Holiday watch shopping in Bangkok, Speedmaster triple date or Seamaster?

ErichKeane · Jan 6, 2026

D DanD
I requested that the shop put both of the original watches, the Triple Date, and the SMPc on a time graph machine, and surprisingly they did it, the Triple Date is running at -16 and the photo shows some marks that were not in the photos on their website.

As for the SMPc I got a strange reply that the time graph machine was unable to pick up the movement because it is a co axle, and has a magnetic shield? I find that statement very strange.

Right now unfortunately I’m not getting a warm fuzzy feeling about this deal.

The triple date looks within reasonable numbers at least. The amplitude is, IMO, always the most important one.

The Co-axial concern is right, it makes different 'noises' so older/cheaper machines can't figure them out. The magnetic shield has nothing to do with it, as they work entirely on sound.

The only real suspicious bit there is... HOW did the watchmaker confirm the watch keeps time 'very well' without a timegrapher?

padders · Jan 6, 2026

You think? -16s isn't what I would call within a reasonable number. It needs regulation at least, most likely actually a full service. that level of lag means that you are nearly 2 mins slow every week. Fast is easy to fix with a hack, slow less so. 266º Amp on a 7750 derivative is OK but not great. I'd expect nearer or greater than 300º if it was truly healthy.

Regarding the co-ax, cheaper timing machines can't read the amplitude correctly but should be able to read the rate as long as they can cope with the 7Hz beat rate. Maybe theirs can't but it looks decent so perhaps they are being dishonest.

Dan S · Jan 6, 2026

Maybe you should focus on one particular reference that you really want. That way you can educate yourself about it and be ready to jump on a good deal, instead of posting to the forum and waiting for feedback.

ErichKeane · Jan 6, 2026

padders
You think? -16s isn't what I would call within a reasonable number. It needs regulation at least, most likely actually a full service. that level of lag means that you nearly 2 mins slow every week. Fast is easy to fix with a hack, slow less so. 266º Amp is OK but not great. I'd expect nearer 300 if it was truly healthy.

Regarding the co-ax, cheaper timing machines can't read the amplitude correctly but should be able to read the rest as long as they can cope with the 7Hz beat rate. Maybe theirs can't

Sure, I meant really to say that the 266 amplitude means the watch is mostly healthy. I'd like to see it in multiple positions, but 266 is within spec. The ETA technical manual for the 7750 says 200 is the minimum amplitude after 24hrs. Presumably they are doing it on full-wind, so its higher obviously. That said, it is far from being 'in need of a service' number. Note that a full-wind, 310 degrees is the MAXIMUM, so anything up near there is concerning.

I rarely care about rate, regulation is easy enough for most watchmakers if necessary.

Re co-ax: That depends on the machine whether it gives up with the different pattern or not. That one is old enough I wouldn't doubt it can't figure out 7hz AND would have a difficult time with the extra pallet noises.

DanD · Jan 6, 2026

ErichKeane
Sure, I meant really to say that the 266 amplitude means the watch is mostly healthy. I'd like to see it in multiple positions, but 266 is within spec. The ETA technical manual for the 7750 says 200 is the minimum amplitude after 24hrs. Presumably they are doing it on full-wind, so its higher obviously. That said, it is far from being 'in need of a service' number. Note that a full-wind, 310 degrees is the MAXIMUM, so anything up near there is concerning.

I rarely care about rate, regulation is easy enough for most watchmakers if necessary.

Re co-ax: That depends on the machine whether it gives up with the different pattern or not. That one is old enough I wouldn't doubt it can't figure out 7hz AND would have a difficult time with the extra pallet noises.

The primary reason I requested that they put it on machine was to see the BPH, like others have mentioned if a co axle is not running at 25200, it’s not a real Omega.

Archer · Jan 6, 2026

For the Speedmaster, the lift angle is set to 52 instead of 50, so the amplitude is artificially high on the display, so it's likely more like the low 250's. The rate is quite slow also - this tells me it is in need of a service, and I would factor that into the price paid.

The timing machine should at least be able to pick up the rate on the Seamaster, and if it cannot that's not a good sign.

