Older Seamaster

smithrjd · Mar 14, 2012

Newbie, this a an Omega I bought in 72 while in the Tonkin Gulf. Wondering what it is and if it is worth getting repaired. It runs, but the stem does not return correctley. IE the hands still move when pushed in. It is a manual wind watch. Have the box etc. It is a Seamaster.

ulackfocus · Mar 14, 2012

smithrjd
Wondering what it is and if it is worth getting repaired.

Welcome!

Short answer: Yes! It won't be cheap, but is a worthwhile endeavor.

Long answer: You have a caliber 861 reference 145.016 - known as the "soccer timer". There are several variations of it, the most valuable being the ones with the roulette style bezel or the large version (at 41 mm across without including the crown) with pulsometers. These were first available in 1968 I think. Yours is one of the more standard but still a very nice watch. 👍

smithrjd · Mar 14, 2012

Thanks, I thought it was a rather plain one. As I recall paid about 1 months salary at the ships store off the coast of Vietnam. Any idea of a value? I have a couple of other same era watches, A Zodiac Sea Wolf and a Sandoz Automatic. Wanting to get one up and running.

ulackfocus · Mar 14, 2012

Check your Inbox.

Serviced and restored these sell for $2500 - $3500 on vintage dealer's sites but that's usually with a warranty and a return policy besides being in top shape. Yours needs some work but provided it's not too bad inside (ie: rust or similar damage) it's at minimum a thousand dollar watch.

smithrjd · Mar 14, 2012

I had no idea that the watch could be worth that much. Not really looking at selling. 17 when I went to Vietnam. It was when I grew up. It is a piece of my history. Think it should be passed down to my son. Is it better to go to an Omega authorized service, or someone who can fix Omega's. Basically any recommendations on a repair center? Doubt there is any rust etc. I took care of it. It has been sitting. Had it serviced when I was stationed in Japan. That was about 15 years ago.

ulackfocus · Mar 14, 2012

Okay, good to know you want to keep it as an heirloom. Omega will be expensive and they don't necessarily stick to original parts. It's common knowledge among collectors that they'll use whatever parts fit without regard to being correct. We have a vintage Omega specialist as a member here - omega564 / Jesse. If you check your inbox you'll see his contact info in the message I sent you.

You'd be surprised at how much some of the old Omega chronographs sell for. There's a couple relatives of your watch, nicknamed the Anakin and Darth Vader, that are worth much more (particularly the black PVD / tungsten bombarded case 145.0023 Vader version).

kyle L · Mar 14, 2012

I would send it to a trustworthy independent watchmaker, not to Omega. Keep everything original, I'm sure Dennis can send you some watchmakers info. 😀

JonW · Mar 18, 2012

Its great not only that you bought this watch originally, but that youve kept it. I would get it back running and use it, but im not 100% sure what the comment above about Omega using whatever comes to hand is about, but my experience of Omega service in both the UK (at STS) and at Bienne is that they will do a great job and also what you want, unlike say Rolex. Omega USA tho I would not trust, maybe that's what ulackfocus is saying above?

You have a number of choices about how you proceed, but just letting any watch place loose on it is not ideal. It all depends on where you are in the world as to whom you would trust.

dsio · Mar 18, 2012

JonW
Its great not only that you bought this watch originally, but that youve kept it. I would get it back running and use it, but im not 100% sure what the comment above about Omega using whatever comes to hand is about, but my experience of Omega service in both the UK (at STS) and at Bienne is that they will do a great job and also what you want, unlike say Rolex. Omega USA tho I would not trust, maybe that's what ulackfocus is saying above?

You have a number of choices about how you proceed, but just letting any watch place loose on it is not ideal. It all depends on where you are in the world as to whom you would trust.

I think Kyle's position is more based on their handling of some of the vintage Seamaster and Constellation 34mm size watches where there's a maze of dial options many of which were limited run, or unusual. Given that these and many other unique 70s pieces only had one or two dials in their production run, you're not going to get back something different from what you put in but if you've got a Seamaster with an unusual dial from that era they may use another dial which is correct for that case and slightly different.

