Forums Latest Members
  1. JanV Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    907
    Likes
    2,467
    I believe the reason for the bleached bezel is due to heavy corrosion on it prior to the pictures. Most likely they have thrown “everything” at the bezel in order to remove the corrosion from it with a risk of loosing the bezel all together, but they didn’t loose it and this was the result. I see also traces of corrosion in the movement. But these are just my observations and I’m absolutely not qualified to call myself experienced in these “fix it up” methods or evaluations.
     
    8DFA3B8C-EAD6-4F62-BF24-684CC4E6A996.jpeg
    ajn3323 likes this.
  2. Davidt Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    10,309
    Likes
    17,882
    I don't agree that it's a result of removing corrosion. They very rarely rust and any oxidation is usually seen as a white stain.

    Even if it were rusty it wouldn't clean up like this.
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  3. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    Though I agree with most of the critical answers here, I think that the colour of lume can turn to such yellow.

    I have an original '66 example with similar index colour:

    66.jpg
     
    dscoogs, Dash1, ajn3323 and 1 other person like this.
  4. Seaborg Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    1,532
    Likes
    3,580
    Mine is also very yellow...

    145-pivotee.png
    and still glows faintly after strong light exposure (watch on the right).

    night2.jpg
     
    Dash1 and ajn3323 like this.
  5. Speedmasterfan88 Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    1,294
    Likes
    4,358
    I might be wrong about this, but one more point about the serial number bridge beeing altered:

    Maybe it was ground down on a lathe and restamped, look at the two pictures and how low/shallow the screw sits in it's hole in comparison. First pic from OP, second provided by @X vintage.
    mov2.jpeg
    mov1.jpg



    Now the easy explanation could be that the screw is just not properly seated, but that's also strange, given that compared to all the others screws they seem to be seated correctly.

    Cheers,

    Max
     
    ajn3323 and padders like this.
  6. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    Why would anyone even bother to transplant such a serial number?

    It's obvious it belongs to a '65 model (if from a Speedmaster).
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  7. Speedmasterfan88 Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    1,294
    Likes
    4,358
    Money? A put together watch? Lack of knowledge? Maybe it was a later movement from a donor watch, now with an earlier serialnumber. I'm not sure.
    But don't you find the difference in seating depth odd?
     
  8. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    Yes, but 1968 would be closer to 1967 than 1965.

    I've got the impression that those are different screws.
     
    Davidt, ajn3323 and Speedmasterfan88 like this.
  9. Speedmasterfan88 Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    1,294
    Likes
    4,358
    I know, it doesn'´t make much sense. But it wouldn't be the first fault we see in a put together watch ( if it was put toghether, that is).

    Fair enough about the screws, I'm not sure myself. Appears that the grove from OP watch is slimmer than the one shown in the second picture.

    Calling in @Archer , do you know if the screw in OP's picture is correct for a 321?

    Cheers,

    Max
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  10. padders Oooo subtitles! Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    8,931
    Likes
    13,873
    You are someone with lot of watches and and hopefully likes a challenge. Please find me a picture of another 1960s Omega movement serial using cursive font script like that shown in the OP watch.
     
    Edited Oct 18, 2018
    ajn3323 and nerdbedusa like this.
  11. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    I agree the font looks totally weird.

    But if faking a serial bridge, why chosing the wrong digits?
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  12. mr_yossarian Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    2,417
    Likes
    4,565
    Don't promote it's a possible outlayer when you talk about totally different serial blocks.
    MWO doesn't agree on 2400xx serials to fall into the 145.012s, they start around 24066xx. Prior to that you are more than very likely in 105.012 territory.
    I wouldn't buy this watch without Extract from the Archives, I have seen so many wrong "borderline"-movement numbers with standard production Speedmasters that were declared as possible "outlayers", none of them was in fact one.
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  13. padders Oooo subtitles! Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    8,931
    Likes
    13,873
    Good point, no idea. Perhaps the faker wasn't quite as talented as some can be and didn't do his homework on the correct serial range.
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  14. mr_yossarian Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    2,417
    Likes
    4,565
    Let me see one of the watches you talk about, with the Extract that proves what you claim.
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  15. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    Here is a 145.012-67 movement for comparison:

    upload_2018-10-18_12-49-52.jpeg

    And here another one:

    upload_2018-10-18_12-51-53.jpeg
     
    ajn3323 likes this.
  16. padders Oooo subtitles! Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    8,931
    Likes
    13,873
    I stand corrected. You rose to the challenge! That first picture has cursive characters exactly like the OP watch so perhaps the serial is original, just too early. On both my 60s Speedies, the fonts look like the less flamboyant second version.
     
    ajn3323 and nerdbedusa like this.
  17. ajn3323 Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    250
    Likes
    1,352
    Thank you, thank you, thank you gentlemen! I’ve asked seller to send me the extract when he gets it. Regardless if he ever obtains it, I will likely pass. Really appreciate the insights as I learn more from this group every day.
     
    Aludic, mr_yossarian and nerdbedusa like this.
  18. nerdbedusa Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    234
    Likes
    247
    eugeneandresson likes this.
  19. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    5,000
    Likes
    14,590
    nerdbedusa and SpeedyPhill like this.
  20. SpeedyPhill Founder Of Aussie Cricket Blog Mark Waugh Universe Oct 18, 2018

    Posts
    5,771
    Likes
    10,750
    and the accurate description = Rare, Collectable, Investment Piece...
    :D