Can you help please with Speedmaster (1980's?) Should I sell or fix?

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 18, 2020

Hi all,
Can I ask your help please? Newbie here so any help would be great!

I bought an Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Moon Watch 145022 - Cal 861 of around 1978/1980 on Ebay about 7 years ago when I had a lot of interest in watches, but very little knowledge. I made a fairly good deal at the time, but doing my research in my "Moonwatches Only" book and online I noticed that there are several things off, which has been bothering me for a while. I noticed:
1. that the Bezel is probably from around 2010,
2. the dial is not a Speedmaster Professional dial/signature which doesn't fit with the dates of the watch (and the T's are missing in the bottom next to swiss made). The question now is whether it is a service dial or a pre-moon dial?
3. the hands are probably pre-moon.

Now I know these things (I think I know them at least), can I ask you guys and girls what you as the professionals would do? Should I try to find a 1980's dial and put it in this watch and have it fully serviced or is it probably best to sell as it is (with this info) and buy a good 1980's watch?

Any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated! Are my findings correct by the way? Let me know if you need other pictures.

Thanks a lot!
Kind regards,
Robby

E2B · Aug 18, 2020

1171 braclet that looks a bit stretched but is original. Hard to tell but it looks like the endlinks might be a bit too small, is there a lot of gap? you should fit them to the case a bit better if you can!

Thought it was a 2998 service dial but check link below for the likely dial (a 2998 dial would need feet modified). Also looks like superlume hands (hour/minute) with a tritium spear chrono hand (or maybe relumed?)

Bezel looks to be a modern service bezel. Have you had the back opened up or have movement shots?

Edit re dial: https://tambowatches.com/product/omega-speedmaster-professional-moon-watch-3594-50-dial-raised-logo/

eugeneandresson · Aug 18, 2020

Does the dial have a step?

(like this)

Or is it like this?

Its not easy to see in your pics. I would hazard a guess its not got a step. I would further hazard a guess its a 'Replica' dial ... and seeing as my unprofessional opinion is hazarding so many guesses, I would hazard one last guess that the hands are also modern service hands, and that there is nothing pre moon on your watch.

What to do? That depends on what you have there. What is the serial number? Have you applied for an extract of the archive (to make sure the movement actually came from a Speedmaster)? I would only think about doing anything after that. Until then, enjoy it for what it is ... a nice and cheap-thrill Speedy that has been giving you pleasure for many years and did not cost an arm and a leg...

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 18, 2020

E2B
1171 braclet that looks a bit stretched but is original. Hard to tell but it looks like the endlinks might be a bit too small, is there a lot of gap? you should fit them to the case a bit better if you can!

Thought it was a 2998 service dial but check link below for the likely dial (a 2998 dial would need feet modified). Also looks like superlume hands (hour/minute) with a tritium spear chrono hand (or maybe relumed?)

Bezel looks to be a modern service bezel. Have you had the back opened up or have movement shots?

Edit re dial: https://tambowatches.com/product/omega-speedmaster-professional-moon-watch-3594-50-dial-raised-logo/

Thanks for that! Good idea for the bracelet. I wouldn't know how to do that, but that is probably the reasons why the bracelet is a bit loose. Also one of the reasons I am thinking of changing as it does not wear fantasticly as it is a bit loose.

Looking at the link it looks exactly like the 1, 2 and 4th picture. My untrained eye can't find a difference. I believe I have finally found the dial that was put in the watch I think, wow!!! Are these service dials? Very expensive for a service dial, better to search for a 1980's dial and put that in for 300 EUR extra, what do you think?

As to the hands: what do you mean with your remark? Is that good or bad? I am learning so much now, I need to go back studying I believe.

I want to open it up and combine it with the new potential parts I want to ask them to put in, or do you thinnk it is best that I ask to open it up now to gain more knowledge before I figure out what to do?

Wow, so many questions, you guys are great, thanks!

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 18, 2020

eugeneandresson
Does the dial have a step?

(like this)

Or is it like this?

Its not easy to see in your pics. I would hazard a guess its not got a step. I would further hazard a guess its a 'Replica' dial ... and seeing as my unprofessional opinion is hazarding so many guesses, I would hazard one last guess that the hands are also modern service hands, and that there is nothing pre moon on your watch.

What to do? That depends on what you have there. What is the serial number? Have you applied for an extract of the archive (to make sure the movement actually came from a Speedmaster)? I would only think about doing anything after that. Until then, enjoy it for what it is ... a nice and cheap-thrill Speedy that has been giving you pleasure for many years and did not cost an arm and a leg...

Thanks for this!

It does not have a step but it is also not like the second picture, it is exactly as suggested by E2B in the link he mentions. It seems to be a 3594.50 Dial. Raised Logo.

Yes, the hands is a very big "if". Do the attached pictures help?

I made the mistake in not researching any further when I bought the watch and now 7 years later I am going into the details.... Not smart but at least I am trying now. It is a good idea to have it opened up and ask for the serial number. After that I can apply for an extract of the archive (great pan!).

I enjoyed it until I had a guy saying there were some things off and now I am going deeper into the details I even see more off, which is a bit disappointing. But oh well, learned a lot for the future. But I am going to try to get this one better or sell it like this mentioning that there are various parts replaced. I bought it as a "real" speedmaster but it was too long ago and "watchesbydan" is no longer trading on Ebay so no change to get any explanation by him.

Thanks for now! if you have any other ideas, do let me know! thanks a million. this was a great help.

