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Jeep99dad 3T WIS 
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Good evening all, I am posting here for help with my Omega. A little background info so you know where I'm coming from. This is an old Seamaster ( don't know what year) that belongded to my grand-father. He owned two Omegas, that was it... a real solid gold dress watch (had a square case) and this Seamaster chrono. My grand dad was my best friend, no doubt, the best and nicest man I have ever met. Everyone who met him loved him and respected him.  I was blessed to have him!I spent a lot of time with him growing up, every afternoon after school at work (he would teach me stuff), skiiing together every week-end during the winter, many week-ends and I spent 1 month + at the beach with he and my gd ma every year. He taught me many things... When we spent the summer at the beach together, he wore his Seamaster and I remember admiring it and trying it on... he always told me, one day it'll be yours... One time when he let me wear it at the pool, I made the mistake to time myself holding my breath under water and pushed buttons to operate the chronograph under water... SMARt, uh!?   The Seamaster did not like it.. My gd dad was not happy but never got mad at me, he got it fixed by omega and it was back on his wrist a few weeks later.Cancer took his life a few years ago and I lost my best friend, not just my gd pa. One summer when I went back home in France, my gd ma gave me the Seamaster and told me how he really wanted me to have it but it was not working anymore and that he never got around to getting fixed. So I gave it to my neighbor who works on watches for a local jeweler/watch store. He explained the watch had taken water too long ago and now everything was kinda stuck together. He had it apart as much as he could and dipped into solutions trying to get the whole thing apart and cleaned up without success. He tried to get parts from fellow watch dudes but they advised against it because there was too much damage. Shnouldn't mix old and new parts in this watch.. It needs a new movement apparently. I just got the watch back from him and though I don't have a lot of $ right now, I can't give up on it. I know you may think I am crazy because the watch is old, scratched and you may not even think it looks good.... but This watch has A LOT of sentimental value and I want it running at some point so I can wear it. It is very important to me. My friend doesn't have a mvt to put in it and thought it'd be expensive so I told him I would seek help form the forums's expert to get this puppy running. He told me the watch has an omega 1040 calbre/mvt. So I am wondering what you think... any idea on where to get this watch fixed? or where I can get a mvt without spending a fortune and my friend can install it? or are there alternatives, other mvts that would fit and be more affordable? I appreciate your input and thank you in advance for it.  Respectfully, Brice here are pics of the watch, which had a sort of diver extension clasp already, pretty cool!           Last edited on Fri Jun 25th, 2010 10:15 pm by Jeep99dad |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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That's a sweet Omega Brice...caliber 1040 based on a Lemania movement...here are a couple links...the 1st link is Chuck Maddox....he recently passed away but he was the Omega master known to many and you will find plenty about this watch which is well worth restoring from both a sentimental and collectors view imo... http://www.chronomaddox.com/ http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?noframes;read=11314 http://www.watchestobuy.com/OmegaSeamaster1040.htm these guys specialize in vintage Omega restoration...  http://www.darlor-watch.com/omega_watches_1.html |
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mcwright Admin 
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Looks like it has an Acrylic Crystal. There are many products that can take the scratches out. Not sure if it has radium on the hands. But now I see the T on the dial. So, it does. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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it would be a Hesalite crystal which may buff out with some Crystal Clear and from the looks of the chrono hands it is definetly based on a Lemania 5100...here's one below that sold last year... http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?noframes;read=11314 |
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IanM 3T WIS 
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Mate - I see the sentimental value in it, but I can only say that O's links are the best way to go for information. I understand that this watch DOES have a Hesalite crystal - so a bit of light polishing should do the trick. The Omega cal 1040 is certainly LeMania based. It is a fab movement, and makes the watch worth a mint on its own. I am looking for one for myself... probably a Mark III version with the same blue highlights on the silver dial. I can say that over the last year I have seen only 2 x cal. 1040 movements for sale - each sold for about $350 USD and "seemed" to be in good working order. Watches with the cal. 1040 are regularly $1000 USD plus - and the really good ones in mint condition can go for much more. I put "Omega cal 1040" into my ebay searches and it tells me when anything erupts on the scene - I recommend that as an additional way to go. Good luck mate - it will be a beauty when it is finished. A really nice gesture from a kind grandpa. Ian |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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Brice, thanks for sharing about your grandpa. We have the same experiences. My grandpa was my idol and we went hunting for wild board, deer and even python (at night) when I was pre-teen. I used a WEATHERBEE carbine a lot. The only advice I can give on an alternate basis is to check out watchsmiths from Asia. That Omega model was a hotcake in Asia in those days and I guess HK and Singapore watchsmiths would be of tremendous help. I wish you the best on this noble hunt, amigo!  |
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Nabco 3T WIS 
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Brice, great story and thanks for sharing...you should absolutely get it restored, you have a real family heirloom there  |
