DickBrowne Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member X Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Awesome stuff Ubi is a class act! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafoam Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 +1. A stand up guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Fairly typical for this place actually! But a wonderful gesture once again Ubi. Class act. I am regularly inspired by the quality of members we have here. Just "pass it forward", whenever the opportunity exists. Great stuff. Offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Love it when stuff like that happens. Oh, and Randy has been doing such for YEARS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Paying it forward - the true essence of RWG Nobody does it better than Ubi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I knew Ubi would sort you out! He's the poster boy for ridiculous generosity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Just the case and dial? Sounds like Ubi is getting cheap in his old age. Once, I needed just one screw, and I got this- One of the nicest acts of random kindness I've ever experienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 Awesome gesture R! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signumboy Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I wonder if Ubi could send me a fully modded 42mm P/ocean if he has one laying around doing nothing I can cover postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryaku Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 No surprise, he shipped for free a spare part to me as well. Really a great guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I have to go against the grain here and ask why people feel they have to beat the hell out of a watch to make it look "vintage." So many have an idea what a vintage should look like but seldom do the research necessary to accomplish the goal. The art of doing this is in the details and not in the brutality... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickBrowne Posted July 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 amazing gesture on Ubi's part... great lookin watch now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted July 31, 2010 Report Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm not sure where to look, but there have been some great threads on aging things like the dial and bezel. Ovens and tea or coffee seem to come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted August 1, 2010 Report Share Posted August 1, 2010 I have been to several gen forums over the last several months. I can honestly say that "the members here for the most part are much more genuine and giving than they are at the gen sites".People are more real here at a replica forum than they are at gen forum,and thats no bull [censored], RWG Is Indeed a class act Mike (ps) @DickBrown, Is that your name or a Issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted August 2, 2010 Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 It's not the hobby that generous.. it's the man .. Ubi is an the epitome of giving.. like some are takers .. Ubi is unconditional .... the RWG Man !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackR Posted August 2, 2010 Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 not sure how this thread got a little "lost" a few posts above, but bringing it back... well done, Ubi...he's been helpful and supportive of many here...including me - for that i'm thankful!... R- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickBrowne Posted August 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 (ps) @DickBrown, Is that your name or a Issue 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickBrowne Posted August 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 It's not the hobby that generous.. it's the man .. Ubi is an the epitome of giving.. like some are takers .. Ubi is unconditional .... the RWG Man !! 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted August 2, 2010 Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 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 It's a fine name Richard Just think, your last name could have been Hurtz or Cheese, all In good fun my friend,all In good fun Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickBrowne Posted August 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2010 It's a fine name Richard Just think, your last name could have been Hurtz or Cheese, all In good fun my friend,all In good fun Mike And taken that way <sob> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 By. the way,you have a great sense of humor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoTone Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 not sure how this thread got a little "lost" a few posts above, but bringing it back... well done, Ubi...he's been helpful and supportive of many here...including me - for that i'm thankful!... The off topic posts from this loop have been removed into there own Topic... And that loop can be read HERE... TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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