Community Stories

Help verifying 145.022-68 (or 69)

Dan S
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M millertime021
Thank you! I need to deep dive on servicing. I'm happy to pay for Omega to do it, I just don't know how they handle older watches and keeping them original. I assume I can send it in and just ask for movement work with no other replacements... but maybe it's worth going to a reputable shop around me. Going to research that some more now.
Omega/Swatch will not necessarily be willing to do only a movement service. They often require other parts to be replaced and they don't care at all about retaining originality. Personally, I would not send a collectible vintage Speedmaster to Omega, and I think that's the general consensus.

Not sure if there is anything else that needs restoration or replacing on your watch. In some of the photos, it looks like there is a lot of lume missing on the dial, but it's hard to tell.
 
M
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SpdMastr SpdMastr
That is one heck of a first Omega鈥ongrats! I鈥檇 recommend having a reputable watchmaker who is experienced servicing vintage Speedmasters work on it rather than sending it to Swatch/Omega.
Thank you and thanks for the advice on servicing. That's exactly the information I'm looking for! I'll start doing my research for local shops. While it desperately needs service, I'll probably wear it a bit then send it in.

While service prices vary from location to location, does anyone have a general ballpark for a full movement service? I'm figuring $800-1000, but hoping for less, obviously. 馃榿
 
SpdMastr
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M millertime021
Thank you and thanks for the advice on servicing. That's exactly the information I'm looking for! I'll start doing my research for local shops. While it desperately needs service, I'll probably wear it a bit then send it in.

While service prices vary from location to location, does anyone have a general ballpark for a full movement service? I'm figuring $800-1000, but hoping for less, obviously. 馃榿

$800-$1000 is reasonable, though it could be more if issues are found.
 
nzshadow
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Aww man, I couldn't scroll fast enough to find out if you got it.

Congratulations - that's a great score.
 
Marsimaxam
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SpdMastr SpdMastr
$800-$1000 is reasonable, though it could be more if issues are found.
A reasonable range, depending on where you service the watch, is 500-1500 USD depending on what is needed.
 
SOG53
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I would not wind it or wear it before service most likely all the oils are dried up and nothing good can happen if you wear it now. Make sure you have an experienced watchmaker with Omega parts account.
Congrats and send us photos after the service! We were all on the edge of our seats!!!
 
Jimmcb
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Great story and I look forward to hearing how this develops.

Jim
 
gefmey
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Take it to Donaldsons in Gilbert (might be Chandler, I never know where one starts and the other ends). They are the only watchmaker I trust for omega in Arizona. Dave is Omega certified. The Omega boutique also recommends them. Explain exactly what you want them to do or not to do. It's not cheap, and it will take a while but it will be done right.
 
M
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gefmey gefmey
Take it to Donaldsons in Gilbert (might be Chandler, I never know where one starts and the other ends). They are the only watchmaker I trust for omega in Arizona. Dave is Omega certified. The Omega boutique also recommends them. Explain exactly what you want them to do or not to do. It's not cheap, and it will take a while but it will be done right.
Thank you! I鈥檒l reach out. That shouldn鈥檛 be too far away from me.

edit: looks like Williams Field and Val Vista?
 
gefmey
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M millertime021
Thank you! I鈥檒l reach out. That shouldn鈥檛 be too far away from me.

edit: looks like Williams Field and Val Vista?
Yes, that's them. Good luck, I'm only sorry I didn't find that estate sale 馃檨
 
Arancio601
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M millertime021
Thanks! New to the Omega world. I've been eying a Speedy for years, but never could 'justify' a new one. I think this is a fun way to get into the community. Everyone here has been great so for and I really appreciate the guidance and warm welcome.
Congrats! An excellent find and purchase. Definitely better than a new one IMHO. Once its serviced and you are wearing it I reckon it will be hard keeping the smile off your face.
 
SOG53
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I just had a new pickup 69 Speedy serviced- it had sat in a drawer for decades. The caseback, crown and pusher gaskets had all disintegrated to goop, and could not be restored to provide any water resistance whatsoever- the crown and pushers were not designed to allow install of new gaskets. So at advice of wise watchmaker I went ahead with replacement crown and pushers, and crystal. I can gaze at the originals in a little plastic bag but my watch is pressure tested and waterproof so I feel confident with daily wearing. You may well be faced with the same decision. Enjoy the watch!!
 
M
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SOG53 SOG53
I just had a new pickup 69 Speedy serviced- it had sat in a drawer for decades. The caseback, crown and pusher gaskets had all disintegrated to goop, and could not be restored to provide any water resistance whatsoever- the crown and pushers were not designed to allow install of new gaskets. So at advice of wise watchmaker I went ahead with replacement crown and pushers, and crystal. I can gaze at the originals in a little plastic bag but my watch is pressure tested and waterproof so I feel confident with daily wearing. You may well be faced with the same decision. Enjoy the watch!!


Ah, good to know! Thanks!
 
bikerfox
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congratulations and an exciting time for you! as my grandparents would say "wear it in good health."
i should've clarified exactly what they meant!
 
stonestone
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Dan S Dan S
Do you go to estate sales? 馃榿
They don't seem to be that commonplace in Hong Kong, alas. And if they were, people here are probably too watch-savvy to let deals like this get through.
 
stonestone
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Congratulations to the OP on a brilliant first foray into Speedmasters!
 
M
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stonestone stonestone
Congratulations to the OP on a brilliant first foray into Speedmasters!
Thank you!

I went into the sale and saw they had a trash can for my son. Expected to spend $12, then saw this. Hey, at least I got the trash can as part of the deal!
 
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