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Gregger 3T WIS 
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RESTORE!!!!!! That is an awesome piece...I've seen some the the restores from another forum and they sent them back to Switz and they look brand new!!!! |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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Great story Brice!. Well you are committed to this so take your time and have it restored. If you send it to Omega they will bring it back to life but it will cost. However, with this great piece's sentimental value I would have it done at any cost. Put off a new watch or two and have this one revived. You'll wear it with pride and pass it along. |
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stew77 Admin 
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Thanks for sharing this awesome story about your grandfather and this sentimental Omega Brice! Such a great story. Looks like you are already getting many leads with the responses above, and I agree with the comments already made...You simply have got to restore this one Brice!!! You will have a spectacular heirloom that you can enjoy yourself, and then pass down to the next generation. Can't wait to see how it turns out! |
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Jeep99dad 3T WIS
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Thank you guys for all the kind words ( I actually had a serious knot in my throat and wet eyes when I typed this as it brought back amazing memories)and helpful info/links. I will look over those over the next few days. I am moving forward with getting it back in working conditions. Just need to gather info andf call Omega to see how much they woold charge as it would be my preferred route. Gotta figure out and compare alternatives: get a mvt and the local guy tol install it VS gettign a donor watch vs. sending it to Omega for a full restore... I am going to postpone another buy and sell a watch to help finance this job. This watch really looks cool IMHO in addition to being very important to me! Thanks Brice Last edited on Sat Jun 26th, 2010 04:40 pm by Jeep99dad |
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Darkman 3T WIS 
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Brice, check with Swiss Time Services STS in England, as well - they are the English Omega service house, but their pricing is often better. (If you don't mind paying top dollar, though, Omega Bienne makes watches look like they are brand new, it's really incredible!) C |
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Jeep99dad 3T WIS
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So I finally found a watchmaker who confirmed he can and will bring it back to life, Craig at Illinois Watch Company. He just called me today and i expected he'd say sorry can't do or it'll cost you one million dollars type thing  He gave me what i thought was a reasonnable estimate and was very cool... He'll be taking the whole thing apart and doing a full overhaul, taking care of the corrosion, changing a few parts(gears, lever, mainspring) and will even install a new crystal on. Now the wait begins and knowing I'm going to finally get to wear my Gd Pa's Omega is gonna make the wait real tough but exciting ETA is early November and I cannot wait  |
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timesofplenty 3T WIS 
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Glad to see the project is underway That bracelet is really cool, too. You may already know, but ZRC made some very interesting dive watches in the 60s-70s with supposed French military ties, and some worn on Cousteau expeditions. They also sold replacement bracelets. |
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stew77 Admin
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Jeep99dad wrote: So I finally found a watchmaker who confirmed he can and will bring it back to life, Craig at Illinois Watch Company. He just called me today and i expected he'd say sorry can't do or it'll cost you one million dollars type thing So incredibly cool Brice!!! Like Scott above, I am so excited to see this project finally getting kicked off for you amigo!!! November will be here before you know it, and I can't wait to see shots of you wearing your Grandpa's fully restored Omega!!! |
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Axelay2003 3T WIS 
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I can't wait to see the result as I believe it will be outstanding! Gerald |
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Jeep99dad 3T WIS
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Thanks guys! I just was excited when Craig called me, I couldn't believe this was finally happening. Obviously I'm also a little cautious at the same time as I wait for the results! Thanks for the kind words. I'll post plenty of pics when it lands. May want to increase the bandwidth guys!!!  |
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clouser 3T WIS 
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Man, that's AWESOME news! I can't wait to see it restored. |
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rob.winter 3T WIS 
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Great story. Sorry for your loss. Your grandfather sounds like he was a great man. Can't wait to see the fully restored Seamaster. |
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afc14284 3T WIS 
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Brice... I hadn't read your post until today and man what a nice story!!! those watches that have that sentimental value are certainly worth more than any new watch you could buy new... I had a similar story with a watch that was given to me by my dad.. me and him didn't have the best relationship, but he gave me a watch when I was 17 years old.. although you guys will probably laugh, it was an Invicta.. it went through everything with me and sadly, it was stolen 8 years later.. My father past away 4 years ago.. I think I would change any one of my watches for that particular watch... Thats an awesome endeavor your in, enjoy the ride of emotions as you remember your grand pa and at the end of the ride, you'll enjoy the watch that makes you remember him... Do post pics as you get it ..... |
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