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New here with a new to me Speedmaster

rcs914
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Just to give you some reference, the bezel alone on your watch, let alone the rest of it, is probably worth $3000. Unless the watchmaker is REALLY familiar with vintage Speedmasters, and the value attached to specific parts, I would not recommend just dropping it off with someone whom is likely in the habit of "giving a watch a good polish" along with a service. Take your time. Ask for some recommendations here for someone whom has been vetted by members - you can EASILY lose thousands in value with small mistakes.
 
nonuffinkbloke
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Hang on mate! I agree with the advice above. Go nice and careful with your lovely old Speedmaster or you could very quickly create expensive problems for yourself.

1) When I turned up here with a 1960's Speedmaster, that had not been running or serviced for years, I was advised not to wind it until it had been serviced.

2) In order to open your watch without damage you need a decent case back opener, in order to avoid further damage.

3) Is it realistic to assume that your local watch shop is going to have a watchmaker who has the skill and access to parts to service this watch correctly, without making a balls of it?

4) Whatever you do don't send it to Omega. They may change vintage parts and reduce the watch's desirability and value.

It might pay you to hang on until our expert collectors and technicians give you the right advice for your lovely watch.
Edited:
 
DotOverNine
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When you say rough, i say wonderful.

Nobody ever pulls watches outta drawers for me =/
 
T
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nonuffinkbloke nonuffinkbloke
Hang on mate! I agree with the advice above. Go nice and careful with your lovely old Speedmaster or you could very quickly create expensive problems for yourself.

1) When I turned up here with a 1960's Speedmaster, that had not been running or serviced for years, I was advised not to wind it until it had been serviced.

2) In order to open your watch without damage you need a decent case back opener, in order to avoid further damage.

3) Is it realistic to assume that your local watch shop is going to have a watchmaker who has the skill and access to parts to service this watch correctly, without making a balls of it?

4) Whatever you do don't send it to Omega. They may change vintage parts and reduce the watch's desirability and value.

It might pay you to hang on until our expert collectors and technicians give you the right advice for your lovely watch.

The watch has been wound already and im looking for recommendations if anybody has any in the NYC area. I have already learnt not to send it to omega for service. Im impatiently waiting for an expert to lead me in the right direction 😀
 
Waxtactic
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@t1gz - sounds like you have a good game plan and I'm sorry for going all "super paranoid" on you, but I have to echo @Foo2rama. Vet this guy through the forum and gather Speedy specific feedback.

Why do I sound like your mother right now? Well I too had a competent watch maker near me, great reviews etc etc and he totally destroyed my 40 year old watch by repainting the sweep hand. Didnt ask him to do it and it was all with "good intentions", but it doesn't solve the fact that it's now wrong and I have to go hunt for original parts. Again, sorry to bug you, BUT ENJOY THE WATCH!!!! We're all stoked for you man!
 
nonuffinkbloke
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T t1gz
The watch has been wound already and im looking for recommendations if anybody has any in the NYC area. I have already learnt not to send it to omega for service. Im impatiently waiting for an expert to lead me in the right direction 😀
Hello mate. You would probably benefit from some expert, professional, technical advice from Al @Archer and it may also help you to go through some of the articles that William @Spacefruit has written in Speedmaster101.

On the subject of winding a watch that has not been used for many years: I am a complete novice regarding watches, but I was referred, by this forum, to one of it's most respected UK watch makers Simon Freese. He also told me that it is not advisable to run my watch until it had been inspected.
Edited:
 
wagudc
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T t1gz
The watch has been wound already and im looking for recommendations if anybody has any in the NYC area. I have already learnt not to send it to omega for service. Im impatiently waiting for an expert to lead me in the right direction 😀

I am new here as well, but I used Kelly Hunter at Art of the Watch in Portland, OR for a service. He does not have a storefront which keeps his price lower. I mailed him the watch and he did a good job with it. He was referred to me by others here. I also spoke with Rik Dietel at Time Care Inc. in Florida(also recommended here), and he was helpful as well. Ultimately, I went with Kelly because he was closer to me, but it doesn't really matter within the US. These guys do watches from all over the world. I would talk to a couple watchmakers. I called about 5, but Kelly and Rik stood out to me. See:

http://artofthewatch.com/

http://timecareinc.com/
 
SuperHero
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This is a beauty and great hear the experts weigh in on this. What else does your dad have in that drawer?
 
T
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SuperHero SuperHero
This is a beauty and great hear the experts weigh in on this. What else does your dad have in that drawer?

Too many goodies for a decent retirement if he decides to move any of them.
 
T
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
WAIT!!!!!!!!!

This cannot go to just anyone to get serviced....

The value is in the original hands, bezel, and dial! Also do not have the watch polished!!!!! the wrong service will ruin the look and value of the watch. Additionally many watchmakers cannot remove those hands correctly to protect the lume and paint on them.

Where are you located so we can recommend a good place to do it.
Waxtactic Waxtactic
@t1gz - sounds like you have a good game plan and I'm sorry for going all "super paranoid" on you, but I have to echo @Foo2rama. Vet this guy through the forum and gather Speedy specific feedback.

Why do I sound like your mother right now? Well I too had a competent watch maker near me, great reviews etc etc and he totally destroyed my 40 year old watch by repainting the sweep hand. Didnt ask him to do it and it was all with "good intentions", but it doesn't solve the fact that it's now wrong and I have to go hunt for original parts. Again, sorry to bug you, BUT ENJOY THE WATCH!!!! We're all stoked for you man!


The watch maker said not to touch it since it runs good. Only helped take off the caseback so i could snap a few shots.
 
DanT
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For more info on the transitional 68 model there's plenty of background below. If that's an original bezel, that in itself is worth a lot, as already commented Yours has the dot over the 90, the face has the stepped dial and what seems to be the applied metal Omega logo. To add to the info already given on values, it might be of interest to pass on that there was a watch auction last weekend at Watches of Knightsbridge including a 1971 145.022-69 with straight writing and original bezel, hammer price was £5,200 GBP (with fees, that's a sale price of circa £6,500). Your Dad sounds pretty cool!

http://speedmaster101.com/145-022-transitional/
 
Britinus
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T t1gz
Located in NYC, theres a watch maker a couple miles away whos been in business for over 40 years and has rave reviews but mainly for Rolexes. Just going to drop by and see what he says not set in stone yet.
T t1gz
The watch has been wound already and im looking for recommendations if anybody has any in the NYC area. I have already learnt not to send it to omega for service. Im impatiently waiting for an expert to lead me in the right direction 😀
There’s a forum member called NORFOLK who swears by a watchmaker in Rye. Suggest you ping him.
 
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