My first Speedy MKII just arrived.

OmegaP99 · Jul 22, 2020

I've owned many Omegas since I got into them back in the 1980's as a kid, but have never had a Mark II. After recently spending some time with a friend's newly-acquired MKII to look it over for him (his with a racing dial), the bug bit. I figured I'd look for a standard-dial version to save some coin since I didn't know if I would keep it or not, and found a lovely one a couple of days ago. It just arrived this morning, and like many pieces we see online these days, owing to the tremendous capabilities of smart phone cameras and their ability to highlight flaws, it actually looks better in person than in the photos! The lume is especially beautiful and has aged in perfectly. Winds up so sweet, and resets great. I love it. I also am not generally a bracelet guy but this one is really suited to the watch and I'm going to keep it on there.

I asked my friend to put it on so I could get a quick snap, and he proceeded to run off with it afterwards, so I will see it again sometime later today for a more thorough evaluation.

Oddly, when I bought it and after it was paid for the seller told me, "I will wear it all day today to say goodbye" and I didn't even mind, as I thought that was the sign of a true collector.

JwRosenthal · Jul 22, 2020

OmegaP99

Oddly, when I bought it and after it was paid for the seller told me, "I will wear it all day today to say goodbye" and I didn't even mind, as I thought that was the sign of a true collector.

This is ill advised, it only makes the parting harder. Like with clothes in the charity pile, just say goodbye.

I’m sure he is glad it went to a loving home. Hope you let him know how much you love it.

Pazzo · Jul 22, 2020

Congrats.
Nice watch and enjoy.

Personally, if I sell something, I carefully give it a wipe and prepare the parcel.
I wouldn't dare wearing it not for five minutes let alone for a day. 😀

Heisen0erg · Jul 22, 2020

Congrats on the cool looking watch.

@Pazzo I have the same sentiment about this. Imagine destroying the thing that is not yours anymore and the seller insisting afterwards "wHeRe Is My WaTcH???"

Scarecrow Boat · Jul 22, 2020

JwRosenthal
This is ill advised, it only makes the parting harder. Like with clothes in the charity pile, just say goodbye.

I’m sure he is glad it went to a loving home. Hope you let him know how much you love it.

This is something I would want to do too... but would be terrified of the inevitable accidental smack against something to cause damage. Sometimes it’s just easier to rip off the bandaid and send it off. Later pour one out for the departed friend. Lol

OmegaP99 · Jul 22, 2020

JwRosenthal
Hope you let him know how much you love it.

Oh yes, we've messaged back and forth several times today, it's very special to me already!

Also you are all correct, as a seller I would never do such a thing myself out of fear of risk of damaging it after it was paid for, but I'm a sentimental softie, and he seemed very genuine, so like many things in life I took the risk and it worked out ok.

I know I'm in a safe space with you folks, but it feels so good to have another Omega, really. I don't get the feeling from any other watch that I do from 1970's Omegas. Every single one seems like they have stories locked inside of them.

JwRosenthal · Jul 22, 2020

Try a 1917 Longines made for Birks in Canada and marketed towards officers going off to the front!

It either has some insane stories or spent its life in a sock drawer.

The 70’s Omega’s are truly the epitome of cool and don’t get the love they deserve from the watch community...which is fine, it keeps the prices sane...for now.

OmegaP99 · Jul 22, 2020

JwRosenthal
It either has some insane stories or spent its life in a sock drawer.

The 70’s Omega’s are truly the epitome of cool and don’t get the love they deserve from the watch community...which is fine, it keeps the prices sane...for now.

If that piece could talk! It looks like it has never even been opened, probably still smells like 1917 inside.

As I was searching for buys I was also mentally complaining about what these things cost compared to the early 2000's, then I reminded myself that these pieces, especially chronos, are still far and away the best values in watches as they have pretty much always been.

JwRosenthal · Jul 22, 2020

OmegaP99
If that piece could talk! It looks like it has never even been opened, probably still smells like 1917 inside.

Cholera, Smallpox, Polio, Measles, Spanish Influenza and a horrible painful death before 60....Yum! 😉

OmegaP99 · Jul 22, 2020

JwRosenthal
Cholera, Smallpox, Polio, Measles, Spanish Influenza and a horrible painful death before 60....Yum! 😉

HA! That's ok, mine probably showed up with COVID inside.

JwRosenthal · Jul 22, 2020

OmegaP99
HA! That's ok, mine probably showed up with COVID inside.

Or Disco Fever!

OmegaP99 · Jul 22, 2020

Just poking around this thing a bit more (finally got it back from my buddy's wrist) and noticed it has a Holzer "Hecho en Mexico" bracelet. I have to admit, I don't like Omega bracelets and have always swapped them out for straps, but this thing feels so good. Definitely my preference now. Not sure if it's because I have smaller wrists or if it's just the way it's built, but I am digging it.
Holzer apparently made these in Mexico for the South American market from the 60's to the 80's and was correct for a MKII sold there.

JwRosenthal · Jul 22, 2020

These finer link bracelets are wonderful. The chunkier ones (like my 1171) tend to be grabby with the wrist hair and wear heavy, but the BOR’s, bricks on the C-Connie, and the Holzers wear like silk. Glad you’re enjoying your new toy.

