How to wind my 1969 Speedy

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ShawnS

·Mar 22, 2023

Hi,

I am new to this forum.
Just got my fully serviced Speedy back !
This watch used to be my Father's, and was brought back to life after not being used for many years. It was originally purchased, new, in 1969.

I have read all sorts of warnings about not over winding. Also, that once sufficiently wound, there either be a "click" or it will stop. I am not sure if this applies to a 69 vintage ?
I have wound it up to 60 turns (maybe not full turns, because I am nervous) and it just keeps winding. It would be really nice to know when it is fully wound.
After doing the 60 turns, the watch kept excellent time and after at least 30 hours, was still running.

Any advice as to how I would know the watch is fully wound (but not overwind it) bearing in mind it's vintage ?

Many Thanks.
Shawn.

 

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Syzygy

·Mar 22, 2023

Just wind it until the crown stops turning...you'll know when to stop, and don't grip the crown too tight. It'll stop, and slip in your fingers. Just don't fight it, and you'll be fine.

 

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Syzygy

·Mar 22, 2023

Oh yeah...sorry. Welcome to the Forum, nice heirloom piece you have there, with awesome history and personal connection!

 

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arkman

·Mar 22, 2023

As soon as you feel gentle resistance, stop.

It is a beautiful watch with a great dial! Wear it well!

 

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Evitzee

·Mar 22, 2023

arkman

As soon as you feel gentle resistance, stop.

If you stop when you feel 'gentle resistance' you will probably stop well short of a full wind. It is an imprecise tool. Best practice is to continue to wind the watch until the crown won't turn any further, a full stop. You aren't going to break anything unless you are The Hulk.

 

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noelekal

·Mar 22, 2023·Home For Wayward Watches

Lovely watch! Thanks for posting the photograph.

Gently wind it until it stops. You'll feel it.

I think about 40-42 turns winds my 1985 vintage Speedmaster when I fire it up.

I recall reading here on the Forum about a fellow complaining that he didn't enjoy winding his Speedmaster because of the cramped clearance between the buttons. He related how he wanted to trade it for something automatic.

Seemed a shame.

I love the unique feel to winding the Speedmaster, cramped clearance and all. One isn't required to crank the hooey out of it, full turns at a time!

Glad you joined us.

Feel free to share your impressions while you're on your Speedmaster wearing journey. It'll be a journey that's doubly special since the watch was once your father's.

 

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josiahg52

·Mar 22, 2023

When fully wound, the resistance immediately and drastically changes from being able to wind to a hard stop. Like already said, you could go past that point but you'd know it required a massive amount of additional force to do so and it would result in damage.

 

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noelekal

·Mar 22, 2023·Home For Wayward Watches

josiahg52

When fully wound, the resistance immediately and drastically changes from being able to wind to a hard stop. Like already said, you could go past that point but you'd know it required a massive amount of additional force to do so and it would result in damage.

There are devices that can deliver massive amounts of additional force.


No Alpine watches were injured in this photographic depiction of massive additional force watchmaking tools.

 

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Larry S

·Mar 22, 2023·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

I got a lesson in winding after overwinding a hand built watch from the watchmaker. Upon its return to my possession, He advocated winding till resistance is felt and backing off one turn.

 

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Duracuir1

·Mar 22, 2023·Never Used A Kodak

noelekal

There are devices that can deliver massive amounts of additional force.


No Alpine watches were injured in this photographic depiction of massive additional force watchmaking tools.

We went to the same watchbreaking school.

Welcome Shawn. And fear not, this was a fake. Your Speedy is a gem

 

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Dan S

·Mar 22, 2023

I'm surprised that you were able to wind it 60 turns, that seems a lot for a Speedmaster. In any case, just wind it until the crown won't turn anymore. The mainspring will then be fully wound.

 

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ShawnS

·Mar 23, 2023

Thanks All, for the overwhelming response. I just love the piece. I was quoted on replacing the bezel as well when it went for the service, but I chose not to. Tried to keep it original.

 

J

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joe band

·Mar 24, 2023

wonderful heirloom.
just to mention that may have been purchased in 1969, but it isn't a 1969 watch... it could be a 145.012 with a 321 or my guess it is a 145.022 1968... with the applied metal logo, not rare, but uncommon enough.

either way, be careful swapping out the bezel, dial or hands as those three are the big value of a vintage watch. obviously the case and movement too, but many a vintage watch has lost it's charm (and value) when someone says "oh, i can replace those parts with new OEM omega parts... and make it GOOD as NEW"

SMH.

 

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ShawnS

·Mar 25, 2023

J joe band

wonderful heirloom.
just to mention that may have been purchased in 1969, but it isn't a 1969 watch... it could be a 145.012 with a 321 or my guess it is a 145.022 1968... with the applied metal logo, not rare, but uncommon enough.

either way, be careful swapping out the bezel, dial or hands as those three are the big value of a vintage watch. obviously the case and movement too, but many a vintage watch has lost it's charm (and value) when someone says "oh, i can replace those parts with new OEM omega parts... and make it GOOD as NEW"

SMH.

Thanks for the feedback, I also have this (see photo attached), does that help identify what it is ?

 

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Dan S

·Mar 25, 2023

ShawnS

Thanks for the feedback, I also have this (see photo attached), does that help identify what it is ?

Yes, assuming that the warranty actually lines up with the watch (and there's no reason to think otherwise), the 145.012 is the reference and the 26M number is the serial number. Those numbers should match up with numbers inside the watch, inside the case-back and on the movement, respectively. 321 is the caliber of the movement.

 

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Ascalon

·Mar 25, 2023

noelekal

There are devices that can deliver massive amounts of additional force.


No Alpine watches were injured in this photographic depiction of massive additional force watchmaking tools.

In fairness, I once had to use a 32mm adjustable spanner to open the back of an old Cartier that had one of those odd, multi-flat backs. It did feel like overkill, but it worked!

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 25, 2023

My first manual-wind made me nervous too, and I think I failed to fully wind it for the first couple months.

To echo what others have said: wind it until it gives you a hard stop. You’ll know it when you feel it—seriously. And you’ll know not to keep going because it would require a lot of force to do so. You won’t hurt anything. After a few times doing this you’ll get the feel for it and it’ll become routine.