Community Stories

New arrival, first Omega

Ascalon
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After gathering quite a bit of intelligence here on old Omegas, I finally took the plunge.
After two years of saving, trading, buying and selling, I had my eye out for a particular marque.

I wanted a vintage watch, as closer to a birth year as possible, but I also wanted something fairly original and a bit different, quirky, characterful.

Then I saw this.
71Wf8n.jpg

A Speedmaster Mark II.

It's all original but the dial lume and markings have aged to a lovely stealth grey. It is probably the result of moisture over time, but I love the look of it.

The case had been refinished, so looks very sharp, but not ground away to oblivion, plus it's on the proper 1162/173 bracelet, though the clasp is the stamped type and has been highly polished. It was recently serviced and has a new crystal and tach ring.

I'm very happy for my first Omega.
Edited:
 
ChrisK25
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Lovely watch, something different from the "standard" speedmaster!
 
Wuza72
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Nice watch !

Mine says hi while sitting in the box, also used but lovely 馃榾

IMG_20201003_220432.jpg
 
valkyrie_rider
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Mine says hi!

Give it time and the dial should start to fade to brown chocolate.
馃榾
mark_II_dial01.jpg
Edited:
 
gbesq
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Very nice. Good that you were patient in your search and found a watch that speaks to you. Welcome to the club.
 
Ascalon
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valkyrie_rider valkyrie_rider
Mine say hi!

Give it time and the dial should start to fade to brown chocolate.
馃榾
mark_II_dial01.jpg

That's very nice.
Is that an 1159 bracelet?
 
Ascalon
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Cheers, all.
I've actually found a NOS clasp online that has the etched logo, so that's good. I'm sure after a bit of wear, it will look the part.

Funnily enough, despite being a motorsport nut, I'm not wild about the racing dial. Just doesn't speak to me.

My Ma got me into Formula 1 when I was a kid, as Sunday lunch in our house had to be done in time for the race!

Hence, the name in my head for Formula 1 is TAG Heuer.

So I have a special edition Formula 1 chrono from the last year of their official timer status.

For me, the Mark II is special as it is the first Omega designed for space. Coming from project Alaska, and the feedback from the previous missions, it was only a tragedy that Nasa never flight qualified it - which only adds to the romance.

Hence, it is my ultimate tool watch.

One day, I'll have a moon watch too, but as a first foray with the famous marque, I'm very happy with the Mark II.
 
valkyrie_rider
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Ascalon Ascalon
For me, the Mark II is special as it is the first Omega designed for space. Coming from project Alaska, and the feedback from the previous missions, it was only a tragedy that Nasa never flight qualified it - which only adds to the romance.

Hence, it is my ultimate tool watch.

I think you nailed it here!

The Mark II was the final product of a watch designed to be used in space and tough environments, with all the improvements (barrel shaped case, mineral glass, chronograph scale under the crystal, etc) to ensure it would perform to high standards.

All that coupled with the tough as nails caliber 861 and it is way *cheaper* than a same period Moonwatch. What is not to love?

I hope I won't be banned from OF for saying this, but I like to call the Mark II 'the *better* Speedmaster'.
馃榾
 
Edward53
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Hooded Claw Hooded Claw
Great watch.... they capture what a watch should be, to me, great lines.. back when we had jumper's for goal posts.

Cheers Ron
 
Wuza72
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valkyrie_rider valkyrie_rider
I think you nailed it here!

The Mark II was the final product of a watch designed to be used in space and tough environments, with all the improvements (barrel shaped case, mineral glass, chronograph scale under the crystal, etc) to ensure it would perform to high standards.

All that coupled with the tough as nails caliber 861 and it is way *cheaper* than a same period Moonwatch. What is not to love?

I hope I won't be banned from OF for saying this, but I like to call the Mark II 'the *better* Speedmaster'.
馃榾

Your courage simply must be rewarded 馃槈
 
Ascalon
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While there are a few Mark II owners here, I know it is a little tricky dating a Mark II via the movement serial number.
From my various researches, it looks like mine is an early model, though it is definitely on an 1162 bracelet, not the earlier 1159. However, that's not definitive.

Mine is in the serial number range 31,6XXXXX range. That would seem to put in into 1970. I know the answer is to get an archive extract, but if anyone has any guides, I'd appreciate it.
 
jaegodylan
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Hello folks, if it helps mine is 29118980 and dates to April 1970 and has the 1159 bracelet.
 
Ascalon
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jaegodylan jaegodylan
Hello folks, if it helps mine is 29118980 and dates to April 1970 and has the 1159 bracelet.

Thanks for that. There was Hodinkee story of a Mk II with a 32,XXXXX serial number that was supposed to be 1970-ish as well.

The Mk II didn't really fly out the door, so many were sat in dealers for a while before being sold, as I understand it. Often manufacture dates don't tally closely with sale dates.

No matter. It's just nice to have an idea.
 
Wuza72
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Mine is in the 32.XXXXX range from ~1973 one of the later models, i麓ve made my own excel list once and can麓t find the source right now 馃榾
 
valkyrie_rider
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My watch movement serial is 29.xxxxxx, which places the movement to 1969.

I bought the watch from a seller who said it was a 1970 model. I should one of this days try to get the extract from Omega's archives.
 
Ascalon
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Decided to go with something different while I wait for my NOS clasp.
qHneXn.jpg

An old Geckota vintage leather band that I had on an Alpha M1957.

Looks well, I think.

By feck, the spring bars were tough to get out!

I had to completely re-sculpt my spring bar tool with a set of needle files to get the little bar stewards out!
Edited:
 
Ascalon
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I've sent my new to me Mark II off to a friend who is a gifted horologist.

He has a back log at the moment.

It may be a few weeks before I get it back.

I miss my new watch.
 
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