Something fun, with a story...
Aug 9, 2022 22:50:17 GMT -8
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Rod, earthphase, and 13 more like this
Post by tritto on Aug 9, 2022 22:50:17 GMT -8
This popped up on the local Facebook marketplace a few months ago. The owner was seeking offers, and after a nervous 24 hours, mine was deemed the best. I got to sit down with the original owner while he told me all about his adventures getting his private pilots licence in 1974 and how his mother gave him this Flightmaster to celebrate. Unable to afford the flying hours, he never completed his commercial licence, but he flew with this watch in private planes for many years. He worked for most of his life in a huge zinc plating factory and his watch copped a proper beating. At some point it got water inside and stopped running and it got put aside. He and his wife were moving into a retirement home so it was time for the watch to go - yes, I asked if he was really sure about selling it.
I sent it off to Adam Lewis (a well renowned Australian independent who specialises in vintage Omega) for a service and case kit (all the gaskets had melted). Adam found extensive water damage on the keyless works and setting mechanism so there were plenty of parts replaced (ouch). Although he does amazing case restorations on these, I elected to keep it as is, despite the many scratches and dings. Part of that reasoning was that the caseback is engraved with the owner's name and the year it was gifted. Having heard the story, I wanted to retain its history - especially since I have a photo of his pilots license to go along with it.
It's stupidly large and heavy (doesn't wear so easy as my Tuna), but it's lots of fun to look at and play with.
I sent it off to Adam Lewis (a well renowned Australian independent who specialises in vintage Omega) for a service and case kit (all the gaskets had melted). Adam found extensive water damage on the keyless works and setting mechanism so there were plenty of parts replaced (ouch). Although he does amazing case restorations on these, I elected to keep it as is, despite the many scratches and dings. Part of that reasoning was that the caseback is engraved with the owner's name and the year it was gifted. Having heard the story, I wanted to retain its history - especially since I have a photo of his pilots license to go along with it.
It's stupidly large and heavy (doesn't wear so easy as my Tuna), but it's lots of fun to look at and play with.
