Omega Vintage (NOS) SM300 build
Discussion
After being truly inspired by a recent thread on TZUK : http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t...
I had a good think and started totting up the costs for what it would cost me as I'd also have to buy a few tools. After having a think and finding myself returning to the thread several times I decided I had to do it, if only to get it out of my system! I believe the case is 41mm so a decent size on my wrist and I think building a watch (albeit not the movement) would be something a bit special to me, so I'd be looking at a keeper/future hand me down.
Mind made up I set about ordering the parts I'd need. cousins was my first stop:
Overview including a set or screwdrivers, brass tweezers and all the bits...
Dial
Stem x2 as I will no doubt cut one too short!
Movement holders...
& screws...
Hour, Second & minute hand
Dial protectors so I don't fudge it up!
White on black date wheel, £50 from australia!
That's it for now, I told myself once I have it put together and working that I'd purchase the case, which is just over £700! It won't be a cheap watch but as it's all New old stock parts from Omega it will be genuine, if not a little frowned upon by some.
So, onto the movement. Well I knew I wanted a date watch so the Omega cal 565 was the one for me, and I've found a recently serviced one on ebay which I've no doubt paid well over the odds for as it's a full watch (Geneve to be precise) but I'm trying not too look too much at what this is costing me and just enjoy making it.
Personally, I think these movements are gorgeous.
I have a few other tools en route, hand puller/setter set and a movement pad to work on.
The plan is to mess around with a couple of cheap watches to get a feel for things, I like to already think I have a steady hand and an attention to detail from my photography work and I'm a perfectionist by nature so very excited to get this underway. Once I'm happy I'll make a start and I've been reading up on various parts of watch assembly/repair etc in preparation.
Once complete I'll be adding a NOS 1171 bracelet
so, hopefully late next week I'll be back with an update.
I had a good think and started totting up the costs for what it would cost me as I'd also have to buy a few tools. After having a think and finding myself returning to the thread several times I decided I had to do it, if only to get it out of my system! I believe the case is 41mm so a decent size on my wrist and I think building a watch (albeit not the movement) would be something a bit special to me, so I'd be looking at a keeper/future hand me down.
Mind made up I set about ordering the parts I'd need. cousins was my first stop:
Overview including a set or screwdrivers, brass tweezers and all the bits...
Dial
Stem x2 as I will no doubt cut one too short!
Movement holders...
& screws...
Hour, Second & minute hand
Dial protectors so I don't fudge it up!
White on black date wheel, £50 from australia!
That's it for now, I told myself once I have it put together and working that I'd purchase the case, which is just over £700! It won't be a cheap watch but as it's all New old stock parts from Omega it will be genuine, if not a little frowned upon by some.
So, onto the movement. Well I knew I wanted a date watch so the Omega cal 565 was the one for me, and I've found a recently serviced one on ebay which I've no doubt paid well over the odds for as it's a full watch (Geneve to be precise) but I'm trying not too look too much at what this is costing me and just enjoy making it.
Personally, I think these movements are gorgeous.
I have a few other tools en route, hand puller/setter set and a movement pad to work on.
The plan is to mess around with a couple of cheap watches to get a feel for things, I like to already think I have a steady hand and an attention to detail from my photography work and I'm a perfectionist by nature so very excited to get this underway. Once I'm happy I'll make a start and I've been reading up on various parts of watch assembly/repair etc in preparation.
Once complete I'll be adding a NOS 1171 bracelet
so, hopefully late next week I'll be back with an update.
Small update...
My donor watch arrived, very pleased with the condition it was just as described, I opened it up and the movement is every bit as beautiful as I imagined. It had only just been serviced and has consistently kept to a -2s per day since it arrived. Very happy!
I'm just waiting the calendar wheel to arrive and I can get started now.
My donor watch arrived, very pleased with the condition it was just as described, I opened it up and the movement is every bit as beautiful as I imagined. It had only just been serviced and has consistently kept to a -2s per day since it arrived. Very happy!
I'm just waiting the calendar wheel to arrive and I can get started now.
Agreed, I love the movement! It's kept amazing time, still 2s a day! And the power reserve is also great.
Yesterday the white on black date ring arrived so thats everything I needed bar the case now, which I ordered last night. I'm wearing the watch today as it's my girlfriends birthday then I'll let it runs down to start the build. Should be around Friday I think, can't wait! Pics to follow when the case arrives tomorrow.
Yesterday the white on black date ring arrived so thats everything I needed bar the case now, which I ordered last night. I'm wearing the watch today as it's my girlfriends birthday then I'll let it runs down to start the build. Should be around Friday I think, can't wait! Pics to follow when the case arrives tomorrow.
Muska said:
I had no plans for them but if you want me to pop them in a jiffy bag for you I can do that. Will be hands, case, dial & date ring.
Cheers for the offer but I was more thinking along the lines if you were going to try to get some of your investment back on the 'bay or suchlike 
The job list that the other half has given me for the house and garden will see me into the next year, won't have much time for watch building shenanigans! 
Ah, they're good at that arnt they! Well I don't think the case dial and hands will be worth much without a movement. I'll probably offer them for free on TZ if they don't generate any interest. I'll have to tot up everything I've spent on this so far. I don't think I'll be far away from the co-axial Seamaster I had in price terms though.
It's an easier build than you think, even easier if you have a non date dial/movement. I have a dust blower from my photography kit that will no doubt come in handy for dust!
It's an easier build than you think, even easier if you have a non date dial/movement. I have a dust blower from my photography kit that will no doubt come in handy for dust!
Loving following this thread as dive watches are my first love, ive been watching prices on these over the last couple of years and seen them creeping upwards steadily. Am interested to know, if you dont mind, in how much this little project will have cost you after finished? Is it cheaper than buying the complete article? You don't need to tell me the cost if you don't want but just curious if its dearer or cheaper to do yourself.
Great pictures..
Great pictures..
Hmmm, I've not added up everything perfectly as I don't have all the receipts to hand but I think it will have cost me about £1200 when complete.
Case arrived today, very excited to get started now, although I'm a little daunted by the date wheel change. It's the only bit that bothers me.
Here is my 'work station'
Overview of parts:
Donor watch, I'm 'patiently' waiting to run down!
Also bought some gasket lube & Rodico (think blutac) for cleaning finger prints from the movement and fitting hands.
some tools including an AF Swiss hand pressing set as the ebay one was s
t:
Case shots, you can just see the Omega logo on the centre of the domed Acrylic crystal in a couple:
Now the waiting game! Can't start till the donor runs down, hopefully tomorrow but I remember the reserve ran for about 40 hours last time!
I have the camera ready too so there will be plenty of build shots.
Case arrived today, very excited to get started now, although I'm a little daunted by the date wheel change. It's the only bit that bothers me.
Here is my 'work station'
Overview of parts:
Donor watch, I'm 'patiently' waiting to run down!
Also bought some gasket lube & Rodico (think blutac) for cleaning finger prints from the movement and fitting hands.
some tools including an AF Swiss hand pressing set as the ebay one was s
t:Case shots, you can just see the Omega logo on the centre of the domed Acrylic crystal in a couple:
Now the waiting game! Can't start till the donor runs down, hopefully tomorrow but I remember the reserve ran for about 40 hours last time!
I have the camera ready too so there will be plenty of build shots.
Edited by Muska on Thursday 8th September 12:26
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