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My first vintage: Mark 4.5 blue dial (ref 176.0016)

valkyrie_rider
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Dear friends

I'm pretty excited with my advanced xmas self-gift: a Speedmaster Mark 4.5!

Ever since reading Chuck Maddox article (http://www.chronomaddox.com/c1045_in_detail.html) about Speedmasters with caliber 1045, I decided that I wanted to have a Mark 4.5. But not any model, more specifically the blue dial (looks more like green <--> gray depending on the light) model, reference 176.016.

I received it yesterday and still in the honeymoon phase.

I'm looking next to have its crystal replaced (I wonder if it is possible to polish it)? Another question I have: does it look like the case was previously polished?

Here 2 photos of it with harsh lighting and in an angle showing the scratches in the crystal.
face_scratch_day.jpg face_scratch.jpg
Edited:
 
valkyrie_rider
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The photo in the article that grabbed my attention was how its face reflected the light differently from the other models:
 
c1045family.jpg
timestamp
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1,745
Nice catch and congratulations! But although the model is sort of related by association, it’s not a 4.5 - that would be Ref. 176.012
 
timestamp
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(The “4.5” moniker does not come from the Cal. 1045, but from the fact that it’s a model between the officially “Mark” named IV and V)
 
merchandiser
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Nice one, congratulations! I recall that Chuck really liked this tonneau shaped case.
 
valkyrie_rider
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It is been around a full day of wearing it, the watch seems to be is running +3-4s a day.

Put it through a cheap timegrapher, there is some beat error (0.5ms). I wonder if it would be a matter of bringing it to the local watchmaker and have it regulated? Or an issue for a full service, given the amplitude seems a bit low (221 degrees)?

Anyone familiar with what should be the proper baseline numbers for this caliber?

I don't know what is the service history of this watch.
Screenshot 2018-12-08 at 10.41.03 AM.png
Edited:
 
Foo2rama
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Those soliel dials are great!

Nice pick up!!
 
valkyrie_rider
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Did some research and it seems that this caliber can achieve higher amplitude and better beat error (source: http://watchguy.co.uk/service-hamilton-chronograph-lemania-5100-omega-1045/) just after service:
IMG_0298.jpg
 
Archer
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valkyrie_rider valkyrie_rider
Put it through a cheap timegrapher, there is some beat error (0.5ms). I wonder if it would be a matter of bringing it to the local watchmaker and have it regulated? Or an issue for a full service, given the amplitude seems a bit low (221 degrees)?

Anyone familiar with what should be the proper baseline numbers for this caliber?

You and watchguy both have the lift angle set incorrectly - for a 1045 it should be 53 degrees not 52. Not a huge difference but some on the amplitude.

Beat error I always try to get as close to zero as possible, but the tolerance from Omega on this is 0.8 ms, so yours is okay if it's no bigger then 0.5 in all positions.

If that is fully wound, then likely the watch would not pass the minimum amplitude requirement of no less than 200 degrees in any position, 24 hours after full wind. It may even drop below 200 when fully wound if you place it in a vertical position, and if so it certainly needs a service.

Cheers, Al
 
valkyrie_rider
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Adjusting the lift angle showed better amplitude (see attached).

The numbers were:
a) flat: 260 degrees.
b) inclined: 235 degrees.
c) vertical: 238 degress.
d) side: 229 degrees.

Error 0.4 to 0.7.
IMG_20181209_200000.jpg
 
valkyrie_rider
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Considering that I also don't know how old are the spring bars, I decided to put it in a perlon strap (less bulky than a NATO, but still offers the protection in case one of the spring bars breaking).

I'm starting to think this watch is a strap monster (or maybe I'm in love!), as it looks great with so many straps.
IMG_20181209_205512.jpg IMG_20181209_205540.jpg IMG_20181209_205552.jpg
 
prontoprint
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Lovely watch, I too own a Mark 4.5 with blue/grey dial. I'll dig it out and take a photo when back home. I hadn't appreciated that this model came in different dial versions and only became aware of it being more special when I saw posts on the Speedmaster "soleil" dials
 
Fatcat
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Any one knows if the Mark IV have also a different dial than black ? After looking it should be possible to do a Mark Collection form the II to the V in NON black dial , I have to spot the 4.5 any solution for the IV
 
prontoprint
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valkyrie_rider valkyrie_rider
@prontoprint: awesome! I would appreciate if you could share some photos of its case sides, to help me identify if my watch is (or not) unpolished.

I think is quite interesting that there isn't much coverage about this specific model. Aside Chuck Maddox website, the only 'review' I found was this:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-speedmaster-day-date-caliber-1045/
Afraid my watch photos won't help you, as I had it professionally re-finished at Watchworks in Bristol, UK. It had a few big dings and they offer a service that laser welds damage then a proper finish to look as close to original as possible . It looks amazing but afraid won't help as a comparison to yours .
 
Andy K
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Fatcat Fatcat
Any one knows if the Mark IV have also a different dial than black ?
Well, there was this one on eBay last month:
https://www.ebay.it/itm/VINTAGE-197...vip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137
s-l1600.jpg


However that was a redial. I am pretty certain the Mark IV only came in black. The originals had black/grey as the sectors indicating day and night around the aperture at 9:00. The "colorful" version of the Mark IV is the service dial, which for some reason used blue/grey as the day/night indicator. I have one of those:
Capture.JPG
 
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