Hi guys - new to the forum, and would appreciate some help. I have a Speedy Mark III non-professional version. Its my pride & joy ! Im in NZ and purchased it from a seller in the U.S and it belonged to his father who purchased it in the early seventies.

You can see from the photo it has a blue face with a silver bezel (outer ring). I love the colour combination however have not seen another Mark III in this specific combination.

So - does anybody have knowledge of the face / bezel colour options for the non-prof Mark III's? I would love to know if this is how it left the factory or if there is a possibility that the face &/or bezel may be replacements. Could it be a U.S-only colour option?

Thanks all and look forward to hosting our U.S friends in Auckland for the Americas Cup 2021 !

Hamish

 

Beautiful watch! The combination is likely original, as you can see in @Andy K 's excellent thread here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/an-encyclopedia-of-omega-cal-1040-and-1041-dials.36789/

It seems to be what he calls a Type E(1) dial.

I do suspect the hands are service replacements - not because they're incorrect (they're not) but simply because they look so pristine and white.

 

The silver/grey bezel is an odd one. Usually both the blue and silver dialed Mark IIIs came with blue bezels with white text. Those bezels could vary in finish and shade of blue, but blue was certainly the "standard bezel" for all of the E dials.

Your bezel is almost certainly legitimate because I can't image that bezel fitting correctly in another case, nor can I imagine anyone faking Mark III bezels. But it is certainly the least commonly seen Mark III bezel color.

As you say, there are a few options: perhaps a regional variant, a lesser-known option that buyers could choose from, a later service part, etc. I'm afraid I can't shed any light as to which.

 

Hi guys - sorry for the delay getting back to you, thanks for the great info esp re the bezel ! Also saw an interesting Mark III variant on ebay recently, claiming to use the 1041 movement found in the Speedy 125, ex-factory. Now that would be rare ! (if legitimate)

Have a great weekend !

 

Great movement thread as well ! (1040) Cheers

 

Outrageously O.T, but is your surname Kofoed?

 

This one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Cal-10...534961?hash=item2378064ff1:g:S3wAAOSwZtJW9BwSPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

He's been trying to sell that one for some time.I think it is a case of the seller:
1. Finding a below average Mark III
2. Poaching a beat-up 1041 (with service rotor) from a Speedmaster 125
3. Cobbling the two together
4. Calling it "Super Rare"
5. Asking 4 times what the value of all the parts is

 

Is that the one had been advertised for $8k. Now asking $7.5k?

 

Yep

 

Yes thats the one. Thought it looks suspicious ! Wow I just love the Mark III you found in the thread with the big-blue style bezel. Now that is one cool watch!

 

Here is mine. I bought in on ebay last year. Almost perfect.

There is a little scratch on the case at 11 o'clock. On the dial at the 9 o'clock lume, the lume seems to have spread out a bit. No idea what is going on there.

Certainly, these watches are not worth $7.5k. Even a mint one is under $2k.

 

That's a nice SM MarkIII.

It could be fitted with similar cal1040 (or lemania 1340), the first omega automatic chronograph.
I don't know which definitely came out first among these three - SM mark III, 125 or the seamaster.

My 1040.

 

Nice, my 176.007 has the same dial, bezel, and hand configuration as yours:



As to which came first, the 176.001 and 176.007s have most of the lowest serials, followed shortly by the Mark III. Much of the evidence seems to point to the 176.001 as being first. They started popping up in 1971 and 72. The Speedmaster 125 was released in 1973.

 

Hi - thanks for putting my Mark III on your grey-dial reference list ! Made my weekend. My serial number is 31 643 926 (unsure if your site inquiry upload link is working) cheers

 

Andy - although (just read your great conspiracy 125 article!) its a little disappointing that the 125 is a little less special than first thought, I would still like to grab one of these as my next watch (Mark III, 125, then a Big Blue for my 50th ! ). It would be appreciated if you could advise of any 'look outs' or 'must-haves' when buying one of these. I guess the Watchco version on ebay now (although appearance wise looks great) would be less of a long term investment as it has a replacement case right? Any advise would be appreciated. Cheers Hamish

 

There are Watchco 125s?

 

This one here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omega-197...842311?hash=item51ed5ffec7:g:TEAAAOSwNRdX~XvuPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

Claims to have original movement but the case is replacement. Tempting! Would prefer original papers and box though !!

 

I personally don't think that there being more than 2,000 made would make the 125 any less special. Just easier to find. It's still a chronometer with a dial, case, movement, and bracelet that Omega never used on any other watch. And for me personally the claim of 2,000 conflicting with evidence pointing to many more adds a ton of mystery and intrigue that you can't get with many watches.

As for the Watchcos or other modern rebuilds: I think the keys are to insist on movement shots and look for signs of aging that more modern parts won't have. The modern service casebacks have a laser etched text on the inside which is a giveaway because the old ones are stamped. And compare the dial of that Watchco example to the one in this listing: http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/po...y-steel-watch-3780801-bf085436--id5297331.htm

The minute markers on the Watchco one have a "dog bone" look to them at the ends that the originals don't. FYI I don't recommend the other one but I just wanted to show the contrast.

 

Hmm, I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the SN!

 

Well, there serial number 35.075.071 is in the second most observed range for this reference on Andy's excellent website:


It's not proof, but it certainly could very well be an original (to this reference) movement. Cool piece!