Speedmaster case / mid-case for 40th birthday project!

Hi All,

So the big milestone is bearing down upon me in a month or so. My wife has generously offered that I can get a watch for my 40th. After being bitten by the speedy bug a few years ago, there is only one watch I can think of for such an occasion.

Unfortunately I'm not in a position to make the financial outlay for a new 3861, or even a used speedy, at this time. Although what I do have is several parts (dials, hands, bezels etc) that I bought a few years ago. In the circumstances I thought it would be nice to put together a custom speedy (most likely a mitsukoshi) that I can hold onto for personal use and to remember the milestone.

To help with the project I'm hoping to source a standard (145.0022 or similar) speedmaster 42mm case. I don't mind if it's a service case or one that was removed from an original watch (maybe someone wasn't happy with a polish or some damage to their original case?). I'd be happy to consider new / service or used, a polish or some scratches doesn't bother me although it would be nice to have good condition +.

The mid-case is the only really critical part I need, as I already have a spare bezel and case back. Although I'd also be happy to have a discussion if you have something that comes with the bezel and case back attached (it seems current service cases come as a combination package for example).

Thanks for your consideration, please send me a PM if you have any questions or options in mind.

Cheers,
Mark

I would just be careful of some of the cases advertised as genuine Omega. Sometime back I bought a new case off ebay which was advertised as genuine NOS Omega, and I was not impressed with the case I received. The case was just the midcase with crystal, but when i received it I immediately noticed the style of the lugs was slightly off from all my other Speedmaster cases, which i could have lived with, but the thing which i didnt like was the hole which the pusher screws into was not recessed. There is a very thin metal washer which goes between the pusher and the case, and in all my other Speedmaster cases there is a recess for this in the case so that the pusher body looks flush with the case when it is screwed fully down. However in this example because there was no recess you could see the metal washer between the pusher and the case which just didnt look right. Also the way the inside of the case was machined was also some what different to my other Speedmaster cases, and this all just left me less that happy with the case.
The seller was adamant that the case was genuine Omega but he was fine to accept the case back, so now I'm always wary when i see new Omega cases for sale on ebay.

Totally agree, I think I've spoken to the same guy on ebay about the same case. I didn't pull the trigger because I'm 99% sure he also advertises fake speedy bezels as genuine.

TBH I'm putting out feelers here because I've been looking on ebay for a while and am very wary of ending up with something fake / wrecked / mis-specified (not to mention all the fees etc), so hoping a trusted OF member can point me in the right direction 👍

Bump!

Well I'm officially 40 now! Is this a time for celebration or commiseration - I really don't know! Do members have any words of wisdom to impart? Cheers, Mark.