Vintage Newb question - slightly WUS-ish - can I......??

[rockmastermike]

okay I'll ask it....want to give both seamasters (70's) a bath but am afraid of washing around the crystal, pushers and crowns. 1) they're old, duh and 2) no idea on service history....pretty god chance seals and gaskets are not pristine. I know not to soak them or shower with them but how about a soft toothbrush and soapy water around the high risk areas?

BTW - these are "seamasters" so if I get them properly serviced will they be good for a lap in the pool or playing with the kids at the beach?

[River Rat]

Maybe just use a wet cloth to wipe it down that way if the old gasket's are old and leak you won't get any water in the movement.Better than sticking the whole watch in water if that's what you were going to do.

[belligero]

okay I'll ask it....want to give both seamasters (70's) a bath but am afraid of washing around the crystal, pushers and crowns. 1) they're old, duh and 2) no idea on service history....pretty god chance seals and gaskets are not pristine. I know not to soak them or shower with them but how about a soft toothbrush and soapy water around the high risk areas?

BTW - these are "seamasters" so if I get them properly serviced will they be good for a lap in the pool or playing with the kids at the beach?

Without a fresh crystal, I'd hesitate to swim with it; acrylic gets brittle with age and there can be cracks where it seals around the case.

But why not just have it pressure tested and find out? It'll only take a few minutes in a dry tester.

With fresh gaskets and a new crystal, plus a good pressure test, you'll be fine for swimming. Heck, you'd be fine for diving.

[pacifichrono]

Hard to say without seeing the watches. I'd bring them to your watchmaker and take his advice after he inspects each one. Personally, I'd never go swimming with any vintage watch - - why risk it, and why do I need a watch while swimming anyway?

[CesarG]

Keep them away from water. Even with fresh gaskets. They are Seamasters but I would say it's not worth it.

[rockmastermike]

got it, thanks

[dshap]

Wipe them down with a damp paper towel (damp, not dripping) or a damp cotton ball with alcohol. No running water or toothbrushes.

The bracelet is the real problem, and those I soak in hot water, soap and pinesol then scrub. The pinesol or similar cleaner does a great job at breaking down the gunk.

[matt.wu]

But why not just have it pressure tested and find out? It'll only take a few minutes in a dry tester.

With fresh gaskets and a new crystal, plus a good pressure test, you'll be fine for swimming. Heck, you'd be fine for diving.

[homathetes]

Am I right to think that an ultrasonic cleaning at a jewelers should do the trick without any harm?

[belligero]

Pfft, wimps. I'm not sure about Omega, but on my 1675, with a fresh crown tube, crystal and gaskets, it's like a brand-new watch. The metal doesn't change properties over time, just the plastic and rubbery bits. As long as there's no pitting in the seal area, it's no different from something fresh from the factory.

Doesn't seem to bother this guy, either:

[belligero]

Am I right to think that an ultrasonic cleaning at a jewelers should do the trick without any harm?

Hell, no. You never put a watch into an ultrasonic bath, just the bracelet.

[rockmastermike]

Wipe them down with a damp paper towel (damp, not dripping) or a damp cotton ball with alcohol. No running water or toothbrushes.

The bracelet is the real problem, and those I soak in hot water, soap and pinesol then scrub. The pinesol or similar cleaner does a great job at breaking down the gunk.

perfect, thanks david

as much as it pains me to go without, I am going to take these to a recommended Omega guy in ATL for service/cleaning for piece of mind. it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

[belligero]

as much as it pains me to go without, I am going to take these to a recommended Omega guy in ATL for service/cleaning for piece of mind. it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Have him check the amplitude; if it's healthy, there's no real need to bother with a full service, at least in my opinion. He should be able to put in fresh seals without a full service if the movement doesn't really need it.

[rockmastermike]

as much as it pains me to go without, I am going to take these to a recommended Omega guy in ATL for service/cleaning for piece of mind. it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Have him check the amplitude; if it's healthy, there's no real need to bother with a full service, at least in my opinion. He should be able to put in fresh seals without a full service if the movement doesn't really need it.

Thanks, Ryan

DWC may be a bunch of sh$t slingers, but they are knowledgeable sh$t slingers

[River Rat]

Ryan's right one thing I all ways do when I add a vintage watch to the collection is get it serviced and gasket's replaced if needed.When I bought my Omega Speedmaster it ran but the powere reserve was not that hot.Well a week after I got it had it serviced the main spring was broken and the gaskets were in need of replacement.If you want to collect vintage and add a new one in the collection and don't know the service history it's best to service it before you do damage to it were it will cost you more money in the long run.Plus the watchmaker will clean your case when he service it you nock off two birds with one stone.

[JBZ]

Doesn't seem to bother this guy, either:

Not to derail this thread, but very nifty watch!

[homathetes]

Am I right to think that an ultrasonic cleaning at a jewelers should do the trick without any harm?

Hell, no. You never put a watch into an ultrasonic bath, just the bracelet.

[belligero]

Doesn't seem to bother this guy, either:

Not to derail this thread, but very nifty watch!

Meh, 1665 COMEX is all right, I guess...

More photos here: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/m ... tness+test

[Nomadz]

Comex

[Safetystop]

I wouldn't use soapy water. The soap decreases the surface tension in the water, so if there was a leak or compromised seal it will have a better chance of infiltration than with water alone. Get them serviced.

[matt.wu]

I wouldn't use soapy water. The soap decreases the surface tension in the water, so if there was a leak or compromised seal it will have a better chance of infiltration than with water alone. Get them serviced.

And don't dive with Speedmasters. Those aren't dive watches.

[dukerules]

Doesn't seem to bother this guy, either:

Not to derail this thread, but very nifty watch!

I agree, pretty damn nifty.

[Safetystop]

I wouldn't use soapy water. The soap decreases the surface tension in the water, so if there was a leak or compromised seal it will have a better chance of infiltration than with water alone. Get them serviced.

And don't dive with Speedmasters. Those aren't dive watches.

Sez who?

[CesarG]

Pfft, wimps. I'm not sure about Omega, but on my 1675, with a fresh crown tube, crystal and gaskets, it's like a brand-new watch. The metal doesn't change properties over time, just the plastic and rubbery bits. As long as there's no pitting in the seal area, it's no different from something fresh from the factory.

Mike's Seamasters aren't dive watches.

Nice COMEX! Damn!

[rockmastermike]

Mike's Seamasters aren't dive watches.

Nice COMEX! Damn!

Cesar - you nailed it...in an epiphany moment I realized even though they are branded as Seamaster they are NOT dive watches....one of those moments when you realize it that you knew it all a long but it was stuck in the back of your (my) brain somewhere. so no water activities and yes to getting them checked out.

Thanks again

P.S. and yes, the Comex is righteous