DickBrowne

Good evening my German and American friends Yes, it could be the job which is at fault, I work with software so not much movement there, but it also happens on non-work days when the watch gets plenty of exercise. Hygiene could be an idea, it's not a winding claw like the Seiko (Yep, seen some of those before SM ) it's a series (three or four) of wheels, lots of opportunity for contamination and also friction, so that's where I'm concentrating at the moment. Of course, being a DG movement the winding/gear train bridge is horrible to get back together, so taking it apart is always a leap of faith. Thanks Richard

Stiff - I must confess I can answer "ja" to all except 2e - my bicycles are very well maintained, but do spend time transporting me from sofa to fast food restaurant. Possibly a part of the problem you think? Vielen danke, Mein Herr, but I do feel a watch issue is more likely than anything else, but you did cheer me up anyway

Chaps, I have a DG3804 movement, which I think is pretty much just a 2813 with a GMT gear driving off the calendar. If I hand wind it, no problems, there's a straight 40 hour reserve, when on the wrist, regardless of how much time it's worn for, the power reserve is around 12 hours. The issue has only recently emerged Does anybody have any ideas what may be causing the issue? Regards Richard

Franken's always tempting, but I'd keep an eye on the costs - I have a gen SMP chrono, cost me £915 including B&P. It's a few years old now, but being an Omega it's as good as new still

If you need them, the chrono setting arms are compatible also. Don't ask me how I know

Saw it, ate popcorn, never noticed any watches. Are my powers waning?

And taken that way <sob>

Absolutely Ubi, couldn't agree more, most forums for like-minded people are generous to a greater or lesser degree, but it's only the members who make it so. I've seen many acts of kindness on this and other fora, I've offered a few out myself, had some accepted, and tried to be as helpful as I can to others, without being a burden (to excess, anyway). I have had acts of great kindness shown to me, both physically (as in the receipt of this case, before your fetid imaginations start running away), emotional (when I was diagnosed (incorrectly as it happens) with cancer earlier this year (not something I shouted about, you understand, but had to break a meeting with a couple of forum guys, all of whom were very supportive) and educationally - people sharing their hard-earned, hard-learned knowledge. Give and take, it makes the world go around, and makes it a better place to live. I'm coming over all Charles Dickens, I think - God (or deity of your choice) bless us, one and all! Finally, George, sorry to hear of your troubles, hoping for a fast and positive outcome

Parents, eh? Who needs 'em and their short-sightedness, why not just call me "Sue" and have done with it? Max, the answer is, it's both man, it's both

Thinkbachs, I agree totally - that's why I wanted to swap the dial out, it was just too far gone. I tried a couple of vintaging jobs with cheapies early on, and they looked, well, contrived. That's why I came up with the "pop it in a pocket" method - a bit of loose change, maybe some keys (although usually not), the crystal gets a few marks, the case gets the sort of random dinks that years of use will give it. I'd like to learn about the dial and bezel aging process a bit more - there are some really talented guys here and I'd like to know their secrets. The cool thing about the 300 is the dial looks old to start with. It's pretty cool that so many other people have been recipient of the Ubi Spirit - passing it along is so important, I've done it before and it will be a pleasure to do it again. Cheers all Richard

Nice Harley! I've got a BMW 1100 personally, but I'm thinking about swapping it out for a classic or a cruiser. Oddly enough, the chap I saw (with the reg FX 07 NDY, btw - not really a vanity plate, but could be interpreted in a FX® (A)NDY way... Maybe?) was riding a Kawasaki VN 900, which is a "rep" of your Harley Ah, irony, you gotta love it!

Hi Dieter, counter-intuitively, you have to screw them all the way in, the ring will then turn. You can spin it to the position where one screw is where the stem comes through the case, take that screw out then spin it again so the remaining screw is at the same stem-entry position, no need to remove the second screw, the ring can be lifted out and then the movement. Simple! (but only when you know how ) Great watch to mod, by the way - I've just popped a pic of mine into the general section, nothing that shows the aging process that well, or results, but a story to tell Good luck with it - let's see some pics when you're done. Richard