DanD · Jan 6, 2026

Dan S
Maybe you should focus on one particular reference that you really want. That way you can educate yourself about it and be ready to jump on a good deal, instead of posting to the forum and waiting for feedback.

I have pretty much decided on one of two references, I really like the sword hand 300m Seamasters prior to the bond watches, and the SMPc

I think I will be taking a pass on the Triple Date.

DanD · Jan 6, 2026

Archer
For the Speedmaster, the lift angle is set to 52 instead of 50, so the amplitude is artificially high on the display, so it's likely more like the low 250's. The rate is quite slow also - this tells me it is in need of a service, and I would factor that into the price paid.

The timing machine should at least be able to pick up the rate on the Seamaster, and if it cannot that's not a good sign.

Thank you…I was hoping to see a BPH of 25200 on the SMPc, that was the primary reason for asking for him to put it on a machine..

ErichKeane · Jan 6, 2026

One interesting thing from the timegrapher picture is making me feel a little uneasy. Look at the surroundings! A cleaning basket and a random mainspring just hanging out on what is obviously a messy bench.

Makes me think their "watchmaker" is just "some guy who comes in and pokes/replaces things and random as cheaply/quickly as possible". OR, not even a 'watchmaker', they do it themselves.

Archer · Jan 6, 2026

ErichKeane
One interesting thing from the timegrapher picture is making me feel a little uneasy. Look at the surroundings! A cleaning basket and a random mainspring just hanging out on what is obviously a messy bench.

Makes me think their "watchmaker" is just "some guy who comes in and pokes/replaces things and random as cheaply/quickly as possible". OR, not even a 'watchmaker', they do it themselves.

I will say that is the dirtiest microphone stand I've ever seen...I cannot imagine how it got that dirty unless someone has been handing it with very dirty hands for a very long time.

ErichKeane · Jan 6, 2026

Archer
I will say that is the dirtiest microphone stand I've ever seen...I cannot imagine how it got that dirty unless someone has been handing it with very dirty hands for a very long time.

OOof, I didn't even see that. Thats frightening.

ErichPryde · Jan 6, 2026

ErichKeane
OOof, I didn't even see that. Thats frightening.

It's like someone dipped their hands in a tobacco spit cup before handling that thing. 🤮

ErichPryde · Jan 6, 2026

I think it's more likely there is ignorance on the part of the person you're talking to regarding the coax movement than willful attempt to hide a fake watch. They probably don't understand that the timegrapher can get the beat rate, or don't understand the significance of that beat rate and think you are looking for General Health of the watch.

That said- this conversation raises an excellent point- when looking at any older reference you've almost certainly got to factor in a service cost if you don't know service history. That also gives you a place to bargain from.

Servicing a Seamaster with a date complication through Omega is going to be around 700USD. The moon phase is going to be a lot more through Omega (if you go that route).

cmcm0404 · Jan 7, 2026

All things being equal, I'd take the triple date. That all said, the price is just...ok. I've seen these in excellent condition, with six months warranty and a recent (if in-house) service from Japanese sellers in Japan for more like 2000USD. Many of their sellers now ship worldwide, though you'll ay taxes. Check out Komehyo, for example. It's not that common in the USA and Europe, but they were big sellers in Asia, particularly Japan, in the early-mid 2000s, because the 39mm case was a popular 'smaller' size.

The movement is a derivative of a 7750 (a 7753 to make it triple date) that Omega give their own calibre number to, but there are no changes under the hood beyond that/a striped rotor, so these calibres are everywhere/in other brands. They're thus easy enough to service, and can fairly easily be regulated back into mid single-seconds despite being non-COSC (though there is a COSC version that superseded it).

An independent watch repairer that knows their stuff and doesn't try to rip you off 'because it's a Speedmaster' should be able to give you some warranty and 6-7 seconds a day accuracy for more like 500USD.

You may also wish to look for the ref 3513.50 'date' - but not triple date. I picked one up for nearer 1750USD in near-mint condition in Japan with papers three years ago, though I got it serviced for about 350USD a year later (albeit in the UK) - had a couple of slightly worn parts in it - now runs within five seconds a day. I don't think that comes in blue though until the later COSC version. Black or silver or some limited edition dials...which you pay a lot more for.

