Need help with ‘61 speedy

ab613 · Jun 22, 2025

Hi guys,

First time posting, I’ve scrolled through these threads and am blown away by the level of expertise, hoping I can humbly ask for some opinions.

I recently purchased this speedy from a friend of a friend who was settling an estate. The original owner got it new in 1961 - 1962 as a high school grad gift, and I’ve now owned it for about 48 hours.

We did have it at a watchmakers a few weeks ago and he removed the case back (I snapped the movement photo then but neglected to take a picture of the inside of the case back). He said it was from 1961 and armed with that info and the serial number reference table from speedmaster101 I’m thinking it’s a 2998-5 , but clearly the dial, hands and bezel are no longer original.
I’m told the owner did have it serviced a few times over his life.

I’m under no illusions and realize how this drastically affects the value but I’m looking for some opinions on what roughly it could be worth in its current state. I’ve looked at the value tables on speedmaster101 but I’m having a hard time getting a sense of what to rate it with those obvious replacement parts.

Luckily for me I do like the look of it quite a bit and would happily just wear it as is, I’m definitely charmed by its history and vintage life…and from my searches it seems like trying to replace the dial and hands with period correct ones doesn’t make sense…I purchased it knowing this. I’d just like to know how careful I need to be on service, making sure it doesn’t get any more replacement parts ect…

Lastly , I’ve had several comments and purchase offers on FB forums about the box, which I’ve declined…it’s going to stay with the watch, but does it have a particularly high value ?

Thanks for your time guys (pun intended)

Alex

dsio · Jun 22, 2025

Value wise, the Speedmaster101 chart no longer applies anymore as it just isn't a CK2998 as a complete watch any longer.

You're looking at the value of parts, and that would be the value of a correct serial CK2998 Cal 321 movement, which is a few grand for sure, and the value of the case, which is rough, and the case-back which is decent by the looks. The service tritium dial is worth something but not a lot, the hands are not even meant to go on that watch at all, they're off a Speedmaster Mark 4, with a service teardrop chronograph seconds hand.

SOG53 · Jun 22, 2025

Somebody out there has a 2998 dial and handset and maybe even a bezel- you just need to find them and sell it to them
Since it’s not a personal heirloom I wouldnt spend for service.

pdxleaf · Jun 22, 2025

Hi. Enter this serial number

into this website.
Ilovemyspeedmaster.com

It'll give a high probability of identifying what reference this movement came in.

The movement looks pretty clean.

As the others said, this watch is now mainly worth more as parts.

Of course you can wear it. You'd want to find different hands. At this point, modern speedmaster hands would be an improvement over the hands that are on it. You could try finding vintage hands, but they'd be spendy and maybe not worth it. Depends on how deep your pockets are. If you just wanted an inexpensive vintage watch, buying one and adding parts is not going to be inexpensive. It's still very wearable on a good leather strap. These can be nicely dressed up on different straps.

if you decide to sell the box, looking at ebay prior sales is a way to determine what to ask or accept.

Thanks for sharing it.

Spacefruit · Jun 23, 2025

If that serial is 1664xxxx then it’s a 2915. Could be a -2 or a -3

Unfortunately what ever it is, the change of the dial, handset bezel and crown all mean the watch is valued as parts. So the movement and the case. Still a tidy sum, but not 2915 money.

That said as long as the price paid was reasonable then we can have some fun.

There is nothing to loose by removing the dial, handset and bezel. These can be replaced with service examples or even high quality repro parts.

First confirm the serial, and the inner case back markings - it does not look like it has been changed but you never know.

If it is a 2915-2 we can fit service broad arrow hands, a service metal bezel and a service dial.
If it is a -3 you can find a spiral winder Base1000 bezel, and some omega service alpha hands, and the dial.

You might be able to find suitable parts on eBay. Service broad arrow hands and modern omega metal bezel, have come up from time to time. The latter can (need!) to be turned down a little in a lathe and distressed, otherwise it will stand out like a sore thumb. Find a service dial, again eBay is your friend, the more damaged the better, as next step would be to distress it and the lume, perhaps even re luming it with aged lume. If you are lucky you will find a slightly damaged service dial, as surely that is something not many people want. A service dial, with the non pro print, long indices and dome (no step) can be distressed and patinated to fit the case, and because of the font difference will not fool anyone who has knows speedmasters, but will look infinitely better than the one on there now.

