Hi Guys! I recently aquire a new-to-me Speedmaster Pro ref. 311.30.42.30.01.005. The watch seemed to be in great condition. I recently noticed a slight neon red looking smudge under the crystal at the 1 o'clock position when light hit it at a certain angle. That got me looking closer with different light. I noticed that with a flashlight and at a certain angle that I could see this almost pink material on what I believe is the crystal tension ring from the 10 to the 1 position. Under most lighting conditions it is not noticeable at all. I couldn't capture it with my normal camera, first pic, but then I downloaded an app called magnifier camera.With that camera I was able to see the material in much greater detail.

I believe this is corrosion and that I need to go to a service shop, but just wanted to double check here. The color does not look like most rust I have seen, but I'm not sure what else it could be. I have never seen any fogging or sign of moisture, and I left the watch sealed with dessication bags with the crown out for a day to be sure to pull any moisture out. Omega is servicing my Seamaster, so it will be sone time before I could afford to send this in to an official Omega center. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Y’know, it looks to me as though you have the right idea regarding having it checked out. It almost looks to me like jeweller’s rouge powder having infiltrated the case, possibly when the case was buffed. Buffed possibly with the case back removed. Or possibly the case ring was buffed with no crystal in place, then the case not being thoroughly cleaned before the crystal was inserted. I doubt the case ring would be likely to rust.

 

It looks like the tension ring is not fitting properly and the dial is offset... with all those holes in it, the movement might be offset instead.

Whatever is going on, I'd take it back and get something else, because something is seriously wrong, at least to my eye.

Tom

 

I think that most of what you are seeing as a problem with fitting VetPsych is just an artifact of the angle of the pictures and the crystal. The dial looks the same to me as others I have viewed atvthe AD, but I could be wrong. I'll have it looked at either way. Canuck's comment makes sense to me with the coloring of the material.