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| 1952 Omega Caliber 344 Seamaster | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2013 04:14 am |
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1st Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS 
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Hello and Happy New Year. Well for starters is not really New Year considering that January is almost over and Spring Break and Easter is just around the corner. I haven't been here lately and haven't been able to stop by due to the manner, that I've been busy. I took up a challenge to go out and buy the cheapest vintage Omega Seamaster of 1952 for less than $600 Canadian Dollars. Why? well because of the fact that many countries are in a recession or if you live in certain parts of Europe, you'll be protesting at those in power for austerity measures that your great-great grandchildren will still be paying for down the road. The goal here, was to buy the ugliest Omega by preserving and restoring it to a museum quality, without breaking the bank or filing for personal bankruptcy! Problem was I already own a Jaeger-LeCoultre from which I've written some ions ago. The aim was to search out a project watch and give it the dignity it deserves. I had a budget of $750 plus 12% HST,which gave me $840 after tax to play with. However, things did not go as they appeared because I wanted an 18mm black Genuine Crocodile strap from Hirsch that set me back another $139.95 before the tax man. The original Omega beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet from Omega Canada, would have been $1,200! Late one night I was checking out craigslist.vancouver at home and came across the ideal candidate. The watch was a 1952 Omega Seamaster with sub-second for $400! For most people red flags would have sprung from their heads to remind them to stay away. Not me, I saw the potential of the task ahead and the pleasure of ownership the watch would commend. I wrote down the serial number from the back of the 17-Jewel bumper wind automatic movement and proceed to ordered the necessary parts. The ugly Omega Seamaster Wave dial in white with mango-orange indices had to be removed. It was glued on to the movement, the work was amateurish and the non-Omega hands had to be removed. Then came the ovehaul of the movement, a new NOS dial had to be ordered as well as NOS lumed Dauphin hands, from Omega Canada. Finally the polishing of the stainless steel case and an 18mm Hirsch black Genuine Crocodile strap with Omega buckle installed. After 4 months of getting the NOS 1952 original period parts from Omega Canada this is the end result. The price of the Watch: $400 The cost of the restoration: $840 after tax. 18mm Hirsch Genuine Crocodile strap in black: $157 after tax Grand Total: $1,397 after tax. Still a bargain compared to buying the watch at Antiquorum. Thank you to the folks at Otto Friedl for making this project a reality. Cheers, Simon Attachment: IMGP0503.JPG (Downloaded 95 times) Last edited on Fri Jan 18th, 2013 05:04 am by Simon_Leung |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2013 09:39 am |
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2nd Post |
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Tony Duronio 3T WIS 
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Looks fantastic Simon...job well done. Simple elegance at it's best..Enjoy
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2013 10:50 am |
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3rd Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS
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Thank you Tony, I am more than satisfied from the result, the work in progress was a tremendous effort for everyone involved. Wanting nothing less than original meant that I had to study images of various Omega Seamasters from the 1950's and pick and choose the parts as they came in. Overall it has been a pleasure in sharing with you a vintage timepiece by a well known brand. Kind regards, Simon
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2013 01:24 pm |
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4th Post |
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Hammerfjord Moderator 
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Well done Simon! Another sweet vintage in your collection: I bet he found a whole family in his new box
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2013 12:44 am |
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5th Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS
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No, Hammerfjord the Service Center did not find any whole family of Omegas in the box bin, since most of the parts are individual labelled with the Omega factory sealed packaging and neatly tucked away with the correct corresponding caliber number. Jaeger-LeCoultre (left) and Omega (right) Cheers, Simon Attachment: IMGP0513.JPG (Downloaded 79 times) Last edited on Sat Jan 19th, 2013 01:06 am by Simon_Leung |
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2013 01:53 pm |
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6th Post |
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Hammerfjord Moderator
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That's not what I was meaning Simon: I was speaking about your new Omega joining the rest of your vintage collection...
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2013 06:38 pm |
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7th Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS
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I don't have a watch box and these are the only two watches that I have left, until my uncle gives me his 1969-70 Rolex 1601 Oyster Date Perpetual in grey dial with a jubilee bracelet, as to how long that will be. Cheers, Simon
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23rd, 2013 07:18 am |
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8th Post |
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Hammerfjord Moderator
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Simon_Leung wrote:I don't have a watch box and these are the only two watches that I have left, until my uncle gives me his 1969-70 Rolex 1601 Oyster Date Perpetual in grey dial with a jubilee bracelet, as to how long that will be. Well, I hope the collection will grow again from now Simon! Hold on man, here's chicken dance for cheering you up  
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2013 04:54 am |
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9th Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS
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Thank you Hammerfjord, I was thinking more like this...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57oBC_WLsYA... Last edited on Thu Jan 24th, 2013 04:58 am by Simon_Leung |
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2013 09:17 am |
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10th Post |
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Hammerfjord Moderator
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Simon_Leung wrote:Thank you Hammerfjord,  Not much my up-cheering cup. Try this instead... http://youtu.be/bQrTU3oCwI0
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2013 01:13 pm |
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11th Post |
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Simon_Leung 3T WIS
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Reminded me of a modern day Viking Invasion....
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