To restore or to not restore? A tale of seamaster professional midsize from the late nineties
I'm Dan and I am a lume addict! After more than twenty years on my wrist my seamasters performance showed some signs of age, so during a visit at my local omega watchmaker, I asked for a full refurbishment dial, hands and clasp with new parts. A few weeks later I got the phone call and here we are I picked up the watch this morning and I am over the moon with the result. I kept the old gear but the new ones took me back to the time when I first received the watch and I'm looking forward to the next twenty years. Have you ever done such a thing? What's your take on the matter? I left the before and after pictures. Tell me what you think thanks people stay classy Dan.
18 comments
Sort by
Dan
Hi there Dan is in the house
Lille
Member since
Last active: 2 days ago
6.89” / 17.50 cm
More from danmerry
I prefer my older watches to look their age. (unless any patina has reached decomposition mode). I would have left that alone since it shows the normal wear associated with a 20 years old and no signs of any deterioration.
Here are before and afters of my Zodiac Seawolf I purchased in 1976. It explains what I mean concerning patina vs. decomposition. The bezel (no longer readable and the dial (decomposing) were replaced with original OEM parts. And the movement was serviced. Everything else stayed.
I prefer my older watches to look their age. (unless any patina has reached decomposition mode). I would have left that alone since it shows the normal wear associated with a 20 years old and no signs of any deterioration.
Here are before and afters of my Zodiac Seawolf I purchased in 1976. It explains what I mean concerning patina vs. decomposition. The bezel (no longer readable and the dial (decomposing) were replaced with original OEM parts. And the movement was serviced. Everything else stayed.
I hear you, but I find it hard with my tool watch more than happy to let time run its course on my dress watch, ultimately I kept the old gear...
I think both sides have their charm. But ultimately you have to do what makes you happy.
very nice #omega
Id have restored it too, it's earned it! Lovely watch 😍💪🏼👍🏻
It’s a bit tough to make a fully thought out critical decision with just 2 pictures, but here are my thoughts:
The watch looked amazing before you got it service. I like how it looked as it was. However, it also looks amazing after the restoration service. If it was my watch for 20 years, I probably would have wanted to give it the full treatment myself, even though it aged incredibly well. I hope you’re pleased to have your friend back in tip-top shape!
I haven’t owned a expensive watch long enough to need to do this, but I don’t see any issues with restoring it, especially the dial. I met a guy the other day with a late 60’s Rolex Pepsi GMT. He said he had the bezel and crystal replaced recently. It looked great. If you don’t mind, how much did Omega charge?
I recently sent a Seamaster from 2004 into Omega for a full service. I am happy with the results. They ended up replacing the dial, hands, date wheel, gaskets and minor parts from the movement. They left the bezel insert which I am happy about, as I like the look of the faded bezel. It cost $700 for the service, and $400 to replace the dial, it was damaged and needed to be replaced. Omega called and asked for permission to replace the dial before they charged me for it.
If you had it for 20 years, i doubt that you will ever sell the Seamaster. So of course you should do what you feel is right. 👍🏻🙂
I think both sides have their charm. But ultimately you have to do what makes you happy.
very nice #omega
Thanks brother I agree with you
Id have restored it too, it's earned it! Lovely watch 😍💪🏼👍🏻
My men! Thanks I kept the old dial and hands safely stored in a container...
If you had it for 20 years, i doubt that you will ever sell the Seamaster. So of course you should do what you feel is right. 👍🏻🙂
Sure no intention to sell the piece, touch wood, it's a staple of the collection I kind of like the fact that the silver bezel insert make the watch a tad more anonymous than the goldeneye version and the size and fit are just perfect to me
I haven’t owned a expensive watch long enough to need to do this, but I don’t see any issues with restoring it, especially the dial. I met a guy the other day with a late 60’s Rolex Pepsi GMT. He said he had the bezel and crystal replaced recently. It looked great. If you don’t mind, how much did Omega charge?
Well 700€ all inclusive I thought the price was fair.
I recently sent a Seamaster from 2004 into Omega for a full service. I am happy with the results. They ended up replacing the dial, hands, date wheel, gaskets and minor parts from the movement. They left the bezel insert which I am happy about, as I like the look of the faded bezel. It cost $700 for the service, and $400 to replace the dial, it was damaged and needed to be replaced. Omega called and asked for permission to replace the dial before they charged me for it.
Geez a bit steep I paid half service included
It’s a bit tough to make a fully thought out critical decision with just 2 pictures, but here are my thoughts:
The watch looked amazing before you got it service. I like how it looked as it was. However, it also looks amazing after the restoration service. If it was my watch for 20 years, I probably would have wanted to give it the full treatment myself, even though it aged incredibly well. I hope you’re pleased to have your friend back in tip-top shape!
Strictly speaking there was nothing wrong with piece except for the overdue service, but from an aesthetic standpoint I was missing the lume I used to love, I guess this was the main driver behind the move.
Your watch? Your rules.
People that tell you what you should do with your own watch mean well, but they are not you.
You do you. If refreshing it makes you happy that’s all that matters.
Thanks for the write up on this. I have a similar vintage women's SM I bought for my wife. She wore it into the water with the stem not fully screwed in and it damaged the lume on the dial. Had it serviced and it basically in good shape but I am about to drop it off at an Omega boutique and see if they can to a full service to restore the lume as well. Sounds like they will want to simply change the dial out. But sounds like servicing is $500 on their site and then the cost of a new dial, have to figure out if its worth the cost or better just to buy her a new one and sell this one.