I’m sure this post will raise some controversy… John sent in his Speedmaster for a service, and it didn’t look too good. The hands are bent and have lost their luminous compound and lots of their white paint, and the dial markers have been re-lumed with some dark green gunk, which wasn’t even properly applied. So in our book, nothing original to preserve, but a lot of room for improvement. The paint that’s come off the bezel is fine in our book, as the bezel is original – we will leave it as it is.
The case shows the usual wear and tear, but is in good condition considering the age of the watch.
The dust cover is in good condition which always bodes well.
And the movement is in great condition! Both Mitka and I are surprised – with the state the dial and hands were in, we didn’t expect such a good movement.
The beat error is on the high side, and the movement is fast, but otherwise doesn’t look too bad.
The dial and hands in their full glory. You can tell that the luminous compound on the dial isn’t original.
The hands get the Nitromors treatment to take off the old lume and paint.
Apart from the luminous compound, the dial looks good.
And the movement is in great nick.
There are some marks where the cock for the two recorders has been lifted up, but that’s not really something to write home about.
I take the chronograph layer apart.
The top plate is done, and now it’s time for the bottom plate.
The hands get a new coat of matte white paint.
All parts are cleaned, and ready for reassembly.
The barrel gets a new mainspring.
The bottom plate comes together.
I get the beat error down to 0.7ms. It’s collet adjusted, and as the movement has a lift angle of only 40 degrees, it’s very tricky to adjust the beat error.
That done, I put the chronograph layer together.
Then the bottom plate is completed.
The movement is ready for casing.
The case gets a new original Omega crystal, which now costs Β£54!
Mitka did the luminous compound on the dial, as he is better than me doing that. Must be my old age π He did an absolutely splendid job, and the dial and hands look a million miles better than before.
The movement is cased with a new case back gasket.
We are very pleased with the end result – especially when you compare it with the “before” photo!
Hi Christian
I have an Omega cal.321 exactly the same you have restored but my watch had some water infiltration that produced some rust on the dial, on the hands and the mainspring is broken by the rust.
How much do you think it will cost to me ?
Thank you in advance
Marco
Hi Marco, sounds to me like it’s beyond economical repair.
Hi Christian Thank you for your answer ! One omega repairing center asked me around 500 euros only to make it working again !!!! What do you think?
Depends on what is broken… parts are quite expensive.
They didn’t open the all clock case: Is that normal?
They can’t quote you properly without inspecting the watch. Go to an independent repairer…
Don’t know why it would raise any controversy. A beautiful and sympathetic working face-lift on a tired dial. Well done. It would be the first thing I would do if I could find a half decent one for a half decent price. Congrats!
“Donβt know why it would raise any controversy. A beautiful and sympathetic working face-lift on a tired dial.”
My thoughts exactly. Lovely job.
Fantastic upgrade in my opinion. When done to this standard it is surely a reapir nobody could argue about.
Super.
Christian
Interested to know if you have found any difference in the usage of the nitromors as a few years back the formula was changed with the very strong ingredient removed/replaced.
Has this been something you have noticed and if so, good or bad, for your particular usage?
No, the stuff works well, and stinks less π
Stunning as ever, what a transformation.. how did you manage to get the lume of the dial without damaging it?
We use a piece of pegwood, and very carefully removed the lume with that.
Wow!! Many thanks to Christian and Mitka for an excellent and professional job π The decision on whether or not to relume a 50 year old watch dial is controversial and certainly generates some strenuous arguments on both sides – a recent discussion on the Omega Forums highlights this perfectly. In this case however, there was really little choice as the lume on both the dial and hands was completely beyond saving and didn’t have much positive going for it at all. I had a pretty good idea of this when I bought the watch but as it came to me at a good price and was never intended to be a ‘collectors piece’ then I think the work that Christian and Mitka have done will only add to it’s value to me as a watch that I will wear with pride. Thanks again π
Always a pleasure to read your blog. Great work on the dial!