DanD · Jan 7, 2026

cmcm0404
All things being equal, I'd take the triple date. That all said, the price is just...ok. I've seen these in excellent condition, with six months warranty and a recent (if in-house) service from Japanese sellers in Japan for more like 2000USD. Many of their sellers now ship worldwide, though you'll ay taxes. Check out Komehyo, for example. It's not that common in the USA and Europe, but they were big sellers in Asia, particularly Japan, in the early-mid 2000s, because the 39mm case was a popular 'smaller' size.

The movement is a derivative of a 7750 (a 7753 to make it triple date) that Omega give their own calibre number to, but there are no changes under the hood beyond that/a striped rotor, so these calibres are everywhere/in other brands. They're thus easy enough to service, and can fairly easily be regulated back into mid single-seconds despite being non-COSC (though there is a COSC version that superseded it).

An independent watch repairer that knows their stuff and doesn't try to rip you off 'because it's a Speedmaster' should be able to give you some warranty and 6-7 seconds a day accuracy for more like 500USD.

You may also wish to look for the ref 3513.50 'date' - but not triple date. I picked one up for nearer 1750USD in near-mint condition in Japan with papers three years ago, though I got it serviced for about 350USD a year later (albeit in the UK) - had a couple of slightly worn parts in it - now runs within five seconds a day. I don't think that comes in blue though until the later COSC version. Black or silver or some limited edition dials...which you pay a lot more for.

Is this what you are referring to?

I have been looking at their website for the past week, unfortunately all of the shops are about 2 hours from where I’m staying at.

I know that some people are shy about clicking on web links, https://www.komehyo.co.th/product/2600062429474-omega-speedmaster-date-39mm/ but they do have a nice selection of watches. I only wish that they would have better quality and more photos of the watches.

How accurate did you find their grading system? They have two Seamasters that I am currently considering.

cmcm0404 · Jan 7, 2026

D DanD
Is this what you are referring to?

I have been looking at their website for the past week, unfortunately all of the shops are about 2 hours from where I’m staying at.

I know that some people are shy about clicking on web links, https://www.komehyo.co.th/product/2600062429474-omega-speedmaster-date-39mm/ but they do have a nice selection of watches. I only wish that they would have better quality and more photos of the watches.

How accurate did you find their grading system? They have two Seamasters that I am currently considering.

Komehyo are Japanese, but also have stores in Singapore and Thailand (and possibly other places). I go to Japan for work and have bought...three watches from them over the years.

Cosmetic grading: they don't exaggerate. An S will be flawless. An A will likely need a loupe to spot anything, but may have had a light re-polish. Bs are more of a mixed bag, could have a scratch on the dial which is a bigger problem than a slightly banged up clasp (to me), but are all bunged in with B category. They rarely sell anything in noticeably beaten up condition though, and don't go in for the overpolished to the point of looking melted stuff that you see online. Overall, I rate them.

Internally, the Japanese big sellers often claim an 'overhaul' and may offer six months warranty, but it's usually their in house team that strips, cleans, lubricates and puts it back together (Okura, Daikokuya, etc do the same). They're happy to show you it running on a timegrapher and give you a print out. That doesn't mean flawless in the longer-term though. Mine lost amplitude a year in, and the (excellent, Omega-certified) guy servicing said it needed a new mainspring and reverser, which together weren't expensive but clearly were put back in quite worn, though anything outright broken will very likely have been fixed before it goes on. That's not unique to Komehyo - I had it with another Japanese seller (bought in person in Japan) too. Fine, but that vintage piece had a strip and clean rather than new bits replacing part worn bits, so it was a little...quirky (inconsistent power reserve, large-ish variation in positions, sometimes the day-date drag caused it to run out of steam if low on reserve near midnight, etc). If you buy older pieces, expect something like that and budget accordingly.

Long story short, I find the quality better than some of the other questionable stuff you run into, personally, and you very rarely overpay.

