watch choice and repair old Omega

[contractor]

I'm thinking about getting a new watch. I'll be saving up for it rather than putting it on tick so it will be April by the time I can afford it.

I've narrowed it down to two, Either:

The Rolex Daytona Steel 116520, as per http://rubberb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09...

Or
The Breitling for Bentley Motors a25632/3 black or white dial
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i... or
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i...

I know there is a price difference of a few grand but my thinking is if I'm gonna save for it, I can save for a bit longer as I don't intend buying another watch for 20 years.

I will be wearing it 24/7 and it will be my main watch unless I wear this, which needs repairing.


So I have two questions; which watch? and any recommendations as to where I can get an early 1970s Omega restored to original condition?

Thanks

[Chicane-UK]

I don't know if you're a member of TZ-UK but a fellow on there who posts under the name walkerwek1958 did a restoration for me on a 1952 Seamaster Automatic. I bought it as a non runner and it was in a distinctly shabby state.. for an unbelievably good price he basically did a total restoration on it including complete hand polish of the case, dial refurbishment and of course complete strip and lubrication of the movement. It's been returned to me keeping amazing time (comparable with my Speedmaster) and is a fantastic little piece I enjoy every time I put it on. I'd heartily recommend him to anyone - I'm happy to pass on his email address to you but I understand he has a bit of a waiting list!

[GC8]

Id be interested to see some pictures and and an indication of the price, please? I have a Seamaster 600 which Id like fettling.

[Globs]

contractor said:

I'm thinking about getting a new watch. I'll be saving up for it rather than putting it on tick so it will be April by the time I can afford it.

I've narrowed it down to two, Either:

The Rolex Daytona Steel 116520, as per http://rubberb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09...

Or
The Breitling for Bentley Motors a25632/3 black or white dial
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i... or
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i...

I'm not being funny but none of those watches stand out as being easy to read the time from. The main hands are not a complete colour and the hand/face contrast is not great either.

Other than that I suspect they'll feel and look very different on so I'd check them out in real life. I note that the Breitling has an extra complication: the date, which may be useful.

[DickyC]

My uncle's gold Omega retirement present that I inherited stopped working recently. I took it to my local jeweller who has fingers in pies for watch repairs. It took a long time to get a quote and even longer to have it repaired but it came back looking better than it went away and works fine. £340 with an Omega certificate. It's quartz rather than mechanical and needed a new movement. Whether it went to Omega or an approved repairer I don't know but I can find out if you like.

[contractor]

All, thanks for advice. Chicane, I'll send you a PM.

Thanks

[Incognegro]

contractor said:

I'm thinking about getting a new watch. I'll be saving up for it rather than putting it on tick so it will be April by the time I can afford it.

I've narrowed it down to two, Either:

The Rolex Daytona Steel 116520, as per http://rubberb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09...

Or
The Breitling for Bentley Motors a25632/3 black or white dial
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i... or
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i...

I know there is a price difference of a few grand but my thinking is if I'm gonna save for it, I can save for a bit longer as I don't intend buying another watch for 20 years.

I will be wearing it 24/7 and it will be my main watch unless I wear this, which needs repairing.


So I have two questions; which watch? and any recommendations as to where I can get an early 1970s Omega restored to original condition?

Thanks

I'm not being funny but none of those watches stand out as being easy to read the time from. The main hands are not a complete colour and the hand/face contrast is not great either.

Other than that I suspect they'll feel and look very different on so I'd check them out in real life. I note that the Breitling has an extra complication: the date, which may be useful.

I'm being biased but I'd say go for the Bentley Motors T, it's just absolute quality and makes me feel like a Boss just knowing what I have on my wrist and yep people do notice and comment (nicely) I have the original ltd violet dial version. Got it for a great price and Brietling just valued it at the £6,840 replacement cost nearly 3 times what I paid! ABSOLUTE RESULT

[marcelg]

I would go for the Daytona as a personal choice.
But if you are interested in retaining value, then the Rolex is still the right choice
I quite like the Brietling, but they don't hold their value - I saw a similar BforB with a grey dial failing to make the reserve of £2600 at auction a couple of weeks back. Second hand Daytonas sells for close to their current RRP

[contractor]

just to follow up, I got my Omega back today

[RichB]

Did a nice job didn't they, who did it?

[contractor]

RichB said:

Did a nice job didn't they, who did it?

It was done by the guy Chicane-UK recommended

[GC8]

Id be interested to know what was done and how much it cost too, please. As per my earlier post I have a Seamaster 600 which Id like to have restored.

[yeti]

If you're still trying to deceide between those two watches..?

The Daytona is simply too small and the Breitling is simply too big!

Rolex will hold it's value better and offers an in-house movement, the Bentley offers a nicely decorated ETA but will lose value if you sell; such things however may not bother you.

Personally I'd look for something in-between, perhaps 42mm. A nice pre-owned Breguet Type XXI is well within budget and oozes quality. Bracelet and strap options too.

[Riff Raff]

For a restoration of an old-ish Omega.....

http://www.swisstimeservices.co.uk

They apparently have access to lots of parts that are no longer available through other channels, even through Omega themselves.

Some people say they are pricey, but you could get a quote from them. Me, I think you get what you pay for.

[GC8]

Thanks, but its way too cheap for an STS level refurb.