Inherited an Omega Seamaster De Ville - Some questions

[stanthebiker]

I have inherited my fathers Omega Seamaster De Ville and have some questions about it.

I believe it was purchased in 1968. It's a stainless steel model. It was his daily watch for around 30 years He had a side line as a part time car mechanic so it's had a pretty tough life.

1) Winding questions
a) When winding it, should I only turn the winder clockwise (when looking directly at it)?

b) I don't want to damage the watch, how much should I wind it?

c) How long can I expect the watch to run on one winding?

2) If I wanted to have the watch serviced, how much should I expect to pay and has anyone any recommendations on who could do the servicing?

3) Not that it really matters, as I'd never sell it, but what would it be worth in its current condition and in refurbished condition?

Thanks in advance.

Apologies for quick cameraphone pics.

[Variomatic]

stanthebiker said:

a) When winding it, should I only turn the winder clockwise (when looking directly at it)?

It's designed to wiind with a "forwards / backwards" motion, so you won't hurt it winding both ways, but it only actually winds on the "forwards" (clockwise lookiing at the crown) part. Personally I tend to wind with a "wind, let go, wind, let go" action because I find it easier on my fingers - but I can be winding 10 or 20 in a day when busy!

stanthebiker said:

b) I don't want to damage the watch, how much should I wind it?

You won't damage it by winding - overwinding is a historical myth which hasn't applied since the mid 1800s or so. But it's a useful excuse for the more unscrupulous repairer to avoid warranty work, so it persists.

Your watch is designed to be wound fully once a day. "Fully" means to wind it until you encounter sudden and very obvious resistance. You'd need to really strain, and probably use pliers, to wind it beyond that point.

stanthebiker said:

c) How long can I expect the watch to run on one winding?

The time it'll run on a wind varies depending on the exact movement in it but 36 hours is a good rule-of-thumb at that sort of age. It's probably a 630 movement at that age, which was listed as a 42 hour power reserve but the 36 hour guide is a safe bet.

stanthebiker said:

2) If I wanted to have the watch serviced, how much should I expect to pay and has anyone any recommendations on who could do the servicing?

I'll pass on answering this one if it's ok seeing as I may be biased, but you shouldn't really be out of double figures for a service assuming it's basically sound.

Two things to note are that the crown looks like it may be unoriginal and the glass has seen better days. Neither are necessarily a problem but they'd obviously add to the "basic" service cost.

stanthebiker said:

3) Not that it really matters, as I'd never sell it, but what would it be worth in its current condition and in refurbished condition?

Valuations I'll definitely leave to others, I just fix 'em

Edited by Variomatic on Sunday 11th January 22:06

[stanthebiker]

Thanks for the informative reply Vario.

Yes, the glass is showing evidence of it's use as a daily watch and I'm sure I remember him having the crown replaced years ago. This crown doesn't have an Omega logo on it so I'm guessing it's just a cheap crown that the local shop had available at the time.

Thanks for the winding and run time information, that's very helpful indeed. I had been winding it very conservatively and was surprised that it ran for less than 24 hours so you've eased my mind of a couple of sources of worry there.



If anyone wants to give their opinion on value, that would be interesting to me.

[Variomatic]

You're welcome Destroying the "overwinding" myth is a bit of a crusade for me because I've seen it used so often to excuse shoddy work (watch / clock is "serviced" then stops shortly afterwards. Repairer convinces owner that it wasn't a problem with the work but that they overwound it so need to pay again).

I've even had my sister trying to argue the point with me about a clock that I overhauled for Mum but left one bushing slightly tight (despite rumours I am only human ). Even with me explaining, and admitting my mistake, she still insisted that "Mum had overwound it"!

[GC8]

I have a couple of those - its a 135.011 / 136.011 with Cal.601 in it. Less common to have the chunky case back, but still a 135.011 as far as I am aware.

[Variomatic]

OK, that'd be a 48 hour reserve then - quite high for the era!

[GC8]

Original crowns and hesalite crystals are still available from Cousins.

[stanthebiker]

Thanks GC8 for the extra information.