Speedmaster 125 Caseback Code Research

Bernhard J · Dec 30, 2022

I still need to make the photos.

I had contacted Omega with a request for an extract of the archives AND thereby sent photos pointing to the 1040 stamp on the base plate, together with text inquiring about this apparent contradiction.

The CHF 120 should have better been invested in pizza 😁. They apparently nevertheless just looked at the serial number on the bridge and confirmed that the watch is a 1041. No word in response to my explicite questions regarding the 1040 stamp on the base plate, among others whether base plates stamped 1040 were used for making the Speedmaster 125 (1040 and 1041 base plates are identical, except this stamp).

I do know that the brigde with the serial number is a 1041 due to the further inscriptions thereon. Now I still do not know, whether a 1040 movement has been placed into the watch, thereby reusing the bridge and rotor from a 1041.

Cheers, Bernhard

Marte · Jan 3, 2023

Hi everyone. I am Paul and here is my beloved 125 which I have owned for around 15 years. My caseback has A039, a 1040 movement #34,684,056. Now I do believe that I replaced the glass sometime after I first got the watch. It is by far my favourite Omega and so comfy to wear.

Seabass23 · Jan 3, 2023

Marte
Hi everyone. I am Paul and here is my beloved 125 which I have owned for around 15 years. My caseback has A039, a 1040 movement #34,684,056. Now I do believe that I replaced the glass sometime after I first got the watch. It is by far my favourite Omega and so comfy to wear.

Wow, another 1040 movement and what could be a very early caseback code. Unique in a few ways.

Marte · Jan 4, 2023

Seabass23
Wow, another 1040 movement and what could be a very early caseback code. Unique in a few ways.

Tks. I took it to a service guy today and he will overhaul the movement. He did put it under a microscope and we were able to have a good look around. the code A039 was confirmed.

Bernhard J · Jan 4, 2023

The case is in really great condition, lovely. Is it original like that or has it been (expertly!) refinished?

Cheers, Bernhard

Marte · Jan 4, 2023

Bernhard J
The case is in really great condition, lovely. Is it original like that or has it been (expertly!) refinished?

Cheers, Bernhard

Haha just me. It's a simple case. My regular job is all about restoring metal so for me I can do a bit of case refinishing.

Seabass23 · Jan 4, 2023

Marte
Haha just me. It's a simple case. My regular job is all about restoring metal so for me I can do a bit of case refinishing.

The workmanship is truly excellent. Very well done.

Seabass23 · Jan 4, 2023

Hopefully @Andy_K sees and incorporates this caseback code in his database. Perhaps send him the code and serial in a direct message so the info gets included.

Bernhard J · Jan 4, 2023

Marte
Haha just me. It's a simple case. My regular job is all about restoring metal so for me I can do a bit of case refinishing.

How about a tutorial in a separate thread?

Cheers, Bernhard

Morlock · Jan 4, 2023

If that was a "simple refinishing", I would love to see your complex works. Nice 125, mine is in good shape but even close to your "simple case".

Wear it in health.

Marte · Jan 4, 2023

Morlock
If that was a "simple refinishing", I would love to see your complex works. Nice 125, mine is in good shape but even close to your "simple case".

Wear it in health.

The 125 and other modular Omegas are ok for me to refinish because it means my fat fingers do not go anywhere near the movement 😀 Same for bracelets they are ok to do. I will perhaps do an intro thread about me soon, I used to be active 20 years ago, espresso machine restoration and collecting got in the way and I am not slowly getting back into watches.

UWG · Jan 5, 2023

I always love to see other 125 Omegas. Mine says hello😀.

Marte · Jan 24, 2023

OK so I have had the results of my archive extract on my 1040 movement 125 and there is no record. So it seems either dodgy record keeping or it was not uncommon to transplant movements by service technicians. Either way an interesting result and certainly adds some more history to the watch, albeit not in an ideal way.

Knudsen1971 · Jan 25, 2023

@Bernhard J - somebody has just swapped the baseplate for much more common 1040 baseplate. Btw, Omega has produced service 1041 base plates in the past, but those were rhodim plated (silver).
@Marte - unfortunately there is not original movement in your watch, here was swapped complete movement from 1040 watch (serial on rotor).
No big surprise, that Omega could not match the case reference with the serial of the movement. Dodgy watch, no records.

Marte · Jan 25, 2023

[USER=94481 said:
@Marte[/USER] - unfortunately there is not original movement in your watch, here was swapped complete movement from 1040 watch (serial on rotor).
No big surprise, that Omega could not match the case reference with the serial of the movement. Dodgy watch, no records.

Yes it is a shame but no biggie, been my most worn watch for 15 years and I love it.

Monaco Bavaria · Mar 20, 2023

UWG
I always love to see other 125 Omegas. Mine says hello😀.

Looks stunning!

Bernhard J · Nov 9, 2023

Here is another one just like mine, seen by occasion today. How often would one expect that the complete base plate has been swapped? And why should one need to do that? I have seen even others in the meanwhile.

https://www.chrono24.de/omega/omega...1040-crater-box-full-set-1976--id31311226.htm

So this is what my 125 is worth (with the rare 1040 mark)? Great!

Cheers, Bernhard

Speedmaster 125 Caseback Code Research

Bernhard J

Marte

Seabass23

Marte

Bernhard J

Marte

Seabass23

Seabass23

Bernhard J

Morlock

Marte

UWG

Marte

Knudsen1971

Marte

Monaco Bavaria

Bernhard J

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