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The legendary Omega 1611 Chrono-Quartz Montreal Olympics Albatross

AlexeiJ1

By AlexeiJ1
in Your Walkthroughs and Techniques

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AlexeiJ1 WRT Addict

AlexeiJ1

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So I've desired one of these for ages. Usually they came up at the wrong time and I didn't have the money. About a month ago, a perfect one sold for $960AUD which I was jealous about.
I found a faulty example in germany which was rusted and water damage. The seller kindly had enough photos to show some potential survival prognosis for this unfortunate drowning victim!

It cost me just under $300, and it came without a strap. It clearly has had a hard life, however the case is near perfect.
About a year ago, spare parts still came up on ebay - now not so much. I am aware that Omega don't really want to touch these and it costs stupid amounts as well.

Basically I've stripped it down - can see that someone broke the wiring to the crystal. They have bodged soldered some of the contacts. The general majority of parts are there - it was only missing a crown, battery holder plate and the gasket for the caseback.

The crystal has a light chip in it. Otherwise okay. (it's on the inside).

The circuit board will be cleaned and retraced with tin. The motor is perfectly intact. The Movement plate is totally rusted. I have stripped it down and cleaned it and it looks like it will survive!
You gotta love Swiss quality - no way that chinese parts would survive rust. I have researched and found that the 1320 cal is similar - the running gear is quite the same, the only part I broke on mine was the setting lever - which is easily sourced.

I have broken one calendar retaining screw but no big deal. They were super rusted and I was lucky to get them out.

My ultrasonic cleaner sadly decided to go bust - so I will have to wait to finish this job.
My final step is to remove the stem from the movement hopefully.

The cost of a donor 1320 is around $180 - a donor complete watch with crown is about $300.
I want to at the worst case just get the analog side working - if I cant get the digital side working - no big deal - it is still a grail watch for me on a budget.

As the strap is missing, my plan  is to modernize it and fit a leather strap. I plan to cut a intermediate attachement piece from aluminium or steel which will sit between the strap and the case - I will also source an omega deployment clasp and make sure I brush the steel to fit the look. The leather will be thick cowhide in tan colour.

It is a huge project- but luckily I have experience working with rusted calibers and also Omega. Quartz has also been my recent play area and so hopefully should be all good.

At the worst case it will sit until I find a donor movement and/or crystal.

 

I forecast a working watch for around $700 total inc. purchase price. That isn't ideal - but it isn't horrible either. We are talking Australian Dollaridoos as well which are similar par to Canadian dollars.

Oh woops - I forgot that I will possible get the dial re-surfaced. Not sure - maybe not. The patina is interesting but a little rough. Who knows, lets see.

If anyone has spare parts or ideas - I will kiss your feet :)

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AlexeiJ1 WRT Addict

AlexeiJ1

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Will do, I've ordered a donor 1320 movement.
I managed to clean all the old parts except the minute wheel which is a tad rusty (but may work).
The calendar date ring is garbage, as is the calendar retainer plate. although could be used in a pinch.

If the part was extremely rare, I would have sent the date ring to a dial specialist to reprint - hopefully the 1320 ring matches.

The stem was broken so thats no good. The crown yoke is de-chromed - so will need replacement.

A lot of the parts suprisingly survived. The base plate is really all I need to survive.

Will post pics soonish. Waiting on a soldering iron to touch up the circuit board.

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