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Old 6 January 2017, 10:15 PM   #1
jfp2476
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Can this watch be saved?

I'll try to make this short, but it does require some backstory.

My grandfather was a great guy, and loved a good bet. In 1960, he took a bet with a friend, for, you guessed it--the outcome of the Presidential election. The loser would have to buy the winner this Omega Seamaster, which they had both seen in the window of a local jeweler. Upon Kennedy's election, my grandfather received the watch and wore it in good health for many years.

After he passed away, it was handed down to my father, who also wore it regularly. Unfortunately, the caseback began having problems--the gold was literally wearing away. Over the years he took it several times to a jeweler, who told him it had to do with the pH of his skin (no idea if this is true), and he (the jeweler) would fill the caseback with new gold on occasion.

When my father passed away in the early 2000's, the watch came to me. I didn't do anything with it for a while (the caseback literally has a hole worn in it) but eventually took it to a reputable watchmaker in Boston about 4 years ago, who advised I shouldn't wear the watch, ever. And that a new caseback couldn't be sourced. And he was horrified that the previous jeweler had filled it with gold and let my dad carry on.

I dot care about valuation on this watch (it's invaluable as far as I'm concerned) but I would like to wear it occasionally. It runs like a champ and is in (I think) good enough aesthetic condition to wear if the caseback were fixed and I got a new strap.

Any ideas on what can be done? Also, I know these are terrible pictures. I can try to do better, but my phone is all I've got and I can't seem to find any macro settings.

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Old 7 January 2017, 02:24 PM   #2
swils8610
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Great story and great watch! I'd wear it for sure. As far as sourcing a new case back I would reach out to Rik at Time Care Inc or Al Archer.


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Old 7 January 2017, 02:35 PM   #3
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Very nice watch and one for you to treasure for sure. As mentioned Rik is a great option. Give home a call and see what he can do to help.
Here is his website.
http://www.timecareinc.com/
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Old 7 January 2017, 10:45 PM   #4
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Are you certain that Omega can't supply a new caseback? I had my 1966 C-case Constellation serviced by Omega a year ago or so, and they told me that they have a full line of replacement parts (it got a new crystal, hands, and strap, and they left the case unpolished, as per my request). I would think that you might get lucky with the folks who made the watch to begin with. If there's an Omega Boutique anywhere near you, they can check for you.

Not that I think you need a new caseback anyway - the story of the watch is priceless, and I'd keep everything original if I were you. You might want to get the movement serviced, though, if you don't know the last time that was done.
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Old 8 January 2017, 12:02 AM   #5
jfp2476
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Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I think the caseback has to be replaced (or somehow repaired, which that previous watchmaker seemed to indicate wasn't possible). It's hard to see from the pictures, but there is actually an opening (hole) in the caseback, leaving the movement exposed to moisture, dust, etc. I feel lucky it's still working even in this condition, but would be very scared to wear it.

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Old 8 January 2017, 12:45 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jfp2476 View Post
Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I think the caseback has to be replaced (or somehow repaired, which that previous watchmaker seemed to indicate wasn't possible). It's hard to see from the pictures, but there is actually an opening (hole) in the caseback, leaving the movement exposed to moisture, dust, etc. I feel lucky it's still working even in this condition, but would be very scared to wear it.

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Ah ... Yes, it needs to be replaced. Didn't see the hole.
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Old 8 January 2017, 01:10 AM   #7
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Can this watch be saved?

What a great old Omega and backstory!
So many holes (figuratively speaking). From what I see, a jeweler/watchmaker over worked the edge of that caseback while polishing. It could have been due to a ding sometime in the last 50 years that he couldn't "even out" and the polishing took away too much material. The repair attempts of the past were poorly done perhaps - but I don't buy the Ph story since he could be straining to explain his own butchery.

Either way, the latter story about not being able to source a new caseback could have been true for 2 reasons - the jeweler may not have an Omega parts account, or Omega stopped making casebacks for that model.

I do believe a restoration on the caseback could be done via laser welding but the expense might be large. Rik is a good nearby option - the Ridleys in Texas are another. But try getting all the model and reference numbers together locally and give Otto Frei a call. THey have a lot of old inventory and if you're lucky a NOS caseback is sitting on a shelf.
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Old 8 January 2017, 01:27 AM   #8
MILGAUSS88
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I think most watchmakers could repair the case with gold solder, as you mentioned your father had done.
I don't know why the jeweler you went to would act like it was impossible or shouldn't be done. It is still common practice to repair gold filled cases in this way.
Laser welding is not necesarry. I have never seen laser welding done on gold filled, so I am not even sure if they do that.
I have never seen NOS replacement backs for this style and era of Omega, so to source a back, you would probably have to buy a complete watch with a bad movement. And in that case you will not know if the case has had the solder repair done to it.

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Old 8 January 2017, 05:55 AM   #9
77T
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I think his watch is solid gold thus the laser weld idea.
The GF Seamaster's in the '60's had SS caseback IIRC.
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Old 8 January 2017, 06:03 AM   #10
Tools
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There are certainly options.

The most likely is to reach out to an Omega Service Center.

Here is one in FLA.
5301 Blue Lagoon Dr, Miami, FL 33126
Phone:(877) 839-5224

Nesbit's Fine Watch Repair in Washington State is another one..

You could also check with one of the Clear Case Back specialists like Thomas Preik, who make backs for many models..
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Old 8 January 2017, 07:21 AM   #11
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Even if the caseback can not be repaired and there is no 'new' one available I wouldn't worry. A skilled goldsmith can create a new one, which I think is definitely worth it.

The watch is very beautiful and obviously has a lot of sentimental value. Get it serviced and wear it with pride
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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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Old 8 January 2017, 07:24 AM   #12
jfp2476
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Thanks all! I believe it is solid gold. A lot of great options to consider. I'd love to keep it as original as possible; to my knowledge it is completely original (save the previous repairs to the caseback). I'll probably start directly with the Omega Service Center and go from there. I'm excited that I might be able to wear it occasionally!

Also, I'm a woman, not a dude 😂

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Old 8 January 2017, 09:14 AM   #13
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Great story behind this watch! Continue the tradition and get what the watch needs
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Old 8 January 2017, 09:15 AM   #14
MILGAUSS88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
I think his watch is solid gold thus the laser weld idea.
The GF Seamaster's in the '60's had SS caseback IIRC.
I assumed it was gold filled, and that he was talking about the two marks on the right of the case. Much more unusual to have to repair, especially repeatedly, a solid gold case.
Difficult to tell, either way from the photo.
Have, and have seen numerous all gold filled Seamaster's and Omega's.
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Old 8 January 2017, 11:37 AM   #15
MILGAUSS88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jfp2476 View Post
, the caseback began having problems--the gold was literally wearing away. Over the years he took it several times to a jeweler, who told him it had to do with the pH of his skin (no idea if this is true), and he (the jeweler) would fill the caseback with new gold

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I read this over again.
Here is why I assume the case is gold filled. The salt from sweat can permeate the gold filled and eat away at the base metal filler.
I have never seen that happen to a solid gold case. So, don't believe that it is possible.
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