Haven’t been here for awhile. Actually haven’t been to any discussion forum much. The vintage market has gotten very ridiculous the last few years. Yet I found this supposedly one owner, actually inherited from his father, that I can’t pass. I’m not very well versed in vintage omega, so here I am at the mercy of your expert knowledge again. Hopefully I did good.

I was told it’s never been serviced or polished. The case looks pretty good to my eyes, thick and strong. It might even have the original polish, hopefully. A couple of things bugged me though. It is missing the dust cap. I mean if it’s never been serviced where is the dust cap. But then it’s not a biggie. The major thing is the lume on the dial, it’s too perfect for a 50 year old watch. I suspected it was relumed by a professional who did a really good job. But he insisted it was never been touched, at least while it was in his possession. As I said, I’m not familiar with omega lume. If it’s a Rolex I could be 99% sure seeing under 10x lupe, but not this. So what say you fellow wis? Was it relume or not? My watchmaker said he is pretty sure the hands have never been detached, so that’s comforting. He is also pretty sure the movement has never been serviced. Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance. You guys are the best.

 

Hard to give you any guidance without knowing what he’s asking for it. Calculate in a dust cover and a service and you should have a nice enough piece (although relumed). If that doesn’t bother you, go for it.

Without a dust cover wearing it is a no go. I think the goo from the gasket and the previous owners gunk would make me immediately want a service. It doesn’t make sense to relume a piece and not get it serviced... The case is fine, but I don’t really get hung up there. I’d rather have the hands have matching patina.

 

What makes you call relumed? The dial looks lovely to my eye. The hands - hmmm, to me they look differing styles and colors on the hours and minutes.

The case though- has it been refinished..? Measurements would help, no?

I don’t like the color of the asymmetrical bridge either.

I’m immediately suspicious of this watch as a whole.

 

Lume can age in many ways, especially with a bit of moisture here and there. It's probably fine, and if it responds correctly and consistently to UV excitation, then I'd be inclined to believe the seller. Overall it looks like a nice example to me, and if the lume in the minute and sweep hands bothers you, there are ways to address it.

 

Maybe I wasn’t clear, but I decided to buy the watch for $3.2k including full movement service head only. I figured worst comes to worst, it will be my daily. I’m not saying for sure the lume has been redone. I Just feel like it’s too good to be true for such an old watch. I’ve seen amazingly preserved lume on Rolex watches from way back, but need confirmation from expert eyes.

So based on your experience, do you think it’s relumed?

 

I don’t know where my caliper is. Do you think if I send more detailed pictures would help? Please share your suspicions, I would to know. Thanks.

 

Thanks Dan. The hands don’t bother me. It’s part of the vintage charm I guess.

Btw, for this vintage what reaction is normal when exposed to UV light? Should it glow for a few second and then fade?

 

I've had 60-70 year old watches with absolutely perfect lume, here is one that is 55 years old and in perfect condition. The Speedmaster is a water resistant sports watch and if the watch hasn't been abused I'd fully expect the lume to be looking great.

 

Nothing wrong with the lume/dial. It's not that uncommon to find -69's, -71's etc in this condition.

Nice catch

 

Agree'd with @Davidt ... great catch.

 

nice looking watch ive seen quite a few with the lume in the hands looking like that seems to be common on 70's watches

 

Do you have any concerns on the differing appearance of the lume in the hour and minute hands? It’s entirely possible I haven’t seen enough variations but this would be the first time I’ve seen differences on those two. It’s a relatively simple fix - and at $3.2 I think the seller did well.

 

It could just be the lighting - but on a 71 I would have thought the bridge would be a slightly different color from the hammer, operating lever etc.



The gunk around the caseback is reassuring to me that the watch wasn’t opened much. But I felt your bridge was too close in color match with some of the other components that led me to think it’s been replaced. But like I said it could just be lighting. If it is; at $3.2. Good pickup!

(Pic is of a later watch - not a 71 but added for comparison)

 

Yes, during UV excitation the lume should all glow with fairly consistent brightness, and then fade quickly and consistently after the UV is removed. It's hard to predict exactly how quickly, but at least you can check that all the lume behaves the same. If something was re-lumed it's unlikely that they would have used exactly the same compound.

 

Likely I wasn’t clear in reading it. I thought you were saying that the seller said it was relumed. If that’s not the case, I don’t have any reason to think it’s a relume. Plenty of pieces have retained nice lume color.

Also thought you were still on the fence. I think for $3.2 with a service you stole it. It looks great (although I’m not a huge fan of the hands). Once you sort the device and the dust cover you’ll have a great piece.

 

Thanks all. I feel more confident with the watch now. My second speedy.

 

Mine’s a ‘72, hasn’t been touched- and has very similar coloring of both dial and hands. As said above, if it hasn’t been exposed to moisture inside the watch- they can maintain near perfect lume.

I think you did very well for $3.2k, I would have jumped on that.

 

What is all that gunk inside the caseback surrounding the movement?? Gross!

 

Evidence from a crime...

Usually someone chimes in that there is enough dna to bring the previous owner back to life

 

It that also the reason why tritium Rolex watches have way better lume?