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Moonwatch assistance

jminaz
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Hi everyone,

I received a couple of Speedmaster Moonwatches (pictures below) from a friend of my mom's, who was in his 90's. They are both in relatively good condition and appear to run okay, although a top pusher is missing from one of the watches. I've cleaned up the hesalite with polywatch, which helped. Any help on the following inquiries would be greatly appreciated as I am in no way experienced in identifying these watches. There are so many subtle differences from one reference number and version to another, it makes them difficult to identify.

I am trying to get an approximate year and reference number for each watch. If I need to provide additional photos or information, I am happy to do that. There were no boxes or papers.

Second, I am looking to have the watches cleaned up, inspected and serviced, change out the hesalite crystals and probably a top pusher installed on the one watch. I'm not interested in having them polished, as I like how they currently look. I live near Denver and can take them to the Omega Boutique, but am certainly open to other suggestions.

Last, I am looking for the best place to locate bracelets for them, as the current bracelets are a bit small. Would that be reaching out on this wesite.

Again, thank you for any insight and help.



IMG_9920.jpg IMG_9919.jpg
 
Patrik83
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Quite nice condition on both of those watches 👍

The first one is a later reference 2998 or a 105.002 the second one is a 145.012 or 145.022-68.
 
Dan S
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Instead of replacing the bracelets, it would be worthwhile to hunt down some spare links. More definitive information about reference and production year would be from the serial number on the movement and reference number inside the case-back.
Edited:
 
Omegafanman
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jminaz jminaz
Hi everyone,

I received a couple of Speedmaster Moonwatches (pictures below) from a friend of my mom's, who was in his 90's. They are both in relatively good condition and appear to run okay, although a top pusher is missing from one of the watches. I've cleaned up the hesalite with polywatch, which helped. Any help on the following inquiries would be greatly appreciated as I am in no way experienced in identifying these watches. There are so many subtle differences from one reference number and version to another, it makes them difficult to identify.

I am trying to get an approximate year and reference number for each watch. If I need to provide additional photos or information, I am happy to do that. There were no boxes or papers.

Second, I am looking to have the watches cleaned up, inspected and serviced, change out the hesalite crystals and probably a top pusher installed on the one watch. I'm not interested in having them polished, as I like how they currently look. I live near Denver and can take them to the Omega Boutique, but am certainly open to other suggestions.

Last, I am looking for the best place to locate bracelets for them, as the current bracelets are a bit small. Would that be reaching out on this wesite.

Again, thank you for any insight and help.



IMG_9920.jpg IMG_9919.jpg

Did your friend not want them? That is a nice gift you have been given.
 
paddymoran
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Congrats - they’re two really nice (and valuable watches). If you want to date them you should have your local watch maker open the case back. The movement serial number can be used to provide an approximate date - just input the serial number into the production date query on ilovemyspeedmaster.com

https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/

Also inside the caseback you’ll locate the model number.
 
jminaz
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Omegafanman Omegafanman
Did your friend not want them? That is a nice gift you have been given.

He no longer wore them and kept them in his drawer. He did not have any children and offered them to me and , unfortunately, he recently passed away. I now have these and can wear them in his memory.
 
bgrisso
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Those are very nice and valuable gifts from your friend, you are very lucky, I hope you enjoy them. Proceed on any repairs with caution, and make sure you are fully educated first on your options.
 
Omegafanman
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jminaz jminaz
He no longer wore them and kept them in his drawer. He did not have any children and offered them to me and , unfortunately, he recently passed away. I now have these and can wear them in his memory.

He left you a nice legacy and memory. Watches are a special and intimate item in that regard.
 
jminaz
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Everyone, Thanks so much for your help and input. I really appreciate it! I will need to take the watches either to a local jeweler, or to the Omega store in Denver and have them pull the cases off --- I don't have the proper tools. I will get both serial and reference #'s. I will take your advice Dan S, and look for some additional links for the bracelets. Last, before I proceed with any work on either watch, I will reach back out for insight on what makes the most sense.

Again, thanks!
 
Rudi99
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Hi @jminaz and welcome to the forum.

Congrats first of all on receiving such an extraordinary gift. Thank you for sharing this story.

As people have said, if you want to find more about them, try and have their backs opened by a professional and check for the reference number on the back of the case of each watch.

If you really wanna know more, you can take pictures of the serial number of their movements and order a so called Extract of the Archives from Omega. This would give you exact dates and to which country the watch was sent to by the time it left the factory.

You mentioned you want to get them serviced. As others have stated, both of these are very valuable and collectible vintage pieces. Usually people would make a point of telling you to go find a local but experienced watchmaker in your area instead of going to the Omega Boutique for a service.

Sending these back to Omega through the boutique would pose a risk of having them replace parts and taking away the originality, value and history of your watches.

Maybe some member can point you in a more specific direction and name a watchmaker. I unfortunately am in Germany and cannot make such recommendation.

Good luck!
 
jminaz
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Patrik83 Patrik83
Quite nice condition on both of those watches 👍

The first one is a later reference 2998 or a 105.002 the second one is a 145.012 or 145.022-68.

Thank you so much for the input and I will confirm with a jeweler.
 
gbesq
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jminaz jminaz
Thank you so much for the input and I will confirm with a jeweler.
Make sure to preserve their value by NOT sending them for service to either Omega or to a jeweler with no experience in servicing vintage watches. You'll need an experienced watchmaker with an Omega parts account. I live in the Eastern US, so I can't recommend a watchmaker in the Denver area, but if you don't mind shipping your watches (lots of members here do that), I would recommend Tanner Morehouse at TM Watch Company in Fargo, North Dakota. His firm does excellent work and specializes in the sympathetic restoration of vintage Omegas. I'm sure that you'll get some recommendations from other members as well.
 
DoctorEvil
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OP, you're one extraordinarily lucky person to have received two vintage Speedmasters like those. Both look like they are in wearable condition and just need a service. The cost of servicing would be more than justified given their value (both sentimental as well monetary).

As an aside, I was wondering if the hands on the CK2998 are not original but are service replacement hands. I don't know if late reference CK2998s came with stick hands and arrowhead central second hand as standard. Also, the dial looks to be in really good condition compared to the bezel so again, possibly a service replacement? Would appreciate it if any Speedmaster gurus on this forum can chime in and educate me.
 
mac_omega
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
Also, the dial looks to be in really good condition compared to the bezel so again, possibly a service replacement?

Its not uncommon that the dial looks pristine while the exterior (i.e. bezel) is banged up from wear... if the seals are tight there is little risk the dial degrades
 
Omegafanman
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jminaz jminaz
Everyone, Thanks so much for your help and input. I really appreciate it! I will need to take the watches either to a local jeweler, or to the Omega store in Denver and have them pull the cases off --- I don't have the proper tools. I will get both serial and reference #'s. I will take your advice Dan S, and look for some additional links for the bracelets. Last, before I proceed with any work on either watch, I will reach back out for insight on what makes the most sense.

Again, thanks!

As mentioned by @Rudi99 you could also order extracts from the Omega archive. Irrespective when the watches are opened make sure you get them to take pictures of the movements showing serial numbers and the inner case backs. Nice project you have / lovely watches and no need to rush anything.
https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/extract-of-the-archives
 
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