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Inherited Speedmaster 105.012-65 - need advice before I touch anything
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mpv22
·Great heirloom. As others have said, stay away from an Omega service.
I vote for a relume. A good one will not be cheap, but as it is, it looks a bit skeletonized, to me. And one day, that lume will be old too.
If the intent is your enjoyment, that is one thing. If originality and resell value, another. Seems you want the best of both worlds, which is hard. Just pick a direction and don't look back.
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mpv22
·Skeletonized, that’s the perfect description. Thank you for your advice. I definitely need to pick a side.
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Starcrest
·This man specialises in restoring dials with period-correct lume to imitate age. He doesn't mention prices, which may be significant :
https://horoluma.com/about/
https://horoluma.com/about/
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Dan S
·FWIW, I wouldn't get hung up on valuation in the context of a re-lume. Missing lume on the dial is a serious flaw from a collectible perspective, so there's really no point in trying to preserve the originality. If you would get more pleasure from a re-lumed dial (and most people would), I don't think you should hesitate. A few people might prefer to preserve the watch as their father used it, which would be a valid reason to leave it as-is. You also need to find a person who can do a good job. An ugly re-lume won't give you much joy.
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mpv22
·FWIW, I wouldn't get hung up on valuation in the context of a re-lume. Missing lume on the dial is a serious flaw from a collectible perspective, so there's really no point in trying to preserve the originality. If you would get more pleasure from a re-lumed dial (and most people would), I don't think you should hesitate. A few people might prefer to preserve the watch as their father used it, which would be a valid reason to leave it as-is. You also need to find a person who can do a good job. An ugly re-lume won't give you much joy.
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mpv22
·I want to wear it. Use it as it was intended. I want to pass it on. Do you know anyone that can do a good relume ?
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Dan S
·I want to wear it. Use it as it was intended. I want to pass it on. Do you know anyone that can do a good relume ?
https://www.alchemistrelumer.co.uk/ is another often mentioned. James Hyman is in the UK, I believe. Many good reviews on the forum.
If you want to stay in the US, I have heard very good things about https://tmwatchco.com/front-page/about-us/ in the context of case restoration, and I notice that they also mention dial restoration on their website. You might contact them to see what they think about your dial, and if they have any examples of their work that they can share. @Tmorehouse51 is a member of the forum and started a thread to show some of their restorations: https://omegaforums.net/threads/tm-watch-co-restoration-thread.188607/
In general, top people usually charge for their work, and they may have a significant backlog. So as you probably understand, you will need to approach this project with patience and appreciation for craftsmanship.
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bgrisso
·I would definitely relume. I have used James H and he did great work. There is no down side to a high quality relume on this particular watch, as it will look way better and you can always remove the lume and get back to exactly what you have now, although I don't know why you would do that. If all the original lume was intact, but not attractive, and you were considering to replace it, you can debate that as much as you want, originality vs appearance, but in this case, where the lume is already gone, there is no argument against a high quality relume IMO.
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mpv22
·https://horoluma.com/ was already mentioned, he appears to be in Germany. I see that the entry page of his website has a testimonial from our own @JimJupiter (Nico).
https://www.alchemistrelumer.co.uk/ is another often mentioned. James Hyman is in the UK, I believe. Many good reviews on the forum.
If you want to stay in the US, I have heard very good things about https://tmwatchco.com/front-page/about-us/ in the context of case restoration, and I notice that they also mention dial restoration on their website. You might contact them to see what they think about your dial, and if they have any examples of their work that they can share. @Tmorehouse51 is a member of the forum and started a thread to show some of their restorations: https://omegaforums.net/threads/tm-watch-co-restoration-thread.188607/
In general, top people usually charge for their work, and they may have a significant backlog. So as you probably understand, you will need to approach this project with patience and appreciation for craftsmanship.
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mpv22
·Hey, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me with all of this. Thank you for all the info and guidance, it means a lot.
That info you sent was super helpful. I’m definitely leaning toward doing the relume the right way.
I also came across a company in Miami (USA Watch Repair) that does luminous restoration. I might reach out to them as well and compare options.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
That info you sent was super helpful. I’m definitely leaning toward doing the relume the right way.
I also came across a company in Miami (USA Watch Repair) that does luminous restoration. I might reach out to them as well and compare options.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
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bgrisso
·I would go with someone known and recommended by this forum. Many people can do OK relume, some people are exceptional. You want the best.
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Dan S
·Hey, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me with all of this. Thank you for all the info and guidance, it means a lot.
That info you sent was super helpful. I’m definitely leaning toward doing the relume the right way.
I also came across a company in Miami (USA Watch Repair) that does luminous restoration. I might reach out to them as well and compare options.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
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Dan S
·Just remembered, there is also this one: https://www.truepatina.com/service-provisions
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watch_my_six
·This man specialises in restoring dials with period-correct lume to imitate age. He doesn't mention prices, which may be significant :
https://horoluma.com/about/
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Gael.Bx
·I'm going to offer a slightly different opinion. This is a family heirloom watch that will never be sold. Since the bezel is missing, whether it's replaced with a DON or a service bezel, the result is the same: it will never be the original vintage bezel with all the wear and tear it would have sustained over time. I understand the purist side of the collector who prefers to see a watch 100% identical to its factory condition, but adding 2,000 for a DON only makes sense for the most discerning collector. If you or your child want to preserve this family heirloom and wear it, it doesn't matter whether the bezel is a service bezel or not.
However, I would have the hands and dial relumed by a professional who still has period-correct tinned lithium metal and can repaint them properly.
In Europe I would go to Horoluma; you probably have an equivalent in the US.
However, I would have the hands and dial relumed by a professional who still has period-correct tinned lithium metal and can repaint them properly.
In Europe I would go to Horoluma; you probably have an equivalent in the US.
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lenndon
·Hell of a project. If you can find all the components and keep it all era original, that will be a spectacular watch. Hands should be relumed IMO.
If you give it to Omega you will have it easier and can sell the old dial for a small fortune.
Many ways to go from here, but if you go the hard route sourcing bezel and bracelet, you will end up with a stunning timepiece.
If you give it to Omega you will have it easier and can sell the old dial for a small fortune.
Many ways to go from here, but if you go the hard route sourcing bezel and bracelet, you will end up with a stunning timepiece.
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mpv22
·I'm going to offer a slightly different opinion. This is a family heirloom watch that will never be sold. Since the bezel is missing, whether it's replaced with a DON or a service bezel, the result is the same: it will never be the original vintage bezel with all the wear and tear it would have sustained over time. I understand the purist side of the collector who prefers to see a watch 100% identical to its factory condition, but adding 2,000 for a DON only makes sense for the most discerning collector. If you or your child want to preserve this family heirloom and wear it, it doesn't matter whether the bezel is a service bezel or not.
However, I would have the hands and dial relumed by a professional who still has period-correct tinned lithium metal and can repaint them properly.
In Europe I would go to Horoluma; you probably have an equivalent in the US
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mpv22
·I love the idea. But the thought of searching for original parts and truly trying to make it as original as possible. It’s exciting. I am not in a rush to get it fixed.
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mpv22
·Hell of a project. If you can find all the components and keep it all era original, that will be a spectacular watch. Hands should be relumed IMO.
If you give it to Omega you will have it easier and can sell the old dial for a small fortune.
Many ways to go from here, but if you go the hard route sourcing bezel and bracelet, you will end up with a stunning timepiece.
