Omega Ref. 2365: A Chronometer Restoration

. . . finally ready for its debut. 

Spotted in late '14, purchased spring '15, and on my wrist the first week of '16.  I've posted bits and pieces of it before; here's the story.

Found at the local vintage Omega store; externally impeccable, and a visual inspection of the innards were consistent with my existing knowledge of the reference.  It ran, but poorly.  Of course, I made the usual inquiry, and the price was right, so I made a commitment to buy. 

"No problem," thought I, "all it likely needs is servicing and regulation.  Jack wouldn't sell a watch that was compromised.  And anyways, I know where to find some rg parts." 

A week couldn't have gone by between the time I picked it up and the day I set off for my watchmaker's shop.  After taking the back off and putting it on a timing machine, Ferdinand went to his workbench and returned with the balance assembly and a loupe.

"Take a look at this," he said.

[original balance assembly]

I was looking at the balance thru a loupe.

"See the chopped screw heads and deformed wheel?  This balance is toast.  The watch will never run properly with it."

"Can it be fixed?", I asked.

"No, it's too far gone."

I thought to myself, "Oh, no - this is going to be a repeat of the IWC fiasco*."  And then, I remembered seeing a used but serviceable rg balance assembly for sale on a parts dealer website.  Needless to say, I snagged it pronto, and returned to Ferdinand's shop shortly thereafter.

"Ah, this balance . . .

. . . is gut!"  (Ferdinand is originally from Austria.)

"Phew!," thought I, "dodged a bullet there."  And so I waited patiently for him to finish servicing the movement.  By the end of June, it was ready.

Was it ready to wear?  No.  I had to accessorize it, and not just any strap or buckle would do.   In my usual plodding fashion, it took five months to source both items; not until December was it ready for wrist duty.

Then, I called Bill Sohne.  We used to talk regularly, but last year, we might've had one conversation.  Time to touch bases and compare notes.

"So, Art, what did you get this year?"

"Three Seikos and three Omegas, Bill, including one that might interest you.  A steel reference 2365, in pretty good shape and original."

"Cool!  Send me a pic."

I sent pics of the watch and movement.

"Art . . . you got hosed."

I gulped.  And in an instant, I knew what he was about to say next.

"The anchor is wrong - that's a standard 30T2 item.  Chronometers have beveled and polished anchors."

All along, I'd felt there was something wrong with the anchor (pallet fork), but had chalked it up to oxidation. 

The instant Bill pointed it out, I knew he was right.  And my heart sank, 'cause as any Omega collector know, rg parts are essentially impossible to source anymore.  I revisited my usual suppliers, to no avail. 

Then, I performed a Google search, and up came an image of an rg pallet fork in Sweden.  The next day, I called blomman to see if he could help navigate a transaction, and fortunately, he was able to score the part immediately.  It arrived last week; yesterday, I took the Chronomèter and the precious pallet fork to my watchmaker.

[rg pallet fork on the left]

Finally, I can claim to own a correct ref 2365 cal 30T2SCrg . . . not entirely original from Bienne in terms of parts content, but at least, correct. 

Many thanks, gentlemen.  Your advice and assistance were priceless.

Art

*  Don't ask - my IWC cal 89 experience still hurts!
    This message has been edited by Dr No on 2016-01-08 21:52:24