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Newbie Update - Speedy Vintage Dial and Hands in Place - And Some Newbie Advice

  1. vtknight Nov 13, 2019

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    Hi everyone. First I want to thank those on the boards - and especially those like Archer and Dan S. for being so helpful while I ran around in concern.

    I was super fortunate to find a Master Watchmaker - who lives close to me (72 years old with 43 years experience) - who was able to clean up and replace my original dial which was in fantastic condition I am super happy to say. The hands were near perfect - but the sweep was slightly damaged from whoever took it out (which he showed me before he put it back in). It was fixed by the Watchmaker - but I don't know that it will ever be mint again.

    For those who are new like me - I found some great resources on this forum. That said - be wary as well. The Fratello article about Speedmaster bezels was wrong (they did not mention the serif on the 7's) - and there are some hacks out there. This forum continues to be one of the greatest sources of truth out there.

    Winding: Like Archer and others stated - don't be afraid. Wind at the same time every day until you cannot - without ever applying a ton of force - and you should be fine.

    For those wanting to estimate the date of their Speedy - an amazing resource - from this Forum - is a fantastic link. With the serial of the Speedy you will get at least an approximation and it gets better as more actual information is added to it.

    https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/

    This watch is my favourite. It is my first vintage watch, With the original parts in and the watch working really well (plus the original 1171 with trapezoid bracelet) - I really feel I did well (I got the watch for about 6K CDN - so about 4200 US). With the parts in place - and bracelet - I believe I increased its value (although it really isn't my thing - this is a keeper).

    I will continue to lurk here - I thank-you all again for your kind support - especially when my questions were very Newb.

    Cheers!
    Restoration1.png
     
  2. vtknight Nov 13, 2019

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    ACC6AAB5-F5E2-4657-96A8-58002AAFF090.jpeg 5229FCBE-1728-4C10-847F-3DE5347B0956.jpeg A70906F9-D5E9-4683-9AD1-BB25AFA547E6.jpeg
     
  3. bazderome Nov 14, 2019

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  4. vtknight Nov 14, 2019

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    It is most definitely on my left hand...I’m not sure if I reversed the pic? 6B2E7672-2B83-4D4A-AF34-E7024AFEAF74.jpeg
     
  5. bazderome Nov 15, 2019

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    Yeah looks better haha nice watch congrats :)
     
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  6. neilfrancis Nov 15, 2019

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    Great looking Speedmaster
     
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  7. joe band Nov 15, 2019

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    i think the value of swapping back the original dial and hands is obviously justified now that you see the results. great speedy for everyday wear. congrats!
     
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  8. vtknight Nov 15, 2019

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    Thank-you sir - I love it!
     
  9. vtknight Nov 15, 2019

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    I definitely agree - after the early worry of how this would all work, finding a master watchmaker made that an easy decision. He did the replacement while we chatted - he is 72 with 43 years experience and was unbelievable. While I was there three other collectors came by with watches worth more than most peoples cars for things to be done - so that built my confidence further.
    Adding the 1171 to the watch to the original step dial and hands - I am super happy with it.
     
    Edited Nov 15, 2019
  10. Patrik83 Nov 15, 2019

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    Feel much more calm seeing the watch in this form. :thumbsup:
     
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  11. vtknight Nov 15, 2019

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    Lol - as do I Patrik...as do I. Although I know there was polishing Omega SA (whom I will never go back to) - i am sure my scuff mark will come back shortly as I wear it daily. I am missing the true bezel - it does not have he serif on the 7's - but the positioning of the 90 DNN and 70 (mid) plus the no marker on the tachy E - are all correct. Movement is beautiful and it winds so smoothly - using the link I found here (above in my thread) - and it is dated to about 1972. Case is original - and now I have the original 1171 trapezoid - so I feel pretty good all around - that I increased the value from 4200 USD. From what I saw on ebay and Chrono - the step dials in my condition are at least a few grand - and the hands - about 1K. So not too shabby I think. Plus it looks great in my opinion and most importantly - I love it. I only have two other reasonably expensive watches; a 2012 Tag Grand Carrera Calibre 36 and Zenith El Primero from 2016. So this is my first vintage - but this is the watch I will now wear everyday (Tag was before). All my watches go to my children - so one more will make it complete for me (looking at the Daytona).

    Not that I know modern watches very well - but Vintage is an entirely different - but wonderful - world.