Restoring a 100 Year Old Omega Watch: Amazing Backstory!
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- I have now reviewed this watch a few months on from repairing it. See that video here: • 100 Year Old Vintage O...
Join me in this captivating journey as I restore a stunning vintage Omega watch that has stood the test of time for a remarkable 100 years. This timeless timepiece carries with it an incredible history, having witnessed countless moments over the decades. Passed down through generations in the same family, it holds stories that would mesmerize anyone. In this video, I meticulously disassemble the intricate movement, assess the damage, and skillfully repair its flaws to revive its former grandeur. Witness the transformation as we bring this remarkable watch back to life, ensuring that it can be cherished for many more decades to come. If you're passionate about horology, history, or just appreciate the beauty of craftsmanship, this restoration journey is not to be missed!
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Chapters
00:00 - 02:36 Intro - my best yet!
02:37- 04:55 Microscope inspection of the movement
04:56 - 20:05 Disassembly & story of the watch
20:06 - 26:33 Jewels, inspection, removal & replace
26:34 - 29:10 Pivot Cleaning
29:10 - 41:29 Rebuilding the watch
41:29 - 49:59 Problems, Problems, Problems! Fun with timing screws!
49:59 - 52:27 Dial Cleaning and Hand Fitting
52:27 - 55:30 Disaster! Can it be saved?
55:30 - 57:47 Final Timegrapher Results and Case Restoration
57:47 - 1:03:31 The Grand Reveal - Watch Restored
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My website: myretrowatches.com/
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Email. michael@myretrowatches.com
#watchrepair #watchrestoration #restoration
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About me:
My name is Mike and I am a hobbyist watchmaker. I am completely self-taught in watch repair and restoration. My channel is all about my journey of hobbyist of watchmaking. I have watch repair tutorials, watch restorations and watch repair videos. Some of my content you can easily follow along to if you are working on the same watch movement. My main focus is to document my journey and inspire more people into this wonderful hobby and demonstrate that this hobby can be very rewarding. I do not profess to be a professional watchmaker and in my videos, I show all my mistakes, mishaps, highs and lows and keep everything as honest as possible. It is easy to edit all the mistakes out and make my videos look perfect but I believe that keeping it real reflects the true reality of this hobby. So what are you waiting for? please check out my watch repair and restoration videos, get inspired and start your own watchmaking journey.
#watchrepair #watchrestoration #omegawatches - Jak na to + styl
Hope you all enjoyed this one! looking forward to your comments!
My tool affiliate links page. Items do not cost you any more and I earn a small commission. All tools are hand picked by myself. myretrowatches.com/tool-sale-links/
A donation to the channel can be made here. www.buymeacoffee.com/MyRetroWatches
Like to buy a T-Shirt? then please look here: teespring.com/stores/my-retro-watches
Thank you for your support.
My website: myretrowatches.com/
facebook.com/groups/Retro.Vintage.Watches.Restorations/
My Instagram: instagram.com/myretrowatches/
I am really happy to find that you care about stories as much as I do. I am a mechanic, I never repaired a watch, but I repaired a lot of old stuff - tube radios, old vices, washing machines, I even repaired an elevator built in 1921. Always the stories around these things were so important to me. They motivated me to continue, even when I had no idea how. These things have been made so many years ago, running so well for decades, it is impossible to give up just because I am lazy. Thank you so much for that video, it shows me that there are others in this world of buying and trashing that have the attitude, willingness and passion to repair and preserve the good things made so long time ago.
Stories are the only things that keep us alive after we are gone....and Bill and his dad Julius's story is a great one. Thanks Mike for sharing as you continue to write your story....Cheers !
Glad you enjoyed it. I wonder how many people were interrogated while this was on the wrist. I have the dark room with one light on as the image in my mind. I am sure its not like that but its what I perceve. I am sure Julius was very passionate in his interrogations given what happened to him.
