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PSA: Stop destroying Mark II Racing Speedmasters!

pdxleaf
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Okay, somewhat tongue in cheek, but also somewhat serious.

Eugeneandresson started a great thread where he presented a Mark II racing dial in a 105.012 case. It looks fabulous, (and I think he subsequently doubled the price of Mark IIs. 😁) The thing is, some of these Mark IIs get beat up, so maybe rescuing the dial is their best hope for a new life.

There is also another school of thought that chooses to recut the cases and rebrush them, as the sunburst brushing gets lost and the case loses the nice sharp edges. For some reason, rebrushed and recut Mark IIs seem to be more expensive than unpolished ones. This is strange in a world of speedmaster collectors who practically worship unpolished and unmolested watches (guilty).

So here's to the unmolested and original Mark II racing dial watch, a very cool watch in its own right.To encourage their preservation, here's mine that just arrived in the mail. I am very pleased! It needs a service, not to mention a good steam cleaning, but I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

20230913_140347.jpg 20230913_140332.jpg 20230913_135814.jpg 20230913_135806.jpg 20230913_135748.jpg 20230913_135732.jpg 20230913_135657.jpg 20230913_135611.jpg 20230913_135603.jpg 20230913_135544.jpg 20230913_135512.jpg 20230913_135408.jpg 20230913_135355.jpg 20230913_135348.jpg 20230913_135309.jpg
 
Aroxx
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Nice pick up! I have to say, I do really like the mods but the Mark II case is steadily growing on me. I love these racing dials. If I could have a second Speedmaster at this point it would be a Mark II racing. Close third is the broad arrow replica.
 
Davidt
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My first introduction to the Speedmaster was my dads mk2 when I was a kid, so even though they’re not really my bag i have a soft spot for them.
 
spacemission
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Davidt Davidt
My first introduction to the Speedmaster was my dads mk2 when I was a kid, so even though they’re not really my bag i have a soft spot for them.

I have not seen you in the mad's thread :whipped:
 
hansaboy
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Wow!
Nice watch, and really sharp edges, service = do NOT touch the case...??😀

Congrats and enjoy!
 
NGO1
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Luv the splash of colors. Wish I have the wrist size to pull that off. Looks great on you.
 
Ron_W
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Guilty modder here, but the case was in bad shape so i feel i did a rescue. I too feel the Mark II does look better when polished bevel and sun brushed parts are in top condition, because they are such large surfaces, contrary to the Speedy Pro case which consists of many smaller surfaces.
The Mark II is great watch on itself, but just doesn`t wear as nice as the Pro for me. But i wont butcher any more i promise 🙄

For those on the fence, there is a nice Racing dial listed on ebay atm, from Swiss.
 
20230321_163636.jpg
daderaz
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I have always loved Mark II racing.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to find it in good condition, especially with the bright colors of the dial.
Regarding polishing, I would only have it with a laser addiction, and the help of very few watchmakers (maybe two in Italy)
 
paddymoran
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Personally, not a fan of the mods as I can’t come to terms with “MARK II” on the dial!! Pics below of another potential Pro/ Mark II crossover!
 
IMG_3735.jpeg IMG_3734.jpeg
140dave
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How does recasing a movement “destroy” a Mark II? You simply put it back in its MKII case and it’s back to original state, no other change required,
no destruction involved.

In all seriousness though, the point is to breath life back into an unloved watch. IMO your watch, PDX, would never be a candidate to recase. It is for MKIIs like this one:
IMG_7388.jpeg

Unloved, case is garbage, gaskets are a melted mess, no bezel visible, glass destroyed. You were not buying this to restore as an MKII, no way, but recased it has new life and I can rebuild the case in the meantime.
IMG_7407.jpeg

When I sell it I can sell it as a pro-mod with the original case or can recase and be a full MK II again. But in the meantime, this rocks! 😝
IMG_7400.jpeg
 
pdxleaf
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140dave 140dave
How does recasing a movement “destroy” a Mark II? You simply put it back in its MKII case and it’s back to original state, no other change required,
no destruction involved.

