Omega Chronograph Caliber 861 Restoration

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

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Tick Tock Doctor's detailed photo essay documents the intricate process of servicing a heavily damaged Omega chronograph, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges and expertise required in watch repair. His step-by-step breakdown, from initial assessment of rust and broken components to the meticulous cleaning and reassembly, provides invaluable insight for collectors and enthusiasts alike. This post serves as a practical guide to understanding the internal mechanics and the dedication involved in restoring a timepiece to its former glory.

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I received a phone call the other day. The man said his watch was hard to wind, we talked for a while about what it could be. He said, he would ship it to me to take a look. So, here is the look.

Omega chronograph cal. 861

This is starting bad, I see rust and a broken screw.

Rust.

The boss on the chronograph seconds hand needs a new boss.

Looks like the dial has been repaired(Dial foot).

Cleaning this before going any further would probably, be best. That way we can see a little better what’s going on.

Have a little time to spend, while things are cleaning.

Do some work on an ivory watch to kill some time.

Ok. Back to work.

I’ve run it through two cycles to clean the small bits of rust and debris.(Pre-cleaning)

Now disassembly continues.

Mainspring barrel assembly.

Now to call him, and give him the bad news. The good news is it can be fixed.

This message has been edited by tick tock doctor on 2012-08-20 19:58:43 This message has been edited by tick tock doctor on 2012-08-20 20:06:51

Key Points from the Discussion

Several anecdotes highlight that Omega Speedmasters, despite their robust appearance, are not inherently waterproof, leading to significant water damage when worn in the ocean, often resulting in irreparable rust.
The watch's ability to still function despite severe rust and damage is a testament to Omega's build quality, impressing observers with its resilience.
The mainspring of the Omega chronograph is surprisingly long, a detail that fascinates readers and provides a deeper understanding of the movement's power source.
The watchmaker successfully removed a broken screw by filing a new slot into the remaining part of its head, demonstrating a practical repair technique for challenging situations.
The post is praised for illustrating the watch service process with detailed pictures, offering a more comprehensive understanding than textual descriptions alone.

The Discussion

small-luxury-world

Aug 20, 2012

and humour. I like both :-) Thanks! Oliver

sancerre

Aug 21, 2012

I had no idea that the main spring was so long. That was a fascinating post - thanks for taking the time to share. -- Sancerre

mrsnak

Aug 21, 2012

...but still working despite the condition. A testament to Omega. Thanks for documenting the disassembly. Just as impressed by how quickly you take care of your customers!

G99

Aug 21, 2012

At least i know what my watches go through when i send them to my watchmaker. G

watchme

Aug 21, 2012

Thanks for the details. There's an article in the latest Watch Time that features "a day at the spa," where it describes, in detail, what a watch goes through for service. This illustrates it better, since there are pictures. Thanks, again. -Dean

marcelo

Aug 21, 2012

And I'm sure the news are not that bad, since he will get it back in perfect condition. :)

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