Service: Omega Seamaster Quartz 196.0241 calibre 1420

IMG_2010From time to time, I do the odd quartz watch. I like the technology, and if the movement is well made, it’s a joy servicing them! Not so much if it’s a £2 plastic movement, but this lovely Omega Seamaster that Tony sent in has a great little movement – the calibre 1420.

Even though a local lad has changed the battery, the watch went into EOL indication shortly afterwards. This is a good sign that the movement is dirty, and needs a good clean.IMG_2012

The 1420 is a proper quartz movement, jewelled with 7 jewels, a serial number, and Cote de Geneve plate decoration.IMG_2015

Looking at the bottom plate, your mind instantly turns to ETA, and so it is. The 1420 is an ETA 955.411, as you can see at Ranfft.IMG_2018I remove the circuit board, which I clean with compressed air, and then wrap it in watch paper until I put the movement back together. You can very easily damage the coil, and that would be the end.IMG_2019With the circuit removed, you can see the gear train.IMG_2021

The wheels with the bridge removed.398-01The wheel train under the microscope.398-03There is dirt and a fibre in this jewel.398-04

A lot of dirt at the bottom of the centre post.IMG_2025

Now it’s time for the bottom plate.IMG_2027

Out of the cleaning machine, the parts are ready for reassembly. I clean the magnetic rotor by hand with rodico.IMG_2028I start off with the gear train and circuit.IMG_2030

Then the bottom plate …IMG_2033With a new battery, I case the movement.IMG_2036

And the movement is ticking again once a second, and not with the EOL indication.

16 thoughts on “Service: Omega Seamaster Quartz 196.0241 calibre 1420

  1. I have a mens Omega with 1420 movement and its jumping every 5 seconds I replaced the Battery and still jumping does this movement require a battery cover to work properly ?

  2. Hi chris
    Please i need your help,i have omega seamaster cal 1420 ,the only missing part is the crown,i am trying to buy one but i dont the size of the crown or ref number,please could you sent me the soze and ref of the crown,much apprecoatef many thanks

  3. Hello Sir,

    Great post! I have a Omega Constellation “Manhattan” 1422. My father gave me this watch a while back and he bought it new originally. It is beautiful with gold/steel bracelet & a dark face with gold roman numerals. She still is working wonderfully, and I just put a new battery in it. I was wondering if you could help me with its only problem. On the lugs that go over the crystal (as the generation 1 models did), one lug must have been tightened too much and it put a small crack in the crystal. I guess that is why they changed the design- But if you asked me it changed the whole look of the design when they moved the lugs off the crystal and looks way better when they served a purpose and held the crystal in place. Anyways, do you know the part number and perhaps a location where I could purchase a New Old Stock sapphire crystal of this original design? This is the only quartz that I put on my wrist and although the crack is really nothing bad now, I have a feeling that it will get much worse eventually and I would like to replace it with the correct crystal. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you Sir! I wish I could send it to you and pay you to fix it! God bless!

  4. I have an Omega 1430 and it has been in storage for 30 plus years with original battery still fitted. No Damage to the watch. I removed the battery and fitted a new one (373) however the watch still will not go. The gear train all works fine and runs freely. My guess is the circuit board is gone. Can you recommend where I can buy a circuit board for this watch. I live in New South Wales Australia. I believe the circuit board number should be ETA 255.411

    • You can buy a complete ETA movement at cousinsuk.com. It’s around ££65 + postage. The reference you gave me is for the movement, not for the circuit board.

  5. Pingback: Help with Omega with dead circuit board ETA-ESA 955.411

  6. Thanks for a great and informative blog. May I ask what’s an EOL indication? 🙂

    Also, what kind of microscope do you use? Before I started reading your blog, I only know that watchmakers wear eyeloupes, but never a microscope. Just curious during which part of the overhaul process do you use the microscope?

    Thanks again.

    • EOL = end of life. When the battery runs low, the second hand stops for a couple of seconds to then make up for it in one go, so you know you have to change the battery.

      I have a 10 to 40x stereo inspection microscope, which I use for all oiling, and any work that is fiddly.

      • Hi chris,
        Need your help for omega seamaster qiarts cal 1420 ,could you tell the size of the crown or ref number,i am looking to buy one,many thanks
        Said

  7. Whenever I see a well made Quartz movement like this I always feel a little disappointed that you have to put a nasty steel battery in it…

    You would think someone would make a gold watch cell 😉

    • I’ve got a Citizen crystron caliber 8600 with a gold colored Maxell SR43SW 🙂

      Beautiful omega, These watches are very durable, proving quartz isn’t always plastic trash 🙂

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