My old Speedmaster

NEWT · Dec 23, 2019

Noob Greetings,

I've been sitting on a couple of Speedmasters and have decided put mine back in action. Mine is a Speedmaster Moonwatch, 145022 -69 ST. It appears to have seen one service in 75 which contradicts what I posted in the introduction thread. The 2nd is Mark II Racer from 70 or early 70's which belonged to my dad.

It will certainly need service, is missing a couple of links from the bracelet and is showing a bit of wear, like me I've been reading quite a bit about servicing these and was sad to see some of the results of Omega service.

I will get it serviced and am seeking advice as to how to proceed, questions to ask, and what to look out for and avoid. I would like to keep it as original a possible.

Why are the last few digits of the movement serial number blocked on so many of the pictures I see?

I thank you all for a wonderful site so full of information. I hope I can make a small contribution at some point.....

And now............

Steve

NEWT · Dec 23, 2019

forgot this one

Martin_F · Dec 23, 2019

Nice watch you got there!
Be sure to post your location, so people can give you input on reputable watchmakers, if you don't want to go the Omega route.

From what I can tell, people are really paranoid about someone else knowing the exact serial number of their watches. That's why a lot of them blur parts of the number.

efauser · Dec 23, 2019

Martin_F
Nice watch you got there!
Be sure to post your location, so people can give you input on reputable watchmakers, because you don't want to go the Omega route.

From what I can tell, people are really paranoid about someone else knowing the exact serial number of their watches. That's why a lot of them blur parts of the number.

FIFY

VetPsychWars · Dec 23, 2019

NEWT
Why are the last few digits of the movement serial number blocked on so many of the pictures I see?

A practice likely first seen on gun forums. The fear is that someone would fraudulently claim you stole their gun/watch and then you're stuck trying to pove it's yours, especially if someone can fake original receipts.

Tom

Buck2466 · Dec 23, 2019

And also because they see everyone else doing it and want to be in the club.😁

NEWT · Dec 24, 2019

I appreciate the replies. I thought maybe the blurring of the numbers was security related.

I am in Northwestern Illinois USA and very close to http://illinoiswatchcompany.com/

I have an estimate for ~ $1,000 that includes the clean/service, parts, new crystal and links for the bracelet.

It was brought to my attention that the paint and tritium on the hands could be damaged in the process of removal. That leads me to believe I could end up with "new" hands that might seem out of place on the patina of my watch. I can confirm with the watchmaker but does that sound about right?

Except for a new crystal, I would like to retain it current appearance.

ewand · Dec 24, 2019

You might find that you don't even need a new crystal - yours doesn't look like it's cracked, only a bit scratched up. You'd be surprised what results a good watch maker could have polishing the crystal up.

$1000 is a pretty healthy price, though it depends on what links you need for the bracelet. For a 861 service and assuming there are no massive mechanical issues that need expensive parts, I'd have thought $500 would be as much as you'd pay an indie. If you sent it back to Omega (don't do that), then yes, $1K or more could be expected.

Also, the serial number thing - I think it's also to try to stop people stealing your photos and passing the watch off in a fake ad. Then again, they could just pretend that they're too cautious to disclose the full serial number as well...

NEWT · Dec 24, 2019

Thanks ewand. It was mentioned in the estimate the crystal was showing cracks along the bottom edge, thus the replacement suggestion.

I knew going in this would not be inexpensive. As it stands right now the estimate is 50/50 parts/labor

SpeedyPhill · Dec 25, 2019

Whatever You decide, remember that for most vintage aficionados it's important to keep the original parts ... so if replaced, don't forget to ask to get the old parts!

NEWT · Dec 25, 2019

Thank you Phill, will do!

DaveK · Dec 25, 2019

SpeedyPhill
Whatever You decide, remember that for most vintage aficionados it's important to keep the original parts ... so if replaced, don't forget to ask to get the old parts!

I believe it was Archer who that said Omega now demands some old parts when providing watchmakers with new - maybe it was just for signed parts, I don’t recall. So that might be something to be aware of

NEWT · Dec 25, 2019

Thanks DaveK, I'll keep that in mind.

