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size11s
·If you go on the BHI website there are a few registered watch repairers around Oxford.
1941 Chronograph - CK2077 33.3
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cristos71
·Hi Oliver,
Be aware, it may take years to find a good dial. IIRC correctly there was a maximum of around 14000 units of the cal 33.3 produced over a period of 15 years or so, give or take a year or two.
Many of these watches wil have been broken, destroyed, lost or damaged over the years and many more will have had their dial "refreshed" ie redialled in the 70-80 years of their life. This mainly due to one form or another of water ingress. Owners and dealers will have been searching for very long periods to source a better original dial than what they now have.
Many of the watches were produced in gold and as such will have dials which will not match the steel 2077 case.
So basically the pool of original dials available on the market at anyone time is probably zero, with every now again one popping up.
Be aware, it may take years to find a good dial. IIRC correctly there was a maximum of around 14000 units of the cal 33.3 produced over a period of 15 years or so, give or take a year or two.
Many of these watches wil have been broken, destroyed, lost or damaged over the years and many more will have had their dial "refreshed" ie redialled in the 70-80 years of their life. This mainly due to one form or another of water ingress. Owners and dealers will have been searching for very long periods to source a better original dial than what they now have.
Many of the watches were produced in gold and as such will have dials which will not match the steel 2077 case.
So basically the pool of original dials available on the market at anyone time is probably zero, with every now again one popping up.
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watchyouwant
·We have decided to look for an original donor dial and internal parts as you have suggested. Do you know where we might begin to start looking for a dial?
thank you
That Question is on my Mind for the last 20 plus years.....
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Dan S
·An alternative would be to let Omega do a full factory restoration. They would have the dial repainted. It would be expensive (although probably less expensive than buying a good original dial, if you can find one), and the dial would not be original, but except for collectors, people are generally very happy with these restorations. And given the current condition of the dial, I'm not really sure there's much reason to save it. Hunting down an original dial is a nice idea hypothetically, but you may find it challenging in practice.
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UWG
·A beautiful watch, still very nice looking and a great family heirloom.
I had my lesson. I started wrong by restoring my Dads watch-dial (twice), as I couldnt find a donor one. Lucky at the end but looking back, I should have left it as it was.
My suggestion is: let it be repaired and serviced (movement and crystal) by Simon Freese, look for a quality leather strap and just enjoy.
If you really should find a suitable donor-dial in future, then just buy it.
I had my lesson. I started wrong by restoring my Dads watch-dial (twice), as I couldnt find a donor one. Lucky at the end but looking back, I should have left it as it was.
My suggestion is: let it be repaired and serviced (movement and crystal) by Simon Freese, look for a quality leather strap and just enjoy.
If you really should find a suitable donor-dial in future, then just buy it.
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Mark020
··not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawerI would consider redialling this one if this was my grandfathers watch
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Ogion
·Yes I believe getting it repaired by Simon and new crystal, leaving dial as it is and looking for a new dial if lucky will be the solution.
The year of this piece upon opening up the back and revealing the movement is 1939
The year of this piece upon opening up the back and revealing the movement is 1939
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Mark020
··not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawerA dial which is in better condition than yours but still far away from a really nice one may already be pretty expensive. Any 33.3 dial in really nice condition will cost you a small fortune.
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size11s
·I am not suggesting options here but I wondered if it was worth asking Omega if they could provide a new complete dial, rather than repaint the original. That way it could be enjoyed 'as new', so to speak, and preserve the original dial. No doubt it would cost a body part but why not investigate.
I, personally, have no objections to a fairly tatty watch and indeed many of mine including my grandfathers bog standard Longines is beyond what the vast majority would consider acceptable to wear, but I wear it with pleasure, it's a context issue, as is often said. As the dial is now you would struggle to use it as an accurate chronograph but the dial is fine for telling the time.
I, personally, have no objections to a fairly tatty watch and indeed many of mine including my grandfathers bog standard Longines is beyond what the vast majority would consider acceptable to wear, but I wear it with pleasure, it's a context issue, as is often said. As the dial is now you would struggle to use it as an accurate chronograph but the dial is fine for telling the time.
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Ogion
·A dial which is in better condition than yours but still far away from a really nice one may already be pretty expensive. Any 33.3 dial in really nice condition will cost you a small fortune.
