Speedmaster 145.012 (-68) - Looking for service advice

[eriksenfredrik]

Hi!

I am new to this forum - glad to find a place to talk about what has become somewhat of an obsession )).

A few months ago I got hold of a 145.012 (-68), a bit worn, but still I had been looking for this for a while now so I took the chance on it. It is currently with Omega factory for sevicing and they have suggested some replacements.

I am looking for advice and opinions on the replacements suggested by Omega;
1. They want to replace the bezel, and I have confirmation that they will ship the old one as well if they do. I have also asked if they can keep the original on and ship a new one to me to have a spare. What would you do?

2. I have asked to not polish glass and case (they accepted this).

3. Pusher is being replaced (one if obviously an unoriginal part as can be seen from picture).

4. The bracelet I got with the watch is an unoriginal one and I asked Omega for the 1039 bracelet which they said they don´t have. But they offered me the 1171/633, which I think is the most correct one to have even if I would want an original one from -68. Any thoughts?

Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated, I don´t want to end up paying Omega 2000+€ and regret it later.

Thank you!

 

[Davidt]

1. Do not replace the bezel. Yours is original but not in fine condition so it’s perfect for wearing. Zero benefit of replacing the bezel or buying a service ‘spare’.

2. Agree, do not polish the case. I would definitely polish the bezel.

3. Pusher needs to be replaced. If doing one, I’d do two.

4. I wouldn’t get a service 1171/633. I’d use a strap for now and either source an original 1039, or a new Forstner/US flat link. If you like the 1171 I’d get a vintage one

 

[eriksenfredrik]

Thank you very much for the quick reply and useful feedback. I agree on all your points, and that I should have patience to find a vintage time correct bracelet instead of paying 750€ for the new 1171.

Any idea on what a vintage 1171 og 1039 would cost?

Any recommendations for other straps which goes well with this watch and where to source them?

Thank you!

 

[befobe]

Try to find correct Chrono hand too!... Omega can do that I suppose.

 

[Davidt]

A quick search of the ‘parts for sale’ will tell you prices for bracelets.

Straps are very subjective. JPM who supplies Bulang and Sons and others are great in my view but there’s a thousand opinions on straps.

 

[eriksenfredrik]

G

befobe

Try to find correct Chrono hand too!... Omega can do that I suppose.

Well spotted, forgot to mention it. Omega are switching out the seconds hand of chrono as well.

 

[eriksenfredrik]

Davidt

A quick search of the ‘parts for sale’ will tell you prices for bracelets.

Straps are very subjective. JPM who supplies Bulang and Sons and others are great in my view but there’s a thousand opinions on straps.

Thanks for pointing that out, i did not do my research well enough before posting. I see a 1067 for sale on these forums actually, i did not consider it for the 145.012 but ChatGPT says it was delivered with it as well originally.

Appreciate the suggestions on straps.

 

[Davidt]

The 1067 and 1035 aren’t correct for a 145012. They are very similar but they’re for 18-19mm lugs. Yours is 20mm and needs 1039 or 1116 to be period correct.

Also strap suggestions depend what country you’re in. I’m in the UK so unlikely to buy from places in the US due to shipping and customs

 

[gbesq]

Although technically not one of the "period correct" bracelets for this reference, you could also consider an Omega 1175 flat link bracelet with 640 end links. This is a very nice solidly constructed bracelet and they generally sell for a third to half of what you will pay for a 1039/516 and, in my opinion, they are of better quality. Here's mine on my 1969 Speedmaster Straight Writing.

 

[Pahawi]

I would ask Omega to not touch anything and ship it back to you and then find a watchmaker with care for vintage watches....

 

[hansaboy]

Hi there, and welcome to this lovely Forum!
A question or two:
have you already given the OK to Omega to start the service, or have you only started and just waiting for the price?
I do suggest that you read here on the Forum regarding services with different watchmakers, and depending on where you live
make plans to contact the watchmaker.
You avatar/name feels Scandinavian (I am from Sweden), so you should have easy access to flights etc?

Feel free to PM me if you need "pointers" and advice?
But the main watchmaker that most people use (me also) in Europe is Simon Freese!

Good luck!

 

[hmmmcamu]

UNCLE SEIKO also make SS bracelets for the SPEEDMASTER click on link below

https://unclestraps.com/collections/omega

Edited: Jul 28, 2023

 

[eriksenfredrik]

hansaboy

Hi there, and welcome to this lovely Forum!
A question or two:
have you already given the OK to Omega to start the service, or have you only started and just waiting for the price?
I do suggest that you read here on the Forum regarding services with different watchmakers, and depending on where you live
make plans to contact the watchmaker.
You avatar/name feels Scandinavian (I am from Sweden), so you should have easy access to flights etc?

Feel free to PM me if you need "pointers" and advice?
But the main watchmaker that most people use (me also) in Europe is Simon Freese!

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. You guessed correctly - Norway here. So it seems many are not satisfied with Omega servicing? My thought all along has been that service and bigger interventions should always be performed by factory to avoid degrading originality and keeping price level of the object. But that might not correct or not so black and white.

 

[eriksenfredrik]

hmmmcamu

UNCLE SEIKO also make SS bracelets for the SPEEDMASTER click on link below

https://unclestraps.com/collections/omega

Thanks, seems like they make very high quality for a good price. Definitely will test them as an interrim solution!

 

[eriksenfredrik]

Pahawi

I would ask Omega to not touch anything and ship it back to you and then find a watchmaker with care for vintage watches....

Any reference to why you recommend this? Bad experience with Omega?

 

[hmmmcamu]

eriksenfredrik

Thanks for the advice. You guessed correctly - Norway here. So it seems many are not satisfied with Omega servicing? My thought all along has been that service and bigger interventions should always be performed by factory to avoid degrading originality and keeping price level of the object. But that might not correct or not so black and white.

servicing options ... here in New York we have an area called the DIAMOND DISTRICT loads of AD shops for various brands and independent jewelry high end watch stores ... whose in house watch makers are very proficient in their field some may have also trained and worked for major brands ..... if u have something similar ... perhaps it could be an option for u to explore added BENEFIT going this route is that u can request if at all possible that any and all parts used on ur watch be vintage spare parts ... which u urself can source or have the watch maker source for u

Edited: Jul 28, 2023

 

[Davidt]

eriksenfredrik

Thanks for the advice. You guessed correctly - Norway here. So it seems many are not satisfied with Omega servicing? My thought all along has been that service and bigger interventions should always be performed by factory to avoid degrading originality and keeping price level of the object. But that might not correct or not so black and white.

Factory will always use genuine parts but won’t protect originality. They are much more inclined to replace a genuine, original vintage part for a modern equivalent than specialist independent watchmakers. That is the reservation most collectors have with factory service for vintage watches.

 

[YY77]

eriksenfredrik

Any reference to why you recommend this? Bad experience with Omega?

I wouldn't bet a not-polish request will be respected.

 

[Pahawi]

eriksenfredrik

Any reference to why you recommend this? Bad experience with Omega?

Do a search about it here - lots of info / warnings...

 

[spacemission]

I'd like to see a picture of the calibre.