Datlore001 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 No real sharks involved in this one. Instead, a couple of weeks ago I was browsing Ebay and just happened to catch an "as-is" genuine Seamaster GMT Great White for $450 shipped. It was the full watch with box, books, cards, etc. The seller was offering it as-is because the stem had broken off. The ad stated that, fortunately, the movement's auto-wind mechanism still worked, so I knew the movement was probably ok. The pictures provided me enough detail to figure out that the watch was gen, and knowing that the case alone was worth more than the asking price even if I couldn't get it going, I pulled the trigger. An anxious week-and-a-half later, I had it in my hands. First thing I did was pull the movement. I discovered that the stem had broken in two places: Just outside the crown, and a section that went through the winding and sliding pinions. After discovering there was a bit broken inside the keyless works, I thought it might be out of my hands. I was not excited about forking over a couple hundred to my watchmaker, as I have to take my Bond in for a service soon, so Friday evening I worked up the nerve to get inside the watch - after figuring out that the new 2893 I had purchased to put in temporarily would not work. Pulled the hands and dial, and went to work on the keyless. Using ETA's step-by-step assembly and disassembly diagrams of the 2892A2, I managed to pull it off. Got the keyless back together, got everything back in shape, and after finally finding some time today to put the hands back on, I have a fully functioning watch. I have to go back in and cut the stem a bit, as I left it a tiny bit too long. Also, there was no hack lever installed - or maybe the hack lever is broken. In any event, the one oddity is that she doesn't hack anymore. But she's running like a champ, and I still can't believe that I only have $460 in this thing. My best Ebay find, by far. P.S. - I learned that the ETA 2893 is not interchangeable with the Omega 1128. Now I have a brand new 2893 sitting here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Nicely done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Wow, what an amazing pickup datlore, makes my day hearing of these sort of finds! Lovely watch and great work, I'm sure the hacking fix is probably not too awkward, parts should be available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datlore001 Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Wow, what an amazing pickup datlore, makes my day hearing of these sort of finds! Lovely watch and great work, I'm sure the hacking fix is probably not too awkward, parts should be available! The hack lever is cheap enough, but I don't know if I'm up for that part. I'll probably just stick with it as is and when it's time for a service, have them install one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
om3ga_guy Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Wow so jealous, great find!!! Funny, I just finished my franken "Great White" last week...suck though - my mines a franken (not a full gen) and I still spent $150.00 MORE than you... Well at least mine hacks lol Edited August 20, 2012 by om3ga_guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datlore001 Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Beautiful piece! What's the movement? 2836? I will most likely never find another steal like this one; I think I used up all my luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
om3ga_guy Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Lol wicked deal...those snags are hard to find I'm running a modified 2836-2 Swiss ETA, that's right. This build was a mission because this movement didn't allow for: 1. A gen dial (the gen dials are much thicker than the rep counterpart) 2. A gen GMT hand. The hole on the gen GMT hand had to be enlarged The gen dial had to be machined down in various areas + the modified GMT elements on the movement made modding the dial a bit challenging... Hours of work and in the end it truly is a one of a kind franken. I don't think I've ever seen anyone franken a great white. Edited August 20, 2012 by om3ga_guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krpster Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Great find. Good on ya for jumping in with both feet and landing a wicked deal. The whole board is jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 How jealous am I yeah pretty much! Looks an awesome pick up, wear it well ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronoluvvv Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 score of the month ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Wow, great score One of my favorite all time watches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefcook Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 That is interesting. What did not work with the 2893 in that case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datlore001 Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 That is interesting. What did not work with the 2893 in that case? The 2893 is thinner than the Omega 1128. It looks like about a millimeter. The dial feet stick through the holes and actually block the rotor from turning. Maybe clipping the dial feet some would allow it to work, but I didn't want to destroy either of my dials. If you could get it on and secured, it might work. I couldn't verify whether the stem height was the same. The other issue on my 2893 was the cannon pinion was too low. Couldn't have attached the GMT hand if I wanted to. So, while a 2893 MIGHT work - it is not a drop-in replacement for the 1128. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumibalamuc Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 awesome watches guys !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankt Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 @ 10 yrs ago I scored this Omega Dynamic Chrono BNIB for $435.00.....It was on a BIN Ebay deal, and I bought it less than a minute after it was posted... It's still in my collection.....It's my "go to" watch whenever a rep might not be appropriate, or I'll need a reliable chrono... Deals like this and your amazing "great white" score don't happen every day!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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