In all seriousness though, the point is to breath life back into an unloved watch. IMO your watch, PDX, would never be a candidate to recase. It is for MKIIs like this one:
IMG_7388.jpeg

Unloved, case is garbage, gaskets are a melted mess, no bezel visible, glass destroyed. You were not buying this to restore as an MKII, no way, but recased it has new life and I can rebuild the case in the meantime.
IMG_7407.jpeg

When I sell it I can sell it as a pro-mod with the original case or can recase and be a full MK II again. But in the meantime, this rocks! 😝
IMG_7400.jpeg

I did start by saying "somewhat tongue in cheek..."

Certainly there is a place for mods and a place where something is beyond economic repair.

I have a modded 1861 35th anniversary Speedy (that I can easily put back with the original parts.)

I also had 3 1/2 Renault Caravelle's (the half had the rear of a car converted into a trailer by the PO.) One car was so rusted I parted it out. A friend who restored airplanes said he could fabricate new metal and restore it. That was theoretically possible but crazy for a car that was worth 3k in excellent condition, at that time.

My post is mainly intended to show some love for the Mark II, that it is a great watch as it is and not only has value as a potential mod.

Btw, that mod of yours did not come from that first picture, right? Those hands look pretty different. Most mods seem to be done with the nicest dials and hands that can be found, not the faded hands, dials and lume that are on many Mark IIs. Hence my reason for asking to stop destroying Mark IIs.
Edited:
 
140dave
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
I did start by saying "somewhat tongue in cheek..."

Btw, that mod of yours did not come from that first picture, right? Those hands look pretty different. Most mods seem to be done with the nicest dials and hands that can be found, not the faded hands, dials and lume that are on many Mark IIs. Hence my reason for asking to stop destroying Mark IIs.
I swapped the sweep chrono hand for a brighter one but other than that same/same, look at the fancy racing hands, not the normal MKII style. (it was a very over-exposed auction photo, I was pleased when it arrived)

Yes, totally got the tongue in cheek and you are correct that you see some nice ones go that route. No worries if all parts are kept but it is a shame when you see the case sold right after.
 
K
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It certainly looks like this watch has a story or two to tell. The color combination isn't my cup-o-tea, but that's personal preference. I am curious on the general topic of watch modification and please forgive me if this question is too far out of context for this thread. For those who have performed their own mods, did you or do you work as a watchmaker? If not, how did you gain the required expertise? Thank you.
 
Seaborg
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Mark2 racing speedies are fabulous, indeed.

If someone wants one, I'm here 😉
 
Risto
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I am one of those people who mods cars, so modding a watch isn’t really an issue. And of course I love exotic racing dial. And then I had a CB case…
And I prefer slimmer watches, so less love for original MK2.
I don’t feel bad at all!
And I will keep the MK2 case.

IMG_6391.jpeg
 
pdxleaf
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Seaborg Seaborg
Mark2 racing speedies are fabulous, indeed.

If someone wants one, I'm here 😉

Yours has the DON like mine. Some people comment that the Mark II only had a DNN but not sure that's accurate
 
OneTwo
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Even though I'm currently am in process on a MKI / MKII racing dial project, I wholeheartedly agree with the thread title and the sentiment. When I came across Eugene's MKII project thread, the comment below from @Spacefruit really resonated with me as I set out on my search for a Racing dial project.
Spacefruit Spacefruit
For me, part of modifying this watch was the old Hot Rod adage - you can’t start with a good bike. Take something at the end of its normal life, and breathe magic in.
My goal has been simple, assemble the watch from loose parts and make sure that I wasn't relying on destroying a wearable MKII in the process to create my Speedmaster Racing Mod. After some time I've managed to source all of the components and it will be off to the watchmaker soon for assembly.
 
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