Speedmaster Back From the Spa

Marsimaxam · Dec 10, 2020

Picked up my recently purchased Speedmaster 145.022-68 Transitional from the watchmaker.
Only the movement was serviced and a new caseback gasket was installed. The finish on both the watch and bracelet is all original. The bracelet has a total of 26 links... 10 expandable and 16 standard links.

The watchmaker did have a little trouble removing the original springbars as the lever was inside the endlink. I installed the Omega 2208 bars as I will be wearing with a NATO strap very carefully.

ndgal · Dec 10, 2020

Marsimaxam
The watchmaker did have a little trouble removing the original springbars as the lever was inside the endlink.

He sure did! Ouch! 😵‍💫 Those are Soooo easy to remove...

Marsimaxam · Dec 10, 2020

Actually in his defense... the long scratch was already on the back of the case as the original owner had the bracelet resized and had 5 links removed, and I'm positive the bracelet was removed at that time. Note auction house pictures of the caseback before service... see image below... picture is a little blurry, but scratch was there. But, the watchmaker :whipped:

did have a difficult time removing the bars and I probably do have a few more blemishes... guess, I'll downsize to a very good case.😉

Pianist · Dec 10, 2020

Good job !
My 145022-68 should go to the spa too 😁

joe band · Dec 11, 2020

beautiful transitionals!
congrats

M'Bob · Dec 11, 2020

Marsimaxam
Actually in his defense... the long scratch was already on the back of the case as the original owner had the bracelet resized and had 5 links removed, and I'm positive the bracelet was removed at that time. Note auction house pictures of the caseback before service... see image below... picture is a little blurry, but scratch was there. But, the watchmaker did have a difficult time removing the bars and I probably do have a few more blemishes... guess, I'll downsize to a very good case.😉

Just curious, as this has come up before: do you happen to know if he had to significantly bend the end link to get the springbars off?

Marsimaxam · Dec 11, 2020

M'Bob
Just curious, as this has come up before: do you happen to know if he had to significantly bend the end link to get the springbars off?

M'Bob as far as I can tell he did not have to bend the end link significantly to get the springbars off, but he did tell me it wasn't easy. The springbars and levers were very stiff. Even Archer has stated in a previous thread,"Please, keep them in your spares box. They are horrible things, and I always replace them when I see them...They are a bear to remove depending on the specific watch they are on. Sometimes they rotate and the lever is under the part of the end link that you can't get the tool to reach..."

Archer · Dec 11, 2020

Marsimaxam
M'Bob as far as I can tell he did not have to bend the end link significantly to get the springbars off, but he did tell me it wasn't easy. The springbars and levers were very stiff. Even Archer has stated in a previous thread,"Please, keep them in your spares box. They are horrible things, and I always replace them when I see them...They are a bear to remove depending on the specific watch they are on. Sometimes they rotate and the lever is under the part of the end link that you can't get the tool to reach..."

It’s even worse when the end link is packed with dirt that is hard as rock...

Speedmaster Back From the Spa

Marsimaxam

ndgal

Marsimaxam

Pianist

joe band

M'Bob

Marsimaxam

Archer

Similar threads

Just Back From The Spa …

Just back from the spa …

Grandfather's Speedmaster back from servicing

Omega Seamaster Cosmic 136.017 NOS (maybeeeee...!??)-Back from the Spa!

My Speedmaster TV Dial is back from the spa

So I just got this old Connie back from the watchmaker..