Welcome. I would keep the original unless the dial looked awful, nice faded patina is a bonus for many folk round here. If you change it be sure to keep all the original parts- if you ever sell the watch these will likely add some value.
Guys, I purchased a Seamaster 300 in 1970, the Dial Lume has almost failed.My dilemma is, would you replace the original or go for new ?
Welcome. I would keep the original unless the dial looked awful, nice faded patina is a bonus for many folk round here. If you change it be sure to keep all the original parts- if you ever sell the watch these will likely add some value.
Agreed. Don't touch it. There is value in original condition.
Thankyou Phil,I'll leave it as is, Does the Lume material ever fall off the dial with age and get into the works.
Welcome! leave it IMO ! would be great to see a pic!
I'd leave it and buy a pocket torch.
Attachment 3715Thankyou Guys, I'll post this pic until I can do some better ones, I've got a few issues I can't resolve my self
Last edited by brinsmead; 24th May 2013 at 05:45.
The dial looks fine to me and I wouldn`t dream of changing it. As for lume flaking off, this is only a risk if it gets disturbed when serviced.
As for the poor lume, why do you need the lume to work? Do you really wear it in such dark conditions and need it to work? I can never understand this obsession with lume unless you genuinely need a watch to be legible in the dark.
Paul
That's a beauty! My tuppence-worth: leave dial and hands well alone. Chris
I'd leave as is, that looks lovely!
It's easy enough to get a nice new-looking SM300, they come up far more often than the originals and are about the same price (ish)
The patina is a massive part of the charm of a vintage example in my humble opinion, as are the scratches, dents, dings and everything else which comes as a part of the package
Here's mine :)
I have a nice new looking 300. A previous owner had changed hands and dial without keeping them, it's a lovely watch, but compared to my WABI'd other older pieces does not have the same charm. Keep it as it is would be my vote.
Best
Den
Guys,I have had the hands changed, got rusty sitting around, the hands didn't match exactly
Thankyou so much for those kind words, I've also got another problem
of an incorrect back from a Speedmaster that was fitted from new, now thats a puzzle to me.
Last edited by brinsmead; 24th May 2013 at 05:47.
Guys, Do any of you save brochures, I have a 1969 Omega Watch Selection Brochure Attachment 3695
I would definatley leave it as it is.
Thankyou for helping me to decide on the face replacementAttachment 3697.You guys are great.
No takers, so I've closed the free offer of Omega brochure.
A generous offer, and if my watch were one year newer, I'd be very grateful, but as mine is a 68, I thought it best to leave it for somebody with the correct watch year :)
I'd like opinions on what would be the best course of action to repair the Omega 1039 Band, it came back from Omega service with a dent in the link closest to the watch.This picture is from ebay of 1039 and it also shows a dent in the link closest the watch (left side)Attachment 3714
I'm a bit late on this one but agree that the dial should be left just as it is.
Check out my post
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...litary-watches
for info on case backs.
Regards, Jack
When I purchased this watch in 1970 I was curious as to why it had a Speedmaster case back, but the Seamaster being of the Speedmaster family , I was sort of satisfied. With the advent of the Internet and much more info available I came to the conclusion that the wrong back had been installed from new.The Seamaster 300 had the red dot of Omega paint on it when I purchased it.The watch back was taken off to get the s/n for the warranty in front of me.
Rob
Omega's response, send it to the Guys that squashed my 1039 Band, No thankyou but thankyou for replying
Quote "We thank you for your request of May 4th, 2013 and are pleased to learn that you own a vintage OMEGA Seamaster watch, which you purchased in December 1970.
Further to your message, we understand that the wrong case back is fitted on your fine OMEGA timepiece.
You will surely understand that after all these years it is somewhat difficult to judge from this end what could have gone wrong in this particular matter.
In order to investigate, we kindly ask you to contact our Customer Service in Australia, at the following address:"
i have put my speedmaster away and have taken out my watchco SM300 because of this thread.
its just such a beauty
i like mine as NOS its the best of both worlds.
I hope to intrigue some of you, this is my 43 year mystery, from new, no sign of being certified at depth here, Was this back going to hold together on my dives to 660ft.
Attachment 3730 I was dubious about even using it in the bath.
Rob
Last edited by brinsmead; 25th May 2013 at 06:47.
That's a nice watch. I wouldn't tamper with that at all.
If you want a watch that glows like new, find a restored watch to buy.... if yours is great as is, and 100% original, keep it that way and you could either sell it and buy a restored one (which will no doubt be less expensive).
I really need the experts to help me with these two questions
1. Can the dented Omega 1039 braclet be repaired and is this in a good watchmakers field of expertise? (see my previous post on the braclet)
2. (I don’t want this incorrect back to be an issue for the next owner of this watch)
Should I leave the Speedmaster case back on, Or do I attempt to find a suitable replacement?
Hello Rob,
Yes the dented 1039 bracelet can be repaired. A good (very good - not a High Street sales outlet) watchmaker should be able to straighten the end link to very near correct shape.
An alternative is to buy a vintage replacement end link and get the watchmaker to fit it. I replaced an end link on my 1039 bracelet and it is not hard if you have nimble fingers.
You could try Ash at generalvintage@hotmail.co.uk - he often has these odd bits.
PM me if the above link is not acceptable and is deleted by the mods.
If the caseback worries you I suggest you just buy a replacement even if you do not fit it at this stage.
Try Ash for this too - either an original vintage or current new Omega replacement.
The new Omega replacement backs are also available from all the usual sources ie. Cousins, Ofrei, Watchco, ebay etc. or try a WTB on this forum.
Hope this helps.
Regards, Jack
Tim your inbox is full
As a point of interest to myself, how would this happen, at the Swatch Service Dept (the dented top link at the 6 oclock position ?
Any clues Guys ?