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crazyfingers · 15 August 2010, 08:36 AM

Many years ago, an Italian guy had rented a small cottage that belonged to my grandfather. When the time came for him to go back to Italy, he ran short of cash to pay the rent for the past few months and asked my granddad if he'd accept his gold Omega (Cal. 320) watch instead. My grandfather initially declined telling him not to worry about the rent and to keep his watch, but the Italian requested him to take the watch as he didn't feel right about not paying, and eventually my grandfather had to accept it.

My grandfather then gave the watch to my dad, who wore it for a few year in college. It had then been sent in for servicing to a local watch maker (there was no Omega service centers here back then) who turned out to be not at all competent and messed up the movement. It stopped running and was put into a safe in the bank, forgotten over the years.
Last year, after me and and my brother got into watches, my Dad remembered the watch and told us about it. We finally managed to persuade him to go back to our hometown and bring the watch to us so we could have a look at it. It was beautiful and didn't deserve to be lying unused in a safe.
I'm really pleased to say that we finally managed to get it serviced and cleaned up from a local watchmaker we discovered recently. They have done a pretty neat job and brought life back into the vintage beauty. Since the original gold strap was now small for my dad's wrist, we replaced it with a dark brown leather band with a golden buckle.

My dad couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the watch - working again and back on his wrist after so many years. He had totally given up hope on it after that watchmaker ruined it. This is why you have to love mechanical watches!

DCgator · 15 August 2010, 08:51 AM

What a very nice thing to do for your father, Arjun. You're a good son. The watch looks good as well.

crazyfingers · 15 August 2010, 08:06 PM

Thank you so much for those kind words! :)

0037ksm · 16 August 2010, 02:52 AM

That is s great looking watch and a great story as well!

ParisDakarBmw · 16 August 2010, 03:00 AM

Very nice vintage!

sam. · 16 August 2010, 07:42 AM

I always enjoy a good story,with a cup of tea of course!,
its always nice to see a "before and after".
It looks absolutely stunning,and a great family find!
Sam.

jatco · 16 August 2010, 08:02 AM

Excellent story.. loved the ending too!
Great looking watch..and kudos to you both for bringing it back to life...!!

crazyfingers · 16 August 2010, 02:48 PM

Thanks you guys! Glad I could share this story with all of you.

venom43 · 19 August 2010, 07:25 PM

your father is a very lucky man. touching story with a happy ending. -=thanks=-

tkc324 · 20 August 2010, 02:25 AM

That is an awesome watch... great job by the way!
YOur dad must be super happy~

BigMac53 · 1 September 2010, 04:06 AM

Great story man, and a beautiful vintage timepiece!

Mr. Greene · 1 September 2010, 06:26 AM

very nice watch and great gesture to your father

gaopa · 1 September 2010, 07:12 AM

That is a beautiful watch and a nice thing to do for your Dad! Cheers, Bill P.

B. Doggy · 1 September 2010, 07:15 AM

Great watch!

spuds · 1 September 2010, 07:21 AM

So cool......
Just so cool.

Shade · 1 September 2010, 12:07 PM

Beautiful watch, and such a great story! :)

sleddog · 1 September 2010, 12:12 PM

Thats a great looking watch and story to boot!!!
I'm sure he's happy,and for good reason....

Chipmunk · 1 September 2010, 12:16 PM

Nice watch. Great story. Cool son.

Michael M. · 1 September 2010, 01:33 PM

Awesome story, it really looks nice with the black strap!

Subexplorer · 2 September 2010, 06:55 AM

A very nice watch, with a so nice story behind. Good for you and for your Dad!

I love the looks of vintage chronograph watches of the 1940 and 50´s years.
Specialy with gold or rolled gold cases, though steel ones look so good too.

I got just a very few of that era, and would like to assemble a little collection of these nice watches. An Omega like yours is a very nice piece of a classic brand.

Hope you and your Dad will enjoy sharing it on your wrists from time to time!
Very cordially, Abel.

Kindness · 7 September 2010, 04:14 PM

Beautiful watch, even better story!

Frogman4me · 7 September 2010, 11:29 PM

Wow thats amazing

crazyfingers · 9 September 2010, 02:30 PM

Thank you all for your wonderful wishes. My dad is ecstatic and has been wearing it it everyday since.

lifeis2short4aFTjob · 9 September 2010, 10:52 PM

Are you serious? Wow!!!!!!!! That watch is completely Stunning! And what a great story.

Sweramic · 9 September 2010, 10:55 PM

Gosh! That watch looks amazing! I love the vintage styles.

Your dad must be very proud and happy!

Nacelle · 22 September 2010, 09:22 PM

Nicely done!

15 August 2010, 08:36 AM	#1
crazyfingers "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Arjun Location: India Watch: Submariner 14060M Posts: 347	My dad's watch! Many years ago, an Italian guy had rented a small cottage that belonged to my grandfather. When the time came for him to go back to Italy, he ran short of cash to pay the rent for the past few months and asked my granddad if he'd accept his gold Omega (Cal. 320) watch instead. My grandfather initially declined telling him not to worry about the rent and to keep his watch, but the Italian requested him to take the watch as he didn't feel right about not paying, and eventually my grandfather had to accept it. My grandfather then gave the watch to my dad, who wore it for a few year in college. It had then been sent in for servicing to a local watch maker (there was no Omega service centers here back then) who turned out to be not at all competent and messed up the movement. It stopped running and was put into a safe in the bank, forgotten over the years. Last year, after me and and my brother got into watches, my Dad remembered the watch and told us about it. We finally managed to persuade him to go back to our hometown and bring the watch to us so we could have a look at it. It was beautiful and didn't deserve to be lying unused in a safe. I'm really pleased to say that we finally managed to get it serviced and cleaned up from a local watchmaker we discovered recently. They have done a pretty neat job and brought life back into the vintage beauty. Since the original gold strap was now small for my dad's wrist, we replaced it with a dark brown leather band with a golden buckle. My dad couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the watch - working again and back on his wrist after so many years. He had totally given up hope on it after that watchmaker ruined it. This is why you have to love mechanical watches! __________________ *Buy less, but buy better!* http://watchesindia.blogspot.com/

