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robinhook
·For sale here is a circa 1996-1997 Omega Speedmaster "transitional" Ref 3570.50.
What makes it "transitional" is that during 1996-1997 when the Speedy ref change from 3590.50 to 3570.50, there are some mixed usage of movements and dial/hands. According to Moon Watch Only (MWO), a 3570.50 during this period could have either the movement of:
1) Gilt plated 18-jewel Cal. 861, or
2) Rhodium 18-jewel Cal. 1861
And the dial and hands could be either:
1) Tritium dial with the "T Swiss Made T" marker, or
2) Luminova dial with the "Swiss Made" marker
MWO specified that the tritium dialed 3570.50 has a serial # range from 48.339.xxx to 48.385.xxx. This watch for sale is # of 48.365.845, which falls right within the range.
However, what makes it even more special is that, the dial appear to be a Luminova dial with the "T Swiss Made T" marker. I suspect so because it still glows quite strongly after exposed to lights, and the glow lasts quite some time, not possible if it is tritium of that age. See the macro dial and lume shots below.
It appears to me that the dial is not relumed (Luminova added subsequently) or redialed (T and T added subsequently). Feel free to look at the macro shots but everything on that dial appear to be original to my eyes.
If that's the case, this watch proofs the existence of such combination as discussed in this thread back in 2016, in which
@Lonestar mentioned that he heard from an expert that
@Nobel Prize mentioned
and @Foo2rama mentioned
Well, I guess the myth is busted with this watch. I have not personally opened this one up so I am not sure whether the movement is Cal 861 or 1861. I am in no way an expert when it comes to the history of Speedy. And from all info that I can find, this "transitional" period for the 3570.50 Speedy is a bit blurry where unusual combination of parts could exist. However, I do believe a "T Swiss Made T" dial with Luminova is quite special as it is not documented anywhere on the internet. I'll let the real experts on this forum to correct me if I'm wrong. Happy to lower the price if the parts are not all original.
Specs:
Year: 1996-1997
Material: Stainless Steel
Crystal: Hesalite
Caseback: Solid SS caseback
Movement: Cal 1861, 18 jewels
Dimensions:
- 42mm case diameter
- 14mm thickness
- 47mm lug to lug
- 20mm lug width
Accessories: None. Watch only.
Conditions:
Movement: Excellent working condition, runs about +8s/day
Dial and hands: See pictures and decription above.
Case and bracelet: Polished but overall in good conditions.
Asking Price:
$3,500 Shipped 2nd day in CONUS (prefer US sales at this point). If buyer request faster shipping additional costs will be covered by buyer.
Face to Face available in SF Bay Area.
Payment terms are Paypal F&F or bank wires for the asking price.
Paypal G&S is accepted for established members but fee is on buyer.
Return Policy:
No returns unless watch is significantly misrepresented. Returned watch needs to be in exactly the same condition, case back CANNOT be opened.
My references on OF are here.
Please look at photos below for condition (click on photos for higher resolution). Thank you for your interest!
What makes it "transitional" is that during 1996-1997 when the Speedy ref change from 3590.50 to 3570.50, there are some mixed usage of movements and dial/hands. According to Moon Watch Only (MWO), a 3570.50 during this period could have either the movement of:
1) Gilt plated 18-jewel Cal. 861, or
2) Rhodium 18-jewel Cal. 1861
And the dial and hands could be either:
1) Tritium dial with the "T Swiss Made T" marker, or
2) Luminova dial with the "Swiss Made" marker
MWO specified that the tritium dialed 3570.50 has a serial # range from 48.339.xxx to 48.385.xxx. This watch for sale is # of 48.365.845, which falls right within the range.
However, what makes it even more special is that, the dial appear to be a Luminova dial with the "T Swiss Made T" marker. I suspect so because it still glows quite strongly after exposed to lights, and the glow lasts quite some time, not possible if it is tritium of that age. See the macro dial and lume shots below.
It appears to me that the dial is not relumed (Luminova added subsequently) or redialed (T and T added subsequently). Feel free to look at the macro shots but everything on that dial appear to be original to my eyes.
If that's the case, this watch proofs the existence of such combination as discussed in this thread back in 2016, in which
@Lonestar mentioned that he heard from an expert that
a T Swiss Made T dial does not necessarily always carry tritium.
I suppose maybe there are some transitional units with the T but no tritium?
Also wasn't there a few T's that got luminova at the change over? Or is that a myth?
Well, I guess the myth is busted with this watch. I have not personally opened this one up so I am not sure whether the movement is Cal 861 or 1861. I am in no way an expert when it comes to the history of Speedy. And from all info that I can find, this "transitional" period for the 3570.50 Speedy is a bit blurry where unusual combination of parts could exist. However, I do believe a "T Swiss Made T" dial with Luminova is quite special as it is not documented anywhere on the internet. I'll let the real experts on this forum to correct me if I'm wrong. Happy to lower the price if the parts are not all original.
Specs:
Year: 1996-1997
Material: Stainless Steel
Crystal: Hesalite
Caseback: Solid SS caseback
Movement: Cal 1861, 18 jewels
Dimensions:
- 42mm case diameter
- 14mm thickness
- 47mm lug to lug
- 20mm lug width
Accessories: None. Watch only.
Conditions:
Movement: Excellent working condition, runs about +8s/day
Dial and hands: See pictures and decription above.
Case and bracelet: Polished but overall in good conditions.
Asking Price:
$3,500 Shipped 2nd day in CONUS (prefer US sales at this point). If buyer request faster shipping additional costs will be covered by buyer.
Face to Face available in SF Bay Area.
Payment terms are Paypal F&F or bank wires for the asking price.
Paypal G&S is accepted for established members but fee is on buyer.
Return Policy:
No returns unless watch is significantly misrepresented. Returned watch needs to be in exactly the same condition, case back CANNOT be opened.
My references on OF are here.
Please look at photos below for condition (click on photos for higher resolution). Thank you for your interest!
Edited:
