A client has sent me his Omega chronograph featuring an early 321. He got the watch in exchange for cutting some firewood back in 1979.. It has since been lying in a drawer. I would say that was a pretty good deal if you think of today’s values;) He would like to have the watch repaired and of course a new set of hands as they are missing.
The movement is complete and in decent condition.
As expected there is quite a bit of dirt!
I start taking the movement apart.
These parts are getting expensive so I would rather not brake any of those thin springs.
Here you can see the 321 gear train layout.
I take apart the setting/winding mechanism.
Broken mainspring.
Movement taken apart and cleaned.
I see that the balance moves freely after fitting the shock jewels.
New mainspring in the barrel.
Base movement almost back together.
I fit the setting/winding mechanism.
Movement is running again for the first time in over 40 years!
Nothing wrong with the performance!
Chronograph layer back together.
As I could not find original hands I found a pair that matched closely. Then I tightened them to fit the movement.
I applied new compound to the dial and hands. I also added some patina to the hands so they would fit the ageing of the dial.
Movement goes back into the case looking great.
I would wear that!;)
7 Responses to Project: Omega calibre 321.
Great job and walk through! Awesome to see watches have a new chance and we get to see the amazing workmanship of the past! I never tire of these. Thank you for sharing Mitka.
I have a question about dials and reluming. How do you remove the old lime and do you do anything once removed to prepare for the new lume?
Thanks again,
Gary
Hi Gary,
Glad you enjoyed the blogpost:) I mix the compound to get a aged look. I remove old compound manually using pegwood on the dial. On the hands I dissolve the compound in Acetone to reduce chances of scratches ect. https://mitka.co.uk/2017/04/14/aplying-luminous-compound-onto-a-dial-and-hands/
Nice tip for the heart-shape reset pieces!
One question, if I may: how did you tighten the hands holes?
I use the staking set to hit the holes for the hands flattening them a little, but also narrowing them in the proses.
Nice, one more purpose for the one-million-purpose tool.
I suppose you do that from underneath and before you varnish it.
Thank you, of course!
Nice job. This is actually my brothers watch. I see he only waited 39 years before having it repaired. That’s actually quite quick for him..