WatchCo vintage omega seamaster 300

[AF_FNQ]

Ownc1712, thank, maybe I should have kept it simple like you.

Anyway was inspired today, so as I already had the parts, followed Repdoc3‘s plan. Used the Hroudland case, the N35 movement holder it came with, Alix PT 500O movement and plastic movement ring, file to remove one locating lug and also open up the winding stem space, Raffles (mustard/yellow) dial and hands. (As repdoc3 says, it holds the movement pretty tight.....tried to use a Alix NH35 holder but found it needed too much work so was easier to use that supplied with the watch

Also took out the tube for the winder and replaced it with one that fits a Omega crown (idea pinched from further back in the thread cant get to it atm, but will give thanks for the idea when I post a picture). So now I just have to measure and cut the stem and then good for the wrist.

But might make one like yours next time, less work and looks just as good.

 

[Jip7645]

My Franken version with Hruodland case.

Got me looking at 552’s on eBay now

 

[Geonor]

Got me looking at 552’s on eBay now

I still beat myself up not picking up a few of these 5 years ago. Prices have gone through the roof

 

[geoffdragon]

Is there a source for a decent bezel insert for these? Or even the whole bezel assembly?

 

[Jip7645]

Is there a source for a decent bezel insert for these? Or even the whole bezel assembly?

I think earlier in the thread @newest dude on the forum mentioned he’s made some custom inserts for these in the past. Whether he still does or if they would fit this case I don’t know

 

[AF_FNQ]

Finished watch (took the idea for the crown from Genuine_Tourbillon -thanks for the the eBay link). And also thanks to all who gave the time for ideas to the build.

 

[Jip7645]

Had some fun with this one

 

[Jip7645]

After wearing it for a day I think I went over the top, so bit of a clean up today

 

[geoffdragon]

@mnkoshka
Can I ask how you removed the hrouland bezel please? Just a knife in-between it and the case?
Thank you for your inspiration on this build

 

[mnkoshka]

@mnkoshka
Can I ask how you removed the hrouland bezel please? Just a knife in-between it and the case?
Thank you for your inspiration on this build

Hey mate, i used a bezel removal vice. It’s very hard to remove and easily damaged. The knife didn’t work for me. Hope this helps

 

[Karbon74]

Hey mate, i used a bezel removal vice. It’s very hard to remove and easily damaged. The knife didn’t work for me. Hope this helps

Interested about the bezel assembly construction. If the removal vise worked, it is not a wire spring

Can you describe it?

 

[mnkoshka]

Interested about the bezel assembly construction. If the removal vise worked, it is not a wire spring

Can you describe it?

Yes mine was a standard wire spring. I used one wedge blade that is a different angle to the others so it loaded one edge more and I got lucky with the wire location I think.
The first case I tried with a case knife but the tolerance for the bezel was super tight so there was some damage done and couldn’t remove it. The insert is brittle so if the bezel deflects too much it’ll just crack also. Plus I think from memory the insert size wasn’t Gen spec. I ended up destroying the first case with experimentation lol. Second one the bezel was a bit looser which made it easier I guess.
I also tried the omega style bezel removed with no luck at all

 

[Karbon74]

Yes mine was a standard wire spring. I used one wedge blade that is a different angle to the others so it loaded one edge more and I got lucky with the wire location I think.
The first case I tried with a case knife but the tolerance for the bezel was super tight so there was some damage done and couldn’t remove it. The insert is brittle so if the bezel deflects too much it’ll just crack also. Plus I think from memory the insert size wasn’t Gen spec. I ended up destroying the first case with experimentation lol. Second one the bezel was a bit looser which made it easier I guess.
I also tried the omega style bezel removed with no luck at all

Wow…you got lucky

 

[geoffdragon]

@mnkoshka thanks so much for that.

So maybe some gentle heat to loosen the bezel insert and try and remove it first to get to the spring.....assuming the insert is glued in of course...