Build Your Own Speedmaster - BYOS

LeonDeBayonne

Hello Dirk,
My story, conclusions and decisions with regards to watch collecting share some similarities with yours. Here is a couple of my mods. I enjoy them as much as I did with the original models. Of course all parts are genuine.

fergusm

I've had a WatchCo SM300 and a Mistukoshi modded Moonwatch but sold them both as I preferred to wear my other, unmodified Speedies...

That said, a FOIS to Ed White conversion is really tempting. I have the FOIS and am waiting for Uncle Seiko's new flat link bracelet. How much should I budget to change the hands and to fit a hesalite crystal? And who in UK/EU can perform this work?

hansmaulwurf

Hey Dirk,

I like the watches that you created with spare parts a lot! They are looking cool, oriented on the originals,
but not too close. Great idea and chapeau for your way of arranging the new looks. That is a great way to
get an old fashioned daily wearer without destroying an Original - I got your point and support that - I see
that you are a true Speedy-Lover! First class!

Ich bin begeistert! Beste Grüße aus Österreich,
Hans

Kiwibloke

I am looking to build a Japanese Racing dialled Speedy for everyday wear - don’t have to worry about the odd knock or pull my wrist in every time that go near a door which I do when wearing the .002... The dials a s handsets appear to be service parts and are otherwise available - just thinking about what would make a good ‘donor’ watch...?

Kiwibloke

I am looking to build a Japanese Racing dialled Speedy for everyday wear - don’t have to worry about the odd knock or pull my wrist in every time that go near a door which I do when wearing the .002... The dials a s handsets appear to be service parts and are otherwise available - just thinking about what would make a good ‘donor’ watch...?

Archer

I always recommend that anyone who is looking to buy a genuine version of one of the models that is commonly modded, to get the serial number from the seller, call Omega, and ask them to tell you what reference number goes with that serial number. If you are buying a Japan racing and the serial comes back as a 35705000 and not a 35704000, you know it's a mod. In the case of the Mitsukoshi, I am quite sure there are more modded versions out there than there ever were real ones, so be smart when you purchase.

Also note that Omega only allows modifications in a certain way - the watch must be converted completely from one model to another, so if you do any mixing and matching or parts from more than one model, there is a chance they will try to get you to convert it back at service. So I would not recommend sending these modded watches to Omega for service.

Cheers, Al

fergusm

I've had a WatchCo SM300 and a Mistukoshi modded Moonwatch but sold them both as I preferred to wear my other, unmodified Speedies...

That said, a FOIS to Ed White conversion is really tempting. I have the FOIS and am waiting for Uncle Seiko's new flat link bracelet. How much should I budget to change the hands and to fit a hesalite crystal? And who in UK/EU can perform this work?

Archer

HAL9000

First of all - it is a matter of course not to sell modified Speedmaster watches as authentic or else. I think, there is no problem to sell those watches, but it is a must to make it absolutely clear that you sell a modified Speedy.

Unfortunately not everyone sees it that way, hence my advice.

jsducote

Or when the watch passes from the 2nd owner to the 3rd. The original modder may have good intentions but that doesn't stop downstream victims.

jsducote

Or when the watch passes from the 2nd owner to the 3rd. The original modder may have good intentions but that doesn't stop downstream victims.

RonJ-in-VA

I've been keeping my eye on the Speedmaster TinTin watches and I noticed on eBay there are a couple of watches at about half the asking price of the others (around $4900 instead of $10,000).

I now see the word "Build" in the title of the ad, so I'm thinking it is a modified non-TinTin watch with a TinTin dial added to it, true?

Here is a link to one of them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Spee...978239?hash=item5b69dae97f:g:4kEAAOSwCH9eDE4j

redzer007

Seller is being pretty clear this is a Mod but again highlights why serial number check is important of you think you are buying something specific. This seems like an OK deal to me. Would be better if it came with the original dial and hands.