15 August 2010, 08:06 PM	#3
crazyfingers "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Arjun Location: India Watch: Submariner 14060M Posts: 347	Thank you so much for those kind words! :) __________________ *Buy less, but buy better!* http://watchesindia.blogspot.com/

16 August 2010, 08:02 AM	#7
jatco 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Thomas Location: YVR Watch: 116233/79190 Posts: 47,893	Excellent story.. loved the ending too! Great looking watch..and kudos to you both for bringing it back to life...!! __________________ . . ' A Crown for every achievement '

16 August 2010, 02:48 PM	#8
crazyfingers "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Arjun Location: India Watch: Submariner 14060M Posts: 347	Thanks you guys! Glad I could share this story with all of you. __________________ *Buy less, but buy better!* http://watchesindia.blogspot.com/

1 September 2010, 06:26 AM	#12
Mr. Greene "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Jeff Location: arizona Watch: Seiko 7A28 7049 Posts: 366	very nice watch and great gesture to your father __________________ Submariner 16610 Explorer II 1655 Panerai 915 President of the Royal Commanders Club

15 August 2010, 08:51 AM	#2
DCgator "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PNW Watch: DS,BLNR,SubLV,DJ2 Posts: 8,123	What a very nice thing to do for your father, Arjun. You're a good son. The watch looks good as well.

16 August 2010, 02:52 AM	#4
0037ksm "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 98	That is s great looking watch and a great story as well!

16 August 2010, 03:00 AM	#5
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	Very nice vintage!

16 August 2010, 07:42 AM	#6
sam. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: sam Location: s.wales GB Watch: Oyster Royal 6246 Posts: 429	I always enjoy a good story,with a cup of tea of course!, its always nice to see a "before and after". It looks absolutely stunning,and a great family find! Sam.

19 August 2010, 07:25 PM	#9
venom43 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NOR-CAL Watch: Grail Daytona Posts: 1,306	your father is a very lucky man. touching story with a happy ending. -=thanks=-

20 August 2010, 02:25 AM	#10
tkc324 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Tom Location: Chi town Watch: Daytona AP DD Sub Posts: 3,717	That is an awesome watch... great job by the way! YOur dad must be super happy~

1 September 2010, 04:06 AM	#11
BigMac53 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Jon Location: CT Posts: 729	Great story man, and a beautiful vintage timepiece!

1 September 2010, 07:12 AM	#13
gaopa "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: NE Georgia Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 1,820	That is a beautiful watch and a nice thing to do for your Dad! Cheers, Bill P.

1 September 2010, 07:15 AM	#14
B. Doggy "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Bryan Location: Oregon Posts: 7,399	Great watch! __________________ Rolex / Panerai / Omega

1 September 2010, 07:21 AM	#15
spuds "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Dan Location: Essex, UK Watch: West Ham! COYI!! Posts: 7,941	So cool...... Just so cool. __________________ Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010

1 September 2010, 12:07 PM	#16
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	Beautiful watch, and such a great story! :)

1 September 2010, 12:12 PM	#17
sleddog TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Nearby. Posts: 24,903	Thats a great looking watch and story to boot!!! I'm sure he's happy,and for good reason.... __________________ He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!! TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member..

1 September 2010, 12:16 PM	#18
Chipmunk "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Alvin Location: So Cal Watch: ROLEXES Posts: 5,390	Nice watch. Great story. Cool son. __________________ "A thing of beauty is a joy forever"............John Keats

1 September 2010, 01:33 PM	#19
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	Awesome story, it really looks nice with the black strap!

2 September 2010, 06:55 AM	#20
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	A very nice watch, with a so nice story behind. Good for you and for your Dad! I love the looks of vintage chronograph watches of the 1940 and 50´s years. Specialy with gold or rolled gold cases, though steel ones look so good too. I got just a very few of that era, and would like to assemble a little collection of these nice watches. An Omega like yours is a very nice piece of a classic brand. Hope you and your Dad will enjoy sharing it on your wrists from time to time! Very cordially, Abel. __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

7 September 2010, 04:14 PM	#21
Kindness Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 49	Beautiful watch, even better story!

7 September 2010, 11:29 PM	#22
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Wow thats amazing

9 September 2010, 02:30 PM	#23
crazyfingers "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Arjun Location: India Watch: Submariner 14060M Posts: 347	Thank you all for your wonderful wishes. My dad is ecstatic and has been wearing it it everyday since. __________________ *Buy less, but buy better!* http://watchesindia.blogspot.com/

9 September 2010, 10:52 PM	#24
lifeis2short4aFTjob Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Mitch Location: DC-NYC Watch: Vntg TT DJ Oyster Posts: 145	Are you serious? Wow!!!!!!!! That watch is completely Stunning! And what a great story.

9 September 2010, 10:55 PM	#25
Sweramic "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Europe Watch: Movies Posts: 4,531	Gosh! That watch looks amazing! I love the vintage styles. Your dad must be very proud and happy!

22 September 2010, 09:22 PM	#26
Nacelle "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cascadia Posts: 300	Nicely done!

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