Hi My name is Sean,
I have recently aquired a vintage seamaster. It is in a very used state But it appears to Keep time.
I want to keep it as it has some sentimental value.
how detremantal to its historic all original value is it to have repairs done, parts replaced etc.
What is its value in its current state.... not that I'm going to sell it.
I have done as much research (via your excellent forum) as possible before
posting this. And have taken some appropriate photos.
Any help is much appreciated.
Regards Sean.

 

welcome Sean,
we will require some good quality photos Before answering your question .
regards
steve

 

Let us know vicinity of where you are in the world and someone will put you onto a good watchmaker to bring it back to wearable condition. Worth a few dollars but condition is a bit on the less side

 

Thanks, I am in New Zealand. I live in Auckland.

 

Fantastic watch! I don't mind tool watches to show wear. I would have the 552 serviced by a local watchmaker familiar with vintage omegas and leave as much original as possible. Don't change the dial, bezel, or hands. The second hand looks a little too clean so it may have been replaced. Tough to see through that bad crystal. I wouldn't polish the case either. I would change the crystal and see about finding a replacement Naiad crown as it looks corroded. They are not too "waterproof" at low pressure. The original 1039 bracelet has some value too. It is all stretched out but I have seen a post that someone had success replacing the springs in loose links. That would be a difficult task to say the least. I am not an expert but a fan of vintage Omegas so this is just my opinion. Great watch and good luck!

 

Haste makes waste.
Take your time, it will never look like new anymore, but you have to get used to it and slowly decide what to do or not do.

 

Beautiful example, everything is in order for me, perhaps the crown is modern ... Great catch!
You can restore a bit, then you will have a superb watch!

That's mine:

 

Thanks for the reply. I agree the crystal would have to be replaced and getting a service makes great sense. I had another look at the bracelet and none of the links have any spring movement at all. I see what you mean by stretched. In fact it looks like someone
has stuffed something in between a few linka to take up the slack. Also the clasp won't stay clipped as it is bent and the end pieces have been mangled somehow. I might look at getting a nice bracelet so I can wear it eventually and just keep the original for the historic value of it.

 

Do you have both the 516 end pieces? You can try to recreate the springs with a steel wire, and strengthen the closing by bending the blades, more the blue and less the red.

 

If you want to restore the bracelet, Michael Young gets excellent reviews. Google tells me the cost is about $150 USD plus shipping costs.

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/

As for the rest, heed the advice above. Find a watchmaker who is sympathetic to vintage watches, don't polish, don't replace the visible parts (except the crown), but get the movement serviced before you wind/wear it too much.

That'll be a great looking watch when you're all done!

J

 

Yes I have both ends And they say 516. I will have a dig online about the "springs" I see what you are saying. I had a "feel" of the blades and i'm not keen on tweaking them,
I think it's time to find a good watchmaker.... I read some where not to go to an omega authorized dealer because of the cost? And to find a professional horologist.?

 

I think that is good advise. Pretty much sums it up.
I will try locally and way up the cost Vs risk
thanks J !

You guys are great!

 

If NZ is anything like Tasmania you'll struggle finding anyone competent, as above, take your time, its a beautiful watch and all that patina/wear every scratch should mean something to you every time you look down at it. Heres mine, enjoy and welcome!

 

I am very keen to find an appropriate watchmaker, but yes it may take time and that is Okay with me, it will pay off.
I do like the patina...once the crystal is replaced I think it will be a lot easier to appreciate as opposed to just looking abused.
I am lucky to have saved it, my mum offered it to me as it was her first husband's who has passed away. She was about to get rid of it in a box full of junk! I knew it was special straight away. Very cool to see your seamaster in all it's glory! Has it been fully restored?

 

That's a great rescue!

 

As above, keep the dial, case, hands and bezel as they are. A new crystal will make a huge difference.

Someone with local knowledge may be able to advise on a suitable watchmaker. The bracelet is salvageable but personally, I'd put it in a drawer and get a nice black nato strap on that.

 

Back when I only owned one watch I had a Seiko for like a decade. The links were solid stainless and they were each attached the next with a split pin. Over time these bent and stretched and there was space between the links and it drove me crazy. I sourced some pins and replaced a bunch of them (this was pretty easy). But finally I realized it was even easier and cheaper just to replace the bracelet as the manufacturer had NOS ones on the shelf.

I'm not familiar with this bracelet but it looks like the links are joined with similar pins. They just push out and push in. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

We have a few kiwis here
@GMTKiwi @Ahiron
@werc2

 

The 1039 is a semi-expandable bracelet with spring loaded links that stretch. The springs look like they have fully relaxed in the posted photos above. If you search the internet for Omega 1039 bracelet link removal there are some good tutorials on how to replace or fix stretch links.

 

Try Sydney or Melbourne for a watchmaker a few good ones about.