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Should I polish my pre-moon speedmaster and replace the bracelet?

N
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I have an all original pre-moon Speedmaster (with bezel error) with a 1116 bracelet, which belonged to my grandfather.
The bracelet is pretty stretched, however, and I worry it could break. I am contemplating the possibility of a brand new bracelet. I don't know the reference number but the new bracelet looks almost identical to the 1116.
The issue, however, is that the brand new bracelet won't match the patina on the watch. So, should I have the watch case polished? Or would that ruin the value of the all original vintage watch?
OMega2.jpg

Here's a photo of my watch between the two new Speedys.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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I wouldn’t polish it for several reasons- yes, it would affect value, but in its current condition, it shares a bit of your grandfathers history.

Can you share more photos of the watch? You say it is a 220 error bezel but it also looks to have a drop end chrono hand?
 
Dsloan
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N newlyn
I have an all original pre-moon Speedmaster (with bezel error) with a 1116 bracelet, which belonged to my grandfather.
The bracelet is pretty stretched, however, and I worry it could break. I am contemplating the possibility of a brand new bracelet. I don't know the reference number but the new bracelet looks almost identical to the 1116.
The issue, however, is that the brand new bracelet won't match the patina on the watch. So, should I have the watch case polished? Or would that ruin the value of the all original vintage watch?
OMega2.jpg

Here's a photo of my watch between the two new Speedys.

Please don't polish a vintage speedy. Especially not a family heirloom.

I vote to just give the bracelet some time on the wrist. I figure they'll match soon enough with some everyday wear and tear.
 
N
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
I wouldn’t polish it for several reasons- yes, it would affect value, but in its current condition, it shares a bit of your grandfathers history.

Can you share more photos of the watch? You say it is a 220 error bezel but it also looks to have a drop end chrono hand?


Here you go.
 
IMG_7688.jpeg IMG_7689.jpeg
Davidt
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I wouldn’t let a polishing wheel near that. You could always buy a vintage 1039/1175/1116 or even an 1171 in good condition and use that if you’re concerned about a new bracelet clashing with the patina of the watch
 
gbesq
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Davidt Davidt
I wouldn’t let a polishing wheel near that. You could always buy a vintage 1039/1175/1116 or even an 1171 in good condition and use that if you’re concerned about a new bracelet clashing with the patina of the watch
^This.
 
Twocats
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Put it on a nice vintage looking tan leather strap and leave it. I would not even polish the hesalite as every scratch was made by your grandfather.
 
noelekal
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You should not polish the case.

If two Speedmasters of the same variant as yours were exhibited side by side, one all original and worn and one with case all polished up bright and shining, I'd look right past the polished one to admire the original.

Originality is only on the watch case once. You can't return metal removed from case surfaces through polishing back onto those same surfaces.

I'd work that crystal over with some Poly Watch though.
 
Pastorbottle
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If the bracelet is an issue, then put the original aside for safekeeping and put a new one on it, it’s only a matter of swapping it back to return it to original, but don’t polish the case as you can’t go back to original condition once done.
Are you sure the original bracelet is beyond saving? I can’t imagine how it could get so bad that its likely to fall to bits, looking at the pix it might be a little sloppy at the links but otherwise doesn’t seem to bad
 
gbesq
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A good independent watchmaker should be able to re-pin the bracelet and eliminate the stretch. Not an inexpensive repair, but it will then be as wearable as it was when new and it will match the wear on the case.
 
Puma_135o
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I would polish the glass only, you don't do any damage and you can appreciate better the dial of this beauty.
 
Dan S
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I wouldn't polish it, but it's your watch and you should do whatever would help you enjoy the watch. Scratches, dents, and gouges aren't patina, they're just damage. Ideally you would want to maintain whatever sharp edges remain, if any, as well as the caseback engraving.
 
MSNWatch
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Never polish for two reasons: preserve it as a family heirloom with all its age marks and also preserve its financial value - collectors love as is original watches.
 
bazelot
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Yup no polish on this one. If I were you I would start by replacing the pins of the removable links and see how the bracelet feels after that. Vintage bracelet feel very flimsy next to modern bracelet so you might get the wrong impression by handling both of them at the same time. Vintage bracelets are pretty sturdy but they will never feel as strong as modern ones. They are pretty sturdy though. For my 105.012 i actually bought a Forstner flat link bracelet and I replaced the clasp with an Omega one. It fits perfectly well and this way i don't need to worry about anything (I don't have the original bracelet for it but most of the time I wear it on a black Nato strap to emulate the Nasa strap)
 
befobe
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Stretched bracelets are more confortable...😁

Try to find a correct chrono hand, a correct watchmaker to install it, even to relume it to match to your index, and you will have a wonderful speed with a great history...
 
Asturianucu
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In my humble opinion I would try to fix the original bracelet. There are companies dedicated to that.

About polishing, you must think about what you prefer in your watch.There are people who prefer to keep the damage on the watch because it is proof of the experiences their parents or grandparents had with that watch; while other people prefer to see the watch like brand new. I consider it to be a fairly personal decision and both decisions are equally respectable.

Perhaps it is more important to think about doing a service to the movement if it has not received one in a long time; and a good polishing of its original plexi so that you can see that beautiful dial better.

It is a beautiful watch. All the best.
 
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