Watch repairer recommendations

[clockboy]

Agree with  “watchweaseol” it is repairable providing the parts are available. To give an idea of cost I had a dial restored on a Longenes and the cost was £150. Some parts will be salvageable but others will need replacing.  

[Moomelon]

This will be a difficult decision for sure. A great deal of the motivation is family linked. My grandfather was watchmaker and I have childhood memories of his workshop and tools. As an engineer myself it makes complete sense for me to undertake the restoration. I would probably need a load of specialist tools but that almost seems to make it more attractive!

But it's an Omega and that has to be an expensive and risky first choice for parts. Also let's be honest, even restored, the watch is very plain.

I've got some thinking to do.

Many thanks for your comments.

Moo

[StuartBaker104]

I wouldn’t think that was a good candidate for a first time watch repair, and unless you intend to take this up as a hobby, you will spend more on tools and oils that you won’t use again than it would cost to have the job done professionally.

An independent watchmaker is going to charge £150 to £200 for a service, and you could easily run up over £100 in parts. A proper dial restoration would be about £150.

If you tried to buy a watch like that in refurbished condition it would probably cost you between £600 and £1000, so if it’s cost you nothing so far then it’s probably worth it...

[noirrac1j]

3 hours ago, Moomelon said:

This will be a difficult decision for sure. A great deal of the motivation is family linked. My grandfather was watchmaker and I have childhood memories of his workshop and tools. As an engineer myself it makes complete sense for me to undertake the restoration. I would probably need a load of specialist tools but that almost seems to make it more attractive!

But it's an Omega and that has to be an expensive and risky first choice for parts. Also let's be honest, even restored, the watch is very plain.

I've got some thinking to do.

Many thanks for your comments.

Moo

In my opinion, it seems the decision with an Omega is always to salvage and restore. Even more so when the value of the timepiece is tied to self-identity though our heritage and family. I believe you've already decided to take the first steps by posting for advice on restoring. Look at the serial number! It has the exclusivity of being manufactured near the start of a new cycle for 1947.

http://chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html

 

The case is stainless steel and not too bad.I wouldn't suggest much more than light buffing. The dial looks like it still has SWISS MADE at the bottom? I cannot tell if water ingress or a shabby redial is responsible for obliterating the dial markings...but the minute indices are still visible in the top half. The most worrisome feature is the rust at the rotor bearing and the bumper spring. There is likely rust under the dial, which means sourcing and buying hard to get parts or buying a donor watch. It will take time, patience, guidance. and money. I have not asked, are you planning on doing this yourself?

 

J

Edited May 22, 2021 by noirrac1j
typo

[Moomelon]

1947! I was miles out in thinking it was from 1968!

I would love to do it myself and I am quite interested to learn the skills I'd need to develop a new hobby. Which would justify the cost of some tools. But starting on an Omega? I don't think it's a project for a beginner. Maybe I am too cautious!

The condition of the dial is not good. Yes it still says 'Swiss Made' and the minute marks are there but it's in a bad way. Could it be restored?

If the cost of repair was going to be in the hundreds to bring it back to as new then I would most definitely go ahead. What is availability of parts like for a watch like this?

I do know a reputable professional who could do the work so I think the best thing at this point is to get an estimate from him.

Thanks again for your help,

Moo

 

 

 

 

[watchweasol]

Hi MOO  sound take it to your tame watch repairer for an estimate, parts could be a problem tho but un less you go you will never find out       good luck.......cheers

 

[SuspectDevice]

Oooooh a bumper...I love bumpers!

You can usually find parts movements on E-Bay that are inexpensive. I'd restore that one for sure. The dial looks good, I'd leave it as it is.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313535341961?hash=item490029a589:g:FKIAAOSwtUJgpYoJ

This one is up to $50 right now. Not sure how many bumper movements Omega made. My guess is not many. This one is a Cal 352 / 17J The movement # should be near the big wheel (click wheel) in your photo. I can't see it because the impulse weight is in the way.

 

Edited May 22, 2021 by SuspectDevice

[rodabod]

If I was restoring that watch then I’d probably find a donor movement as it will almost certainly require new parts if there is that much rust. 

[clockboy]

The best option for this repair is to find a donor movement and then find a local independent watch maker who will happily take on the repair as the spares issue has already been sorted. If in doubt of who to approach for the repair go to the BHI web site which gives all accredited BHI members by location. 
IMO Family heirlooms are worth more than just money.

[Oyster]

The gear wheel sitting on the mainspring barrel ( breguet ref.3380 / cal.818/b) roll over my bench and vanished in the air , i spend 3 hr sweeping the floor with no luck 🥲 any recommendations for finding parts like this ? Thanks you !

