Omega FIFA chrono - restore options

[teacard]

Just invested in what i understand is a Speedmaster FIFA chrono case ref 11003. Chuck's site has some info and I see they are quite rare. I want to get it serviced ( cal 1045 ). Can anyone recommend a good watch repairer. The watch will also need a crystal and a general spruce up - dial clean,case regrain, case back refinish etc... Will any specialist be able to get a new crystal or will I need to go to STS?

[el-piloto]

Hello and welcome!

The FIFA Seamaster is indeed quite rare, and a very very nice watch
at that! Well done!!!

The reference should be ST 11003 and it was introduced in 1979.

The cal. 1045 used in this reference is an interesting "variant", as it omits
(dial-design wise) the 24hr indicator usually located at 12 o'clock with the
"usual" cal. 1045 powered watches.

Getting a crystal should not pose a problem for any good watchmaker in the
UK, but as this is a rare and interesting watch that - as you write - might
need a bit more work on it, I would recommend to entrust it to Omega
themselves!
If you are located near London, I would bring it to the Boutique at 12 Old
Bond Street.
Ask for John and he'll make sure the watch will receive the best
treatment possible when sent to Bienne for its well-deserved overhaul!

Parts for the 1045 (as well as the 1040) are getting harder to locate outside
Omega's official service network, and with a watch as interesting as yours,
I would not want anybody else but Omega to handle it...

Congrats again on your purchase.
Your FIFA chrono will look splendid after its SPA, and will be quite a
conversation piece when you wear it!

With best regards from Greece

Petros

[teacard]

Many thanks for the comments Petros. I'm too far away from London to visit the boutique - my other option is to send it via Swatch group in Southampton I guess.
As it's quite a recently made watch - at most 29 years old - what makes it so interesting? Regards, Alan

[el-piloto]

Hi Alan!

Well... first of all, the cal. 1045 is one of the sturdiest chronograph movements
ever constructed (as far as automatic chronos go). A very fine Lemania
design, it has proven itself ever since its market entrance in 1974. A true
work horse!
Many other companies used it, notably Heuer (in its pre-Tag days), Fortis, Sinn
and a few others. It has been dubbed the NATO movement as chronographs
equipped with said caliber have officially issued to many Allied (Air) Forces!
So much for the caliber itself.

And now back to your watch: what makes it interesting is that it is one of 3
models that FIFA officially adopted back in 1979! (The other two were
a timer model, the MG 7422 and the almost legendary quartz chronograph
"Albatross". The FIFA-Albatross had the FIFA symbol engraved on the first
link of its bracelet).
(The "Albatross" was the code-name of the caliber used, the cal. 1611. The
resulting watch is actually called the "Chrono-Quartz" and was part of the
Seamaster line. It featured a horizontal rectangular dial that offered both
analog and digital read-outs. Ref was ST 396.0839)

With Omega's huge involvement and history in sports timekeeping it is easy
to focus on its Olympic achievements and to forget all the rest...
Your FIFA is a nice example of this "rest"...

The cal. 1045 was produced in quite huge numbers, and within Omega it
was fitted in a variety of chronographs (mainly within the Speedmaster-line).
The so-called "Grail Speedmaster", the ST 376.0822 is the most famous...

So it is always nice to find a watch like your's... a smaller production-run,
interesting background (the official FIFA-adoption), slight variation of the
usual cal. 1045 layout (the omission of the 24hr counter at 12) and a case
that also offers distinct variations from Omega's other similar 70s
case-designs)

As for sending it in via the Swatch Group in Southampton, well... I guess
that would be a (the) way.

You could also call the Boutique at 207-4918113 and ask them for the
address of an authorized dealer nearest to you. He then can handle the
formalities of sending it in...

Hope this helps...

Best regards

Petros

[toph]

Very interesting watch Alan. Enjoy it

Petros your knowledge amazes me once again!! Thanks for the posts

[teacard]

Petros, as toph has stated - a superb piece of writing. I really appreciate your help and knowledge. I personally much prefer the 11003 to the albatros but thats another story....
I did not realise that my local dealer may be able to assist. Theres a couple in Bristol so I'll pop along and see what they suggest. Once again, best regards and thanks, Alan

[toph]

Originally Posted by teacard

Petros, as toph has stated - a superb piece of writing. I really appreciate your help and knowledge. I personally much prefer the 11003 to the albatros but thats another story....
I did not realise that my local dealer may be able to assist. Theres a couple in Bristol so I'll pop along and see what they suggest. Once again, best regards and thanks, Alan

If you can Alan let us know what happens and post some pics when it i sfully restored I,like many others would really like to see that

[el-piloto]

Originally Posted by toph

Petros your knowledge amazes me once again!! Thanks for the posts

Originally Posted by teacard

Petros, as toph has stated - a superb piece of writing.

Oh boy... now I feel

Thank you all for your kind words!

Originally Posted by teacard

I personally much prefer the 11003 to the albatros but thats another story....

Yes, I am absolutely with you on that! I'd prefer the 11003 over the
Albatross too... no doubt about it!

Originally Posted by teacard

I did not realise that my local dealer may be able to assist. Theres a couple in Bristol so I'll pop along and see what they suggest. Once again, best regards and thanks, Alan

Yes, authorized dealers can/should/do handle the send-ins to the Swatch
Group Service Center, where it is then decided if the watch needs to go
to Bienne or if it can/will be handled locally. (But in this case I'd guess it'll
make a trip to Bienne...)

Originally Posted by toph

If you can Alan let us know what happens and post some pics when it i sfully restored I,like many others would really like to see that

x2... absolutely! Please keep us informed!

All the best

Petros

[kingblackbolt]

I would love to see the finished watch once it has been restored as that is a rare beauty indeed... nice find!



Petros do you work for Omega or something? If not you should my friend...

[teacard]

No pressure here then....
I need help with a reality check!! If it goes to Bienne - will it come back like a new one and cost £££££hundreds? I would rather it be sympathetically restored and retain its appearance of a vintage piece and not break the bank. Would STS be a safer bet?

[teacard]

Just a quick update - plumped for swiss time services - six weeks and counting down....apparently I've missed 'return in time for Christmas'' slot.... will be a nice early easter present to myself.

[el-piloto]

there!

Good to know that your time-piece will receive a nice & well-deserved SPA
treatment!
So it will be the Easter Bunny who'll bring it back home for you!
Well done & keep us posted!

& all the best

Petros

[teacard]

She's back after a quick spruce at the STS spa!
They did not change the hands or dial so she retains the look of a vintage watch. Hats off to all at STS.


And i've just noticed that i seem to like black dialled watches.........

[jmsrolls]

Very NICE! They did a great job.

And your collection is fantastic as well.

Fr. John†

[teacard]

Thanks John - the next job for them will be the 69 prof - needs a service, hands and dial although i have been told that tritium dials are unavailable. Will keep my eyes open on fleabay. I must admit - the old seamaster on the left is actualy a ''remanufactured'' one with an original 565 movement. Thankfully i bought it knowing that beforehand.
Thanks again, Alan