Die Premiere hat mich geflasht. Das Geschenk in Form dieser Uhr von Bill lässt seinen Vater und die Lebensgeschichten aufleben. Die Restaurierung über Monate hat unvorstellbaren Willen gezeigt. Mit Fug und Recht haben Sie ein Denkmal geschaffen. Höchste Anerkennung dass Sie die professionellen Uhrmacher erwähnt haben, die Ihnen mit dem Wissen weiterhelfen konnten. Ihre Mühe und Ihr Enthusiasmus wird alle Rekorde brechen, bei aller Bescheidenheit. Absolut genial das Ergebnis!🔝🔥🔥🔥
Vielen Dank für diesen netten Kommentar. Ich kann von keiner Uhr geschlagen werden! Diese Omega-Uhr hatte eine Geschichte, die erzählt werden musste, und eine Herausforderung für die Reparatur. Ich bin froh, dass es jetzt funktioniert. Vielen Dank, dass Sie sich dieses Video angesehen haben.
Thanks Mike that was a lovely video 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Fascinating video, beautiful watch, and I appreciate how you addressed and then solved each problem. The backstory was great too and it must have been wonderful for that gentleman to see that watch run again.
It was a pleasure to restore this one despite the constant frustration, sometimes for weeks while I plotted my next move! I felt once I had started I had to finish. It is rare a watch will beat me! thanks for watching.
Nice journey! What I like about your channel is it's like sitting down next to a mate and watching over his shoulder - very conversational and friendly. I like how you introduce some history on watches with interesting back stories. The watch is a beaut too!
Really glad you enjoyed this one and thanks for the feedback.
Oh, the highs and lows of watchmaking! It is a great feeling to overcome a setback! I am a bit sad that Bill didn't have any heirs to pass the watch down to. I would be thrilled to have a watch verified to belong to my grandfather or great grandfather. But if not with family at least it is being appreciated.
Thank you. All he said was no one wanted it, I am unsure of what family he has as I felt it rude to ask. Equally someone would have had to pay to get the work done which would have been costly and dependent on finding someone who would take the job on to start with. I am really pleased I could restore this and tell the story. I can be the next keeper and make sure its maintained for decades to come.
The phrase "you can't beat quality" is looming in my aging pate. The quality of that old watch sure .. but the QUALITY of your caring and respect resonates with me. Thanks Mike - Well Done.
Thank you nice of you to say this.
Hope you’re feeling suitably proud of the work and the video. All round top notch.
Thank you. Proud yes but also relieved its finally running well!
One of the most absorbing watchmaking videos I've seen Mike! Got to admire your persistence and the watch is abs beautiful!
Glad you enjoyed it. I put a lot of effort into this one so pleased its being appreciated.
This video held my interest all the way through. Problems and solutions I had never seen before. You did a magnificent job and the final result is a very handsome looking watch.
Thank you! There was a lot of frustration off camera to overcome those problems and it took a very long time but I never want to give up on a watch. thank you for your comment.
I enjoyed the history for the watch and I certainly enjoyed the video working on the watch.
John
The watch face is a delight. Congratulations on the result after all your perseverance.
Wow, epic restoration - well done. I have a 1917 silver cased Omega which looks very similar. The hallmark suggests it was made to be exported to the USA. Possibly brought here by an American officer when they joined the 1st World War.
Thanks. That sounds like a great watch!
The watch couldn't have been given a better Stuart. Thanks for the story and taking us along while you brought the past to the future. Very nice job.
Thank you.
Spectacular video. Encompasses so many different elements that watch nerds all love. Very impressed with your diagnostic skills. Thank you!
I can think of no comment that would do your work and passion justice. Both your work and Bill’s story are amazing.
Thank you.
Wow what an incredible transformation, your perseverance is commendable, many would have folded but not you. The watch will live again and collect more stories with you now. Very well done.
Thank you so much. It was worth all the time and effort. This watch is far to beautiful to not be running.
Great job. Thanks for recording this. I can't imagine how skilled craftsmen made these parts back then. What's the value of this watch?...priceless.