Archer · Jan 7, 2026

cmcm0404
The movement is a derivative of a 7750 (a 7753 to make it triple date) that Omega give their own calibre number to, but there are no changes under the hood beyond that/a striped rotor, so these calibres are everywhere/in other brands. They're thus easy enough to service, and can fairly easily be regulated back into mid single-seconds despite being non-COSC (though there is a COSC version that superseded it).

An independent watch repairer that knows their stuff and doesn't try to rip you off 'because it's a Speedmaster' should be able to give you some warranty and 6-7 seconds a day accuracy for more like 500USD.

It's actually based on the 7751, not the 7753. The 7753 is a 7750 configured to have 3-6-9 sub-dials, so definitely not what Omega made into the Cal. 1151.

Many people say that because this is 7750 based there's no difference in servicing one from a 7750. On many levels that is true, but in some significant ways it is not.

As you mention, the rotor is different but it's not exactly a minor change when it comes to servicing - it's not about the shape or adding "stripes." The bearing in the 1151 rotor is burnished in place and not replaceable, where the 7750 has the traditional locking collar system that allows the bearing to be replaced easily. So if the bearing is worn, the person you take it to won't be able to change the bearing and will need an entire new Omega rotor - an Omega parts account with a certified watchmaker will be needed for that, and it is rather common that the bearing is bad so replacing this part is not unusual at all.

The rest of the movement is pretty much the same, although not identical - the shape of the automatic bridge is completely different for example.

$500 for an automatic chronograph service - maybe 15 or 20 years ago, but you will be hard pressed to find any Omega certified watchmaker willing to do one that cheap now. Keep in mind that the rotor I mentioned above - if that needs replacing that alone is over $200 to replace.

bsowers34 · Jan 7, 2026

Archer
It's actually based on the 7751, not the 7753. The 7753 is a 7750 configured to have 3-6-9 sub-dials, so definitely not what Omega made into the Cal. 1151.

Many people say that because this is 7750 based there's no difference in servicing one from a 7750. On many levels that is true, but in some significant ways it is not.

As you mention, the rotor is different but it's not exactly a minor change when it comes to servicing - it's not about the shape or adding "stripes." The bearing in the 1151 rotor is burnished in place and not replaceable, where the 7750 has the traditional locking collar system that allows the bearing to be replaced easily. So if the bearing is worn, the person you take it to won't be able to change the bearing and will need an entire new Omega rotor - an Omega parts account with a certified watchmaker will be needed for that, and it is rather common that the bearing is bad so replacing this part is not unusual at all.

The rest of the movement is pretty much the same, although not identical - the shape of the automatic bridge is completely different for example.

$500 for an automatic chronograph service - maybe 15 or 20 years ago, but you will be hard pressed to find any Omega certified watchmaker willing to do one that cheap now. Keep in mind that the rotor I mentioned above - if that needs replacing that alone is over $200 to replace.

Full service on mine in 2022 by omega was 900. But it keeps great time, I only set it when the date needs changed and it's never off by even a full minute over a couple months.

Archer · Jan 7, 2026

bsowers34
Full service on mine in 2022 by omega was 900. But it keeps great time, I only set it when the date needs changed and it's never off by even a full minute over a couple months.

Full service also included all the other aspects that people sometimes forget to think about. Replacing crown, pushers, case back seal, etc. Again things that as a watchmaker you will most likely need an account to acquire.

bsowers34 · Jan 7, 2026

Archer
Full service also included all the other aspects that people sometimes forget to think about. Replacing crown, pushers, case back seal, etc. Again things that as a watchmaker you will most likely need an account to acquire.

Chrono was repaired also because it would not reset to zero. Overall it was worth it(to me). BTW, thanks for telling me to send it for the service back then.

Holiday watch shopping in Bangkok, Speedmaster triple date or Seamaster?

ErichKeane

padders

Dan S

ErichKeane

DanD

Archer

DanD

DanD

ErichKeane

Archer

ErichKeane

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

cmcm0404

DanD

cmcm0404

Archer

bsowers34

Archer

bsowers34

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Holiday and watch hunting in Bangkok!