Guidance appreciated ... Speedmaster Find (145.022-71)

Little back story first ...

My wife sits down at dinner the other night after visiting her uncle who is at a rehab facility from taking a fall. Her brother tells her she needs to come over and help him start cleaning up some of the uncle's belongings (it's getting close to that time) and that he has a "drawer of watches, a few have certificates and are Rolex" ... I told her to have him send pics so I can see what we are dealing with. Pics come in and my jaw hit the floor. 80s models - Pepsi, Coke, and a Submariner. His house is NOT in a good area, no security systems, and these have literally been sitting in a desk drawer for 20+ years. I told her she needs to get over there and bring them home so we can keep them in our safe. She goes the next day and sends me a few pics of other watches she has found ... Jaw hits the floor again ... Speedmaster!

Knowing these watches will remain in the family and that I'm the watch guy, it's now my responsibility to find out the best path for this beauty.

It has definitely seen better days but I'd venture to say it has never seen a service. It runs but the chrono isn't working (could just but the massive amount of crud built up under the pushers).

A full cleaning with movement service is absolutely in order. The crystal is rough and I did a light polish on it to remove the haze which really helped with seeing the stunning dial. Bracelet seems a bit worn but nothing terrible. Then we have the bezel ... Worn and rough. And it apparently was knocked off at some point and just randomly slapped back on!

I'm just not sure what is the best path forward. Full case resto or leave it as is and just toss a new crystal on, fix the bezel placement and do the basic service (replace movement parts and gaskets as needed - including pushers)

Thanks for any and all help in this situation - I've been doing a TON of reading on this model and the wealth of knowledge is overwhelming

Pre crystal polish:



Post polish:

That's pretty spiffy! Are you planning to keep or sell?

If you are planning to sell, do nothing. If you are planning to keep, the Speedmaster collectors will advise service by an independent watchmaker with a parts account. With the crazy prices these watches bring, it's likely you want to follow this advise. If you share your location, a watchmaker can be recommended.

Neat find!

Tom

Yep - pop off the bezel with a poker chip and reattach with a $25 press in the correct position.

Watch looks great with a polished crystal, and will look even better with the tachymetre bezel on right side up.

I wouldn’t touch the case, but you’ll likely need to get a service done which should be $750 or less.

I would not try and do the bezel myself...unless you really know what you are doing. Any press-damage can not be fixed. If you want to sell, do nothing. If you want to keep, send it in for a movement service only. Ask here for a recommended independent watchmaker - do not send to Omega, they will most likely remove all vintage charm. The watchmaker can polish the crystal further (if need be) and correctly install the bezel. There is no need to do anything to that case, it is crisp/sharp/beautiful. Once you understand this, you will be thankful. Repeat after me 100x : I will not polish / ‘restore’ that case ever...

No need to replace the pushers. Cleaning and adjusting and voilà : working again. Kind regards. Achim

Amazing. That bezel positioning is slightly discombobulating. Please post some pics of the Rolexes as well, I would love to see them.

Hopefully your Uncles remaining time is as pain free and gentle as possible. Very nice treasures by which to remember a loved one. Never sell and always cherish. Great story

Thanks everyone ... As noted these are all being kept. I'm in eastern PA, just north of Philly. My original thoughts were just a better polish on the crystal to remove the scratches still there, correct the bezel and do the movement service. Glad I was on the right train of thought. With how sharp the case edges are I figured it had never seen a polishing - but it does have some scratches and dings (no actual dents) that a well worn watch would see.

Oh as for the Rolex's ...

https://imgur.com/a/fxSpdkr

Those are eye popping amazing Rolex watches.

I have some papers from the Speedy but no boxes ... Yet

Boxes and full papers for the Sub and Coke, nothing but the box thus far for the Pepsi

Then ... I have full papers for a Datejust but no idea where that watch may be and a random manual that just says Oyster Perpetual and have no clue what that belongs to

Oh my word......

I suspect you have a similar post RE the Rolex elsewhere/another forum?

those things plus the Speedmaster make for an incredible “barn find”

cant help but wonder what “keeping them in the family” looks like. Not because I’m suggesting you do otherwise, but trying to imagine what that would look like in MY family and I see feud potential!

Yes on TRF since I knew nothing about them and they guided me on that front.

So her Uncle only has my wife and her brother so in the end it all goes to those 2 and her brother has literally no use for the watches. As he stated, "He already has a watch" - as he looked at his Apple watch. Not knowing the full end game, it's safe to say they will stay with me - if I have to buy his portion out or not

Hahaha yes a ton of unsolicited asks to buy ... Even was fully stated they aren't for sale