The lucky new owner of my Grandad's Omega, advice needed!

Larry S

Wear it in good health!

Larry S

Absolutely. I'd check references on the watchmaker but I think the price is OK for a competent movement only service on a special watch.

UncleBuck

Based on some inconsistencies, especially with the hour,minute and second markers, I feel it was definitely repainted as part of a service a long time ago. As Dennis mentions, the anal CDO's among us would take points off the value, but it's not our Grandfathers!

This in no way affects the beauty of the watch or impacts its value to you!
Every time you look at your wrist, you'll see exactly what he saw, you will think of Grandpa and you'll share a part of each others lives again and again.
Then hopefully, you'll pass it on to your Grandson some day!

For these reasons, I wouldn't chance any dial cleaning.

UncleBuck

Based on some inconsistencies, especially with the hour,minute and second markers, I feel it was definitely repainted as part of a service a long time ago. As Dennis mentions, the anal CDO's among us would take points off the value, but it's not our Grandfathers!

This in no way affects the beauty of the watch or impacts its value to you!
Every time you look at your wrist, you'll see exactly what he saw, you will think of Grandpa and you'll share a part of each others lives again and again.
Then hopefully, you'll pass it on to your Grandson some day!

For these reasons, I wouldn't chance any dial cleaning. Are you prepared to ruin it and start over? Unless your answer is yes......

UncleBuck

Ask for a "sympathetic" service, a service that preserves, that doesn't alter the heritage. Clean case only but I wouldn't polish, it's been polished enough. Don't lose any more metal, it still has a long life ahead.
New glass, mainspring and any mechanical parts are fine as long as they are quality, correct parts.
COA or clean, oil and adjust(regulate) is paramount on a regular basis.
Have good pictures taken of movement, inside caseback and dial while it's apart.

In writing, list all this and stress that you want the dial left untouched!
If he has questions, suggestions or decisions, shoot us a quick post and we will try to be of help.

A alorimer82

I've had a quote from prestigetimeservices.co.uk for £360 to do the following:

"a full service of the movement, new mainspring,
replace worn movement parts, regulation, steam clean of the case/bracelet,
new plexi glass and test is £300 + vat including warranty. All parts
supplied and fitted are genuine manufacturers’ parts."

Is this reasonable?

TNTwatch

That's more than what this watch is worth. Much better price here, but you may have to wait since they're quite popular: https://watchguy.co.uk/price-list/.

A alorimer82

Hi TNTWatch, thanks for this, can you vouch for them? Would much rather have the work done by someone recommended to me through this forum!

TNTwatch

I don't have any experience with them, but I believe quite a few OF members do. One of our most prolific Lemania collectors here have countless watches done by them. I haven't heard of complaints about them, but you can have a look around their site and on the net to know more about them.

There appear to be many good watchmakers in the UK, but I don't know of their prices to make a comparison.

Peemacgee

I can vouch for the watchguy
They do all of my vintage watches and have done a splendid job on all of them
They'll do exactly what you ask and tell you if additional parts over and above the regular service are needed - so no nasty surprises
Very good price too
Only trouble is getting a slot
BTW +1 on leaving the dial as is

Davidt3449

I can also vouch for christian and Mitka. Great work.

I believe they're both on hol at the minute and also in the middle of moving workshops.

Mouse_at_Large

I'll make a slightly contrary point here. Whilst I have absolutely no arguments with other posters who quite rightly point out the risks of dial cleaning and acknowledge the history/attractiveness of patina to some, I would ask yourself a question. Will you wear the watch and enjoy it on your wrist looking as it currently does?

If so, then get it serviced/preserved in it's current state and wear it in good health! Collectors will probably appreciate it more if you ever decide to sell it.

If however, you do not like the way it looks, then it's probably going to sit in a drawer. That, to me is a waste as watches were made to be worn and enjoyed. Not all dial restoration (though inherently risky) is the work of demonic imps/barely competent sharpie-wielders. See here https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-fathers-watches-final-part.30488/#post-342368

In the end the watch is yours and after weighing advice, both here and from whichever (hopefully competent) watchmaker you approach, so is the decision.