Old Omega Seamaster help
Discussion
So I've just been gifted an old Seamaster
The strap is broken (and I think probably not genuine) and the watch itself is in a fairly sorry state but it does work.
Before I start thinking about what to do, I'd very much appreciate thoughts and advice from those who know a lot more than me...
For a start I don't even know for certain which model it is or how to date it!
The strap is broken (and I think probably not genuine) and the watch itself is in a fairly sorry state but it does work.
Before I start thinking about what to do, I'd very much appreciate thoughts and advice from those who know a lot more than me...
For a start I don't even know for certain which model it is or how to date it!
looks lovely mate. thats the kind of gift i like to see. 
I would agree that it looks approx 60s-70s. probably a beautiful rose movement.
The hands lead me to think more 70s, but the dial is saying 60s. lol
Definitely not the original bracelet, but they are rather rare to see anyway, as they would have fell to bits by now.
Give me a shout if you want it looked over, I don't charge to assess.
I would agree that it looks approx 60s-70s. probably a beautiful rose movement.
The hands lead me to think more 70s, but the dial is saying 60s. lol
Definitely not the original bracelet, but they are rather rare to see anyway, as they would have fell to bits by now.
Give me a shout if you want it looked over, I don't charge to assess.
I think that's a 60's Seamaster.
Here's what I think you should do. When you hand it over for the work to be done, you should be VERY specific about what you do and what you don't want done.
Case.
Hand polish only. If you give anyone permission to do anything else, they'll put it on a buffing wheel. It will be shiny, but it will also lose those crisp clean edges and lines. You know, exactly the features that helped mark it out as a quality watch in the first place.
You can do this yourself with a cape cod cloth.
Movement.
Get it serviced. If it hasn't been done regularly, the oils will have dried. Eventually it will start to run fast as the bearings wear away.
Dial & hands.
Best: don't touch it.
OK: gently clean with Rodico. Your watchmaker will understand.
Never: ask for a replacement or redial. You'll knock 30% off the value and it won't be anywhere near as nice.
Crystal.
Get it replaced. You'll lose no value by doing so and make the watch look a lot better.
Strap.
It is just the deployant clasp that's bust? If so it should be replaceable. That's known as a beads of rice strap. They're quite fashionable and pretty comfortable. Or just replace with something of your choice.
Here's what I think you should do. When you hand it over for the work to be done, you should be VERY specific about what you do and what you don't want done.
Case.
Hand polish only. If you give anyone permission to do anything else, they'll put it on a buffing wheel. It will be shiny, but it will also lose those crisp clean edges and lines. You know, exactly the features that helped mark it out as a quality watch in the first place.
You can do this yourself with a cape cod cloth.
Movement.
Get it serviced. If it hasn't been done regularly, the oils will have dried. Eventually it will start to run fast as the bearings wear away.
Dial & hands.
Best: don't touch it.
OK: gently clean with Rodico. Your watchmaker will understand.
Never: ask for a replacement or redial. You'll knock 30% off the value and it won't be anywhere near as nice.
Crystal.
Get it replaced. You'll lose no value by doing so and make the watch look a lot better.
Strap.
It is just the deployant clasp that's bust? If so it should be replaceable. That's known as a beads of rice strap. They're quite fashionable and pretty comfortable. Or just replace with something of your choice.
Wow....
Thanks so much for the comprehensive posting, really appreciated, I'm a fan of nice watches but really don't know much about them so every reply teaches me something.
Googling "beads of rice omega strap" brings up images of straps that look identical but have the omega symbol on the clasp?
is it possible for the strap to be genuine but the clasp (which is broken BTW) to be an aftermarket one?
I've read enough threads on here to know that a fair amount of the value in a classic watch is in the "patina" so definitely don't want to lose that...
I think the watch needs a good clean and service, the strap/clasp needs fixing and the little knob on the side needs replacement - apart from that I wouldn't want to do anything else to it.
I suppose I also should ask, assuming I get those bits done....... what's the value? - I'm going to keep it as a dress watch (I have a Tag that I wear daily) but I will have to add it to my insurance I suspect
Once again, thanks for all the help, PH is always great for things like this!
Thanks so much for the comprehensive posting, really appreciated, I'm a fan of nice watches but really don't know much about them so every reply teaches me something.
Googling "beads of rice omega strap" brings up images of straps that look identical but have the omega symbol on the clasp?
is it possible for the strap to be genuine but the clasp (which is broken BTW) to be an aftermarket one?
I've read enough threads on here to know that a fair amount of the value in a classic watch is in the "patina" so definitely don't want to lose that...
I think the watch needs a good clean and service, the strap/clasp needs fixing and the little knob on the side needs replacement - apart from that I wouldn't want to do anything else to it.
I suppose I also should ask, assuming I get those bits done....... what's the value? - I'm going to keep it as a dress watch (I have a Tag that I wear daily) but I will have to add it to my insurance I suspect
Once again, thanks for all the help, PH is always great for things like this!
Value once done will likely be in the £200-600 range. It really depends on exactly what it is.
Definitely worth getting Rigga to look at as his rates are so reasonable.
I priced getting my 1968 Seamaster serviced and it was the wrong side of £500. It's going to Rigga this weekend. His basic service charge seems to typically be £150.
Definitely worth getting Rigga to look at as his rates are so reasonable.
I priced getting my 1968 Seamaster serviced and it was the wrong side of £500. It's going to Rigga this weekend. His basic service charge seems to typically be £150.
Looks identical to my (late Dad’s) Seamaster. I have the booklet for it, and it was actually bought in July 1956, so obviously produced some time before then.
A fewf rubbishy iPhone photos taken today (purely coincidental, I hadn’t seen this thread until about two minutes ago). The bracelet isn’t original, it’s an old Hirsch one I bought for my Dad, probably about 30 years ago. The watch was bought (and worn) in Nigeria, when my Dad was in what was th Colonial Service (then the Foreign and Commonwealth Office). Leather straps didn’t last long on the tropics in the 1950s and 60s. The buckle probably disappeared about the same time as the original strap.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/jLMRQHL0[/url
]
One for scalinga, against my Suunto Core All Black:
A fewf rubbishy iPhone photos taken today (purely coincidental, I hadn’t seen this thread until about two minutes ago). The bracelet isn’t original, it’s an old Hirsch one I bought for my Dad, probably about 30 years ago. The watch was bought (and worn) in Nigeria, when my Dad was in what was th Colonial Service (then the Foreign and Commonwealth Office). Leather straps didn’t last long on the tropics in the 1950s and 60s. The buckle probably disappeared about the same time as the original strap.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/jLMRQHL0[/url]
One for scalinga, against my Suunto Core All Black:
K50 DEL said:
Googling "beads of rice omega strap" brings up images of straps that look identical but have the omega symbol on the clasp?
is it possible for the strap to be genuine but the clasp (which is broken BTW) to be an aftermarket one?
Yes. Very possible and something you could consider having done again or even doing yourself.
It really will be worth getting the crystal replaced too.
is it possible for the strap to be genuine but the clasp (which is broken BTW) to be an aftermarket one?
Yes. Very possible and something you could consider having done again or even doing yourself.
K50 DEL said:
...and the little knob on the side needs replacement - apart from that I wouldn't want to do anything else to it.
Its called the crown. Unless it's really bad, keep it original IMHO.It really will be worth getting the crystal replaced too.
K50 DEL said:
I suppose I also should ask, assuming I get those bits done....... what's the value?
I'll say £400 to £500. But it's a guess based on one photo.Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff