Speedmaster Mods

ckhaing · Aug 6, 2021

OmegaFan503
Here is mine ... A project 2998 watch that I bought from eBay about a month ago.

It has a 105.003 dial, relumed 2998 service hands, a telemeter service bezel, a movement from a 145.012 and an exhibition caseback.

I swapped the bezel for a DON, and added the 1035 bracelet. Here is the end result.

May I see more pictures please. I recently have 2998 bug biting me. Probably mod route is the way to go, after all. Would like to hear any tip / trick as well. I have some experience on modding seiko skx, but never disassembled a speedmaster yet.

marco · Aug 6, 2021

A simple mod to my 2998.5 .
From http://www.customwatchconcepts.com/ a clear caseback . The caseback is a little thicker than the original but not enough to detract from the overall balance.
My thinking is the 321 is too beautyful not to be seen.
The original caseback is kept in my safe.

Evitzee · Aug 6, 2021

To me modding isn't an issue as long as you aren't trying to fob the watch off as a 'straight from the factory' example. I have three heavily modified Speedmasters from Adam Lewis in Perth, two aren't like anything that Omega ever produced in their line, one is an exact replica. Their build certificates tell exactly what was done so a future owner will know what he has. Modding is one of the more enjoyable aspects of collecting, others like everything to be stock from the factory and untouched, and that is fine, too.

OmegaFan503 · Aug 6, 2021

ckhaing
May I see more pictures please. I recently have 2998 bug biting me. Probably mod route is the way to go, after all. Would like to hear any tip / trick as well. I have some experience on modding seiko skx, but never disassembled a speedmaster yet.

Here you go. I will take some more tomorrow on daylight.

Since then, I have switched to a modern Ed White case as the original case has some corrosion. The benefit is that I also have a display back along with a modern ceramic bezel with sapphire. There is no milky ring on it since it is doomed.

watchyouwant · Aug 8, 2021

Some coloured hands added for the coming Australian summer...... On a blue Kangaroo leather NATO.

Paedipod · Aug 8, 2021

I assume that everyone has seen this thread from @eugeneandresson https://omegaforums.net/threads/finally-fixed-my-markii-project-racing-thread.131968/

my trio of modded speedmasters:

and a different kind of mod,,,,,Speedmaster 125 with alternative movement holder (looking for a good home)

ckhaing · Aug 22, 2021

So, is FOIS case compatible with 1861 pro guts (movement+dial) as direct drop in?
and the other way around swap as well FOIS guts into 1861 pro case?
One reason is I am a little scare of changing the hands, especially the ones on subdials due to my less than stellar skills.
Thanks in advance.

Scarecrow Boat · Aug 24, 2021

My one Speedmaster mod. Still waiting on my sapphire caseback from Thomas Preik, but here is my 1861 Speedy on the day I dropped it off for the dial swap

And here it is completed

Deafcon · Aug 25, 2021

I shared this in a other thread. I dubbed it the Speedmaster Engineer. The movement came from a Mark II with a bad case, with most everything else from parts I bought from retiring watchmakers. It is a personal watch, I don’t mod watches for clients in any way that is against Omega policy.

machamp6650 · Aug 25, 2021

Deafcon
I shared this in a other thread. I dubbed it the Speedmaster Engineer. The movement came from a Mark II with a bad case, with most everything else from parts I bought from retiring watchmakers. It is a personal watch, I don’t mod watches for clients in any way that is against Omega policy.

Very nice, is that a teutonic dial? What are your thoughts about the look / fit of that dial in a speedy case?

Deafcon · Aug 25, 2021

machamp6650
Very nice, is that a teutonic dial? What are your thoughts about the look / fit of that dial in a speedy case?

It was a dial for a Teutonic, it fit perfectly in a 145.022 case.

macrodust · Aug 31, 2021

Scarecrow Boat
My one Speedmaster mod. Still waiting on my sapphire caseback from Thomas Preik, but here is my 1861 Speedy on the day I dropped it off for the dial swap

1861 with a DON bezel? Was that a mod too, with a bezel from the new 3861?
Nice Tintin mod!

Dsloan · Aug 31, 2021

watchyouwant
Some coloured hands added for the coming Australian summer...... On a blue Kangaroo leather NATO.

That's fun. I've been thinking of maybe putting a blue tachy second hand on my 3594. But, think I'll wait until I need to service it anyway to reduce the cost.

Scarecrow Boat · Aug 31, 2021

macrodust
1861 with a DON bezel? Was that a mod too, with a bezel from the new 3861?
Nice Tintin mod!

Well how bout that... No, the bezel came with the watch and I only just noticed it because of your post. I bought the watch brand new from an AD

pdxleaf · Oct 28, 2021

Couple different things happening here:

Note: in another thread I said I would not do a mod. 😟
I changed my mind, obviously. Yet another watch where photos don't do it justice.

watchyouwant · Oct 28, 2021

Different Bands.....

Scarecrow Boat · Oct 28, 2021

watchyouwant
Different Bands.....

I really dig this one!

Tx3double · Nov 15, 2021

Just curious, i guess you have to weigh the desired mods to devaluing your watch to modify?

pdxleaf · Nov 15, 2021

T Tx3double
Just curious, i guess you have to weigh the desired mods to devaluing your watch to modify?

Value is a consideration, even if it is not a deciding factor. Value would only be a detriment if you intended to sell, or wanted to try one but were uncertain of your choice. So, another response to your thought is to do a mod that you're pretty confident that you'll like. Of course, it is fun to try different matches, but then your valuation question comes back into play. Don't forget, keep all the original parts and you can undo what has been done.

In my case, the mod increased the value, although I lost years on the warranty. I purchased mine new at a time when large discounts were atill available and the watch was less expensive than the current model. Adding the dial made it more attractive to me. I went with a different chronograph hand from a Tokyo games watch and an alpha sub-seconds hand while keeping the other original sub- register hands, making it perhaps more to my taste than to others. It's now a favorite choice to wear. (I even had to clean sheetrock mud off of it a couple days ago from a project because I didn't want to take it off.)

Again, many personal choices, which is the point of a mod. Whatever you decide will be right for you.

Scarecrow Boat · Nov 15, 2021

T Tx3double
Just curious, i guess you have to weigh the desired mods to devaluing your watch to modify?

Personal enjoyment > monetary value

I bought my watch to enjoy it and I modded it to enjoy it more - not to increase its monetary value. If I ever wanted to sell it, I can convert it back to its original state as I’ve kept the original pieces.

Speedmaster Mods

ckhaing

marco

Evitzee

OmegaFan503

watchyouwant

Paedipod

ckhaing

Scarecrow Boat

Deafcon

machamp6650

Deafcon

macrodust

Dsloan

Scarecrow Boat

pdxleaf

watchyouwant

Scarecrow Boat

Tx3double

pdxleaf

Scarecrow Boat

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