Modifying your Speedmaster

There are some Speedmaster dials and combinations I really like but they are on the not on my affordable list. I have no issues purchasing a modified watch or modifying a watch myself as long as it's not being presented as something it's not. Recently I picked-up a 3594-50 with a blue Gemini V dial for sale on this forum. Honestly the price was less than I can get a low milage, stock 3594-50 and I got the Gemini V mod + bezel, hands + the original 3594-50 dial. It was an Omega lego kit. My mistake was meeting with Dave to pick up this watch and then see his Panda. This is kinda the inverse of the Gemini dial and to see it in the flesh, it's an absolute killer. I know Dave wanted me to dive into the Gemini V but that damn Panda on his wrist had my attention. So I get home to work on the Gemini and find another member happens to have a Mitsukoshi dial and hands for sale. Like I see on this forum, it's a reasonable price so I picked them up and then sourced an older 3594-50. In the end I've got the two Speedmasters with parts I purchased or have in stock for around $3600 each. If I had an original Gemini V and Mitsukoshi I'd wear them occasionally to preserve value vs not worrying about scratching or wearing the ones I built. So now for the pictures:

This is Gemini mod I purchased from Dave:


I like the broad arrow hands but changed out the sweep hand for a lollipop.



I changed out the 3594-50 bezel with the Blue Gemini V and added an Omega flat link bracelet with solid uncle links and cleaned up the crystal. The 1861 movement is in great condition, so nothing else was needed.



Now for the Panda. This is the 3594-50 i sourced.



Case and movement match but as soon as I remove the case back I knew the watch was mucked with by the PO. The anti mag cover was missing and 1 retaining screw for the adapter ring was gone. The case was in good shape, the 1861 works but it's not been well maintained. So I replaced the missing parts and went forward with the modification but the movement will need to be reworked in the next year. I pulled together some parts + the dial/hands I purchased:



I used a stock 145.022 bezel, the stock hands for the Mitsukoshi but changed out for a lollipop sweep hand. OK. I really like the lollipop sweep hands on the blue and white dials. I ended up not using a bracelet. I had received a white prototype strap from Phil a Kizzi Precision and IMO it works really well with the white dial. Plus I like velcro straps on Speedmasters and my dive watches.



Side-by-side on the two new additions:


So this is what I did for the holidays.

Swatch is over protective of its brands and tightly controls rework and parts. I have no issue building stuff I like for my personal use. In general, do the forum members have issues or concerns modifying Omega watches for their own use (or building up one which is similar to a more expensive version)?

Happy New Year

DaveB

I have no issues with modded Speedmasters, have three myself, but many don't like the idea for various reasons.

Love these, and almost all custom jobs. Shows creativity, and is a welcomed respite from the same stock models we are all familiar with, and see say after day.

Welcome Dave ! and you made some nice watches.

Plenty of "builds" to be found here on OF , start here ; https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-mods.71936/
a Racing dial version is popular https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-modded-speedmaster-racing-photos.185491/
as are the Mitsukoshi`s.
It is not for everyone but Omega was happy to sell the original parts in the past so it is hardly for them to complain 🙂 and as long as everyone is upfront about it i dont see any harm done.

very few things beat the joy of having a home build watch, here is a FOIS 2012 turned ck 2915, and a blue soleil FOIS 2024 dial in a Speedy Pro case with baton hands.

Thanks for the feedback and links. What always bugs me is every watch company releasing a limited run on a dial and hand change and getting 2X the price, 3x and 4x in the aftermarket. I get why it's done but it still drive me nuts. Especially when I really like the combination. That's why having enough parts available to build a similar to, especially with improvements, is fun without breaking the bank.

I like what you've done. Adding the matching the dial aging on the hands with that blue soleil dial, IMO pulls that build together.

Dave

Thanks !
That dial does need a lot of light to bring out the blue, so when the sun is out ;

They look great on my workbench, but after wearing for a month I agree with the legibility. The rhodium over blue is difficult for me to quickly see. I have a set of white hands that I can I try out on the Gemini. The subdials on the panda also need to be changed out to white.

That train with inexpensive parts left a long time ago. I have to replace a bearings on my Schaublin and I got quoted $1K if I go new and list. Just glad I've got friends who hoard old parts.

Nice mods! I've got a panda and japan racing speedy in rotation, also have that apollo rhodium dial lying around as a spare. How do the three compare to you? Which one is your favourite/ most worn?