Fantastic Work !!!!! And yes fixing these 100+ year old watches is Time gobbling !!!! they are all I work on but older 1880's for most of mine, but its very rewarding !!!!!
I admire your persistence on this challenging project, a very steep learning curve! Thank you for sharing the journey.
I wish I could work the smaller watches, but I still admire especially beauties such as yours.
Keep um coming my friend.
Good afternoon Mike. Just finished watching this video. Way to persevere. Nicely done. Great story to go with that watch. To leave everything you've known and be forced to leave is undoubtedly a scary situation for Bill's family to endure. Glad he that he gifted you this watch. Tremendous restoration. Congrats
Thank you Jeff. This story had to be told and I admire Julius courage. I also admire his choice of watch! it was a challenging task this one but I have learnt a heck of a lot in the process. thanks for watching.
Such a classic beauty. Happy to see it shine once more.
Thank you SIr.
Really enjoyed the whole video, oh the ups and downs, the tenacity, the pure drama, I watched it all with a smile but somehow still on the edge of the seat. You have certainly earned your place in this watch's history. I hope it gives you many years of pleasure. Thank you for an absorbing, informative, thoroughly entertaining time.
Wow what a comment! Thank you and I’m pleased you enjoyed this one as much as I did making it!
Bill and Julius' story is very humbling, thank you for sharing it.
Kudos to you for sticking with it, learning new skills to pay tribute to Bill and Julius by restoring it.
Well done, sir 👏
Loved every minute of the video.
Thanks for watching it was worth the effort to save this one.
I really enjoyed this video and your skill and knowledge are very impressive I just wish I had taken up watchmaking after leaving school, watches have always fascinated me, when you see this watch opened it is hard to believe that it was made a 100 years ago.
The history behind this watch is a constant reminder to appreciate that having been born in 1955 I have dodged most of the worlds major conflicts but others have not been so lucky.
I am now retired and have started to buy and hopefully revive and restore digital watches of the 70,s and 80,s in the hope that eventually it will lead me into at least dismantling and servicing my own watch, thanks again, Tony.
Mike, the story hooked me and from there I couldn’t look away and stuck with you to the end. This is one of my favorite videos you’ve made because it highlighted all the amazing progression you gained in just a single watch. Fantastic result and great numbers for a 100 year old watch that likely has a couple pivots and pinions worn and out of true- yet still is keeping good time and will certainly do so for years to come thanks to your skillful hands. One fun fact is watchmakers used to scribe part of the serial number under the balance arms, which is what you noticed during disassembly. Again, thanks for sharing this amazing story with us and I look forward to the next one! - Chris
Thank you Chris, I have no idea now I missed your comment until now!
My Retor watches your 100 year old antique omega watch ⌚️ from 1923 is awesome my friend
Fantastic watch, fascinating backstory. That moment at 37:20 when the balance began to spin was actually very moving - all those years and experiences and it lived again! Well done Mike, this was your best restoration to date. Bill's faith in you was truly justified.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was definitely a big challenge
Amazing work Michael. I showed my wife those tiny balance screws and she was lost for words!
What a pretty watch. I love the art deco font on the face.
Your hard work and determination has given this Omega another hundred years!
Thank you. A labour of love this one . To think that Chris spinner on his channel will show you how to undercut behind those balance screws to remove weight!
Quite the saga and gorgeous watch. Wonderful that it’s alive again. Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoy it!
I just watched the first 25 minutes or so that I had missed live. I missed the whole story of the watch! I'm so glad I went back and rewatched the beginning. That's a great story and history of the watch. Great job on this watch, Mike! What a set of challenges to overcome. This turned out very nicely. Cheers!
Thanks as always Bristol . Was a mammoth task this one but the story had to be told and I was too stubborn to give up!
What an amazing result, I'm so pleased for you. Truly a story and timepiece about surviving turbulent times. Starting off as an Axis officer and finishing interrogating for the Allied powers, without a nation to call your own? I can't imagine it.
This one is a true reflection of your grit, determination, willingness to learn and your skill. Chuffed to bits for you.
