WATCH POP

Hi -- I posted the same note on Watchuseek.com, but wanted to get any additional thoughts from this community:

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Hello -- I have a question or two about watch restoration... sorry for such a long note but want to lay it all out.
I've been doing a fair amount of research on watches, and have decided I want an automatic. My grandfather had left me a Seamaster (I believe it was from sometime in the 60's), but it's pretty dirty and grimey and so I didn't consider it as any kind of option, originally.

After shopping, and learning more about how expensive a quality, life-long watch can be, yesterday I took the watch to my local jewelers, who works with an off-site watch person who does not deal directly with consumers.

On Monday it's going to be couriered out to the guy so he can give an estimate. I forgot to take pictures before dropping it off, so I'm going to try to get there first thing Monday to take some. Assuming I can get this done, I'll post the pics here, perhaps I can learn more about the watch from you experts. BTW, at 6 o'clock it says "Seamaster" and under it "CALENDAR" near the bottom of the face; and the date is to the right at 3 o'clock. OMEGA is on the 12 o'clock side.

In my request to have it "restored", I've asked them to do some additional things... I'll just type right from the receipt (grammatic errors and all):

"Gents automatic Omega watch stainless steel watch does work. Customer will like to get an estimate to replace case with a yellow gold one and replace dial with a white face and markers to match new case and a black leather Omega band if possible if not maybe a gold metal band est to also overhaul watch and if any parts need to be replaced".

I want it to contain yellow gold to match my wedding ring. I currently have a titanium Seiko with a black face and I've discovered that it doesn't match my wedding band, which is slowly driving me insane. :-)

My jeweler said it could take a few months to get the job done. Obviously the watch guy is not going to do any work without first getting me his assessment on what I'd like done.

Anyhow -- after I came home from the jewelers yesterday, I went to the Omega site and saw that they list some "restore centers" throughout the world. The one in the US is perhaps and hour or two from where I live.

So, my questions:

1) Any thoughts on whether I should take it to an Omega "restore center" instead of my jeweler's guy? We like and trust our jeweler and they seem to do a good deal of business.

2) Any thoughts on how successful I might be trying to get this done (or whether it's a good/bad idea)? I'm basically looking to replace the entire outside of the watch, again, because I want some yellow gold to complement my band. But, I'd also like to ensure it retains the Seamaster authenticity. It this even possible with such a job?

3) What kind of price do you think might be reasonable for such a job?

Thanks for reading this far! Appreciate any responses or input of any kind.

Tony
Why not buy a 1950's/60's gold Seamaster Calendar* instead of all this hassle? As far as I can see, the main thing you want to retain is the movement. If it's so special for you, you could have it put into the watch you buy.

Derek

* I bought a gold top Seamaster Calendar with a bumper movement a few months ago for about $300 [It's not for sale!] I agree. It would be a lot easier to just go out and buy what you want. You can get a mint gold cap '60s Seamaster for $400-500. If you do all this work you are contemplating you won't really be ending up with the watch you started with, anyway. As for "authenticity," from a collector's standpoint the watch wouldn't have much. Turns out I'm not going to do all the changes, thanks to all the input. I'm going to have it "overhauled", where they basically clean it, and replace any parts as necessary, and they will refinish the dial as well.

Here's the pic, as filthy as it is...