"Per our conversation Monday March 7, 2022 here is the picture of front of Omega Seamaster 300. I will also send picture of the back. If you have any pieces for the band, I would like 1 piece added.
Thank you"
"I have inspected your watch in detail and I have some good and bad news
The good news is this is a very rare all original Omega Seamaster 165.024 Cal 565 serial number 28,299,233 from 1969
The good news is the value of this watch if in great historical condition would be approximately $20,000
It is one of the rarest Omegas on the market
There is one on Chrono24 for $12,000 without the original bracelet Here is the link
The bad news is your watch has quite a lot more work than originally expected and at one point it had taken on a lot of water causing minor corrosion to protrude even through the dial
I can clean that not a problem but here is what it would take to bring your watch to a $20,000 timepiece
1. Overhaul , complete disassembly of all parts cleaning and oiling as well as calibration $320
2. Minor movement part replacement $80
3. The dial had soaked in a lot of water causing peeling This dial is very important and it is important to keep it original but clean so the rust fungus and moisture must be removed
Vintage luminous must be added to the hands and the dial has to have all oxidation cleaned up. This has to be done so as not to affect the originality. The process is similar to restoring an old valuable painting, keeping everything original but clean, dry without stains and good for another 100 years. This costs $200
4. Very gentle and precise removal of scratches and dents without affecting the edges of the case (precision work) The bracelet needs help in this regard too as do the end links which have to be properly adjusted to properly fit the case plus two additional links This costs $200
5 Crystal repair proper sealing $80 (original)
6. All rubber gaskets need replacing that prevents moisture $75 (original gaskets)
hence to bring this piece to museum quality original condition would cost $955 In my opinion once completed this watch would have a $20,000 value
For an additional $100 we can provide a detailed description with photographs and a certificate of authenticity
Your thought would be appreciated as I would like to finish this watch by mid week"
Case Work
"This is under the dial which means the dial is 100% authentic but you can see some of the water stains even at the bottom Water affected the top of the dial but I was able to clean the top without affecting any original details
This is truly a museum piece"
Inner buckle problem
"It is this" "needs to be this"
Dial and Hands
"This is what I have done with the dial
All oxydation removed from surface
Moisture and fungus eliminated
Staining eliminated
Rust removed from big triangle at 12 o'clock & rust removed from 6 o'clock position
Vintage luminous added to hands
You do not want to go too far with a precious watch like this. It has to stay aged & historical without affecting its antique integrity. It will look stunning on Monday once everything is properly fitted & calibrated"
Completion
"Omega Seamaster 300 from 1969
1. Overhaul , complete disassembly of all parts cleaning and oiling as well as calibration $320 2. Minor movement parts replacement $80 3. The dial had soaked in a lot of water causing peeling. This dial is very important and it is important to keep it original but clean so the rust fungus and moisture must be removed Vintage luminous must be added to the hands and the dial has to have all oxidation cleaned up. This has to be done so as not to affect the originality. The process is similar to restoring an old valuable painting, keeping everything original but clean, dry without stains and good for another 100 years. This costs $200 4. Very gentle and precise removal of scratches and dents without affecting the edges of the case (precision work) The bracelet needs help in this regard too as do the end links which have to be properly adjusted to properly fit the case plus two additional links This costs $200 5 Crystal repair proper sealing $80 (original) 6. All rubber gaskets need replacing that prevents moisture $75 (original gaskets)
7 Inner clasp was marked a Spiegel, Spiegel was a generic supplier to Omega in the 50's and 60s but this original Omega manufactured bracelet needs an inner clasp which is original Omega and signed by Omega replacement of inner clasp $140
8 Certification of all original components, dial serial numbers and reference numbers $100
GRAND TOTAL $1195"
Updated: Apr 8, 2022
"I have a Panerai Pam 236 that was purchased pre-owned. Although it's not damaged, it has more wear on it than I like and I don't feel it was properly cared for. I would like to retore the finish. I also have a Submariner that I would like to have restored after I recieve the Panerai back. It has tool marks on the case back from the previous owner and the clasp pops open pretty easily."
Panerai Chronograph Movement Cleaning Oiling and Calibration $440
Case scratch removal and bracelet restoration $220
Crystal scratched and chipped $200
Rubber gaskets $55
Grand Total: $915
Updated: Jul 25, 2022
Actual correspondence. Actual photos.
“Hello ----,
I have some good news and some bad news. After inspecting your watches in detail I have determined the following:
The Rolex bubble back and the Longines if restored to perfect condition would have a value of approximately $10,000.
The bad news is the 2 Rolex Marconi watches are not original The Breitling is also not original I hope you did not pay too much for them.
As you can see by my pictures (where I hold my pincette pointing to the clues) on those watches.
1 On the movement the names and etchings have been recently printed with a laser and the stampings on the back should be stampings but are also burned in with a modern laser. The Breitling dial has had the name on the dial stamped recently and the bridge with the name has a different color than the rest of the movement because of extensive work after lasering the name on.
I have seen these types of watches before coming from Vietnam. The exterior looks right but once etchings are inspected it becomes obvious that they were different watches Swiss Vintage converted into a different brand by signing with a laser etching. This was sometimes done with a silk screen. Either way I am sorry to inform you of this but I am sure you want to know the truth.
That being said I think it would be very worthwhile to get the Rolex bubbleback and the military Longines restored.
If you have any questions please contact me.
Regards
Simon”
For medical advice, ask a doctor.
For watch advice, ask a master watchmaker.
Actual repairs of above watches.
These watches have a military history. This was preserved in the restorations.