We've all heard stories of the generosity of the souls on this (and other) forums. I don't know about you, but I'm always quietly touched that people are so giving of their time, experience and material things also. I've tried to join in where possible - my experience is far less than many here, but occasionally I'm able to help. I've made some good friends, been inspired by Nikki6 (hi mate!) and generally been made to feel better about the world and state of humanity as a direct result of interactions on this (and, as I said, other) watch fora. On with the story. Recently, I bought a vintaged SM300. I love Omega's, I love divers, I love vintage, so this could be the perfect watch for me. I was aware that the bezel was a little "challenged" but thought I could live with it as was. When the watch arrived, the case was still a little shiny, and the bezel looked like it had been aged with a brillo-pad (not by the seller, I hasten to add - he bought it that way). As I said, I was aware that this was the case, and although I accepted it when I bought it, I quickly realised that I'd need to resolve the situation sooner rather than later. I gave the case my special "aging" treatment - I used a small file to knock some corners off the case, coated it in fine metal polish and used a dremel to give the case some random scratches, then an abrasive block to take out the shiny bits. Then I carried the empty case around in a pocket of change and keys for a day or two - the result is that there are a number of random dinks and dints which give it the look of a watch which has been worn and used for quite some years. It turned out looking like this: But that bezel was still standing out as being just too distressed. That was when I turned to the forum. I popped a pic into the Omega area, telling all and sundry that I was delighted with the watch overall, but that there was an issue with the bezel, and did anybody know where I could buy one? I received a message very quickly from a member suggesting that Ubiquitous had bought an identical watch, needing some parts for another project and that he may still have the bezel, and may be willing to sell it to me. Thanking the member, I popped a quick PM to Ubi, who replied that he had the bezel and if I sent him my address, he would be happy to send the entire case free of charge. I offered to buy it again, and said that, at the very least could I cover postage. To cut a long story short, my offer was declined and a short time later a parcel arrived from the US, inside wasn't a bezel, but the entire case and dial. Once again, I became acquainted with the insides of my SM and decided that, rather than risk warping the bezel, I would pop the works of my watch into the case Ubi had sent. It went through the aging process (without the pocket treatment - impatience!), and this is the result: It looks a little shiny in this pic, the crystal could do with having a little of the newness knocked off and it may be spending a day off the Nato and into the pocket very soon. If you'll allow me, I'd like to say a massive thank-you to Randy, your generosity is inspiring. When I get really pigged-off at work (happens a lot since the take-over!), I just have to look at my wrist and I'm reminded that there are good people out there - people who will take the time and expense to help a person with whom they have no connection other than a shared love of a subject. Thanks once again mate - I owe you one, let me know if there's anything I can ever do to help you Richard

Getting "caught out" isn't a massive concern, if I'm honest - most people can't spot a rep even if you give them the pointers. It's more a personal satisfaction thing. I know my reps are reps and love some of them as much as I love some of my gens. The gold-coloured movements really don't do it for me, the silver coloured ones are getting onto the expensive side for a rep, with an uplift of funds, it would be close enough to a used gen to make me at least consider that route. I've got a number of chrono reps from my earlier rep days where the chrono dials are day/date rather than proper chrono functions, nobody has ever called me out on any of them and I think they are pretty obvious. So, it's a personal satisfaction thing, if I'm being honest. BTW, and a little OT, Andy, do you ride a motorbike? I was at a ride-out yesterday and saw a bike with the perfect number plate for you, if it wasn't you (and I don't think it was as I spent quite some time chatting to the owner, trying to see his watch, making sure mine was visible to prompt discussion) then I'll reveal the number. Don't want to do it if it was, you never know who's listening

That is lovely Val, I'm seeing the better of the two smaller reps (with the silver-coloured rotor) for around $350, and I'm wondering if Andy's advice may be sound. I'd rather not have a display back, but I don't like gold watches. I'm thinking carefully about this before jumping, but wonder if the Railmaster may be my next gen purchase. I know, it's going to be a little embarrasing if I get caught wearing a gen, but it's a chance I'm willing to take

To summarise, if I want a manual, it's got to be a big one? The auto is sometimes gold, sometimes SS, but all movements are a long way from the gen in terms of appearance, and if I want to cover it up, it's got to be a gold one. It's not looking hugely positive, is it

Ah, so I may be searching for something that doesn't exist?

