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Building a new Speedmaster - Custom Gemini or Apollo

  1. photo500 Jul 8, 2014

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    Hi All,
    So I happened to end up with a blue Gemini dial and a white panda Apollo dial. Been thinking about how to build one of them up into a new Speedmaster. Amazingly I have been able to purchase an NOS Omega 864 chronometer movement to use so its going to need a display back! I'm thinking Broad arrow hands and the silver crystal ring and steel bezel.

    I figure I might as well go crazy before its impossible to buy these parts any more. Perhaps the Apollo dial would benefit from a red Alaska central seconds hand hmmm :) decisions, decisions!

    Any thoughts guys?

    IMG_9351.JPG
    IMG_9358.JPG
     
  2. pascs Jul 8, 2014

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    This might help?

    [​IMG]

    For the hands I wouldnt go with the Broad Arrow hands, in my opinion they are too thick. The ones in the above picture are from the FOIS

    I tried Broad Arrow hands and didnt like them

    [​IMG]
     
    Tritium and Spacefruit like this.
  3. photo500 Jul 8, 2014

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    Hey Pacs, that's an interesting option, didn't realise those hands were available. I do like the boldness of the BA hands though.
     
  4. ashleysteadman Jul 10, 2014

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    Tough choice!

    I think with the silver bezel the Gemini dial looks best. The FOIS hands would be an awesome choice (like pascs).

    ::popcorn::
     
  5. photo500 Jul 13, 2014

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    Well, in the end I went with what I have, mostly because I'm impatient and also because I can change them later. I do love the boldness of these hands though, can't help it! The 864 is an awesome movement in terms of finishing of the parts. Everything is nicely beveled and polished even the things that will never be seen on the dial side for example. I thought for some reason there had been 1500 watches made with them by Omega but actually it seems to be only 750. So I'm pretty glad to have been able to get this movement NOS. Pacs, could you PM me with details about where you got the FOIS hands?

    Final combo is;

    Cal 864 NOS
    Sapphire back / Hesalite front case
    Steel bezel
    Silver tension ring crystal
    Broad arrow hands
    Broad arrow bracelet
    x65579-85d74ed5c3ebb87c351e4eeac38f9a2d.jpg.pagespeed.ic.mZfV9MAUvv.jpg
    View attachment 65579
     
    IMG_9419.JPG
  6. Privateday7 quotes Miss Universe Jul 13, 2014

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    :thumbsup:
     
  7. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 13, 2014

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    I think you made a good choice, I like the combination.
     
  8. pascs Jul 13, 2014

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    I wish you hadnt posted more pics .............I feel the urge for some further mods coming on :D

    Watch looks great BTW and looks good with the Broad Arrow hands :thumbsup: The 864 is a fantastic looking movement
     
  9. photo500 Jul 13, 2014

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    Thanks for the positive comments guys, I appreciate it.

    This is the thing with modifying or building, knowing when to stand back and say, yes it's finished now. Not so easy eh Pascs?
     
  10. pascs Jul 13, 2014

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    Nope, not when you see someone else's, but thats the fun of it too

    I've been modifying my Seikos of late but I think I might order a silver tension ringed crystal for my white faced Mitsukoshi Panda

    ...........hmmm think my Broad Arrow hands might be finding their way onto a black faced Speedmaster tonight :p
     
  11. photo500 Jul 13, 2014

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    Ha well glad to have given some inspiration then, don't forget to post pics
     
  12. pascs Jul 13, 2014

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    Quick snap........... :p

    [​IMG]
     
  13. ErikR Jul 13, 2014

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    wow! very nice!

    my 864 w/panda dial says hello as well.
    got mine NOS from watchco, bought a bracelet too, but in retrospect the panda wears leather just fine.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  14. photo500 Jul 13, 2014

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    Very nice Pascs and Erik. The Watchco NOS put togethers are pretty cool, it's amazing where they find all that stuff. Nice looking Mark II as well ;). Those BA hands look great on that weathered Speedie!
     
  15. nima0071 Jul 13, 2014

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    That looks so good. Great job.
     
  16. larryganz The cable guy Jul 14, 2014

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    My son would kill for that watch, or a panda dial watch, or Mitsukoshi dial watch...
     
  17. photo500 Jul 14, 2014

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    Well Larry, probably best we aren't in the same country then ;) for my safety!