While my service is on hold over the holidays, I've continued reading quite a bit of speedmaster101 and quite frankly I am confused with the serial number "I am seeing" in my watch with the case back markings. While I think I've read a bit about these, I will be the first to admit, I know nothing and in this particular case, I may be missing something very obvious......

this serial number seems to be in the range of a transitional, not a -69.......

from the speedmaster101 145.022 transitional page:

Applied Metal Logo Dial with long indices
Low serial number calibre 861 (26m to 27m)
Date stamped -68 in the case back.
Dot Over 90 Bezel
Spear or square end Chrono hand

from the speedmaster101 145.022-69 page:

Calibre 861
Serial Range:
2842 0xxx - 3162 9xxx

Could someone tell me what serial number they are seeing?

And, what is the significance of the number "12" engraved on the lug?

Oh look! It's cocktail hour, Cheers

Patrik83 · Dec 25, 2019

NEWT
Thanks DaveK, I'll keep that in mind.

While my service is on hold over the holidays, I've continued reading quite a bit of speedmaster101 and quite frankly I am confused with the serial number "I am seeing" in my watch with the case back markings. While I think I've read a bit about these, I will be the first to admit, I know nothing and in this particular case, I may be missing something very obvious......

this serial number seems to be in the range of a transitional, not a -69.......

from the speedmaster101 145.022 transitional page:

Applied Metal Logo Dial with long indices

Low serial number calibre 861 (26m to 27m)

Date stamped -68 in the case back.

Dot Over 90 Bezel

Spear or square end Chrono hand

from the speedmaster101 145.022-69 page:

Calibre 861
Serial Range:
2842 0xxx - 3162 9xxx

Could someone tell me what serial number they are seeing?

And, what is the significance of the number "12" engraved on the lug?

Oh look! It's cocktail hour, Cheers

What serial are we seeing? It is slightly hard to tell from that image. but my guess would be that it says 28427... From experiences with serial numbers it is sometimes hard to tell difference between "6" and "8".

This image is from https://www.watchbooksonly.com/arti...view-of-the-speedmaster-moonwatch-production/ and would be the best place to check numbers vs. references.

So if I we are seeing 28427... you are within the range of 145.022-69 not 145.022-68.

The "12" was probably added at a service by watchmaker "in the earlier days". It's quite common that there are numbers added to the backside of the lug.

Judging by the inside of the case back it seems that this watch has seen two or more services in the past.

rob#1 · Dec 25, 2019

To me the serial # looks to be 25427*** or 26427***, it doesn’t look like 28427*** at all. Can you post a clearer image of the number? Charts show these numbers to be 321 movements, but I’m sure there’s a rational explanation that one of OF’s resident experts will be able to detail. All very interesting...

NEWT · Dec 25, 2019

it's not a great pic but all I have at the moment. I agree that a 28.. would make perfect sense but I see 25 or 26.

does this help? Maybe it was "messed with" during a service....????

gefmey · Dec 25, 2019

rob#1
To me the serial # looks to be 25427*** or 26427***, it doesn’t look like 28427*** at all. Can you post a clearer image of the number? Charts show these numbers to be 321 movements, but I’m sure there’s a rational explanation that one of OF’s resident experts will be able to detail. All very interesting...

From the photo, I agree that the second digit looks like a 5, or 6. However if it were an 8 that would make more sense since 2842 is the beginning of a block number series for an early 861. A clearer picture would help.

gefmey · Dec 25, 2019

I played with the picture a little, but not sure it helps.

Screen Shot 2019-12-25 at 5.48.01 PM.png

eugeneandresson · Dec 26, 2019

Unless I am blind...

(or in the case I really am blind 😁)

either way (blind or not blind) something is not kosher.

Martin_F · Dec 26, 2019

Looks like 26 to me...

My old Speedmaster

NEWT

NEWT

Martin_F

efauser

VetPsychWars

Buck2466

NEWT

ewand

NEWT

SpeedyPhill

NEWT

DaveK

NEWT

Patrik83

rob#1

NEWT

gefmey

gefmey

eugeneandresson

Martin_F

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