Parts interchange for FOIS Speedmaster

photo500 · Mar 30, 2018

ConElPueblo
This is the first time I've ever seen anyone state the two types of crystals are interchangeable - have you tried this before?

Indeed yes, the watch in the photo at the beginning of the thread has a hesalite crystal conversion. That was done in November last year and it passed the 50m factory rating pressure test then and it still passes that test now as expected. There’s a little video of it on my Instagram page, @lewiswatchco.

I’m not going to offer it as a service but may do it again on further builds. That FOIS had all of the listed available mods done.

photo500 · Mar 30, 2018

Ale8372
Would I be able to fit a pulsation bezel on the FOIS?
According to this eBay seller, it only fits on regular speedy.
Also does it look legit? Thanks!
https://m.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OMEGA-GE...656546?hash=item441a474d22:g:iC4AAOSwiYFXIQHw

Yes all bezels from all Speedmaster Pro’s are interchangeable including those from all straight lug cases, be they from the 60’s or the 2000’s.

Maganator · Mar 30, 2018

Have you got any more pictures of the watch in the OP? Keen to see the crown and any wrist shots you may have!

Archer · Mar 30, 2018

photo500
Yes all bezels from all Speedmaster Pro’s are interchangeable including those from all straight lug cases, be they from the 60’s or the 2000’s.

Not true unfortunately. There are some cases that will not accept the current replacement bezels or current replacement case backs - these require the entire case to be replaced and Omega will do so at a reduced price. The compatible cases can be identified by specific case maker markings in the case backs.

This is outlined in the Omega document titled: Moon Watch back cases or bezel replacement

Unclear if you have access to the Omega Extranet or not, but when you look up the Speedmaster case you will see a little symbol of a document page with a red triangle warning sign and exclamation mark inside it - click on that and this document will open...

photo500 · Mar 30, 2018

Maganator
Have you got any more pictures of the watch in the OP? Keen to see the crown and any wrist shots you may have!

Here’s a couple...after changing the dial and hands

Maganator · Mar 30, 2018

Thanks - looks great!

photo500 · Mar 30, 2018

Archer
Not true unfortunately. There are some cases that will not accept the current replacement bezels or current replacement case backs - these require the entire case to be replaced and Omega will do so at a reduced price. The compatible cases can be identified by specific case maker markings in the case backs.

This is outlined in the Omega document titled: Moon Watch back cases or bezel replacement

Unclear if you have access to the Omega Extranet or not, but when you look up the Speedmaster case you will see a little symbol of a document page with a red triangle warning sign and exclamation mark inside it - click on that and this document will open...

Thanks Al, no I don’t have access yet, it’s ‘in the mail’ so to speak. News to me there are some that don’t interchange as it’s not something I’ve come across yet with any of the Speedys I’ve worked on.

photo500 · May 18, 2018

Archer
Not true unfortunately. There are some cases that will not accept the current replacement bezels or current replacement case backs - these require the entire case to be replaced and Omega will do so at a reduced price. The compatible cases can be identified by specific case maker markings in the case backs.

This is outlined in the Omega document titled: Moon Watch back cases or bezel replacement

Unclear if you have access to the Omega Extranet or not, but when you look up the Speedmaster case you will see a little symbol of a document page with a red triangle warning sign and exclamation mark inside it - click on that and this document will open...

Ok, so now that I have access to the Extranet I have had a look at this document. Al, as you have posted before, it essentially says that the modern bezels and replacement case backs are not compatible with any Speedmaster Pro case not made by 'LL' or 'MRSA'. This effectively means any Speedmaster up until only a few years ago although I'm not sure of the exact production dates for those makers as I work mainly with the older models. So to be clear, the modern bezels and case backs are deemed by Omega to be incompatible with any early Speedmaster not made by 'LL' or 'MRSA'. Meaning no HF, no CB etc cases, none of the early stuff. Omega is saying that any early watch that needs a new bezel or case back for whatever reason has to have a complete replacement case which they will supply at a discounted rate.

