystal seats. From what I have observed this is incorrect. I can't compare from what she was like previously as the finish had polished to a shine but I have been looking at other pictures here and like I say for £640 I am not quite happy... Perhaps in my current state I am being a little too pedantic and this is normal given what I am sure is the technical difficulties of refinishing the cases on these watches!

My other less serious gripe is that the case back has not been refinished as part of the service. I can live with this and can only assume STS do not refinish case backs. My last experience of a service with STS was for my straight lug speedy when I specifically requested no case refinishing to be carried out. The case back on my flighty has scratches on it around the side from a previous half arse numb skull attempt to remove it (not guilty BTW). Can anyone enlighten me as to whether my assumption is correct? It just seems strange not to refinish the case back.

Thoughts on the above would be most appreciated before I wade in and feeling the way I do right now I am a little short of patience... The pictures are not the best but the most I could achieve in my rush to get back to bed!
 
1.JPG 2.JPG 4.JPG 5.JPG 6.JPG
J
Posts
9
Likes
23
speedy4ever speedy4ever
Hi it's a transition dial, everything will be explained in the future Flightmaster Only

What's Flightmaster Only? Thanks
 
ATWG
Posts
2,149
Likes
6,642
jaguar11 jaguar11
Finally arrived back!!!!!!!!! Call from STS yesterday saying she was on her way home. Just the news I needed as I have been unwell for the past week or so. Even the Duke is sitting there on her own devoid of all cambelts.... Anyway, I need some thoughts as I am not quite happy with the finish on the case. I have tried to show in my pictures but the grinding marks on the lugs sweep to the right rather than being at a right angle to the top of the case where the crystal seats. From what I have observed this is incorrect. I can't compare from what she was like previously as the finish had polished to a shine but I have been looking at other pictures here and like I say for £640 I am not quite happy... Perhaps in my current state I am being a little too pedantic and this is normal given what I am sure is the technical difficulties of refinishing the cases on these watches!

My other less serious gripe is that the case back has not been refinished as part of the service. I can live with this and can only assume STS do not refinish case backs. My last experience of a service with STS was for my straight lug speedy when I specifically requested no case refinishing to be carried out. The case back on my flighty has scratches on it around the side from a previous half arse numb skull attempt to remove it (not guilty BTW). Can anyone enlighten me as to whether my assumption is correct? It just seems strange not to refinish the case back.

Thoughts on the above would be most appreciated before I wade in and feeling the way I do right now I am a little short of patience... The pictures are not the best but the most I could achieve in my rush to get back to bed!
Hi - having own/ed my fair share of 910/1's, I wouldn't be happy with that case refinish either, that would really bother me quite bit. It doesn't look any where near the factory finish.

I'm sorry if I'm being blunt.

Best.
Edited:
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
23
jaguar11 jaguar11
Finally arrived back!!!!!!!!! Call from STS yesterday saying she was on her way home. Just the news I needed as I have been unwell for the past week or so. Even the Duke is sitting there on her own devoid of all cambelts.... Anyway, I need some thoughts as I am not quite happy with the finish on the case. I have tried to show in my pictures but the grinding marks on the lugs sweep to the right rather than being at a right angle to the top of the case where the crystal seats. From what I have observed this is incorrect. I can't compare from what she was like previously as the finish had polished to a shine but I have been looking at other pictures here and like I say for £640 I am not quite happy... Perhaps in my current state I am being a little too pedantic and this is normal given what I am sure is the technical difficulties of refinishing the cases on these watches!

My other less serious gripe is that the case back has not been refinished as part of the service. I can live with this and can only assume STS do not refinish case backs. My last experience of a service with STS was for my straight lug speedy when I specifically requested no case refinishing to be carried out. The case back on my flighty has scratches on it around the side from a previous half arse numb skull attempt to remove it (not guilty BTW). Can anyone enlighten me as to whether my assumption is correct? It just seems strange not to refinish the case back.

Thoughts on the above would be most appreciated before I wade in and feeling the way I do right now I am a little short of patience... The pictures are not the best but the most I could achieve in my rush to get back to bed!

First of all, hope you get well soon! I'd get in touch with STS by phone and ask to speak with Simon Freese and express your dissatisfaction with him, I would think they will make it right.
 
MTROIS
Posts
2,026
Likes
7,155
IMO, what you describe is very very faint and would personally not bother me. It would bother me much more to send it back to the grinder and not have it for several more weeks but that is just me.
Let us know what you decide... but get well first.
Cheers!
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
J JrMartins
First of all, hope you get well soon! I'd get in touch with STS by phone and ask to speak with Simon Freese and express your dissatisfaction with him, I would think they will make it right.
Spoke to Simon and he has asked me to return the watch for remedial action. Very pleasant chap indeed! Thank you for your response. Best wishes.
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
J JrMartins
First of all, hope you get well soon! I'd get in touch with STS by phone and ask to speak with Simon Freese and express your dissatisfaction with him, I would think they will make it right.
ATWG ATWG
Hi - having own/ed my fair share of 910/1's, I wouldn't be happy with that case refinish either, that would really bother me quite bit. It doesn't look any where near the factory finish.

I'm sorry if I'm being blunt.

Best.
Thank you for you response. I have been asked to return the watch so hopeful the matter will be resolved. Best wishes.
 
ATWG
Posts
2,149
Likes
6,642
Good luck to you, please keep us posted.
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
MTROIS MTROIS
IMO, what you describe is very very faint and would personally not bother me. It would bother me much more to send it back to the grinder and not have it for several more weeks but that is just me.
Let us know what you decide... but get well first.
Cheers!
I did discuss with Simon as a poster advised and he seem to think they can do better. It is not right and I am hoping I will be happy when it reruns. Thank you for your response and best wishes.
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
23
jaguar11 jaguar11
I did discuss with Simon as a poster advised and he seem to think they can do better. It is not right and I am hoping I will be happy when it reruns. Thank you for your response and best wishes.


Any update on your Flightmaster?
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
J JrMartins
Any update on your Flightmaster?
Arrived back in my hands yesterday and she is looking so VERY much better!!!! I am going to get some pictures up at weekend showing her with the rest of the gang. Thanks for asking. Best wishes.
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
23
jaguar11 jaguar11
Arrived back in my hands yesterday and she is looking so VERY much better!!!! I am going to get some pictures up at weekend showing her with the rest of the gang. Thanks for asking. Best wishes.

That's great news!! looking forward to the pics.
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,709
Likes
17,410
Here she is! I do apolgise about the quality of the pictures...
Edited:
 
880 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

tikkathree

The Flightmaster which possibly never was - please don't bother with this one

tikkathree Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Wuza72
Wuza72
Posts
8
Views
1K
O

Return of the Flightmaster

Otty Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
yande
yande
Posts
15
Views
2K
cgreen

When did the Flightmaster case appear

cgreen Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
lenny
lenny
Posts
1
Views
934