Author Topic: Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair  (Read 4118 times)

Offline raynerd

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Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair
« on: February 18, 2016, 02:41:43 AM »
I got a Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal344 about 8 years ago now. Sadly it stopped working a couple of years back and has been sat in the draw. I decided to take a look at it myself so it's most defiantly the most expensive watch I've worked on. I took a very long nearly 3 hour video incase I needed to review it to get it back in one piece again.  I trimmed it down to 10 minutes for interest. The engineering in these movements is mind blowing.  Some of the screws are like tiny flakes of swarf.

Anyway, I got to the bottom of what had made it stop and managed to fix it.



« Last Edit: February 18, 2016, 09:14:08 AM by raynerd »

Offline philf

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Re: Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2016, 08:48:02 AM »
Hi Chris,

Well done to get it working again.

I've not thought of taking a video. I make a high resolution scan on the flatbed scanner and print it out. When I take the watch apart I can lay down the parts and screws in the right place on the print to make sure they go back in the right place. It doesn't help with the order I took it apart.

I've an Omega Constellation that needs putting back together after I had the dial restored and bought new hands.

It's hard to comprehend how they can make some of the small parts and how incredibly good the finish is.

Phil.
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Offline raynerd

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Re: Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2016, 09:20:12 AM »
The scanner idea sounds good Phil but I take it you`d need to take multiple scans as the watch comes apart to show an order - as you mentioned.

Maybe it is a bit sad, but I always take a video when I do a dismantle of anything and on a good number of occasions now I`ve had reason to refer back to them and often my bumbling commentary has helped a little which is why I also speak as well. I was quite chuffed with this one and especially the bumper mechanism which is why I shortened it down.

The engineering is incredible, without sticking the calipers on them, a couple of the screws were less than 0.5mm in diameter and not much longer but like you said, with a lovely blued finish. Incredible stuff. 

Offline chipenter

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Re: Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2016, 02:14:24 PM »
I have three ladies Omega watches and they are to small for me now to repair, I have often wondered what the machines are like to make the parts .
Jeff

Offline Will_D

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Re: Omega Seamaster bumper automatic cal. 344 Repair
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2016, 06:11:51 PM »
Reminds me: I have an Omega Speed Master 125 [The 125 is the Omega factory aniversary and it is the automatic version of the Appolo mission watches. It carries the Nasa Stamp]. Once a long time ago I sent it in to Omega Manchester [to be sent to London as they couldn'yt take the back off!] for a clean and oil. I foolishly mentioned that the SS bracelt was getting worn and could it be re-pinned or tightened up.

3 weeks later I got the watch back, the bill was £200 and they had changed the 'Efin bracelt to a non-original 125!

This was in about 1978.

So I still have the watch and its useless non original bracelet!
Engineer and Chemist to the NHC.ie
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/