JonW · Mar 18, 2012

Ahh ok, I see. They should always keep you in the loop though and not substitute anything without your say so. I know STS and Bienne always ask first. Hands are sometimes less easy but mostly you can assured of getting what you expect. Bienne can also repaint a dial to a level that you would think it was original, unlike some of the other dodgy repaints you might see elsewhere. However parts supply is sporadic on some 70s sports watches now, so you may have to change colours of pay more for a redial. grey/orange memomatic is one such problem watch... Flightmaster 911 was like that until Omega remade the dials... etc etc

smithrjd · Mar 18, 2012

Well I'm not really worried about the dial or hands. They are the originals and in very good condition. Could see no reason for any replacements. Have a quote from a reputable watchmaker, Just have to decide which of my three old watches I am going to get fixed first. The Omega is of course expensive, the Zodiac Sea Wolf less so, but worth less as well. The last watch I bought while in the Navy is a Brietling Cronomat with the GMT second watch. About the same money to service as the Omega. From what I can tell about the same vaulue as well. I will admit I was a bit surprised to find out the Omega was an odd one.

JonW · Mar 18, 2012

well as Rick from Pawn Stars will tell us, the value is in the dial and hands, but I know what you mean... yours are right enough to keep. I agree a service is what you need, just be careful the guy doing the work has done them before and can get the parts. not every watchmaker is as honest as the day is long as we know. I think in the USA Nesbits is well known and well thought of, but I have no direct proof of that as I have never seen a watch they have worked on in the metal.

The Zodiac is its a SSW is a worth decent money now too... seems you bought some decent stuff back in the day, well done! 😀

dsio · Mar 18, 2012

smithrjd
Well I'm not really worried about the dial or hands. They are the originals and in very good condition. Could see no reason for any replacements. Have a quote from a reputable watchmaker, Just have to decide which of my three old watches I am going to get fixed first. The Omega is of course expensive, the Zodiac Sea Wolf less so, but worth less as well. The last watch I bought while in the Navy is a Brietling Cronomat with the GMT second watch. About the same money to service as the Omega. From what I can tell about the same vaulue as well. I will admit I was a bit surprised to find out the Omega was an odd one.

Can you post pics of the other two? The Zodiac isn't that interesting to me personally (I just don't follow them) but some of the older Chronomats are kind of cool.

ulackfocus · Mar 18, 2012

JonW
well as Rick from Pawn Stars will tell us, the value is in the dial and hands,

Never saw the show, but that's our mantra too. 30 to 40% of the value is in the dial.

JonW · Mar 18, 2012

I think as a rule of thumb thats fine, but some brands and some models are rare enough for it to matter less than others. Rolex modern dial, hands or new bezel on a 1665... nightmare of wiped value and you crying in your beer, Omega modern dial/hands/bezel on ploprof... fine and easier to sell than a beat up watch would have been IME. Of course, that may change in the future, but thats the way they are for now...

dsio · Mar 18, 2012

JonW
I think as a rule of thumb thats fine, but some brands and some models are rare enough for it to matter less than others. Rolex modern dial, hands or new bezel on a 1665... nightmare of wiped value and you crying in your beer, Omega modern dial/hands/bezel on ploprof... fine and easier to sell than a beat up watch would have been IME. Of course, that may change in the future, but thats the way they are for now...

Shame those Rolex dials don't always hold up either =(

My sub tritium ain't what it used to be:

smithrjd · Mar 19, 2012

Will see if these come over. First the Zodiac. Odd yellow/black checkerboard bezel. Odd hard to find from the Zodiac folks. Bought it from the Navy Exchange about '72.

smithrjd · Mar 19, 2012

Here is a pic of the Chronomat. I have never seen the maroon and gold combo before. It had a leather band as bought but got the SS band while on vacation in Lucerne.

dsio · Mar 19, 2012

smithrjd
Here is a pic of the Chronomat. I have never seen the maroon and gold combo before. It had a leather band as bought but got the SS band while on vacation in Lucerne.

That's actually rather interesting, Breitling's still making those co-pilot module things:

smithrjd · Mar 19, 2012

Well this one is from the mid 90's. They called it the GMT second watch. I travel so having two time zones is a good thing.