Vintage Omega as everyday beater?

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Jezrant

·Jul 15, 2024

Newbie question, please bear with me. Can a vintage Omega Constellation circa 1960s that’s been properly serviced be worn as an everyday watch indoors and outdoors? Or is that just asking for trouble?
Ta for your collective wisdom and experience.

 

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seekingseaquest

·Jul 15, 2024

Why not? I wear vintage every day (granted I rotate a lot).

The only concern I have relates to maintaining condition, which depends on the current condition of the watch as well as rarity, case material, etc. and associated value impact of issues.

 

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Canuck

·Jul 15, 2024

A different way to answer your question might be to consider buying a 60 year old car to use as a daily driver!

 

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YVR785

·Jul 15, 2024

It certainly can. However, I’d still be worried about water resistance irrespective of service history.

 

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Fallout Boy

·Jul 15, 2024

specify: outdoors

 

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faid2black

·Jul 15, 2024

I wear vintage Omega and Rolex nearly every day and never encountered a problem. That said, I am easy on my watches and very conscious of water exposure.

 

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Spruce

·Jul 15, 2024·Sunburst dial fan

My 166.041 ‘entry level' Geneve is a regular dog walking, gentle gardening beater, particularly in an English summer, but I do take care not to get it properly wet, whether I’m bathing the dog or doing anything which might get it wet.

 

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Jezrant

·Jul 15, 2024

Fallout Boy

specify: outdoors

Fell-walking in damp weather for example while working up a bit of a sweat.

 

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Canuck

·Jul 15, 2024

Most of us who work on vintage watches that have been damaged by their owners, tend to recommend these watches be given respectful wear. At least that is my habit.

 

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hen

·Jul 15, 2024

Sure why not?

People are wearing Speedys with plastic crystal, 30 m WR and antique movement every day. They even think of them as tool watches.

But you should wear your watch on the inside of your wrist if someone ask you to help carry a sofa.

 

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X350 XJR

·Jul 15, 2024·Vintage Omega Aficionado

I wear vintage every day and don't give it another thought really. Living in Los Angeles I don't have climate issues to dale with so that helps.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 15, 2024

I have no issues wearing vintage watches daily for normal activities but I’d draw the line at fell walking in damp weather

 

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stevee1999

·Jul 15, 2024

The motto of "if you take care of it, it will take care of you" certainly would apply in this case. Moisture intrusion or sweat can get past even new seals, if the sealing surface is previously corroded and allows sneak paths. If it is a daily wearer, taking simple precautions such are removing before washing the car or working in the yard for example will not only prolong its use, but keep it looking nice.

Just my thoughts.

Edited: Jul 15, 2024

 

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theluckyluke

·Jul 15, 2024

I rotate between vintage and modern vintage re-issues for daily wear. I choose depending on what I do… and particularly whether I am with the kids or not! 😗

 

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Dan S

·Jul 15, 2024

Did you see this: https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-damage-from-moisture.174463/

 

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Jezrant

·Jul 15, 2024

Dan S

Did you see this: https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-damage-from-moisture.174463/

I had seen that, but thanks.

 

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nkhandekar

·Jul 15, 2024

I wore a seamster deville (166.020) from 1989-2001 as an every-day watch. It served me well, but hands dropped off, the crown popped out, it gained 30s a day no matter how much it was regulated, and I eventually lost it when it dropped off my wrist on a train platform (serves my right for taking public transport in Florida). My current cars are 20 and 25 years old and I have always had old cars. My advice from having old watches and old cars is to have more than one of each. That way, when the inevitable repair is needed, you are not left in the lurch. As an aside, I tend to wear newer watches now and just fondle the old ones.

Edited: Jul 16, 2024

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jul 15, 2024

I kind of look at choosing a watch for a day’s activity as I would choose shoes. I’m not going to be wearing a pair of Alden shell cordovan dress shoes while gardening or in the snow (the later is a recipe for personal injury). But there are other forums full of people who would tell you otherwise- and they can pay for the factory rebuild on those shoes and enjoy being in traction.

 

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gbesq

·Jul 15, 2024

Another word for vintage is “old.” Old things, including people, tend to be more fragile and require more care to maintain them in top condition. A vintage Constellation is a great every day watch for the office, but I would never think of any of mine as a great every day watch for all conditions.

 

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STANDY

·Jul 15, 2024·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Jezrant

Fell-walking in damp weather for example while working up a bit of a sweat.

Sat on a bus/tram in Greece a few weeks ago with an old man that has been wearing a vintage constellation everyday for over 50 years and the watch still looked OK.

This had been this guys watch since new and it was still ticking.