Help with 1976 Speedy Moonwatch

Hi All,
I have owned my birth year 1976 speedy moonwatch for maybe 15 odd years now. It came with its original steel bracelet but, at that time, I didn’t like that look so I stored it away and put a rally strap on it. However, when I first put the rally strap on it would pivot around the spring bars so that the edge of the strap that should butt against the case would pop out (hope that makes sense?). To prevent this I packed the case out with black electrical tape and it’s worked just fine but I’d like to get this watch in the best condition before it’s passed down to my son.

I queried the issue at the time, either on this or another forum and with Simon Freese when they had it for service. From the information I was never sure if the issue was caused by an over polished case or if this strap would never fit properly because it wasn’t designed for this watch. Regardless, I intended to have the case ‘built out’ to its original size by Simon or to find a replacement case however, I’ve done neither and so I’m now revisiting this as well as trying to sort all the other issues.

The issues are:-
Watch case - as above
Bracelet - clasp doesn’t stay shut and my need stretch sorting
Dial - this had no lume at all when purchased so Simon Freese re-lumed it many years ago
No original box
No original papers - I have extract from the archives

I’ve read the thread on here regarding issues people have had with Simon Freese so won’t be sending to him. I’m based in the North West. Has anybody used Prime Time in Mawdsley, Lancashire as they are very close to me?

How easy is it now to find and purchase a new case, dial and box, all original and from the correct time period?

As always, TIA for any help and advice,
CH

Hi @Spacefruit,
See below…. let me know if there’s something not shown in these images that would help.
Many thanks,
CH

As per image, the rally strap does this. I place slithers of tape on top of each other to pack it out to prevent this. The tape is placed on the case between the lugs and where the strap should stay seated. I was told this happens because the case has been over polished. I’ve also been told it’s due to the strap not being made for this watch. I’m unclear which it is. Simon Freese has had the watch many years ago and said the case was over polished and he could correct this and it would prevent the rally strap doing this. I don’t have much knowledge of watches but I wonder why anybody would polish so much between the lugs, where it will be covered by a bracelet or strap?

Thanks for all responses. The rally strap fitted is the Omega ref: 98000024. I had been led to believe, at time of purchase, that this would fit correctly?

That may fix the issue. I’m going to take it into the watch shop next Saturday so I can ask them to try larger diameter spring bars on it.

Regarding Prime Time watch repairs in Mawdesley, I've had a couple of vintage Seikos (Bellmatic and Grand Seiko Hi-Beat) serviced there and was very pleased with the results. I follow them on Instagram, and can see they've previously worked on vintage Omega, eg. calibre 565.

Thank you for posting. That’s reassuring to hear and will be great if I have a reliable and trustworthy watchmaker within a short driving distance. I intend to visit next weekend and take this watch to ask their opinion.

Just revisiting this thread as some questions went unanswered.
Can anybody give an opinion on the bracelet based on the images? I tried to show the curve to demonstrate the level of stretch. I have no idea if mine is considered poor condition or good.
Also, the clasp, is it easy to ‘adjust’ so it stays closed? I wouldn’t wear at the moment as it pops open so doesn’t feel secure.
TIA, CH