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Omega 105.012 66 - servicing options

Z
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Hi all, I'm new to the vintage Omega scene but was really excited to have won a 105.012 speedy (cb case) in an ebay auction. The watch itself looks worse for wear, particularly the bezel insert. I've had it inspected and authenticated by a specialist in Singapore who reassured me the parts are all original, calibre 321, hands,dial etc but he did suggest to replace the hands as the tritium lume looks to have completely faded. Also suggested to replace the glass case and gaskets as there is a microscopic crack that means it's not really water resistant yet. I'm tempted to source from tritium hands and the case via ebay and having it installed by a local watchmaker in Singapore. Went to the Omega boutique who told me that if it were sent to Bienne the dial and hands would almost certainly get replaced with the new ones and that was a no go for me. I am really eager to get the watch serviced asap and start wearing it around so how should I proceed? Many thanks in advance for your help
20220313_120341.jpg 20220313_120418.jpg 20220313_120456.jpg 20220313_120628.jpg
 
Davidt
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As you say it’s not a very good example. The bezel is poor and the case is terribly over polished.

Personally if you’re keeping it I wouldn’t throw good money after bad by sourcing new hands etc. Instead I’d try and find a good vintage specialist who could refinish the case and repaint and relume the hands.
 
DrSpock
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Laser welding could be an option, just received my finished case from STS in the UK
Before:
A22911DC-7D7F-42C0-B97B-7AB89FFD0717.jpeg


After

0366FE36-64C2-4DC9-8F70-ECA1AC3D456F.jpeg


I think they also could fix your round case, and it won’t cost a fortune
 
Z
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DrSpock DrSpock
Laser welding could be an option, just received my finished case from STS in the UK
Before:
A22911DC-7D7F-42C0-B97B-7AB89FFD0717.jpeg


After

0366FE36-64C2-4DC9-8F70-ECA1AC3D456F.jpeg


I think they also could fix your round case, and it won’t cost a fortune

Many thanks for this! I've read here that STS comes highly recommended so looks like I'd go that route.
 
Dan S
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I don't understand the comment about the hands, why would you replace them.
 
Z
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One thing
Dan S Dan S
I don't understand the comment about the hands, why would you replace them.
I'm undecided at this point. Whether to have them relumed or just leave them be without any lume as they currently are at the moment. Would probably ask STS what they can do.
 
Dan S
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Z zrhmn816
One thing

I'm undecided at this point. Whether to have them relumed or just leave them be without any lume as they currently are at the moment. Would probably ask STS what they can do.

I still don't understand, they seem to have lume, but it obviously won't be active after 50+ years. In general, it's not recommended to replace things that are original and look ok. There may be something wrong about the sweep hand, but I can't really tell because your photo is out of focus.

Anyway, given the overall condition of the case, bezel, and dial, I just think it's ironic that anyone would focus on the hands as the thing to replace.
 
Screwbacks
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M'Bob M'Bob
4570452E-694C-45FD-B554-886BAF97F292.jpeg

ops, my bad finger. ::facepalm1:: sorry ms. huston. i meant houston. 👍

my take is that if it was adverted as cb case, then the case of your watch has no lug facets or sharp
edges on top. you may check the serial number, it might not be a cb66 speedy, unless the facets were
over polished into rounded edges. and, you might have paid extra $ for it.
Edited:
 
Davidt
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Dan S Dan S
I don't understand the comment about the hands, why would you replace them.

The chrono hand looks like it’s already been poorly repainted and relumed to me, although better picstures would confirm.
 
Dan S
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Davidt Davidt
The chrono hand looks like it’s already been poorly repainted and relumed to me, although better picstures would confirm.

Yeah, there seems to be something funny about the sweep hand, but I think the OP is saying that the lume is missing from the hands, and I don't see that.

Z zrhmn816
I'm undecided at this point. Whether to have them relumed or just leave them be without any lume as they currently are at the moment. Would probably ask STS what they can do.
 
Socks
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Hands look out of sorts with the general condition of the watch and particularly the sub dial hands. But do you know what, now you’ve got it leave it as is and wear it.
 
Tubber
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Z zrhmn816
Many thanks for this! I've read here that STS comes highly recommended so looks like I'd go that route.
I recently asked STS about servicing a 105.012-66 and this is the reply I got.

"The Speedmaster reference 105.012-66 has a calibre 321 movement. Unfortunately all calibre 321 watches need to be returned to Omega as these watches are now categorised as a reserve calibre and certified Omega service centres such as ourselves are no longer allowed to carry out any work on these watches."
 
Davidt
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The hands are merely a distraction in this instance anyway. The case is very poor and if you’re looking at a 66-CB the case is pretty much the defining characteristic. I’ve yet to see a CB case convincingly brought back to life.

If the watch sings to you and you’re keeping it I really wouldn’t spend a fortune trying to improve it or buying replacement parts. Wear it for what it is and perhaps try and improve the case by having the correct brushed/polished finishes reapplied.
 
Z
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Davidt Davidt
The hands are merely a distraction in this instance anyway. The case is very poor and if you’re looking at a 66-CB the case is pretty much the defining characteristic. I’ve yet to see a CB case convincingly brought back to life.

If the watch sings to you and you’re keeping it I really wouldn’t spend a fortune trying to improve it or buying replacement parts. Wear it for what it is and perhaps try and improve the case by having the correct brushed/polished finishes reapplied.

Thank you so much again all. Looks like I'll just keep the watch as is and just do basic servicing locally. Doesn't seem much sense to spend upwards of 1k on a full service or restoration of any kind
 
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