Dear Omega Forum members, I just wanted to share with you my newly acquired Speedy. This old lady had only one owner before me. The gentleman to whome I purchased the watch firstly proposed a Rolex 5513 (his second watch) for sale to finance a car for his grand daughter who just obtained her driving license. I contacted him for the Rolex but, as often, I was too slow... SOLD ! To soothe my frustration, he mentioned the first watch he ever owned that he could sell if I wanted to purchase it. The watch was a Speedmaster Mark II Racing dial with its original 1159 bracelet (full length) and its crater box (but no papers). The gentleman bought it in 1970 just before being enlisted in the French Navy. Thus, the watch was worn in his military functions. He finally passed to the Rolex 5513 as the manual winding was too "constraining" for him... The watch was then stored in a drawer for about 20 years until the day the gentleman mentionned its existance to me. I am not personally a big fan of the Mark II Speedy but, because of the complete history of the watch, I have decided to buy it. The watch is obviously not in a mint condition but I finally particularly like how it looks. The watch runs strong and keeps accurate time. The only problem is the broken bracelet buckle (the little piece of metal allowing the claps to close). Here are some pictures of the watch with its crater box : Cheers. Dr. R.
So jealous ! But glad you bought it though especially with the story that goes with it ! Congrats and dibs in case your hate of Speedmaster Mark II becomes too strong !!
Very nice find. You don't show the broken clasp, but jewelers can do amazing things with laser welding these days.
What a great story & fantastic watch , your lucky to have found one in such original condition . I think the MKII racing dials are one of the nicest watches omega have ever made , obviously not to everyone's taste & prices paid still reflect this . But I can see this changing especially for all original examples like yours . My MKII says hello , ( obviously not as original as yours ) but still a pleasure to wear . If you ever consider selling can I add myself to the growing dibs list ,& wear it in good health
really nice one hope that you get to like the MKII - I really like the roughness of the case shape Great that it comes with a story and the amazing original box
Thank you all for your kind words. I first thought the "chunky" look of the Mark II would bother me in wearing it but it actually does not Dear @Dan S, true ! I I just add below some now pictures highlighting the broken part (red arrow)... As you say, I hope a jeweler could weld (carefully) a new piece of metal on it.
Just looking at the pictures you've posted again & I can see that on your 1159 bracelet clasp fitting a small squareish cut out & a circle with 11 in it . Interesting as I have a 1159 bracelet with 154 end links ,but it doesn't have the cut out & mine has 30 in the stamped circle , you don't see many 1159 bracelet pictures posted & I believe they were a small production run around 1969-70 . I would be interested to know if anyone can tell why the bracelet styles are slightly different & what the 11 and 30 stamps in the circles mean . Maybe the 1159 bracelets had a MKI & MKII variance or mine is just a later service addition ? .
Good point ! I do have a 1159 with a circled 11. As you said, it looks different, especially the Omega loga on the frontside of the claps (mine looks like the one of a 1039). I am not an expert but I have heard that two references were possible for the bracelet of the Mark II Racing. Here is one more detailed picture of the inscriptions in the claps.