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Vintage Omega Seamaster Chronograph 861 advice on refurb required

  1. Hyena May 20, 2018

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    Hi Omegans

    First of all thanks for the great forum and opportunity to participate. I already learnt a lot here, and I have only been visiting for a few weeks. So, what I have here is my father's vintage (late 1960's) Omega Seamaster Chronograph, which he recently passed to me (he has a shinier newer one to play with). It has some papers - and many stories - but no box unfortunately. He bought it new in 1969 - the 11th of November to be precise! From the guarantee slip you will see it is a 861 caliber, handwound. It was definitely a 'working' watch in use everyday. My father was a field exploration geologist in Africa (1961 - late 1990's), which involved living in the bush doing physically demanding work (walking 20km/day) in extreme heat - not to mention the presence of dangerous snakes (see below) and living in basic tents (picture below is one after a rain storm). So the watch was definitely not bought to live in a box - it has 'lived' and has some stories to tell! Needless to say I am not interested in selling as it has too many memories and prefer to restore it as an heirloom.

    Unfortunately it needs some TLC. It seems to have seized as the crown does not turn. Also you will see one pusher is damaged, and the glass is quite scratched. The second hand does however start to move around the dial if you move/shake the watch. I would appreciate your expertise in helping me decide the best way to restore it - preferably without emptying my bank account! My questions are:

    What is the availability of parts for this model, specifically the pusher and glass?
    Are non-Omega parts an option - even though I prefer to use genuine?
    Is this something any decent watchmaker can take on, or is it only for a vintage specialist?
    Any thoughts on approx. cost also appreciated - I am in Sydney, Australia btw?
    Should I try source the parts myself and take them to a watchmaker?
    Is it worth polishing the crystal myself - again, I am not sure what type it is - or replace it?
    Also, after looking online, I had a hard time deciding if this classed as a 'Panda' dial model - yes or no?

    Ok, I know the forum likes images - so here they are. How many snakes have you had posted here? :) Btw the reptile is a black mamba, which was killed in my fathers camp - at over 7 feet a very fast and deadly snake. Like I said, this watch has some stories to tell!

    Appreciate your time and interest - thanks in advance! Omega papers.jpg
    2018-05-04-PHOTO-00000309.jpg P1050160.JPG P1050162.JPG P1050161.JPG P1050163.JPG 2018-04-26-PHOTO-00000300.jpg After the Storm.jpg
     
    2018-05-04-PHOTO-00000309.jpg Omega papers.jpg P1050160.JPG P1050162.JPG P1050161.JPG 2018-04-26-PHOTO-00000300.jpg After the Storm.jpg
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  2. Dan S May 20, 2018

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    Welcome and thanks for the history and photos. Honestly, you need to take the watch to a watchmaker, since the repairs and servicing of the movement are your major issues. The crystal and pushers can be obtained by the watchmaker. There's really no point in guessing until you know what's wrong with the movement. Maybe it's something minor, or maybe the whole movement is rusted out. I'd suggest that you get some more information and update the thread. Maybe others will have different thoughts.
     
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  3. chipsotoole May 21, 2018

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    Second what Dan says. there are no obvious signs that water has got in, but we'd need a look at the movement. It's a cool watch. The dial definitely seems in good shape (which is always a positive sign). Any decent watchmaker can repair and service this as well as source the parts. There don't appear to be cracks in the crystal so I'd buy a tube of polywatch and buff out the scratches to try and keep it original as possible. If you don't like the result, replacing the crystal is easy. Just be sure to clearly say to the repairman you don't want the watch polished AT ALL...(and go to a decent well known repair shop....Some one here will recommend one in Sydney for sure), Nothing screws up the visuals and the value of a watch more than one that has been over zealously polished on the wheel. I'd take the bracelet off and give it a good clean or an ultrasonic bath if you have one. the case you can gently clean. In a couple of months you'll be wearing a very cool classic watch with a new lease of life. Here's to another 50 years!
     
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  4. Edward53 May 21, 2018

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    This is a quality watch. It won't break the bank to fix it but it won't be pennies either. There is no cheap way to fix it properly, and I presume properly IS how you want to fix it?

    First find a watchmaker who specialises in vintage Omega, then ask him what to do. Odds are he will want to find the parts himself. Using non-Omega parts is not an option. Personally I would leave everything to him including polishing the crystal (as C O'T says, defo not the case!).

    It's always scary when a watch is seized but most of the time it is something that can easily be fixed. And that is a reverse panda dial.
     
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  5. Davidt May 21, 2018

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    What a great story. Thankfully under all those scratches and dirt a lovely watch is also hiding under there.
    Take your time to research a vintage sympathetic watchmaker in your area. Patience will pay off here.
     
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  6. Hyena May 22, 2018

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    Thanks for your all your generous input Omegans. I am definitely going to a reputable watchmaker with this and not considering non-original parts. I just want some knowledge before I walk in and speak to someone. Re: the crystal - what is the likely material here? Cheers
     
  7. Dan S May 22, 2018

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    It's a type of acrylic. The watchmaker will know what to use.
     
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