Yes, seeing prices of £1500+ On prior sales. If one came up in the future I would probably make the impulse purchase tbh given this watches significance. I think it will still look fantastic after it has been repaired and with a new crystal. I will post a pic once done
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Ogion
·I am not suggesting options here but I wondered if it was worth asking Omega if they could provide a new complete dial, rather than repaint the original. That way it could be enjoyed 'as new', so to speak, and preserve the original dial. No doubt it would cost a body part but why not investigate.
I, personally, have no objections to a fairly tatty watch and indeed many of mine including my grandfathers bog standard Longines is beyond what the vast majority would consider acceptable to wear, but I wear it with pleasure, it's a context issue, as is often said. As the dial is now you would struggle to use it as an accurate chronograph but the dial is fine for telling the time.
My thoughts exactly re telling the time and being fit for use from that perspective. I think once sorted with a new crystal and repaired it will look great.
Good idea - I will definitely ask Omega if such a thing is possible however as long as this dial is kept safe and secure. Even if this option is offered I may not take them up on it but good to know it is a possibility.
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watchyouwant
·An alternative would be to let Omega do a full factory restoration. They would have the dial repainted. It would be expensive (although probably less expensive than buying a good original dial, if you can find one), and the dial would not be original, but except for collectors, people are generally very happy with these restorations. And given the current condition of the dial, I'm not really sure there's much reason to save it. Hunting down an original dial is a nice idea hypothetically, but you may find it challenging in practice.
Never ever even think about that..... Factory dial repainting is a hit and miss affair. They outsource that and I had very miserable examples sent back , rejected them, 2. try not better and in the end the funds refunded.... If you want to go that way, there are 2 possible solutions: one is Causemann in Germany. Ask him for copies of his vintage Fonts for your dial diameter and report back for evaluation. And there is one excellent dial repainter in Vietnam. I've seen examples , that were just great. I was not able so far, to find out, who he is....
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Ogion
·Grandfather’s 1939 WW2 Omega CK2077 update:
Taken delivery from my father and this is a photo prior to making the drive early next week to drop it off with Simon Freese to work his magic. Decision to keep dial as is ( beautiful in my opinion now seeing in person and also think will be useable.. and this photo still not brilliant), but to tentatively source another original dial if lucky, but only if it is in great condition… Although heirloom and will never sell.
I have taken this photo prior to dropping it off and also managed to find the closest example that I can find of this watch in better shape and condition. I will send photos of the finished article (internal and external).
Thank you for the recommendation and help everyone. Excited to see how it turns out!
Taken delivery from my father and this is a photo prior to making the drive early next week to drop it off with Simon Freese to work his magic. Decision to keep dial as is ( beautiful in my opinion now seeing in person and also think will be useable.. and this photo still not brilliant), but to tentatively source another original dial if lucky, but only if it is in great condition… Although heirloom and will never sell.
I have taken this photo prior to dropping it off and also managed to find the closest example that I can find of this watch in better shape and condition. I will send photos of the finished article (internal and external).
Thank you for the recommendation and help everyone. Excited to see how it turns out!
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Ogion
·Unfortunately the condition of the crystal obscures details of the dial. The 4 for example is actually a complete 4 and outside numbers are all visible with the naked eye at certain angles. It will be interesting to see what a new or a conditioned current crystal does.
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Olhenry56
·Grandfather’s 1939 WW2 Omega CK2077 update:
Taken delivery from my father and this is a photo prior to making the drive early next week to drop it off with Simon Freese to work his magic. Decision to keep dial as is ( beautiful in my opinion now seeing in person and also think will be useable.. and this photo still not brilliant), but to tentatively source another original dial if lucky, but only if it is in great condition… Although heirloom and will never sell.
I have taken this photo prior to dropping it off and also managed to find the closest example that I can find of this watch in better shape and condition. I will send photos of the finished article (internal and external).
Thank you for the recommendation and help everyone. Excited to see how it turns out!
By the way, I think @cristos71 shared in the second reply to your original post an image that looks more like how yours looked originally. The numerals are oriented radially, and the tachymetre was in the center of the dial. You can see slight remnants of it, especially in the 30-minute subdial on the right.
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photo500
·An alternative would be to let Omega do a full factory restoration. They would have the dial repainted. It would be expensive (although probably less expensive than buying a good original dial, if you can find one), and the dial would not be original, but except for collectors, people are generally very happy with these restorations. And given the current condition of the dial, I'm not really sure there's much reason to save it. Hunting down an original dial is a nice idea hypothetically, but you may find it challenging in practice.
I agree, this is one for a proper OMEGA restoration as part of their special service for timepieces produced before 1940. They will take care of the dial too.
