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Found this Omega in a car that had been sitting in a forest for at least 20 years, what is it? (thelemmy.club)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/watches@lemmy.ml
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Clearly seen some moosture, but the case seems to be in very nice shape, all the corners are quite sharp. Original branded crown too.

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[โ€“] 2 points 5 months ago (7 children)

Is that 285 under the Omega sign on the movement? Calibre 285 from 1952 according to the serial number. That's gonna be a heck of a restoration job :)

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  • [โ€“] [S] 1 point 5 months ago (6 children)

    Yup. I haven't yet touched it, I'm thinking of the best way to deal with what is very likely radium dust on the dial.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 4 months ago (5 children)

    I have a decent Geiger counter these days (well, technically a dosimeter) for that. But in case of doubt, my recommendation is to submerge the dial in IPA, use Q-tips to wipe off the lume, flush IPA and double-wrap Q-tips before they dry then in the trash. It's quick and safe that way and you probably want to relume anyway.

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  • [โ€“] [S] 1 point 4 months ago (3 children)

    Borrowed a geiger counter from a friend and it is indeed radium. I'm just wondering how to even take the watch apart, the stem is stuck and probably something else too, and some of the lume has come off the dial. I thought about submerging the whole watch under water and removing the dial submerged, at least the dust can't go flying.

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  • [โ€“] 1 point 4 months ago* (2 children)

    Submerge in IPA instead. It's less likely to damage the watch further. Or just go outside and put on a respirator :)

    (after you remove the pallet fork, that is, that's the only part that can be damaged by IPA)

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  • [โ€“] [S] 1 point 4 months ago (1 child)

    I'm worried about IPA damaging the already fragile looking dial. I've learnt to not use anything but water on dial fearing damage.

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  • [โ€“] 1 point 4 months ago

    I've never seen IPA put anything but fats and greases into solution. I like IPA because it's hardly a stronger solvent than water (do not estimate how strong a polar solvent especially distilled/demineralized water is!) and no risk of corrosion.

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