Help a newbie out! Advice needed Speedmaster Mark ll

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Headspace1992

·Jul 3, 2020

Hi guys!

Total newbie here and I’m considering to buy this Speedmaster with a racing dial, from my inexperienced eyes, I am only uncertain about a few details:

- The caseback is sterile, it should have a speedmaster logo?

- The lume on the dial and hands (as seen in the pictures are strong), does that indicate a redial and new hands instead of the original vintage parts?

- The dial says “Swiss made” at the bottom, instead of “T Swiss Made T”?

- How do I find the watch’s individual serial number?

- Is there a way to date this watch (seller says it’s from the 1970’s but does not have more specific info)?

Hopefully those more knowledgeable than me (which is probably all of you!) will be able to chime in if this is a good and honest example of a Mark ll with regards to it having all the correct parts and also is there anything else I should ask about the watch?

If you were to buy this, what would be a ballpark figure to look for, price wise?

Last photo showing the white arrow, which is pointing to a chip in the crystal.

Thank you all so much and appreciate any input you guys might have!

Edited: Jul 3, 2020

 

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High Hope

·Jul 3, 2020

I’m not qualified to comment on the watch’s authenticity but I will say that it is very attractive. Experts here will probably point out whether it is 100% or not, but nonetheless it’s a beauty IMO. I hope it is real for your sake!

 

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Headspace1992

·Jul 3, 2020

Yes I really hope it is authentic too! But with vintage watches I really don’t know how to tell, especially since all the different parts could have been changed out and replaced.
Even the end links of the bracelet so I’m hoping someone with more experience can weigh in on the watch.

 

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joe band

·Jul 3, 2020

looks refinished. see the waviness of the brushing on the bracelet, doesn't look like OEM omega to me.

not to say it's not a nice watch... what's the price? what do you want? a solid timepiece or an all original safe queen?

 

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Headspace1992

·Jul 3, 2020

So it’s only the bracelet that looks refinished? How about the head itself?

 

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vienna

·Jul 3, 2020

The dial is a service dial, also the minute and hour hand. Crown looks like a replacement, can‘t really tell from the pics. The case seems to be refurbished but not done well in my opinion, lapidation is too deep. My conclusion: it depends on the price snd if you are happy with that watch. The serial is inside, the caseback is dead polished. For a correct date of production you can get an Extract of the archive from Omega( not for free)

This is mine with the same service parts but different bracelet (1159/154)

https://omegaforums.net/threads/back-from-spa-145-014.114819/

kind regards Max


Here

 

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Headspace1992

·Jul 3, 2020

Thanks Max!

what does lapidation mean?

 

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vienna

·Jul 3, 2020

The lapidation is the sunburst grinding around the crystal. If any of the other forum members has a better explanation I would be happy since English is not my mother tounge.

kind regards Max

 

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Wuza72

·Jul 3, 2020

"Lapidation" means "pretty made".

You can recognize the new dial by the fact that the older models always contain "T Swiss Made T".

The picture is borrowed:

I noticed the following, but I would like to be instructed otherwise 😀

If the T is not in line with the 28 Minute and 32 minute markings but inside, then they are from 1969 to early 1970.

If the "T" is in line with the above markings or outside, then they were built until the mid 70s.

But the definitely important information is on the movement as well as on the inside of the caseback, as already mentioned above.

Greetings

Wuza

 

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killer67

·Jul 3, 2020

H Headspace1992

Thanks Max!

what does lapidation mean?

Lapidation has nothing to do with watches

 

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Taddyangle

·Jul 3, 2020

Yes, service dial and min/hr hands look to be service as well.

Probably better to buy one without service parts. I have done enough project watches, it is much more difficult to find original parts these days.

 

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redzer007

·Jul 3, 2020

My 2 cents are

It's pretty
The case back has been polished, it should have sea monster.
Probable service dial and hands (originals would of faded alot)
Possible case lapping (puts the grain back) I would ask for a photo of the lugs from the end looking at the shoulders to see how much polishing has been done.

Depending in price I'd keep looking

 

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killer67

·Jul 3, 2020

the hands, tach scale and bracelet are not original to the watch. Need better dial pics

 

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Evitzee

·Jul 3, 2020

As an owner of a MKII since 1972 I'll make a few comments. The head and bracelet have been worked on, a bit too much in my opinion. It's not totally unattractive, but not original looking. The polished edge is not natural indicating the case has been worked. The hippocampus on my watch is pretty faint after all these years and it has never been polished. Wearing it for many years will smooth it out. If the crystal is not all scratched up it is a replacement, these were mineral crystals and were easily scratched in use. Not a killer as it will be hard to find a 50 yo MKII with really good original crystal. The bracelet is not original.

This watch isn't the worst I've seen, it depends on how much you value total originality which can be overblown in many instances. Also depends on the price. I'd probably pass and keep looking.

 

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Headspace1992

·Jul 3, 2020

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!

The seller wants about USD$2870 for it.

Would you pay that amount?

 

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Wuza72

·Jul 3, 2020

H Headspace1992

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!

The seller wants about USD$2870 for it.

Would you pay that amount?

Never !

Be patient and learn as much as possible here in the omega forum 😉

 

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killer67

·Jul 3, 2020

H Headspace1992

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!

The seller wants about USD$2870 for it.

Would you pay that amount?

not a chance

 

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Evitzee

·Jul 3, 2020

H Headspace1992

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!

The seller wants about USD$2870 for it.

Would you pay that amount?

Hell, no.

 

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Taddyangle

·Jul 3, 2020

Too much. One in original condition with papers sold on eBay for $2450 earlier today.

 

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Headspace1992

·Jul 4, 2020

What would be a fair price to offer the seller?