None of these steps will fool anyone who has even a shallow knowledge, but you could use all omega parts, and frankly end up with a better look than current which is jarring as the dial has short indices and the hands are MkII.

I imagine some of your potential buyers see the 1664 serial and have similar plans.

Further thoughts:
Don’t forget the subdial hands.
Get the serial - that’s the key

ab613 · Jun 23, 2025

Spacefruit
If that serial is 1664xxxx then it’s a 2915. Could be a -2 or a -3

Unfortunately what ever it is, the change of the dial, handset bezel and crown all mean the watch is valued as parts. So the movement and the case. Still a tidy sum, but not 2915 money.

That said as long as the price paid was reasonable then we can have some fun.

There is nothing to loose by removing the dial, handset and bezel. These can be replaced with service examples or even high quality repro parts.

First confirm the serial, and the inner case back markings - it does not look like it has been changed but you never know.

If it is a 2915-2 we can fit service broad arrow hands, a service metal bezel and a service dial.
If it is a -3 you can find a spiral winder Base1000 bezel, and some omega service alpha hands, and the dial.

You might be able to find suitable parts on eBay. Service broad arrow hands and modern omega metal bezel, have come up from time to time. The latter can (need!) to be turned down a little in a lathe and distressed, otherwise it will stand out like a sore thumb. Find a service dial, again eBay is your friend, the more damaged the better, as next step would be to distress it and the lume, perhaps even re luming it with aged lume. If you are lucky you will find a slightly damaged service dial, as surely that is something not many people want. A service dial, with the non pro print, long indices and dome (no step) can be distressed and patinated to fit the case, and because of the font difference will not fool anyone who has knows speedmasters, but will look infinitely better than the one on there now.

None of these steps will fool anyone who has even a shallow knowledge, but you could use all omega parts, and frankly end up with a better look than current which is jarring as the dial has short indices and the hands are MkII.

I imagine some of your potential buyers see the 1664 serial and have similar plans.

Further thoughts:
Don’t forget the subdial hands.
Get the serial - that’s the key

Thanks so much to everyone for the answers so far I truly appreciate it.

I didn’t really have any huge plans for it when I bought it, initially I was thinking I’d do the leg work of getting it serviced and hunting down a period correct bracelet for a couple months and then selling it on and hopefully make a few hundred bucks to go towards the next one. (I’m new to speedys but not new to watches and my collection is at a 1 in 1 out stage). But I’m now in a bit of a bind because it turns out I really like wearing it so something else may have to go in its place.

I hadn’t really thought about the idea of hunting down some maybe more period appropriate parts that aren’t necessarily correct (or ans pricey) and that’s a fun idea.

Based on everything everyone is saying, and the fact that it’s still a functioning speedy with a 321 movement and collectable box….would I be correct in thinking it’s worth at least 4-5k ?

Thanks so much again

Spacefruit · Jun 23, 2025

ab613
Thanks so much to everyone for the answers so far I truly appreciate it.

I didn’t really have any huge plans for it when I bought it, initially I was thinking I’d do the leg work of getting it serviced and hunting down a period correct bracelet for a couple months and then selling it on and hopefully make a few hundred bucks to go towards the next one. (I’m new to speedys but not new to watches and my collection is at a 1 in 1 out stage). But I’m now in a bit of a bind because it turns out I really like wearing it so something else may have to go in its place.

I hadn’t really thought about the idea of hunting down some maybe more period appropriate parts that aren’t necessarily correct (or ans pricey) and that’s a fun idea.

Based on everything everyone is saying, and the fact that it’s still a functioning speedy with a 321 movement and collectable box….would I be correct in thinking it’s worth at least 4-5k ?

Thanks so much again

The value will depend on the serial, and the condition of the movement and case - and which case it is.

The things that will hold back the value:

1. The movement is damaged or altered.
2. The movement is not an actual Speedmaster Movement.
3. The case has rust or craters (I cant see any)
4. Any damage to case threads, or pusher holes.

The things that will make it valuable:

1. The case is a good condition 2915-2 without significant damage.
2. The movement is a verifiable Speedmaster movement in original serviceable condition.

The ironic thing is that you will maximise value selling to someone who doesn't really know what they are doing, but thinks they do, competing on Ebay against one or two others who think the same way.

