Omega Flightmaster 910: Restoration Challenges

Dr No · 2019-10-14T16:53:26Z

Dr No recounts the challenging restoration of an Omega Flightmaster 910, highlighting vintage parts scarcity and the complexities of collecting.

Dr No

WPS member · Omega forum

18 replies4716 views11 photos

Dr No shares a detailed and cautionary tale about the acquisition and restoration of an Omega Flightmaster 910, intended for a friend. This narrative highlights the increasing difficulty of sourcing original vintage parts and the unexpected challenges that can arise even with seemingly 'New Old Stock' pieces. Dr No's experience underscores the dedication and perseverance required in vintage watch collecting, particularly when dealing with rare references and international logistics.

18 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

. . . and Flightmasters."

Sometimes, the best-laid plans go awry.

Earlier this year, news of a spectacular 910 Flightmaster in Germany came my way. I have a 910 sourced from the original owner . . .

[my ref 145.013 fitted to an 1178 bracelet]

. . . so it wasn't of personal interest. Many of my friends, though, had expressed interest in acquiring one, so I passed the word around. Abel decided to take the plunge.

Here's a seller's pic of the 910 . . .

. . . that was described as New Old Stock. I realized it had been tended by a watchmaker as the yellow coating around the chrono seconds hand pivot had flaked off (evident in the pic), but the seller was recommended by a trusted friend, and the watch appeared otherwise untouched. The crystal gasket had melted, presumably due to sitting in a dealer's window, but the watch was described as running and fully functional.

Abel was hesitant as he resides in Argentina, where packages are known to disappear. I volunteered to receive the Flightmaster on his behalf and relay it when he visits Florida later this year. So the deal was done.

After considerable effort*, the FedEx delivery arrived. Unpacking revealed a perfect specimen, other than the melted gasket which had to be cleaned and replaced. Unfortunately, Abel had just lost his watchmaker of long standing, so after considerable discussion, he decided to take advantage of my watchmaker's services to have the Flightmaster restored. The movement was actually in excellent shape judging by the timing results, but since it was fifty years old, it made sense to service it since it would be in Abel's collection for the long term.

A problem cropped up immediately.

Remember the missing yellow paint surrounding the chrono pivot? The watchmaker who previously disassembled the watch had not only damaged the coating - he had re-inserted it in a cocked position. It was impossible to remove in one piece.

:-(

So we had to find a replacement cadmium yellow chrono sweep seconds. Just a few years ago, I'd have been able to source one fairly easily. When I searched a few months ago, the supply of original Flightmaster 910 parts had essentially dried up. There's practically nothing available on the internet. None of my usual suppliers had parts, either. Fortunately (or so I thought at the time), there was one eBay supplier of yellow chrono hands in New Zealand. Faster than you can say Speedmaster, I ordered one.

It turned out to be an aftermarket part, brighter than an original. In this photo, you can see the original broken chrono sweep seconds.

Here's the seconds hand that came from the other side of the world.

It might as well have come from another planet.

:-( :-(

Not only was it brighter than the sun, it didn't fit properly without considerable tweaking by my watchmaker.

What to do?

As if by divine intervention, an original yellow sweep seconds hand appeared on eBay. It was part of a package of 910 parts located in Italy. I contacted the seller three times to see if he would sell the sweep seconds hand separately.

No reply.

So, after consulting with Abel, we decided to acquire the whole package - at considerable expense, I might add. I'm sure Abel was disappointed; I was both disappointed and embarrassed. The Flighty was in perfect original condition when I received it. Now, it had to be reassembled with a hand from another 910. Authentic, and a much better match than the abomination from New Zealand, but not original to the watch. We swallowed our disappointment, and the restoration process continued.

A week before it was due for final assembly, I visited my watchmaker and inspected the movement and case. The movement was undergoing timing trials, while the melted rubber had been cleaned off with mild detergent and Q-tips. My watchmaker was unable to remove the bezel crown, so he had to treat the melted rubber gingerly. The case was relatively clean that day with the bezel crown attached, black color coding intact.

A week later, the Flightmaster was finished. I retrieved it, marveling at its pristine condition.

The next day, I took macros to share with Abel. The seconds hand matched up pretty well!

Moments later, I took this snap.

I couldn't believe my eyes. The bezel crown was bereft of black paint. And it had been there a week before.

Obviously, my watchmaker had decided to put the case in his ultrasonic bath for a thorough cleaning. There was a bit of residue from the cleaning agents evident on the case a week before, so he must have thought it best to remove it altogether. In doing so, the bezel crown paint disappeared in the process. This was an uncharacteristic mistake: all the work he's done before had been spot-on.

