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HELP please with my Gd Pa's OLD OMEGA Seamaster  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: Fri Jun 25th, 2010 10:14 pm
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Jeep99dad
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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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 Posted: Fri Jun 25th, 2010 10:57 pm
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oagaspar
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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...
ThumbsUp02.gif

http://www.darlor-watch.com/omega_watches_1.html

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 Posted: Fri Jun 25th, 2010 11:49 pm
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mcwright
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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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 Posted: Fri Jun 25th, 2010 11:56 pm
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oagaspar
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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...ThumbsUp02.gif

http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?noframes;read=11314

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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 02:10 am
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IanM
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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 ThumbsUp02.gif

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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 06:19 am
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bigrustypig
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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!thumbsup.gif

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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 07:59 am
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Nabco
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Brice, great story and thanks for sharing...you should absolutely get it restored, you have a real family heirloom there Thumbsup3.gif

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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 08:21 am
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Gregger
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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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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 09:58 am
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Paxman
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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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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 11:12 am
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stew77
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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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 Posted: Sat Jun 26th, 2010 04:39 pm
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Jeep99dad
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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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 Posted: Sun Jun 27th, 2010 12:14 am
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Darkman
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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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