Dan S · Aug 18, 2020

I don't think I would get much joy from trying to restore this watch with so many incorrect parts. You are obviously developing a collector's mentality, and you even bought MWO for goodness sake. The watch doesn't owe you anything. Sell it, and buy something that you will be proud to own.

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 18, 2020

Dan S
I don't think I would get much joy from trying to restore this watch with so many incorrect parts. You are obviously developing a collector's mentality, and you even bought MWO for goodness sake. The watch doesn't owe you anything. Sell it, and buy something that you will be proud to own.

Hi Dan, maybe thats exactly what I need to hear. Having this knowledge now makes it a bit less fun to wear so probably better to try to sell and see how much I would get for this watch now so I can save up and buy a real speedmaster with the correct parts. Thanks!

E2B · Aug 18, 2020

TBH, if you want just to wear the thing, grab a service dial and a a set of hands you could just do that and have a older watch with a nice dial/bezel/hands that are not exactly correct, but visually nice. If you get it serviced properly (which you should if you want to wear it) all that comes off anyways. You can also swap the strap for a the uncleseiko one and enjoy it!

Here's a dial on here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145-022-861-service-dial.118137/

By the time you looked at getting the right bezel, hands, and dial to set it all back to stock...that wouldn't be worth it.

Hard to tell what's going on with those hands, but someone will tell you. I'm sure you could sell those and the dial for a few bucks to do option A

machamp6650 · Aug 18, 2020

Offload it! Everyone has speedy fever these days and there seems to be plenty of appetite for examples on the lower end of the market.

As said earlier, the kicker is that the parts you're missing to get back to original spec are getting increasingly expensive to buy on their own, particularly good tritium dials and no-accent bezels. You'd likely be better off recouping the costs on this one and paying for a complete 70's - 90's example.

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 19, 2020

E2B
TBH, if you want just to wear the thing, grab a service dial and a a set of hands you could just do that and have a older watch with a nice dial/bezel/hands that are not exactly correct, but visually nice. If you get it serviced properly (which you should if you want to wear it) all that comes off anyways. You can also swap the strap for a the uncleseiko one and enjoy it!

Here's a dial on here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145-022-861-service-dial.118137/

By the time you looked at getting the right bezel, hands, and dial to set it all back to stock...that wouldn't be worth it.

Hard to tell what's going on with those hands, but someone will tell you. I'm sure you could sell those and the dial for a few bucks to do option A

Thanks for that. At least it would say indeed Omega Speedmaster, but if it is from a different year anyways and a service dial, I rather not.

I think you are right that it is too much hassle to get it in the right form so I am now leaning towards selling it and getting a real enough good 1970's/1980's speedmaster. I might ask you guys if I am not being duped again... 😀

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 19, 2020

machamp6650
Offload it! Everyone has speedy fever these days and there seems to be plenty of appetite for examples on the lower end of the market.

As said earlier, the kicker is that the parts you're missing to get back to original spec are getting increasingly expensive to buy on their own, particularly good tritium dials and no-accent bezels. You'd likely be better off recouping the costs on this one and paying for a complete 70's - 90's example.

Let's hope someone finds it less important that the right parts are in here indeed and still gives me a good price. Let's indeed go for a good one indeed of the 70's/80's, around the year I was borne. Great to be able to use MWO book again! thanks a lot for the advice

gbesq · Aug 19, 2020

I agree with the crowd - sell it and focus on buying something that is more collectible if that's what your ultimate goal is. If you're not able to sell it privately, try contacting Crown & Caliber and see what they'll give you for it.

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 19, 2020

gbesq
I agree with the crowd - sell it and focus on buying something that is more collectible if that's what your ultimate goal is. If you're not able to sell it privately, try contacting Crown & Caliber and see what they'll give you for it.

Thanks gbesq. Will try Chrono24 and see what happens.

gbesq · Aug 19, 2020

robbyspeedmaster
Thanks gbesq. Will try Chrono24 and see what happens.

Just wanted to make sure that you're understanding me. Chrono24 and Crown & Caliber are two different firms. Chrono24 is a selling platform where you can list the watch for sale to anyone. Crown & Caliber is a firm that specializes in buying and selling used watches. They will evaluate your watch for free. If they believe that they can sell it, they will make you a cash offer for the watch and also provide you with a trade in credit that you can use to purchase a watch on their site. Typically the trade in credit is a few hundred dollars more than the cash offer. If they decline to buy your watch outright, they may offer to sell it for you on consignment.

robbyspeedmaster · Aug 19, 2020

gbesq
Just wanted to make sure that you're understanding me. Chrono24 and Crown & Caliber are two different firms. Chrono24 is a selling platform where you can list the watch for sale to anyone. Crown & Caliber is a firm that specializes in buying and selling used watches. They will evaluate your watch for free and make you a cash offer and a trade in credit if they believe that they can resell it at a profit. If they decline to buy your watch outright, they may offer to sell it for you on consignment.

Thanks! I do understand. I will Chrono 24 first and afterwards go to C&C potentially. Thanks for the tip!

Can you help please with Speedmaster (1980's?) Should I sell or fix?

robbyspeedmaster

E2B

eugeneandresson

robbyspeedmaster

robbyspeedmaster

Dan S

robbyspeedmaster

E2B

machamp6650

robbyspeedmaster

robbyspeedmaster

gbesq

robbyspeedmaster

gbesq

robbyspeedmaster

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