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Speedmaster Mk. 40 Movement cal 1151 Serial Number Issue

D
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Hey everyone,

I just dove in head first to my first Omega purchase. Last Tuesday I purchased a vintage Speedmaster Mark 40, Ref 175.0084/375.0084 from a local watch store called Vana Watch and Jewlery. Although I did a fair amount of research before hand I did overlook one important thing before I bought the watch, it was missing the case serial number.

I have spent the last few days trying to get more information from Omega about the watch in order to confirm it's authenticity and serviceability. I even drove all the way down to Costa Mesa to have an official Omega tech open it up and look. He thinks it's original but doesn't have any experience with that exact model. He also mentioned that Omega may not service it with the serial missing.

Today, I spoke with the Swatch Grp and they said it can be serviced so long as the watch is authentic. The watch had been serviced when I bought it so I'm not going to send it in now. I have a small window here to return the watch but I really don't want to. It is in beautiful condition. What do you all think? Is she real? Will I have any trouble getting it serviced down the road? Should the movement have a serial? There isn't one clearly on the back. Should I keep it?

I paid $2900 for it. It came with box and papers but the warranty card was missing the ref and serial number. It looks like they were written in pen and smudged off.

Thanks

Drake
 
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Archer
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These watches did not have serial numbers on the movements, but only on the outside (and possibly inside) of the case back.

In this instance, the serial number being gone from the case will not mean they won't service it - they will as long as they can confirm the watch is authentic as they told you.

Now if this has been a watch that did have a serial number on the movement, and it had been removed from both the case and movement, they would refuse to service it, but that's not the situation you are in.

Cheers, Al
 
HMM
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Archer is correct. On this model the serial number should be on the case back. Couldn't find it myself the first time either.

Cheers
 
HMM
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Hmm, does not look to be polished off either. On mine it is here (from Japan):
 
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Archer
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HMM HMM
Hmm, does not look to be polished off either. On mine it is here (from Japan):

Have a closer look. Do you see any difference in the finish of that small ring where the serial number is between yours and the OP's? I certainly do...
 
D
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HMM HMM
Hmm, does not look to be polished off either. On mine it is here (from Japan):
Look at the brushing on yours. It's circular. Mine is strait.
 
D
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I'm well aware that the serial was brushed out. I believe the watch was engraved and the engraving was removed. I do not see any other signs of polishing or finishing changes. My concern was with authenticity, serviceability and value. I have spoken to the Swatch Group a couple times today and they will service if it is authentic. If the watch is authentic which I believe it to be, how does the lack of serial affect it's value?
Edited:
 
dsio
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There was a period where grey market dealers online were removing serial numbers on watches they were buying in bulk and re-selling, this was during the same era these MK40s were being sold so its possible that this watch was one of those grey market pieces originally. Authenticwatches for example even had a disclaimer in the 2000s stating that all serial numbers would be removed from the watch before it was shipped to you. This was during the time Omega was engaged in legal action against Costco and the grey market dealers were trying to protect the ADs they were getting stock off.

If I had to guess I’d say this is the most likely explanation for your watch and that it was removed intentionally for that purpose.
 
D
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dsio dsio
There was a period where grey market dealers online were removing serial numbers on watches they were buying in bulk and re-selling, this was during the same era these MK40s were being sold so its possible that this watch was one of those grey market pieces originally. Authenticwatches for example even had a disclaimer in the 2000s stating that all serial numbers would be removed from the watch before it was shipped to you. This was during the time Omega was engaged in legal action against Costco and the grey market dealers were trying to protect the ADs they were getting stock off.

If I had to guess I’d say this is the most likely explanation for your watch and that it was removed intentionally for that purpose.
Very informative. Thank you for those details.
 
Rado63
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First of all, what a bad ass watch you have there. Speedmaster Triple calendar , month, day, date. 24 hour dual time zone, 30 minute 12 hour chronograph. Regarding the serial number, there are watches out there, not just Omega brand watches, that have the serial number on the caseback. Your watch seems to be missing the serial number on the case back, It would be below the Omega emblem and below the Hippocampus. The inside of the caseback maybe correct. Omega service may be able to fix your misaligned day month wheels, but if they do have the serial number and that number goes on the paperwork, then the watch is in the Omega database and you have paperwork to prove as such. Therefore the value would be on par with watches in similar time keeping and physical condition and with similar paperwork, i.e. books, boxes, cards, card holders, tags. If you have doubts, talk to the seller and say you plan to ship the watch to Omega and get service paperwork complete and if not authentic you plan to return it. Good luck with this unique Speedmaster. I hope it's real and you get it serviced and get the paperwork for it.
 
padders
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Rado63 Rado63
First of all, what a bad ass watch you have there. Speedmaster Triple calendar , month, day, date. 24 hour dual time zone, 30 minute 12 hour chronograph. Regarding the serial number, there are watches out there, not just Omega brand watches, that have the serial number on the caseback. Your watch seems to be missing the serial number on the case back, It would be below the Omega emblem and below the Hippocampus. The inside of the caseback maybe correct. Omega service may be able to fix your misaligned day month wheels, but if they do have the serial number and that number goes on the paperwork, then the watch is in the Omega database and you have paperwork to prove as such. Therefore the value would be on par with watches in similar time keeping and physical condition and with similar paperwork, i.e. books, boxes, cards, card holders, tags. If you have doubts, talk to the seller and say you plan to ship the watch to Omega and get service paperwork complete and if not authentic you plan to return it. Good luck with this unique Speedmaster. I hope it's real and you get it serviced and get the paperwork for it.

How do you see Omega finding the serial for this watch?