I'm really not sure what the compatibility issue is meant to be and the document does not say. My practical experience using these replacement parts is that they are all interchangeable. I have fitted these new bezels and case backs to pretty much everything from the 2998 forward, with no issue, regardless of case manufacturer. This includes the FOIS straight lug case. Conversely I have fitted DON bezels and pre moon case backs to modern cases with no issue.

The new case backs clear the movement properly, secure the antimagnetic cover properly, do not foul any of the movement rings 321/861/1861 etc, are smooth when screwing down by hand and with the press. They retain the waterproofness of the case when fitted and do not protrude past the wall of the midcase.

The new bezels snap on securely without undue effort, do not foul the crystal in any way and have the same diameter underneath as the midcases.

Not really sure what the thinking is behind the document but it is clearly misleading.

pascs · May 18, 2018

I have noticed that with one of my Speedmasters a new bezel doesnt fit, with the bezel being too loose to stay on, the older bezels fit nice and tight on the same case. I think also I have one old bezel which is too tight to fit a new case.

Archer · May 18, 2018

pascs
I have noticed that with one of my Speedmasters a new bezel doesnt fit, with the bezel being too loose to stay on, the older bezels fit nice and tight on the same case. I think also I have one old bezel which is too tight to fit a new case.

Yes I've had the same thing happen - both ways. As noted Omega doesn't give any details other than to say they are not compatible, but the last time I checked the exchange price they were asking for a replacement case due to this incompatibility issue was very small, far less than the price of a case or even a bezel, so they certainly aren't offering that for no reason.

photo500 · May 18, 2018

There must be some sort of issue with a proportion of the much older stuff or they wouldn't issue the directive. For me there hasn't been a problem. I just think it's misleading to say that they are all incompatible unless fitted to the cases made by the latest manufacturers.

Archer · May 19, 2018

photo500
There must be some sort of issue with a proportion of the much older stuff or they wouldn't issue the directive. For me there hasn't been a problem. I just think it's misleading to say that they are

Not knowing what the real issue is, I think Omega (as corporations do) is taking the safest approach, which for them makes the most sense.

I think the key takeaway here is not to assume that every bezel will fit every watch. As with many of these part interchange questions that get asked, sometimes the only way to know for sure is to try it.

mrchen · May 19, 2018

Checking back in here with a very fresh FOIS modded with 105.003 service hands. I always liked the alpha hands but you had to twist them just right against the light to read them, and that always bothered me.

RC03 · May 21, 2018

photo500
Here’s a couple...after changing the dial and hands

I actually just came to the forum to point out this particular post having seen it on the lewiswatchco Instagram!

After seeing it I was/am seriously considering purchasing an FOIS to throw a hesalite on there because I like the overall style. Though I have heard that the FOIS dial and the "57 Reissue dial" are slightly different in terms of font and colour, with the 'more vintage accurate' award leaning towards the 57 dial. Until my 3594.50 "57 Reissue" is fixed I'm currently Speedy-less. 🙁 I miss staring at my Ed White mod!

Edit: Grammar.

jzzmusician · Aug 11, 2018

I just bought a FOIS and love the watch! Unfortunately, I have a difficult time glancing down to see the time. It's more of a study to see the hands. I'd like at minimum, to change out the hour and minute hands. Will the Omega Boutique do this, or should I find a watchmaker?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

ext1 · Aug 11, 2018

I highly doubt a boutique will do it for you. You'll have to find a guy to do it for you.

fskywalker · Sep 19, 2018

jzzmusician
I just bought a FOIS and love the watch! Unfortunately, I have a difficult time glancing down to see the time. It's more of a study to see the hands. I'd like at minimum, to change out the hour and minute hands. Will the Omega Boutique do this, or should I find a watchmaker?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

You will need a private watchmen to do it for you. My FOIS was modded by previous owner with a 3594.50 dial, regular SMP hands and Ed white chrono hand so visibility is greatly enhanced

fskywalker · Sep 19, 2018

photo500
There must be some sort of issue with a proportion of the much older stuff or they wouldn't issue the directive. For me there hasn't been a problem. I just think it's misleading to say that they are all incompatible unless fitted to the cases made by the latest manufacturers.

