Omega watch restoration - is it worth it?

[vikviolet]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 29 July 2019 at 13:03

[lostkiwi]

Tough call.
Normally I'd say yes but to make that usable again will remove much of the patina that made it his grandad's watch.
It will also depend on why that dial is discoloured. It's it's discoloured through water ingress then it's quite possible the movement is beyond economic repair.
Really it needs to go to a suitable watchmaker to be looked at and quoted on.
RiggaTheMighty on here is highly recommended.

One thing - does your boyfriend want it restored?

[ChrisPackit]

I think it would undoubtably cost more to restore than the value of the watch, but that isn't always the point if it holds sentimental value to you.

Maybe give Variomatic (Joe) on here a shout and see what he reckons. I sent him an older (albeit 1999 model) Seamaster a while ago and he got that running again...


C

[was8v]

Does it work?

[vikviolet]

was8v said:

Does it work?

No, sadly not.

lostkiwi said:

Tough call.
Normally I'd say yes but to make that usable again will remove much of the patina that made it his grandad's watch.
It will also depend on why that dial is discoloured. It's it's discoloured through water ingress then it's quite possible the movement is beyond economic repair.
Really it needs to go to a suitable watchmaker to be looked at and quoted on.
RiggaTheMighty on here is highly recommended.

One thing - does your boyfriend want it restored?

Thanks! I assumed that might be the case, it doesn't look like it's in the most promising state...As far as I know, it was stored in his relatives house for a while before he actually got it so my assumption is that it was probably stored somewhere damp.

Also he does - it's something he's wanted to do since he got it but has never been a 'good' time to do it.

[was8v]

Where are you? People may be able to recommend someone to take it to locally to assess whats needed and likely costs.

Have a click around https://www.omegawatches.com/vintage-watches to see more info on it.

[vikviolet]

was8v said:

Where are you? People may be able to recommend someone to take it to locally to assess whats needed and likely costs.

Have a click around https://www.omegawatches.com/vintage-watches to see more info on it.

Thanks!

I'm based in East Sussex so anything around here (or London) would be massively helpful!

[anonymous-user]

vikviolet said:

was8v said:

Where are you? People may be able to recommend someone to take it to locally to assess whats needed and likely costs.

Have a click around https://www.omegawatches.com/vintage-watches to see more info on it.

Thanks!

I'm based in East Sussex so anything around here (or London) would be massively helpful!

Couple of things.

First, as said, don’t assess the cost of repair just on the subsequent value.

I have an Omega from the early 1940s that I inherited when my father passed away.

When I first had it it didn’t work. Unknown to me my wife had it refurbished at some cost. That must have been early/mid 90s. I still have the watch, of course, and wear it occasionally. It means an awful lot to me.

I’ve had it valued and it’s not that valuable but it’s invaluable to me and I’ve never regretted the cost of getting it going again.

It still works and keeps good time.

Second, it was refurbed by Collins and Son Tunbridge Wells, we used to live just south of there.

[stumpage]

Yes!! I picked my one up last week after being restored. 14 years and had never been off my wrist (except for one service 4 years ago) came back looking and feeling brand new.

[Squadrone Rosso]

If it has sentimental value, absolutely. I sent my late father’s early Seamaster back to Switzerland for an Omega classic restoration. Paid just shy of £800.

Retail is a lot less of that but for me, it’s priceless.

[vikviolet]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I will do some more research on it to get a more accurate quote on it etc!