The lack of serial does have an impact on value. 10%, 20%, pick a figure. It’s the same watch of course, just not quite as complete as one with the number intact.
Edited:
 
D
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Rado63 Rado63
First of all, what a bad ass watch you have there. Speedmaster Triple calendar , month, day, date. 24 hour dual time zone, 30 minute 12 hour chronograph. Regarding the serial number, there are watches out there, not just Omega brand watches, that have the serial number on the caseback. Your watch seems to be missing the serial number on the case back, It would be below the Omega emblem and below the Hippocampus. The inside of the caseback maybe correct. Omega service may be able to fix your misaligned day month wheels, but if they do have the serial number and that number goes on the paperwork, then the watch is in the Omega database and you have paperwork to prove as such. Therefore the value would be on par with watches in similar time keeping and physical condition and with similar paperwork, i.e. books, boxes, cards, card holders, tags. If you have doubts, talk to the seller and say you plan to ship the watch to Omega and get service paperwork complete and if not authentic you plan to return it. Good luck with this unique Speedmaster. I hope it's real and you get it serviced and get the paperwork for it.

Thank buddy. I appreciate the feedback. It is a pretty awesome watch. I love the size. I'm sure the 42mm moon watch is nice but my wrists are a little small and this guy is perfect. Plus it can be dressed up better than the 42. I just put a black leather strap on it and it looks awesome!

The watch was serviced by the seller and it is working great. The date isn't miss aligned. It's the start of changing over to the next day. As you can see it's 11:30pm. I don't see them finding a serial. It's definitely been removed but I'm cool with it. Omega will still service it. Everything else it in good shape. These photos don't really do it justice. The minor scratches look much more pronounced through my Canon r6. As far as the value 10-20% makes sense. I paid $2900 which if you include a service cost close to $1k for this complex movement it was valued correct. Most of these that I see online are $2-3k and they probably need a service.

Thanks everyone. I'm new to the forum and it's been very helpful so far.
 
dsio
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D drakechandler
Thank buddy. I appreciate the feedback. It is a pretty awesome watch. I love the size. I'm sure the 42mm moon watch is nice but my wrists are a little small and this guy is perfect. Plus it can be dressed up better than the 42. I just put a black leather strap on it and it looks awesome!

The watch was serviced by the seller and it is working great. The date isn't miss aligned. It's the start of changing over to the next day. As you can see it's 11:30pm. I don't see them finding a serial. It's definitely been removed but I'm cool with it. Omega will still service it. Everything else it in good shape. These photos don't really do it justice. The minor scratches look much more pronounced through my Canon r6. As far as the value 10-20% makes sense. I paid $2900 which if you include a service cost close to $1k for this complex movement it was valued correct. Most of these that I see online are $2-3k and they probably need a service.

Thanks everyone. I'm new to the forum and it's been very helpful so far.
Value wise these tend to be a bit cheaper typically although yours does look quite nice and is one of the later models, Ive helped friends buy them for under $1000 usd off ebay and servicing is actually quite cheap as the movement is an ETA 7751 base and while it adds some complications they’re still an easy to service movement that tend to be fairly trouble free. The last one I had serviced was about $350usd at my local watchmaker who tends to be pretty good.

If it has been serviced and you have a warranty I wouldn’t be bothered by the amount you paid given its a good example of one of the later variants of the MK40 though.
 
D
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dsio dsio
Value wise these tend to be a bit cheaper typically although yours does look quite nice and is one of the later models, Ive helped friends buy them for under $1000 usd off ebay and servicing is actually quite cheap as the movement is an ETA 7751 base and while it adds some complications they’re still an easy to service movement that tend to be fairly trouble free. The last one I had serviced was about $350usd at my local watchmaker who tends to be pretty good.

If it has been serviced and you have a warranty I wouldn’t be bothered by the amount you paid given its a good example of one of the later variants of the MK40 though.

Where are you getting it serviced for $350? The place I bought it from said they charge $950 and Omega said it starts at $750.
 
Rado63
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padders padders
How do you see Omega finding the serial for this watch?

The lack of serial does have an impact on value. 10%, 20%, pick a figure. It’s the same watch of course, just not quite as complete as one with the number intact.


I only wrote "if they have the serial number" Then the watch would have paperwork. "if" is a word that introduces a condition or supposition.

I wanted to extend hope to the kid, because I am with you that without the number it would most likely reduce the value, and that is why my advice was to create a conditional acceptance of the piece with the seller that in the event there is no serial number found and Omega call the watch not authentic, then he could return it.
 
dsio
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D drakechandler
Where are you getting it serviced for $350? The place I bought it from said they charge $950 and Omega said it starts at $750.
Omega has a standard rate for chronographs and the place you bought it from want the service to sound really expensive. I use a really good independent watchmaker, and most independents will come a lot cheaper than Omega. Because the movement is an ETA 7751 base, it can be wily be worked on by most independents, which is one of the benefits of this movement.
 
D
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dsio dsio
Omega has a standard rate for chronographs and the place you bought it from want the service to sound really expensive. I use a really good independent watchmaker, and most independents will come a lot cheaper than Omega. Because the movement is an ETA 7751 base, it can be wily be worked on by most independents, which is one of the benefits of this movement.

What state do you live in? I bet living in Los Angeles makes the cost high. You said you find the for 1k regularly on Ebay? When? I don't see any even close to that.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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D drakechandler
What state do you live in? I bet living in Los Angeles makes the cost high. You said you find the for 1k regularly on Ebay? When? I don't see any even close to that.
@dsio lives in the upside down
8EA2EAD3-4318-475C-A21E-D1C80A8E7807.jpeg
 
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