What to do with a franken watch?

Hello friends,
I have this franken watch that I purchase a few months ago with a cal. 30scT2. I did start a thread asking for insights about that watch when I got it:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/mystery-vintage-omega-or-else.77527/#post-987235

As pointed in that thread, the watch have wrong hands, a dial that I think is a medicus from cal. 23.4 and a case I think from a cal. 30sc. A complete franken watch.

I handed it to my watchmaker for service and he find that the sweep second wasn't the right size for the movement. So he clean and oil it and put a correct size sweep second hand. He also confirm that the dial is an original omega from a different model. The movement is in great shape, it have 43 hours of power reserve and it keeping very good time, about +3 seconds a day measured it using wildspectra app in my android phone.

After some research on the internet, I believe that the caliber 30scT2 is also called cal. 280. Please maybe some more knowledgeable forum members can confirm this. Anyway, here are some not excellent photos with the new sweep seconds hand (check out my previous thread please):


The piece is not bad looking, but I think the hour and minutes hands ruin its looks and I like to switch those hands for a pair of golden plume hands. however, I only found blue and silver leaf hands here:

http://www.scotchwatch.com/Omegainventory.html

So, my questions are: where I can found more omega hands or maybe generic hands for this movements? My watchmaker doesn't have them.

Should I forget about it and butcher it and sell all parts for separated? After all, dial, case and movement are in very good shape and those parts can help to resuscitate some more interesting pieces.

What about try to restore the original piece around the movement? For this I think there are two options: either order an extract from omega's archives and hunt for the appropriate parts or send it to Omega and get it restored to original specs (very expensive I presume).

What do you think guys? There are other alternatives (apart from my wife's alternative to keep it as is and be happy)?

Thank you guys in advance for any input and insight.

Keep your eyes open for other frankens, that have the parts you need. In time, you may end up with 3 good watches.
looks quite attractive as is, in the mean time.

Live and learn. Enjoy it as it is, because it is attractive...

It looks nice. Franken is Ok it still is Omega not a fake at all. Enjoy your custom individual watch.

I like the look of it, maybe experiment with some other straps and enjoy it as it is 😉

Not every watch should be collector's grade, or we couldnt wear them.

I have a Constellation with a redial ordered by the original owner back in the day, duly recorded in the inner side of the backcase that I have learnt to like through time. Now I would not change the dial even if I found an original one, because, in a strange way, I think the redial adds authenticity to it.

And about your franken, I like it as it is, but you can always turn it into a project, and end up with three good watches, as Michael said. I would keep it as it is, unless the chance of turning the pieces into kosher Omegas came knocking at my door.

Over the years I've bought two watches that turned out to be assemblages. There's only one I'm annoyed about and that's because I bought it in a hurry without paying attention.

What do you do with them? Keep them. Wear them. Every time you glance at your wrist they serve as a reminder to pay attention to detail and not be complacent. Someday, they may have break for parts to make a complete and correct watch. Probably they won't. But what you can't do is sell them. At least not without full disclosure.

We all make mistakes in life. We will make more, that's the only certainty. Own your own mistakes.

Thank you guys for all the responses.

It is clear that the consensus here is leave it as it is. I will leave it as is as suggested, It is a handsome piece as is. I don't think that I am going to sell it in the near future, but if i do I will disclosure its franken nature. It will be very dishonest otherwise. The guy that sold it to me didn't told me about being a franken and that bothers me, although the price of about US$ 120 wasn't bad deal I think.

Well, lesson learned. Do not buy rush and research the pieces before make a decision.
Thanks again.

Eduardo

From now on listen to your wife!

It's a nice watch, enjoy it.

hahahahahaha, I will. She have a lot more common sense than I do!

I think enough electricity can bring the frankenwatch to life!😁

Early on, I purchased a few pieces that were not 100% correct - aka Franken’s. This is one of them. I fell in love with the dial and did not do enough due diligence as a new enthusiast. I recently decided to make some changes to improve the aesthetics, and make it more wearable for myself. I guess now it is a 1960’s FL “Franken-Luba” - Valjoux 23. (original FL dial, original FL case *for different ‘60’s FL chrono* re-chromed, added pump pushers, serviced V23 and new hand set - similar to original’s). Add a BoR and I think it looks much better. I’ve since become much more discerning, but as life teaches us, we learn from our mistakes.

Very hansome watch. I say, good job .


There's a lot of true on that. I certainly lerned from my mistakes. Unfortunately for me, I can't learn from good advices like that one, I always make the mistake and learn from it. Nowadays I try to not rush a purchase desition when I see some piece on the wild. First I research and then decide, learning more in the process. So, next time I hope to discern a good piece from the pile of not very good ones that I usually see around here in Chile.

Eduardo

I went through this dilemma earlier in the year. Purchased a watch I had no business purchasing.
I felt it needed to be restored so I had it redialed and new hands put on it. I’m over my skis in value but the watch looks great. My daughter loves it. Will be here someday

We all make mistakes. Personally, I have no issue if someone has/wears a Franken, redial, custom made piece, etc. The caviat being transparency. Call a spade a spade, even when posting. If it’s custom, call it so. If someone askes about a specific aspect of the piece, explain. It’s when there are deceptive actions on the owners (or sellers) part that things go down-hill. We only have our reputations behind our usernames, so always behave in a manner consistent with how you would treat a family member.

Yes, agree. Needed for originality of this piece would be case (square), movement (although I have correct bridge - so proper full silver ‘60’s mvt) and hour/minute hands. Always looking, but no rush. Will simply keep collecting bits & pieces as they surface. Cheers!