I was beside myself. How could this happen? If it happened to my watch, I'd be livid; the insult to a friend's watch in my care was far, far worse.

I contacted Abel immediately. There were no replacement bezel crowns to be found anywhere**, and even if there was, it would have to be installed by another watchmaker. My watchmaker had been unable to remove it, either because a special tool was required or there was a protocol he wasn't aware of. What to do?

Abel to the rescue!

"How about if we paint the crown?", he said.

So, after discussing the issue with mrsnak, who happens to be an artist, I did.

As they say, all's well that ends well.

;-)

* among other issues, I had to establish a business account with FedEx(!) to receive the package.

** interestingly enough, there is a blue GMT crown available thru an American supplier. Black bezel crowns are non-existent.

About the Omega Ref. 910

The Omega Flightmaster reference 145.013, powered by the caliber 910, represents a distinctive offering within the brand's chronograph catalog from the early 1970s. This particular reference is notable for its integrated chronograph and GMT functions, distinguishing it from other chronographs of the period that typically offered only timekeeping and stopwatch capabilities. Its design and functionality catered to a specific segment of watch enthusiasts seeking advanced utility.

This reference features a robust stainless steel case, housing the manual-winding Omega Caliber 910. The case diameter is 43mm, providing a substantial presence on the wrist. The watch is fitted with a mineral crystal, known for its durability. The movement offers a power reserve of 40 hours, ensuring reliable operation over an extended period. The case construction also provides a degree of water resistance suitable for daily wear.

Collectors often seek out the 145.013 for its unique combination of complications and its distinctive aesthetic. The multi-layered dial and multiple crowns are characteristic design elements that set it apart. This reference appeals to those interested in chronographs with additional functionality, representing a specific period of innovation in mechanical watchmaking.

Specifications

Caliber: 910

Case: Stainless steel

Diameter: 43mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 60m

Crystal: Mineral

Key Points from the Discussion

The process of acquiring and restoring vintage watches, especially rare references like the Flightmaster, often involves significant effort, time, and reliance on trusted friends and skilled watchmakers.
Sourcing original vintage parts for Omega Flightmasters, such as hands and crowns, has become increasingly difficult, with supplies essentially drying up over the past few years.
The scarcity of parts means that collectors should prioritize the condition of vintage watches as a primary consideration, as rectifying issues with incorrect or damaged components is no longer straightforward.
Even 'New Old Stock' watches can present unexpected issues, such as melted gaskets or previously damaged internal components, requiring careful restoration.
The experience of navigating customs and potential tax liabilities when shipping high-value watches internationally adds another layer of complexity to the collecting hobby.
While some collectors report seeing Flightmasters frequently on various platforms, finding one in excellent, original condition with correct parts remains a significant challenge.

The Discussion

cazalea

Oct 14, 2019

I feel your pain, Abel

Having gone through an 18-month ordeal to get this crown/stem replaced after I broke it myself ... We are crazy, aren’t we?! Mike PS - Art, you can expect to receive a use tax bill from Calif, because when you have a Fedex account, they forward your declared value for any packages to Sacramento. Sadly.

Dr No

Oct 14, 2019

Most interesting. I received a Federal tax bill that was initially paid by FedEx . . .

. . . but wasn't aware of California liability. I guess that's the last time I use that FedEx account!

Subexplorer

Oct 15, 2019

Hello Mike! Thank you so much for your comments and sharing your own experience with your Pogue.

... Yes, this is a crazy hobby and we need a bit of madness in our souls to go through all the matters required to hunt, find and capture our pieces and to put them in good order afterwards to be able to enjoy them. We are rewarded with the pleasure of meeting so many nice persons along that long and crazy voyage of collecting watches... or other objects. All the best, Abel.

amanico

Oct 14, 2019

Super story, Art. Aaah, the universe of vintage. [nt]

Dr No

Oct 15, 2019

The pitfalls of restoring a vintage watch are getting deeper by the day, Nicolas. Only a few years ago, external parts . . .

. . . for Flightmasters like hands and crowns could be had from a variety of vendors. Now, they're practically unobtainable. More than ever, we should be valuing condition as a primary consideration. A bit of patina and a few scratches or dings are one thing, but the days of buying watches with known problems are over for me. There are several in my collection that I acquired knowing a hand or crown was incorrect, but I always had confidence that correct replacements could be found. No more. And

amanico

Oct 15, 2019

Yes, my friend, that is a tough game. I an experiencing it with a vintage Zenith for some years, now. [nt]