I was at a watch event today and tried on a genuine Ralmaster, it was the XXL version and lovely, but maybe just a little too big - it's supposed to be a subtle watch, not screaming "look at me!" Having tried it on, I'd like a smaller one, but I'm not sure where to get one from, I've seen lots of reps, but most of them are pretty bad reps. My list of must-haves are... Manual with display back -or- auto with the steam-train back Sub seconds Brown strap - leather or croco Not massively expensive Shouldn't be too difficult, does anybody have any suggestions where I might find one? Cheers Richard

Hi Watcher, I'm always happy to expand my knowledge of places to blow the kids inheritance - where do you buy outside of London? Richard (edit to subscribe!)

There's a couple on the Clerkenwell Road (can't remember the names, hold on... It's http://www.antiquewatchcouk.com/) There's another one more or less opposite which always as a reasonable selection, although they are smaller. If neither of those float your boat, get thee to Hatton Garden (a couple of minutes walk from Clerkenwell Road) and hunt out a place called The Heart of Hatton Garden. It's chock-full of little stalls, many of which have used watches for sale, there's always a good selection and they're always happy to do a deal. I picked my SMP up there, good condition but scratched bezel, no papers, box and manual for

Ah yes, the name thing - I get that a lot It's definitely a rep, and was priced and bought as one, I was under no illusions as to the authenticity or condition, and I do love it on the Nato. The bezel looks like somebody has taken wire wool to it for the aged effect, but the result is that it's gone down to the metal underneath - it's just paint over aluminium. As suggested, I'm going to give it some wrist time and see where I go with it. I did have an email some time back when I was looking for the watch from a guy who thinks that the SM300 was issued to the Israeli Air Force, does anybody know if that is right? I can see the Israeli Navy having them, but issuing pilots with divers watches would call component quality of airplanes into question for me

Thanks for the kind words, Teejay, I am heartily impressed with it, if I can't find an insert I'm not going to worry too much, it doesn't look as bad in the flesh, but I would like to change it if I can.

I've been looking for this one for a while, I've no idea why I didn't just buy one from a dealer, but part of the thrill is in the hunt, I guess. After seeing so many pictures of vintaged SM300's on this and other forums, I really wanted one, this came up a week or so back, and I went for it without thinking - I've missed a few in that "hesitation" period between wanting and buying. By nature I'm fairly cautious and just pulling the trigger was a little alien to me, and I've spent the last week or so worrying about what I may have bought. yesterday, it arrived and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with it: The Nato was mine, and I was goingto pop it ont oa grey/black striped one, but think the green looks fine. I may give the other combo a go, just to make sure. The only thing I'm going to change is the bezel, it's a little over-done for me - does anybody know where I can get a replacement bezel for this watch? I was aware that it was quite battered from the sales thread, and always planned to change it, so it came as no surprise or dissapointment. After that, it's down to my traditional aging method - a week in a pocket with my keys and loose change, which gives any metal object an interesting, authentic and randon collection of chips, gouges and scratches. I was initially made aware of this aging method when I discovered an "authentically aged" iPhone in my pocket after a tube journey across London Enjoy it, and if you know of a good bezel source, please let me know. Regards Richard

I had a slightly different experience with a watch in an AD - I wore my SMP last week and decided that it was time to get a replacement for the wrong-height link in the bracelet. The guy in the AD was really shirty with me, OK, I probably didn't look like one of his regular customers, I'd ridden the 8 miles to the shopping centre on my bicycle, in grubby gardening shorts and a band t-shirt. In reality, I probably looked like a builder, and he definitely had a hard time believing I was one of Omega's target demographic. I wandered in, looked at some wrist candy, and was asked if he could help me, in a tone which implied he probably couldn't. I asked if I could get a replacement link for my watch and he asked to see it, so I showed him and he asked if I could take it off as he would have to ensure that it was genuine. I know what you're all thinking, but I handed it over and he scuttled out to the back room, probably overjoyed at the prospect of removing an oik's rep from the world. Of course, it's a gen. He came back with a price for a link, I smiled and asked him to order it, he asked for my phone number and address and when I gave it, just about stopped myself advising him not to judge people by appearance (I am fortunate enough to have lived in London for a while, property around here is cheap in comparison and I live in a very nice area as a result). When I pick it up, I'm tempted to wear my rep GTXL, just to see if he's as snotty over that one