Black cased Speedmaster 3510.12.00

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JayBe

·Mar 30, 2022

I was at my watchmaker today and he showed me two watched that he plans to sell. Both were from the Schumacher collection, one red dialed Speedmaster reduced and a yellow dialed one. The yellow dial really surprised me, but I noticed that it had a matte black case and I didn't think too much about it, although it struck me as something I have not seen before.

Now I am stupid for not taking a picture and will catch up on that, but I am too curious to hear your opinion, since I cannot find another black cased one on the net. Did something like that exist?

I will take a closer look tomorrow and report back.

 

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DON

·Mar 30, 2022

Since a search didn't produce one. I think someone had one DLC or PVD coated

They breed like rabbits. So many speedmaster variations

DON

 

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JayBe

·Mar 30, 2022

Thank you DON, I have to say that it looked very cool, but I need to take a second look. I unfortunately don't remember if the pushers and crown were black as well, but I wouldn't think so.

 

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JayBe

·Apr 4, 2022

So the watch is currently owned by a Omega certified watchmaker and he told me that he built the watch from service parts. The case is allegedly a prototype, which he found and had begged for and got to acquire from Omega thanks to good connections during his stay in Bienne.

I checked it out today and the finish of the case is perfect, so I have little doubts about it. I've known the watchmaker well for about a decade and have no reason to doubt the origin.

Despite the obvious problems with it being a parts watch, I decided that it's just too cool to pass on and I'll pick the watch up later today / tomorrow and present pictures.

 

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Tet

·Apr 4, 2022

Sounds very cool. Look forward to seeing it.

I do like the PVD Mk2 Speedmasters that are around, in that instance they're professionally PVD coated by somebody in Germany I think but they look pretty striking together with custom yellow handset.

 

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JayBe

·Apr 5, 2022

So here it is. I picked it up late in the day and had to return to work, so I did not catch any sunlight to take pictures today.
I love the look, but would like to hear critical voices as well. 😉

Edited: Apr 5, 2022

 

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Scarecrow Boat

·Apr 5, 2022

JayBe

I love the look, but would like to here critical voices as well.

People mod(ify) Speedmasters all the time and the point is to have something you enjoy. If you enjoy it, that’s the most important part. I actually quite like this. It’s different in a striking way. Looks pretty cool to me 👍

 

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savka

·Apr 5, 2022

Shame the crown and pushers aren’t also black but I love it nonetheless. Congrats on the buy - and dibs if you ever decide to part with it!!

 

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JayBe

·Apr 5, 2022

Thanks for the positive reactions. This was harder to grasp for me than usual. The watch is literally not more than the sum of its parts, as it is made out of NOS parts without serial number (except for the movement of course). As such it, is really something to have fun with.

The origin of the case is obviously a question of believe, but I have no doubt that there are many trial and error parts lying around in the parts bins at Omega. It's a shame, as it might seem from today's point of view that the black case would have better brought out the colors of the Schumacher dials. But in the 90s, it might have seem too experimental for Omega to bring to the public in scale.

I don't mind the silver pushers and crown, they complement the silver bezel ring and tachy scale in person quite well. As the big pushers are already a bit like Mickey Mouse ears on the Reduced, they stand out even more and add even more of fun and weirdness to it. 😀

 

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Foo2rama

·Apr 5, 2022·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

If it was a prototype from Omega it has no extra value. It’s relatively easy to get a case PVD coated and not terribly expensive either.

although that looks more anodized then a PVD.

interesting look. But it’s a hot rod at the end of the day not an historical artifact.

 

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JayBe

·Apr 6, 2022

Foo2rama

If it was a prototype from Omega it has no extra value. It’s relatively easy to get a case PVD coated and not terribly expensive either.

although that looks more anodized then a PVD.

interesting look. But it’s a hot rod at the end of the day not an historical artifact.

Agreed, both on value and coating.

Edit: edited title accordingly

Edited: Apr 6, 2022

 

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fjf

·Apr 6, 2022

A bit like the swatch one:

 

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Foo2rama

·Apr 6, 2022·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

JayBe

Agreed, both on value and coating.

Edit: edited title accordingly

Don’t get me wrong it’s cool.

 

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paddymoran

·Apr 6, 2022

I’ve always liked the yellow Schumacher Speedy - have only owned the red variant. The modified case looks great but I just wonder how it will age/ wear.

 

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kyle L

·Apr 6, 2022·Grasshopper

Looks great...gives me an idea for a future project 😀

 

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JayBe

·Apr 6, 2022

Foo2rama

Don’t get me wrong it’s cool.

No worries, I don't. I wanted to make absolutely clear that I am well aware of the nature and do not claim it to be invaluable or something like that. We're absolutely on the same page and I'm glad you like it too. 😀

 

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JayBe

·Apr 6, 2022

paddymoran

I’ve always liked the yellow Schumacher Speedy - have only owned the red variant. The modified case looks great but I just wonder how it will age/ wear.

Don't feed my paranoia. I've been worried about it as well, but anodizing should be quite durable. *fingers crossed* 😲

 

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JayBe

·Apr 6, 2022

The case in daylight.

 

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paddymoran

·Apr 6, 2022

JayBe

The case in daylight.

Looks stunning - can see what you mean now that the pushers and crown match the bezel.

 

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Scarecrow Boat

·Apr 6, 2022

JayBe

Don't feed my paranoia. I've been worried about it as well, but anodizing should be quite durable. *fingers crossed* 😲

This is likely why the crown and pushers were left as is. But, I quite like them polished. The polished bits don’t stand out in a negative way. They visually tie in/compliment the bright white outer ring of the dial and bright white lume. The overall appearance is fun and like I said above, striking.