Well I've just got back after spending a few days in my home town of London. The highlight of the visit was a 25 mile diversion, East of London, to Southend-on-Sea in Essex in order to deliver my Speedmaster, by hand, to Swiss Time Services.

Now I have never pretended to be a real 'watchnut' on this forum. I'm a 'guitarnut' and a bloke of modest means who just happens to own a nice watch. That being the case, I've gotta tell you, I was suprise at how I felt when Simon opened my watch and I was able to actually see what was inside. What a buzz!

Yeah... I've looked at dozens of pictures of watch movements on this forum, but I had no idea that the sight (and sound) of a 52 year old 'ticking' Omega 321 could be so amazing. How could a tiny machine look so beautiful?
I now know why you serious 'watch blokes' are so 'loved up' with these things.

Tech Stuff:
It is indeed a 105.012-65 (bang on target as usual with that one Spacefruit)
Simon checked the movement number and said it was very late for a 1965 but still OK.
He said that the 'tropical dial' and sub dial hands are correct and in good condition.
The pushers are original. The reset pusher was a bit stiff due to dirt but he said it was fine and just needed a clean.
The crown, minute, hour and chrono hands are old, but incorrect, service items. (STS have the correct ones)
The 52 year old Dot over 90 bezel is in good condition. bit grubby but no damage just the odd scratch.

What I was really pleased about was that the crystal is original and the scratches will be polished.)My eyes are a bit foggy and I couldn't see it at first, but using his loupe I was just about able to see the Omega symbol in the middle of the glass.) Really pleased about that because it has that lovely flat profile.

1171/633 bracelet is incorrect (but you chaps had already told me that). I'm pretty sure that if (for financial reasons) I am forced to part with the watch I will retain Dad's bracelet and get a later Speedmaster so that I can wear it in memory of the 'old man'.

I feel so much better now that I know the watch is correct and in the expert hands of STS. They are very nice people to deal with and Simon spent a whole hour going over my watch. he opened it up and showed me the comparison on a page of Moonwatch Only. There was no rush and all my worries were addressed.

They are just going to do a complete service, clean (BUT NOT POLISH) the case and bracelet and attend to the incorrect crown and hands.
4 to 8 weeks and it will be back in a healthy, clean condition. Really looking forward to collecting it.
(Sorry the photos are a bit poor. I will post better ones when I collect it)

 

Thanks for sharing the story, experience and the suspense of an incredible time piece..

 

When you say "attend to the incorrect crown and hands" you mean they will source correct ones?

Thanks

 

Yeah... sorry Larry. My wording was a bit vague. One of the things I've learned (on this forum) regarding Swiss Time Services UK) is that they actually hold this stuff in stock. The cost of the hands is additional to the service.

 

Interesting

 

Larry this is a quote that I've copied from the Swiss Time Service website:

'Our Spare Parts Department holds a comprehensive stock of Omega spares, many of which are now obsolete. Stock is maintained on our computerised system via barcoding in order that we run at maximum efficiency. Spare parts are for our internal use only and are not sold to either the trade or the public.'

Simon at STS said that the hands were additional to the service but that they had them in Stock.
Jonathan.

 

I guess you can't wait and when you get it back, you won't stop glancing at your wrist for weeks !

 

I love a good old heart warming story, I can't wait to see it when the restoration is done.

Cheers

Jim

 

I may send them an e-mail with pics of my 2998-6. Sadly I invested in a movement overhaul last year with a local and very expensive watchmaker. Might have been better to have just shipped it to STS for a full spa experience.

 

Yeah. I think you are right. I have to say, I was a bit suprise at how much the sight of the 321 movement 'in action' has boosted my interest in watches. It is a really beautiful creation. opposite ends of the size scale to an iconic steam locomotive such as Mallard, but it has that same 'living thing' going on that most machines lack.

 

Thanks Jim. I'll post some updated comparisons on this thread.

 

I was there last week (they've got my 5513 in for some lovin') .... how long did you spend staring into the cases behind you?

 

Oh sorry to hear that Larry. I Know William and Chris and other serious collectors use STS. It was they that recommended them to me.

I asked Simon if he was aware of how highly his service team are regarded by this forum. He's a friendly, unassuming, modest bloke and just smiled and said "that's nice to hear". He also told me that they often service items from around the globe. It seems it's no big deal for them.
Here's another quote from their website:
Reassembly
Quality control and Waterproof checking procedures
Return to customer
After undergoing a full service and successfully passing through the testing period, the watch is returned along with a two-year guarantee which includes parts and labour. Any partial repairs are returned with a 12 months guarantee on the parts replaced.
The watch will be returned in an Omega pouch via Royal Mail Special Delivery (next day before 1pm) and fully insured. For international customers watches are returned via Royal Mail Airsure. Customers can request an alternative shipping method, if required, or are welcome to collect their watches in person (see contact page). If requested to do so when instructing us to proceed with the repair, we can telephone or email to inform you that the watch is ready for despatch.
Cheers Jonathan.

 

Ha! Oh I was looking at them for quite a while Jimmy! Some really beautiful items (appropriately behind glass).
I really felt that I was in the right place at STS. Believe me... I've visited a number of 'so called expert Omega specialists in recent months. Some of them I didn't even allow to hold my Speedmaster. The thought of leaving it with them was unthinkable!
One chap looked at the 1171/633 bracelet and said "oh your watch.. It's 1972 model. I would put it in the window for £2000, it needs a service so I would give you £800 for it!
Fakkin dodgy toe rag! Thank the Lord I stumbled across you guys on this forum. Left to my own devices I would have been 'done up like a kipper'!

 

Part of me wishes I could be that cold and heartless while most of me is glad I'm not.

I'm meeting a chap this weekend who offered to sell me a Speedmaster, saying he knew it was a valuable watch and was looking for £6-7000 for it. He says he thinks he bought it, new, in 1957. Instead, I've offered to look at the watch for him and advise him on the sale. You can all look forward to some photographs if it's what he claims.

 

1957 Speedy! Jeeez! Oh well... good on ya Jimmy! Life's not all about cash. If there is a heaven??? You'll be heading up there mate.

 

I think I got my reward earlier this week when I bought a set of coins for £35 ... there were £60 worth of nice silver florins and half crowns along with some bags of junk pennies and such. When I got around to checking the junk, this fell on the floor ....

 

There! See Jimmy! You did a good deed and your run of good fortune has started already.

 

That's a rare coin! I've seen these around before. What's the current approximate valuation on one?