If you want to do the bare minimum to get the watch running then sending it to an indie is an option. As long as they have experience with this very old calibre. If you're lucky it may run and may operate ok after spending a not inconsiderable sum. All they'll do is a basic 'Oil change' and fit parts to replace the broken ones if they can be found. That isn't a 'service', nor is it worth doing in my opinion.
The best way to go is to send it to OMEGA and have the restoration done properly.
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watchyouwant
·I agree, this is one for a proper OMEGA restoration as part of their special service for timepieces produced before 1940. They will take care of the dial too.
If you want to do the bare minimum to get the watch running then sending it to an indie is an option. As long as they have experience with this very old calibre. If you're lucky it may run and may operate ok after spending a not inconsiderable sum. All they'll do is a basic 'Oil change' and fit parts to replace the broken ones if they can be found. That isn't a 'service', nor is it worth doing in my opinion.
The best way to go is to send it to OMEGA and have the restoration done properly.
Definitely Not. Nobody wants a new watch back with a repainted dial. Omega will be perfect for the movement, but not for the rest. A repainted dial in this "case" ( Pun intended ... ) destroys 50% of the value.
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photo500
·Definitely Not. Nobody wants a new watch back with a repainted dial. Omega will be perfect for the movement, but not for the rest. A repainted dial in this "case" ( Pun intended ... ) destroys 50% of the value.
I don't think many would want a water damaged dial either... if anyone is going to do a proper job of restoring a dial its OMEGA. In Switzerland using the same processes that produced it in the first place, probably even the same company. Besides which, it's optional to the restoration. There is a big market for restored watches, I know, It's what has put food on my table for over ten years now.
Can predict that watch if restored properly by them will be worth a lot more than +50% of its potential sale price now. You may not like it restored but the size of the market that does, is huge.
That movement is going to need A LOT of parts to run properly again. Those parts are near impossible to find. Even as an OMEGA agent there's really nothing available. However, that's what the restoration department does.
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watchyouwant
·Search eBay for the seller "Watchpartsservice" in USA. They have a few parts, you need. Affordable as well. Parts for Omega 33.3 are not that rare. Military watch collectors have the Lemania base caliber 15 in many chronos. That's how to source them these days. Simon in the UK has his sources for these, I'd suggest....
Be quick to buy the parts now ! My post will alert a few desperate collectors as well.....
Be quick to buy the parts now ! My post will alert a few desperate collectors as well.....
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Ogion
·Thank you for all the kind support. It has been wonderful to see the interest and discussions on this forum. There will always be some disagreements when it comes to what someone should do in this case. I have decided that I will source an original dial if one can be found in great condition. The key is patience which I have. I believe Simon is confident in sourcing the parts.
As for this dial, my father made me aware that my grandfather bought the watch around 1939, taught himself aeronautical engineering and was in the RAF bomber crew. He wore this watch every day during WW2. He then went on to invent an industrial strength nylon for a company that is still used commercially today. He wore this throughout. The sentimental value is the only thing that can really be measured by me. Not its proposed value if the dial is completely restored as it will never be sold ( I have been privately messaged by a few here as to the proposed value if in great condition).
For complete value it will have to be a sourced original dial which I am very open to if the right one comes up, however this sourced dial will be kept separate and in protected storage in case anyone wants to sell it in 50+ years. However, I believe in the story that each watch tells you and so believe this dial is magnificent. If anyone in my future wishes to restore this dial, chances are by then the technology to do so will be far more advanced and efficient…. Robots going off CAD simulations replicating original designs with pinpoint precision indistinguishable from original etc…
As for this dial, my father made me aware that my grandfather bought the watch around 1939, taught himself aeronautical engineering and was in the RAF bomber crew. He wore this watch every day during WW2. He then went on to invent an industrial strength nylon for a company that is still used commercially today. He wore this throughout. The sentimental value is the only thing that can really be measured by me. Not its proposed value if the dial is completely restored as it will never be sold ( I have been privately messaged by a few here as to the proposed value if in great condition).
For complete value it will have to be a sourced original dial which I am very open to if the right one comes up, however this sourced dial will be kept separate and in protected storage in case anyone wants to sell it in 50+ years. However, I believe in the story that each watch tells you and so believe this dial is magnificent. If anyone in my future wishes to restore this dial, chances are by then the technology to do so will be far more advanced and efficient…. Robots going off CAD simulations replicating original designs with pinpoint precision indistinguishable from original etc…
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