I'm sure someone else will mention it, but apparently one of the best things to clean old enamel dials like this is denture cleaner!
Thanks Endy, I have heard about the denture cleaner but only after I had filmed this one! Chris Spinner shown it in one of his visitors. I am unsure however if it would lift baked on oil that took some doing to remove even with pegwood.
Pleased you liked this one, I am just glad it did not beat me and I was able to learn some new skills.
It was all very interesting and well filmed. The story of the owner etc. I also liked that you've faced challenges I haven't seen in other videos, with this balance wheel issue and components, with the jewels and trying to diagnose it all. I've never seen someone try to change the dynamics and motion of the balance wheel. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment I really appreciate that you enjoyed this video. It one of my most challenging repairs and videos to produce.
That was a rollercoaster ride of emotions with this watch. Great job! 👏👏👏
Thank you very much!
THE 302 WAS THE INSPECTOR AT THE OMEGA WORKS WHO DID THE ADJUSTMENT WHEN NEW
Why would they scratch so crudely? It’s vandalism in you ask me .
What a beautiful watch and intriguing story with it. I think it came out great!
Wonderful watch great story of survival keep up the watch making
Brilliant!! A fascinating restoration of a fascinating watch with a fascinating history!! Bravo! 👍 🎉🎉 👍
Glad you enjoyed it. It was a great project to work on .
Superb video. The challenges you overcame would have defeated many people. Your dedication and enthusiasm for your hobby are inspirational.
What a journey, I could feel your hard work. O really appreciate your undertaking.
Thank you for this fascinating video!
Loved the story of the watch and its original owner, along with seeing your rebuilding procedure from start to finish. When the balance wheel started moving, I actually exclaimed, "YES!" right before your voice did in the video.
As a side benefit of watching, I used a screenshot at about 30:12 to consider the function of each individual gear in the wheel train -- something that I have always taken for granted and never really paused to understand before studying that picture. Now I get it! 😃⌚👍
Thank you and I’m glad you enjoyed this one . Lots of yes and no’s in this one!!
One of the most absorbing watchmaking videos I've seen Mike! Got to admire your persistence and what a beautiful result!
A great watch with a great history.❤
So pleased to see this video Michael! It is a stunning watch and you deserve to enjoy wearing it. When you look at it in it's finished glory you are seeing why Bill's father was taken by its design and made the original purchase. Well done!
p.s .This video is one of your best.
Clive! and you played a small part ( literally) in helping me with the pallet fork, that is now not needed! thank you again my friend. Hope to see you again.
@MyRetroWatches I will see you soon I'm sure Michael.
The finished watch was so worth all the hassle encountered..... and in no small way helped me to understand more about my 26.5 Omega.
It was amazing! I am not able to find words to tell you how I enjoyed this video. After this repair in my opinion you are a really great "órásmester" now! (It means master of watchmaking in Hungarian) Thank you to share this great story and your fantastic job. I wish all the best for you and for your family from Hungary!
Thank you. I am pleased you enjoyed this video as it makes it all worthwhile making it. Nice that I was able to highlight the story of what happened in Hungary back then.
The watch is beautiful. What a story. Mike you are so special. I loved the whole story and restoration. Fantastic.
Thank you kindly glad you enjoyed this one.
A great story Mike and great work too! You'll have added another 100 years of stories to it!
I hope so. Lets see if it can survive to 200 years old!
A lifetime framed in a watch. This was such an enjoyable and educational video, thank you for creating this. The restoration is fabulous.
Thank you very much its nice to see the video getting positive feedback.
great video, loved the music. Enjoyed the story and the problem solving. It my favorite era of watchmaking, so simple but with so many problems.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Got to take my hat off to you Mike for this watch repair which was far from straightforward. I believe a lot of people faced with these types of problems would have either given up or made do with the way it ran the first time. I like the fact that you admit to your mistakes (some don't). This watch repair video is for me is the best you have ever released and shows some of the pitfalls that come associated with watch repairs. It is a fantastic 100 year old Omega and is lucky it found someone willing to go the extra mile to see it run again. Top draw.