Three years ago that was happening all the time, with lots of interest in project speedmasters by people with more enthusiasm and money than knowledge, but now the speculators have gone, and collectors (like me) will be bidding on a worst case scenario, and if we didn't get it we would not be sorry.

All that said, your estimate of 4-5k USD is not crazy. If you sent to me as part of an estate, I would value it at $3000, in the knowledge that I would not lose money. I think at that level anyone would buy it.

Spacefruit · Jun 23, 2025

By the way, the box is worth a small fortune too...

😜

ab613 · Jun 23, 2025

Spacefruit
By the way, the box is worth a small fortune too...

😜

Ha ha you’re killing me…people keep telling me this but I can’t find any comparison online anywhere, just photos in the big box thread on this forum but nobody wants to tell me what ha ha

hansaboy · Jun 23, 2025

ab613
Ha ha you’re killing me…people keep telling me this but I can’t find any comparison online anywhere, just photos in the big box thread on this forum but nobody wants to tell me what ha ha

Here is one that got sold recently:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-high-precision-speedmaster-2915-2998-box.183252/

Thread 'Omega High Precision Speedmaster 2915 - 2998 box' ·

Dears,
for sale a super rare box for Omega Speedmaster 2915 and 2998. It's from late 50s / early 60s.
It's the HIGH PRECISION Omega box made by unobtanium. The logo is the old one making this box...

SOLD

€ 2500

Cuttysark · Apr 28, 2025

ab613 · Jun 23, 2025

hansaboy
Here is one that got sold recently:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-high-precision-speedmaster-2915-2998-box.183252/

Thread 'Omega High Precision Speedmaster 2915 - 2998 box' ·
Dears,
for sale a super rare box for Omega Speedmaster 2915 and 2998. It's from late 50s / early 60s.
It's the HIGH PRECISION Omega box made by unobtanium. The logo is the old one making this box...

SOLD
€ 2500

Cuttysark · Apr 28, 2025

Holy crap….i didn’t expect that lol

Thanks very much !

Donn Chambers · Jun 23, 2025

Spacefruit
If that serial is 1664xxxx then it’s a 2915. Could be a -2 or a -3

Unfortunately what ever it is, the change of the dial, handset bezel and crown all mean the watch is valued as parts. So the movement and the case. Still a tidy sum, but not 2915 money.

That said as long as the price paid was reasonable then we can have some fun.

There is nothing to loose by removing the dial, handset and bezel. These can be replaced with service examples or even high quality repro parts.

First confirm the serial, and the inner case back markings - it does not look like it has been changed but you never know.

If it is a 2915-2 we can fit service broad arrow hands, a service metal bezel and a service dial.
If it is a -3 you can find a spiral winder Base1000 bezel, and some omega service alpha hands, and the dial.

You might be able to find suitable parts on eBay. Service broad arrow hands and modern omega metal bezel, have come up from time to time. The latter can (need!) to be turned down a little in a lathe and distressed, otherwise it will stand out like a sore thumb. Find a service dial, again eBay is your friend, the more damaged the better, as next step would be to distress it and the lume, perhaps even re luming it with aged lume. If you are lucky you will find a slightly damaged service dial, as surely that is something not many people want. A service dial, with the non pro print, long indices and dome (no step) can be distressed and patinated to fit the case, and because of the font difference will not fool anyone who has knows speedmasters, but will look infinitely better than the one on there now.

None of these steps will fool anyone who has even a shallow knowledge, but you could use all omega parts, and frankly end up with a better look than current which is jarring as the dial has short indices and the hands are MkII.

I imagine some of your potential buyers see the 1664 serial and have similar plans.

Further thoughts:
Don’t forget the subdial hands.
Get the serial - that’s the key

My thoughts exactly. Sell the box and use that money for a service (either with Omega or a watchmaker with a parts account) and get modern service dial, hands, bezel. You aren’t going to make it less valuable by replacing the mishmash of service parts, and will at least keep as close to the original look as possible and would be a decent watch for wearing.

Keeping the box with a non-original watch isn’t worth the lost opportunity of getting the cash now to help with the service, IMO. And if you want to sell, just sell the watch and box separately.

Need help with ‘61 speedy

ab613

dsio

SOG53

pdxleaf

Spacefruit

ab613

Spacefruit

Spacefruit

ab613

hansaboy

ab613

Donn Chambers

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