 |
PM |  | |
Quote | | |
Reply | | |
Full Topic | |
| Joined: | Wed Mar 19th, 2008 |
| Location: | Richmond, Canada |
| Posts: | 1209 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
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