Community Stories

Salvation Army Speedie for sale on EBay, a nice donation.

gemini4
Posts
5,856
Likes
16,758
I'm sure you considered it but why not send it back? The EBay sale allowed returns, I believe.
 
Pahawi
Posts
1,159
Likes
3,400
Spacefruit Spacefruit
I cannot open the back

If what holding you back is the risk of damaging your "Speedy Opener" dont worry. Can't imagine you'll be able to ruin it, but should you, I'll pass you another made of aluminum (twice as hard as your brass one) 馃榾

IMG_1995.JPG
 
Spacefruit
Posts
5,263
Likes
24,029
Actually what stopped me opening it was, amazingly enough, patience.

This watch has clearly stood still for decades. The spring bars are solid. I have a wonderful aluminium chuck that holds a speedmaster case while rotating the back off, but needs the bracelet removed.

I have @Pahawi 's truly wonderful opener, but decided not to try to open it myself beyond hand pressure with the tool. It is as we speak on its way to STS and they will open it and remove the bracelet without damage, I assume, as they know more than me.

It is true I paid a considerable premium for this watch as I believe it to be original. I did it with eyes open. The failed opening marks are a worry, but let's see what I can do about those.

All I can say is that I hope to keep the character of the watch. After all, no point in paying a premium, and over restoring it to look like every other multiple owner watch. At the moment I am in two minds about leaving the crystal unpolished! Otherwise I intend simply to clean and refit all parts.
 
Slevin kelevra
Posts
626
Likes
2,698
I think that looks like it could be a very attractive watch once STS have worked their magic. It ceratinly looks very original and that is what floats Mr SF's boat I think 馃榾

Tightest 1039 ever? ;-)
 
TexOmega
Posts
7,891
Likes
57,101
Can you get STS to shoot progress pictures as they go through their process?

That would be a cool educational photo shoot.
 
watchlovr
Posts
1,781
Likes
2,533
Cool tool, I have the same but in hard plastic so no damage if you slip.

Pahawi Pahawi
If what holding you back is the risk of damaging your "Speedy Opener" dont worry. Can't imagine you'll be able to ruin it, but should you, I'll pass you another made of aluminum (twice as hard as your brass one) 馃榾

IMG_1995.JPG
 
gemini4
Posts
5,856
Likes
16,758
Did anyone notice if the Miami Salvation Army had any containers of Loctite on EBay?
 
Eric_navi
Posts
234
Likes
1,517
Spacefruit Spacefruit
. At the moment I am in two minds about leaving the crystal unpolished! Otherwise I intend simply to clean and refit all parts.

Apart from this case, do you usually try to keep from replacing the original crystal?
 
bazamu
Posts
1,691
Likes
7,344
Spacefruit Spacefruit
At the moment I am in two minds about leaving the crystal unpolished! Otherwise I intend simply to clean and refit all parts.
Just out of curiosity - why wouldn't you polish the crystal? With a dial as beautifully patinated as that (and matching hands, to boot) I'd want to see all of the details clearly. Just my 10 cents though!
 
wsfarrell
Posts
2,443
Likes
4,227
Pahawi Pahawi
If what holding you back is the risk of damaging your "Speedy Opener" dont worry. Can't imagine you'll be able to ruin it, but should you, I'll pass you another made of aluminum (twice as hard as your brass one) 馃榾

IMG_1995.JPG

Got my own Speedy Opener yesterday. Beautiful piece of machining. Just in time, too: I got a 145.022 back today from a COA at my local watchmaker. It had a small but noticeable particle stuck to the underside of the crystal. I brought it back in and he removed the dirt, and then (because he suspects I open the watch to adjust it and doesn't like that (which I do, though that's not where the dirt came from)) he *really* applied some pressure to close it. Speedy Opener prevailed, however, and now the case back is tight but not insanely so.

Nice tool.
 
Spacefruit
Posts
5,263
Likes
24,029
Its back. Nothing replaced, just a clean and full service.
P8130006-001.jpg
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,956
Spacefruit Spacefruit
Its back. Nothing replaced, just a clean and full service.
P8130006-001.jpg
Still no pictures of the internal. Any surprises? Is it a 63 or 64?
 
justwatching
Posts
290
Likes
174
the dial and hands looks attractive and untouched. Please post more pics.
 
23 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...