Thank you so much. I am quite proud of what I have achieved and pleased I could produce a video that people could enjoy. It’s certainly a hard video for me to beat but who knows.
Just hope it has more views over the months so YT promotes it .
People need to see the real hobbyist watchmaking rather than a polished performance
Very therapeutic video. Sad reality of people not learning from history and how it all is being repeated today, only names and countries are different
I love the video! I'm delighted that you persevered with this old thing. We sneaked across the Hungarian border into Austria one night back in 1957 after the failed uprising there. These lovely people were waiting for refugees like us with a place to sleep and hot chocolate to begin a new chapter in a better place.. We ended up in Canada. In my experience, Hungarians always had great affection for Omega watches and I still have an old one somewhere. (Of course I should know where it is but it's hiding right now and refuses to reveal itself. I may have to organize a search party, perhaps with dogs.) 😉
Something is only lost until you find it. Your story sounds equally heartening. There has been some less than complementary comments on this one about Hungarians being on the Axis side and what part they played. Suggestions too of Julius... I have to remind people its the watch I want to talk about not 1940s world politics.
@@MyRetroWatches As I understand it, they joined the axis when they didn't have a lot of choice, although the uneducated rural population was massively anti-Semitic and happily sent 450,000 people off to the death camps in the first few weeks alone. I don't know Julius, I'm afraid. I was born after the war by some years. We do have to stick to watches and individuals rather than politics though. If we survive the present time, future historians will excoriate us for the madness and needless deaths going on in a number of places. The lunatics have taken over the asylum and we need to find some nice things to contemplate just to stay sane..
@@jozsefizsak well said
Absolutely gorgeous. I'm impressed with your resolve to complete the service and repair. Well done.
I am so glad you persevered. Great show, magnificent watch!
Hi Mike , really enjoyed both the story & the actual repair. When i think about how far you've come since your early repairs its incredible. As always i like he fact that you show it "warts & all ", you tell us what the difficult bits are , how you struggled & i know from your comments elsewhere that you struggled at times with this, but what a fantastic job , just to get it running would have been an achievement , but you kept going back in until it was near perfect. Fantastic job ,wear it with pride .
Thank you for your kind words. Yes this one tested me and my frustrations were all over the group but I could not let it go. I don’t like to be beaten and persistence paid off in the end.
Wow what a great transformation Mike. Keep up the great work, I look forward to the next one.
Thanks, will do!
Wow, what a journey Mike both in terms of Julius and yourself. Loved the video and love the watch.
Thanks . I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
Brilliant, one if the finest video seen in a long time
Thank you so much
Brilliant with Mike. Really loved your perseverance.
Thank you. I call it stubbornness but perseverance sounds much better!
Stunning, absolutely stunning.
The watch is a real beauty.
Great video and simply amazing determination Mike, very well done indeed. Perseverance one the day on this one, you have every right to feel pleased with yourself. Great job.
I really enjoyed this! your skill levels have really been boosted with this one. Congrats on getting such good results from this watch hope you enjoy wearing it!
Thank you so much!
My Retor watches ⌚️ you are good at restoring vintage watches my friend 😅😅😅🎉🎉
Great video, great story and what a beautiful watch.
Amazing patience
BRAVOOO!
Hungarian Passport :) Ah you mention it in the story. Beautiful clock face & Watch! Omegas giving troubles...Nahhh .. Never! :) You just need the right tools for some of them. I'll send you two.
Thank you. Hard to repair Omega always come in my direction for some reason!
Mike - You have the patience of Job. Way to hang in there and persevere. Well done. John S
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole video. You should feel very proud of your self, that watch is a thing of beauty with a wonderful story. You have done that man proud!
Thank you.
No wonder it wasn't going. Fascinating story and a fascinating watch.
Nearly gave up? At several points, I would have either given up or wrecked that watch.