Edited July 16, 2021 by Oyster

[Oyster]

I notice that JLC 818 have a very similar layout , but the parts i'm looking for maybe don't apply to this JLC ( Is the gear for the power reserve )  

[clockboy]

I have had many parts fly over the years. The only way is to be methodical area by area. I have a carpeted floor so use a round magnet and roll it. The strangest/ funnest one for me was a shock spring that went missing for many hours and I found it in my hair. 

[nickelsilver]

The only way you're going to find this part is to find the part you lost. The base caliber from JLC didn't have reserve de marche, and they won't sell you a part regardless. I made a new ratchet wheel for a (around 15 year old) JLC perpetual calendar a while back as the customer was fed up with their after sales service and it was cheaper with having the part custom made to boot.

 

Breguet sells zero parts.

[Oyster]

4 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

The only way you're going to find this part is to find the part you lost. The base caliber from JLC didn't have reserve de marche, and they won't sell you a part regardless. I made a new ratchet wheel for a (around 15 year old) JLC perpetual calendar a while back as the customer was fed up with their after sales service and it was cheaper with having the part custom made to boot.

 

Breguet sells zero parts.

so the last resource if i can't find the parts is send it back to Breguet 

Edited July 17, 2021 by Oyster

[ifibrin]

27 minutes ago, Oyster said:

so the last resource if i can't find the parts is send it back to Breguet 

They may try and charge you more if you send the watch back to them in  a way that was obviously not professionally tampered with, so you may have to try putting everything back together as best as you can and tell them that it isn't running etc., rather than telling them you lost a part...

Alternatively, and it will properly be cheaper, is depending on which part of the world you live in, to get a VERY competent watchmaker who can make the part to make it for you...

If you are willing to wait, the watch part may eventually turn up one day when you are just looking around the house, and that may save you a lot of money!

[Oyster]

4 minutes ago, ifibrin said:

They may try and charge you more if you send the watch back to them in  a way that was obviously not professionally tampered with, so you may have to try putting everything back together as best as you can and tell them that it isn't running etc., rather than telling them you lost a part...

Alternatively, and it will properly be cheaper, is depending on which part of the world you live in, to get a VERY competent watchmaker who can make the part to make it for you...

If you are willing to wait, the watch part may eventually turn up one day when you are just looking around the house, and that may save you a lot of money!

just order some magnet, i'm getting back to the sweeping for now  hope i have some luck, is not so small to miss, so it might come up !

Edited July 17, 2021 by Oyster

[Oyster]

6 hours ago, clockboy said:

I have had many parts fly over the years. The only way is to be methodical area by area. I have a carpeted floor so use a round magnet and roll it. The strangest/ funnest one for me was a shock spring that went missing for many hours and I found it in my hair. 

that's the first thing i check 

[ifibrin]

Just now, Oyster said:

just order some magnet i'm getting back to the sweeping for now  hope i have some luck, is not so small to miss, so it might come up !

Bergeon sells a magnetic wiper which looks like a window cleaner, which is probably more efficient at finding lost parts then a small bar or button magnet.

[Oyster]

2 minutes ago, ifibrin said:

Bergeon sells a magnetic wiper which looks like a window cleaner, which is probably more efficient at finding lost parts then a small bar or button magnet.

got something like this and will make it longer 

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Edited July 17, 2021 by Oyster

[Oyster]

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[ifibrin]

1 minute ago, Oyster said:

got something like this and will make it longer 

123.jfif 55.57 kB · 1 download

The Bergeon magnetic wiper is about the length of your arm and very flat, so it will probably be able to sweep large areas of the floor more thoroughly. However, what you bought will probably work in a pinch, but given the price of your Breguet, I would get the magnetic wiper.

[Oyster]

2 minutes ago, ifibrin said:

The Bergeon magnetic wiper is about the length of your arm and very flat, so it will probably be able to sweep large areas of the floor more thoroughly. However, what you bought will probably work in a pinch, but given the price of your Breguet, I would get the magnetic wiper.

i see ! will try to get one but they don't have it stock here in Thailand

[ifibrin]

3 minutes ago, Oyster said:

i see ! will try to get one but they don't have it stock here in Thailand

You could try contacting the distributors in Thailand listed here:

[Oyster]

1 minute ago, ifibrin said:

You could try contacting the distributors in Thailand listed here:

yes, those 3 don't got them haha i maybe have to order from cousinsuk , thanks ! 

[ifibrin]

5 hours ago, Oyster said:

yes, those 3 don't got them haha i maybe have to order from cousinsuk , thanks ! 

 You'll probably get it faster from cousinsuk than if the distributor has to order it in, which normally takes 4 to 6 weeks.