Benbradstock · Jul 23, 2020

Nice pickup, congratulations. I’ve been considering buying one of these, and may do so when the time is right and I find one which has not been overpolished or otherwise messed with.

NGO1 · Jul 23, 2020

OmegaP99

I've owned many Omegas since I got into them back in the 1980's as a kid...

So, are your parents opened to adoption? What’s Mom and Dad like? I miss them so much...

JwRosenthal · Jul 23, 2020

ngo516
So, are your parents opened to adoption? What’s Mom and Dad like? I miss them so much...

My father gave me a gold capped Seamaster with a plain brown strap when I was 9- he had it in his bathroom drawer next to the toothpaste and floss - he had “upgraded” to a Concord by that point and his bathroom drawer was where all things went to die.
When I asked for a “big boy watch” he pulled that out and punched a hole in the strap for me. As he was fitting it to my wrist he told me that Omega was the watch that went to the moon. Of course being 9 I lost the watch within a month or so. But my impression of Omega never faded and after he died I bought my Speedmaster in his honor- the watch that went to the moon.
It’s amazing how the impressions of youth can leave such an indelible mark on our interested as we get older. I have about 7 Omegas now (still don’t have a gold capped Seamaster- anyone who found one in Los Angeles around 1981- please let me know) and every time I wear one, I think of him.

NGO1 · Jul 23, 2020

JwRosenthal
My father gave me a gold capped Seamaster with a plain brown strap when I was 9- he had it in his bathroom drawer next to the toothpaste and floss - he had “upgraded” to a Concord by that point and his bathroom drawer was where all things went to die.
When I asked for a “big boy watch” he pulled that out and punched a hole in the strap for me. As he was fitting it to my wrist he told me that Omega was the watch that went to the moon. Of course being 9 I lost the watch within a month or so. But my impression of Omega never faded and after he died I bought my Speedmaster in his honor- the watch that went to the moon.
It’s amazing how the impressions of youth can leave such an indelible mark on our interested as we get older. I have about 7 Omegas now (still don’t have a gold capped Seamaster- anyone who found one in Los Angeles around 1983- please let me know) and every time I wear one, I think of him.

Man, why u giving me misty eyes before my morning coffee?
My Dad let me wound his Chronostop on the days I behaved. That’s rarely.
So when I get to wind it, it was special. That was my first exposure to Omega.
He bought it for $21 while in flight school.

my Dad gave away the watch when I was maybe 14, to my uncle, whom misplaced it because “it no longer work” (fυck). I told my uncle I’ll give him a spare kidney (or $$$, whichever is more valuable at that time) if he can find me my Dad Chronostop.

Now, my kids and I bonded over my box of watches.
20 watches collected over 20 years. none sold!
I now buy watches based on this single question:
“Will my daughters wear this in 20 years!”

Funny how these things come full circle. They always come full circle.
You’ll find that SeaMaster J.
to Dads...

OmegaP99 · Jul 23, 2020

ngo516
So, are your parents opened to adoption? What’s Mom and Dad like? I miss them so much...

The watches I got as a kid weren't new Omegas but rather NOS pieces that small town jewelers couldn't sell decades prior, or vintage pieces they took in on trade deals and had sitting in their safes and back rooms. My dad never really had "good" watches back then, tho he recognized my interest at a young age, and we would spend Saturdays exploring small towns and seeking out those jewelers. We would keep going back to the few who had good stock and so I got many Girard Perregaux, Omega, IWC, Movado and even a Piaget or Tudor on occasion, usually for around $150 max even in solid gold cases and original boxes (1980's). My dad would buy me some, I would save my allowance for others, but he also handled the deal making and taught me how to negotiate, and in time told me to handle the whole process, which was intimidating but very educational and still serves me well today.

Most of those watches got sold to a local jeweler who collected when I started driving because my passion switched to cars at that point, so I only kept a couple until I later discovered watch forums and that sparked an interest all over again.

My parents are thankfully both still living, and they are amazing indeed. My father gave me the Flightmaster I have today as a living inheritance so he could see me enjoy it during his lifetime. I will put in a good word for you dear future sibling.

OmegaP99 · Jul 23, 2020

@JwRosenthal @ngo516 Wow, your posts only reinforce that vintage watches really are as much, if not more, about the stories and memories behind them than the pieces themselves.

NGO1 · Jul 23, 2020

OmegaP99
,
My father gave me the Flightmaster I have today as a living inheritance so he could see me enjoy it during his lifetime. I will put in a good word for you dear future sibling.

please tell Dad not to give out anymore watches till after Thanksgivings.
I need to introduce them to their grandkids. Wrist sizes 4 and 6.

Thats the kids names: Wrist Size Four and Wrist Size Six.

My first Speedy MKII just arrived.

OmegaP99

JwRosenthal

Pazzo

Heisen0erg

Scarecrow Boat

OmegaP99

JwRosenthal

OmegaP99

JwRosenthal

OmegaP99

JwRosenthal

OmegaP99

JwRosenthal

Benbradstock

NGO1

JwRosenthal

NGO1

OmegaP99

OmegaP99

NGO1

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