My 18k 168.022, back from Omega.

ObiWanKannoli · Feb 9, 2021

Full disclosure, this may make some of you sick...

About 6 or 7 months ago, I decided to do what many would consider absolutely crazy; sending my 1967 18k Seamaster Jumbo Chronometer reference 168.022 back to Omega for a complete restoration and service. It was overall in very good shape to begin with, untouched. No stone was left unturned in the process, and the result is a watch that is just about factory new.

Before you grab your pitchforks....this is, beyond any doubt, my favorite watch. I wear it quite often, and wanted to enjoy it in the most fresh and functional form it could be in. I wanted the like new accuracy, a patina free dial, working lume, perfect graining, and flawless polish on what is my favorite Omega produced. So, that's what I did. It isn't perfect, but it's damn close. The case was extremely sharp to begin with, so not much work was needed there. I instructed them to resurface the watch, but not to remove any material (aside from resurfacing, of course). As a result, the deeper dings and scratches remain. Might this affect the value of the watch? Yes. Do I care? No, not at all. It makes me quite happy.

Lastly, hats off to Omega. I've heard some horror stories, but they did an absolutely phenomenal job and exceeded my expectations in every way. Thank you.

Enjoy!

gbesq · Feb 9, 2021

Just kidding. It looks great!

snarkq · Feb 9, 2021

Looks absolutely amazing! You made the right choice

ObiWanKannoli · Feb 9, 2021

gbesq

Just kidding. It looks great!

Ha! Big Office fan, golden response right there. Thanks!

snarkq
Looks absolutely amazing! You made the right choice

Thank you! I think so as well.

cvalue13 · Feb 9, 2021

O ObiWanKannoli
this is, beyond any doubt, my favorite watch. I wear it quite often, and wanted to enjoy it in the most fresh and functional form it could be in.

Have you heard of The Ship of Theseus? 😉

DaveK · Feb 9, 2021

cvalue13
Have you heard of The Ship of Theseus? 😉

I hadn’t heard that phrase before. It reminds me of this

According to researchers, the body replaces itself with a largely new set of cells every seven years to 10 years, and some of our most important parts are revamped even more rapidly https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/does-body-really-replace-seven-years.htm

Fatcat · Feb 9, 2021

So many people complain about Omega service , I sent plenty or watches allways asked what I want and that’s it , actually I am waiting also a full gold constellation despite the delay more or less 4 months also absolutely perfect , also I recovered a 145.012 67 yesterday , with the traditional instruction don’t change hands don’t polish , just repair the 321 , the work was in in less than 2 weeks, yes you read it less than 2 weeks and we are in the Covid period .

cvalue13 · Feb 9, 2021

DaveK
It reminds me of this

A nice segue from the philosophy of identity generally, into the mind-body problem of identity!

Turns out, our memories of our prior selves are among the only things that can reasonably be said to persist.

OPs watch has no memories 😁

Speaking of:

O ObiWanKannoli
It was overall in very good shape to begin with, untouched. No stone was left unturned in the process, and the result is a watch that is just about factory new.

I don’t follow these two sentences. Was it untouched and so very little needed be done, or was instead a lot done despite it being untouched? 👎

Maybe you could brief what was or wasn’t done? Is everything new but the case? Case and movement service?

ObiWanKannoli · Feb 10, 2021

cvalue13
Have you heard of The Ship of Theseus? 😉

I am familiar! However...It doesn't apply here. The only pieces truly replaced were movement parts that were broken or worn out, and gaskets. Service items.

Fatcat
So many people complain about Omega service , I sent plenty or watches allways asked what I want and that’s it , actually I am waiting also a full gold constellation despite the delay more or less 4 months also absolutely perfect , also I recovered a 145.012 67 yesterday , with the traditional instruction don’t change hands don’t polish , just repair the 321 , the work was in in less than 2 weeks, yes you read it less than 2 weeks and we are in the Covid period .

Indeed. I think the issue is that they give limited direction when sending the watch out. Omega is there to service, which means replacing broken, oxidized, peeling, etc. parts....most collectors want all this and I think maybe assume that [insert watch company] knows that this is what they want. Just like at the car dealership....if you don't tell them to not wash your car, they will wash your car!

Good luck with the Connie! Please share some photos when you get it back in.

Cheers

cvalue13
A nice segue from the philosophy of identity generally, into the mind-body problem of identity!

Turns out, our memories of our prior selves are among the only things that can reasonably be said to persist.

OPs watch has no memories 😁

Speaking of:

I don’t follow these two sentences. Was it untouched and so very little needed be done, or was instead a lot done despite it being untouched? 👎

Maybe you could brief what was or wasn’t done? Is everything new but the case? Case and movement service?

The watch was in very good shape to begin with, for a 50 year old watch, and was untouched in terms of case polishing, the dial, etc. when I originally purchased it. All original parts. Regardless, it's still old, scratched up, scuffed, dinged, and not working like it once did. That being said, no stone was unturned in the restoration process; every piece of the watch was given attention. The only things truly replaced on my watch were gaskets and worn out screws, gears, etc. within the movement. I have a baggy from Omega with the original, broken part. Everything else is original albeit polished, re-brushed, re-lumed, etc. If it was old, dull, chipped, bent, oxidized, etc. it was made new. If it was broken and causing the watch to not function in some manner, it was replaced.