(For those who already know the story, please scroll down to the bottom of this post for the update)

(From 2017) Hello everybody. Hope you are all well.

When I first joined the forum, and showed you all my late Father's old 1960's Speedmaster, I was kindly advised to get the watch off to Swiss Time Services in Essex, UK.
(Thankyou @Spacefruit, @tyrantlizardrex, @Northernman and @JACK G)

I've posted all sorts of bits and pieces about Dad's watch over the months I've been on the forum, but here's the whole story brought up to date.

My Dad was a working class bloke but he loved his Omega watches. From the 1960's to 2003 I can't remember seeing him without either his Seamaster, or later his black Speedmaster on his wrist. If he took it off it was sat in the red box by his bed. I think the pictures below indicate that, for a few years, in the 1970's he may even have had both watches.


As anybody who's read my posts regarding this watch will know, it was a time piece that was always on my Father's wrist from the day he purchased it. He got it in the late1960's, and he kept it until he passed away in 2003.

The fate of the original bracelet is a bit of a mystery. During the 1970's Dad is seen with the Seamaster, then the Speedy on a temporary leather strap and then the 1171/633 appears and is still present.

In the final few years leading up to his retirement Dad worked at Christies auction storage in South Kensington, London, Uk. There were plenty of interesting lots, and If pop super star Madonna decides to auction her underwear for charity, then Dad and his Speedmaster were always on hand to model them.

Anyway... I have owned the watch since 2003. Being more of a guitar geek, and not historically a watch geek, I put it away in a box with his old military service papers and only really took it out last year. As you can see from this pre-STS triple picture frame, the watch needed some love and some expert attention.

Dad had an incorrect 1171/633 bracelet fitted in the early 1970's. As you can see from the above shots the bezel was dirty and had somehow rotated, the hands and the crown were incorrect and the watch needed a clean and a service.

Well being a bloke of modest means it took me a few months to raise the cash but I finally drove over to STS, in March 2017 and delivered it by hand to Simon Freese. Simon was very helpful and spent the best part of an hour chatting to me about the watch. The best part was when he opened the case up, gave it a quick wind and showed me the 321 movement ticking away inside. What a beautiful piece of micro-engineering an Omega 321 is! It almost looks alive. I think that moment turned me into an apprentice watch geek.

Anyway after 5 or 6 weeks of anxious waiting I got the call from STS to tell me it was ready for collection. The journey from my home is about 160 miles, so I decided to combine it with a couple of family visits in London before driving on to Southend-on-Sea in Essex, UK.

When I got to STS I was greeted by the friendly reception ladies. A few minutes later Tony Coe, (the boss) appeared with my watch in a red Omega service pouch.

Tony spent a bit of time explaining the work that had been carried out and presented me with a detailed letter and guarantee. Before I left he invited me on a tour of STS which included the workshop where all the magic takes place. All I can say is that I wish you could all make that visit. It was absolutely fascinating! (Picture is from the STS website)

During the tour Tony Coe pointed out the watchmaker who did most of the work (a very experienced chap by the name of Lee) and showed me which machines had been used in the cleaning process and how it had been tested. This included being wirled round for a couple of days on the blue machine that you can see just above this text.

I paid up the £610, shook Tony's hand and thanked the staff before driving back with my newly serviced Speedy.

Anyway it's no good me waffling on without pictures so here it is; Dad's 105.012-65 Omega Speedmaster.
Brown dial wrist shot in the sun.


Correct vintage 24 tooth Crown fitted. Original pushers cleaned and refitted.


Original 'Dot over 90' Bezel cleaned and re-positioned correctly.

Correct (non-vintage) aged hands fitted in place of incorrect 40 year old service hands. Original crystal polished and re-fitted. (Incorrect 40 year old service hands have been sent back to me in the pouch)


Case and 1171/633 bracelet ultra-sonically cleaned but not polished.







Omega 321 movement cleaned and serviced. (Dust cover was photographed pre-service but I'm sure it's as clean as the rest of the watch is now.)


Well I hope you enjoyed this little story chaps. I wish 'the old man' could see it now. As a light hearted tribute to Dad and his Omega Speedmaster I thought I would take a Father and Son photo... Just for a bit of fun.

I wonder when that dial turned brown?


The watch looked a lot cooler on Dad back then, than It does on me now. In the picture Dad was in his mid 40's. The pre-moon 105.012-65 is now over 50 years old but still ticking sweetly thanks to the advice from Omega Forums and the expert care of Swiss Time Services in the UK.



(UPDATED ON THE 16th FEBRUARY 2019)
Finally, after 2 years, I have the Extract of the Archives from Omega. I've never been certain exactly when Dad bought this watch as I was only 10 years old when it was delivered. Interestingly, I think the fact it was delivered to Gibraltar is proof that Dad did not buy it from new. My Dad never left the UK (apart from going to Germany with the Army in 1949) so this watch must have made it's way to London within a couple years of production in 1967. Maybe the Old Man bought it to celebrate the Moon Landing in 1969???.... Who knows?

Anyway, It's nearly 20 months since it's full service and clean at STS, so it will soon be off to Simon Freese for an updated check over and test.




(Update for 7th August 2019)
Well, the testing and regulating has now been completed. It took a while due to the testing being carried out in multiple positions. According to Simon Freese, the watch is running well and keeping good time. It feels very reassuring to get an invoice with his name at the top of the page.

 

Truly a fantastic story. Hope the watch serves you as well as it did your father for many years to come.

 

Beautiful. Wear it in good health. What a story and what a connection. Thanks for sharing!

 

Badass! Love the pics, this is what watches are all about.

 

Thankyou chaps.

 

So glad you stuck around @nonuffinkbloke! There are so many one posters that dash as soon as they have what they want. It's super cool to see this story unfold.
Watch looks great!

 

What a great looking watch! My goal is to one day pass on my collection to my boys like your father did to you. Thanks for sharing.

 

Was smiling ear-to-ear by the end. Great story. And that DIAL!! Amazing specimen. Wear it in good health

 

This is fantastic. Great story... and you have an incredible watch to remember your dad by.

And PS - the brown dial is just icing on the cake.

 

Good darts!

 

Wow, that is a real beautiful watch, and a very cool story.

Thank you so much for sharing it!

... and I think you look just as cool as your dad did, when he wore it... and also just as blessed!

 

A wonderful tale and a great watch made even greater by its history. Wearing and having had it serviced is a tribute to your father, well done. Never sell it but pass it on and that in turn will be a tribute to you.

 

Thankyou @oddboy .
This is my 417th post now! I thought it would be wise to stick around and keep going mate... I knew you and @Spacefruit would be waiting at 3am if I went anywhere near that 'fakkin' for sale forum!

 

I really groove on stories like this, sir...thank you for sharing it.

 

Cheers @Mad Dog

 

As collectors of vintage watches most of never get to know the journey our watches have been on. Imagine owing a watch that might have been a few cm from Madonna's knickers. Loved your story and no doubt the watch will pick up a few more tales before the next guardian gets to enjoy it.
Enjoy your watch

 

That is a great story! Thanks for sharing!

 

You're one of us now. Sell if you must - we won't judge, but think hard before you do. Study those pics of your dad, and imagine your kids studying pics of you.

And man, isn't it nice to just look at that watch on your wrist now and then? Do you really want to give that up?

 

Who, however, do not seem to have provided a complete rate report.