Great mod job! Which sapphire caseback will fit the FOIS? Above read a regular Speedy case back (like the one on 3573.50) should fit but read someone tried a Custom Watch Concepts (Thomas Preik) sapphire caseback designed for the regular Speedy Pro and did not fitted in the FOIS

jackjacob · May 31, 2019

mrchen
Checking back in here with a very fresh FOIS modded with 105.003 service hands. I always liked the alpha hands but you had to twist them just right against the light to read them, and that always bothered me.

This watch is fantastic, loving it - great size, love the straight lugs, applied logo, and personally much prefer this over the alpha hands.

Not sure though how to actually go about doing this. Where would I'd be able to source the hands? Suppose it would be combination of a standard Speedmaster Professional hand set, as well as a fishtail chrono seconds hand from the 105.003?

However I've read that Omega stopped providing parts to the independent market a few years back? So where do I go? Had a look on eBay but could only find 1 ad for the Speedmaster Pro hands, and no mention of the 105.003 seconds hand.

Also any recommendations for a watchmaker in/around London, UK who could swap the hands out?

rjmontoya · Sep 29, 2019

jackjacob
This watch is fantastic, loving it - great size, love the straight lugs, applied logo, and personally much prefer this over the alpha hands.

Not sure though how to actually go about doing this. Where would I'd be able to source the hands? Suppose it would be combination of a standard Speedmaster Professional hand set, as well as a fishtail chrono seconds hand from the 105.003?

However I've read that Omega stopped providing parts to the independent market a few years back? So where do I go? Had a look on eBay but could only find 1 ad for the Speedmaster Pro hands, and no mention of the 105.003 seconds hand.

Also any recommendations for a watchmaker in/around London, UK who could swap the hands out?

Hi omega forums,

I realize this is an old thread but I could not find any information elsewhere that addressed exactly the information I was looking for quite like this one.

I am highly motivated to purchase the beautiful FOIS. In my mind I was originally torn between the FOIS and the CK2998 Panda Pulsation, but I realized I truly wanted my first foray into Speedmaster ownership to be black dialed, and every time I tried the FOIS at a boutique it felt great. That said, my biggest draw to the CK2998 was not its limited number or its panda dial but its modern pulsation bezel.

I’m not an originalist and rather believe that I’d be just as happy putting together a watch with parts that I like to make it unique to me, future value be damned. If I had my druthers, I’d buy the FOIS and have it modified, in order of importance to me, thusly:

1. Replace the bezel with the modern CK2998 graduated for 30 pulsations bezel
2. Replace the alpha handset and subseconds hands with SMP modern handsets
3. Replace the FOIS caseback with the sapphire sandwich caseback.

I realize that the cost of these modifications might rival the cost of the watch itself, but I was curious if it were possible and what kinds of success OF members might have had. I see in this thread tat the handset replacement is possible and looks fantastic (like a modern Ed white without taking out another mortgage). There were hints about the sapphire sandwich caseback but no confirmations it had been done. So my questions are:

1. Has anyone been able to source the modern CK2998 Panda Pulsations bezel? Have they been able to replace the FOIS bezel with the pulsation bezel? I wonder with how relatively new the pulsation bezel is and with rumors of Omega more tightly controlling its replacement parts if there is any way to source this piece.
2. Has anyone successfully installed the sapphire sandwich caseback onto a FOIS?
3. Would the forum have any specific recommendations on personal watch workers who could help source genuine parts like the bezel/professional hansets/caseback and also carry out the replacement work?

Thanks everyone in advance for your help. I’ve loved perusing the amazing content on this forum for a while and it’s taken me too long to join this robust community.

Parts interchange for FOIS Speedmaster

photo500

photo500

Maganator

Archer

photo500

Maganator

photo500

photo500

pascs

Archer

photo500

Archer

mrchen

RC03

jzzmusician

ext1

fskywalker

fskywalker

jackjacob

rjmontoya

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