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  1. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    So I happened upon a local Craigslist post for a '67 Speedmaster for dare I say it $850 and now have it in my possession. I'm wondering whether having it serviced would diminish its value. It appears to have the original 1039 band on it which I was considering swapping out for a leather band...I purchased the watch from the son of the original owner who bought it in 1967 and inherited it in 1973 and has rarely worn it since. It had never been serviced I was told. I suppose the real question I have is should I be wearing this watch daily or putting it in the safe? Any and all advice would be appreciated!

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    Edited Feb 10, 2017
  2. harrymai86 Feb 10, 2017

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    You bought it for 850usd????
     
  3. Barking mad Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 10, 2017

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    This definitely deserves this

     
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  4. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 10, 2017

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    99.9% of the time buying a watch like this advertised at that price on craigslist is a terrible idea, you're the 0.1% exception.
     
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  5. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 10, 2017

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    To answer your other question, have it serviced and don't wind it and run it before doing so but have it done by a qualified independent rather than Omega and make sure they don't replace anything other than the crystal, seals and movement parts, and don't polish it. Then wear it but don't get it wet.
     
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  6. repoman Feb 10, 2017

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    O M F G

    Congrats, you hit the lottery
     
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  7. incabloc Feb 10, 2017

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    WOW...looks great. But if the watch really never been serviced, it must be a "Ultraman" and the central second hand has lost the red color.
     
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  8. Davidt Feb 10, 2017

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    Awesome find for that price, but it has almost certainly been serviced at some point as the chrono hand is incorrect.

    As many have said, stick around here, identify a good watchmaker you are able to get your watch to for a service and clean (I'd recommend no polishing or other cosmetic work) then wear the hell out of it. It shouldn't be in a safe.

    FYI, the bracelet is worth more than you paid for the entire watch. However, even if you put a leather strap on, keep the bracelet safe and don't sell it if it's original. Is the bracelet marked 4 68 (for 4th quarter of 1968)?
     
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  9. MaiLollo Feb 10, 2017

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    Why does this never happen to me?!
    Congrats though, and yes the chrono seconds hand looks weird, if it really is untouched it could be a faded ultraman as suggested by incabloc !
     
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  10. brunik Feb 10, 2017

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    You are a lucky very lucky guy!! Congrats

    I would do a service without touching anything to keep the original parts...
     
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  11. demollo Feb 10, 2017

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    Bezel alone is worth like what, 3k USD now?
     
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  12. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    I used to have a MK2 Pro and regretfully sold it and have been looking for a suitable replacement for the last 10 years. When I saw this on Cleveland Craigslist it had been up for 5 hours so I literally messaged the seller every 30 mins with differtent questions till the got back to me :) did a 5hr round tripndrive to snag it...well worth it I'd say... I will indeed take it slow regarding service as I remember sending my MK2 to Omega and it coming back with a taller Chrystal than original which summarily got chipped...I'll check the datecode in the band a bit later. Thanks for the advice folks! I must say that the Speedmaster Professional is my all time favorite watch and to find something like this is just beyond my wildest expectations, my heart was pounding at the meeting as I hadn't seen such an old model before and I was thinking back to my old MK2 which weighed a ton thinking 'this thing has to be a fake, the band weighs nothing' !! Hahaha

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  13. crl848 Feb 10, 2017

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    Weird if he knew the value but didn't put it on eBay...
     
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  14. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    That's what I was wondering, he was in his mid 70's maybe he just wanted a quick local sale...
     
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  15. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    And I do do a lot of eBay buying an selling of high end vintage tube audio gear so I'm used to the Craigslist find and then selling in eBay..to be honest I considered asking but thought I'd leave that stone unturned
     
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  16. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    Gonna swing by a dealer today to get the case opened and take some photos of the movement
     
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  17. harrymai86 Feb 10, 2017

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    Congratz I know the feeling when I got the Ed White for 1350usd :)

    Happy to see there still good deals can be found somewhere.
     
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  18. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    Interestingly on a different forums thread discussing the ultra man there is a racing with the same shaped white had as my watch...
     
  19. DLT222 Double D @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 10, 2017

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    I can relate to this very feeling.... twice!!!
     
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  20. Don Bocadillo Feb 10, 2017

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    The date code on the band is indeed 4-68