Thanks. I am too stubborn to be beaten!
Fantastic restoration and interesting back story. 🤙🏼
Thanks
amazing video. well done my friend.
Loved this one Michael!!!
Very well done - you really showed dedication and patience with this one!
Thanks
Thanks Simon pleased you enjoyed this one. I will have it with me at the next fair so you can see it in person.
Great job, great story, great watch. I bet it's been all worth the effort.
A really great story. What a beautiful watch. You did an amazing job fixing it. Thanks Mike for the cool video.
My pleasure! pleased you enjoyed this one.
what a journey, really love this video.
Thank you.
Enjoyed this video immensely. Great story and a wonderful watch.
Much appreciated!
Very nice piece of history to own.
Smiling ear to ear here in NYC seeing you get that restoration finished. What a wild ride, kudos to you for sticking with it after every setback.
As a hobbyist myself, I know how mentally exhausting it is to feel like you’re right at the finish line, only to find out you missed something. Even more devastating when the desire to improve it further results in the opposite.
End result looks truly fantastic. Well done!
Thank you and I’m really pleased you enjoyed this one. My stubbornness not to be beaten on a watch made this restoration and all consuming task!
Gorgeous transformation and what an amazing story to go with this beautiful and classic timepiece. Well done!
Thank you so much!
Amazing job Mike! Fantastic backstory from Bill and for you, a journey of love and learning. Wishing you many years of wearing it with pride.
Thank you. This is a special watch.
Super video as always Mike. You're the only watch maker on CZcams that captures the highs as well as the lows. The frustrations as well as the successes. Always got my fingers crossed while I'm watching!
Thank you Matt. I just keep it honest and factual plus show my limitations. Honest as they come and I am glad its appreciated by my audience. I could make this video 30 minutes without all the drama and it would probably get 1,000,000 views....
Excellent video, so much patience and passion
Thank you Clive 👍
Wow Mike! Very well done. I need a lay down myself after just watching the video. This one was particularly helpful because I have a similar problem with a Waltham A 11 and will be getting into balance poising for the first time too. You can't beat that feeling of satisfaction when you finally crack these issues. Keep up the good work please. Steve
Good luck with the A11. I have a Bulova one waiting to be filmed on the channel soon. I just, like everything now, have to find time to get around to it. Thanks for watching.
This is the second YT vid I've seen this week dealing with replacing rolled-in jewels. Marshal had 6 on a pocket watch. His 1st time. Guessing, being a pocket watch, the larger sized tools fit
A pocket watch compared to this one is massive. This movement is about 25mm and the jewels maybe 2mm at best. A pocket watch they are considerably easier to
Really well done. That is an exceptional job.
Thank you very much.
Excellent video as always
What an exceptional effort and success, Mike! I am in awe. 😁
Thank you kindly! Its stubbornness nothing more.
I truly enjoyed this video! What an amazing story behind the watch. And the lengths you went to in order to repair it...Strong Work! You should be very proud!!
Glad you enjoyed it! I am proud of what I achieved but also now relieved it is all over!
I found this video late tonight and watched it straight away, I had somehow missed it among the other subcription feed videos. Great adventure on this! Nice watch and good story.
My watches range from 26mm to 60mm including crown, so 30mm is fine. Reminded there, to mention that i've got a Coventry Astral pocket watch, 1912, I think, without looking up the hallmark again.
Amazing work! We all learned a lot! Keep up with great videos!
love your perseverance!
Great ! Loved the score .
Incredible video, really well done Mike! 👏 Loved getting to hear Bill and Julius story, and you did such a wonderful job bringing this amazing old Omega back to life. This one presented some rather large challenges, so great work and thankful we got to see the gorgeous end result. Cheers! 🍻
Glad you enjoyed it!
That was certainly a challenge but it turned out great!
Superb video and great story I really enjoyed watching it.
Glad you enjoyed it
Really cool restoration, watch looks awesome! 🎉
Thank you very much!
Fabulous job Mike - well done.
Thank you Eddie.