Speedmaster Mods

Consider white subdial hands? As I write this I see @watchyouwant had a similar thought.

Relatedly…


I just this week traded away my Tokyo 2020 Panda, in part (only in part) because I bristled at a speedy that isn’t above-all-else legible.

Red tip for the win, too!

Great idea to combine the Gemini blue with orange hands! I'd love to see what it would look like with a Japan racing handset (although then there's the question of what to do with the single white subdial hand...).

On that note, has anyone else been creative with the Gemini dial before? What did you try, what were the results? Personally I love the idea of a blue speedy, and have tried to go down the classic 'Smurfmaster' path before, but it didn't stick for more than a few months.

Nice mod! You forgot to mention the 321crown 😁

I see. It definitely still looks way better than the short FOIS crown.

You have to have one Speedy you can mod don't you - in this case a 145.022-76

Why create a new thread when there is a perfect one ready to be resurrected!

Here is my tale of mod projects and how they can rapidly expand ... and be a lot of fun!
Here is my new Mitsukoshi mod:

I started with a "simple" project goal of an MKII Japanese racing mod, putting it in a pro case.
I got it all purchased and assembled, ready for service. Here it was:

When I decided to have it serviced to wear as a daily beater, I was offered an interesting option. I could trade the MKII dial, hands and case for a Mitsukoshi dial and handset. Replacement value on the MKII dial/hands and case is around $800 and far easier to obtain, so after a bit of back and forth and consultation with a few members here I said lets do it!

But I still wanted my original project, and I wanted both to be a little more correct to the originals.

Now I have once again collected the dial and handset for the MKII racing mod and sending that back in for final assembly, service, pressure test etc. Also sending in a 1861 movement from a 3570.50 so I am reuniting the 861 movement from the MKII with the racing dial and handset so it can be put back to its original state (have the EOA for the MKII 861 movement) if ever desired, and giving the Mitsukoshi the correct 1861 movement. So one more movement and dial swap to go to get it all back where it is "correct".

Now, I am sure several people are shaking their heads and saying all the swapping back and forth doesnt sound efficient for a mod. Its not, but thats how this one worked for me. And while all the back and forth with service, movement swaps etc takes some time, the entire project, both watches completed and fully serviced/pressure tested/ready to wear has come in at under $6500 USD total for 2 really good looking, fun, daily wear type watches. (And yes, that is for all parts & service including the DON bezel shown for the MKII mod, nothing “free” from my parts box all had the actual cost assigned)

Thanks to all the OF enablers for their ideas, inspiration, part numbers and spare parts. Special thanks to @eugeneandresson @Aludic @Scarecrow Boat

When I get everything back I will update the thread with more pictures of the final products.

After a bit of back and forth both are now complete! 😎

I ended up keeping the 861 movement for the Mitsukoshi but put it into a NOS hesalite sandwich case from a 3572.50 which also gives it the correct bezel. Between the display back case and the 861 movement there is zero chance it can be passed off as a real Mitsukoshi by any future owner. Plus not doing another movement swap keeps the cost down.


Then, on the MKII I ended up putting it into a less polished case with a DON and a pre-moon service caseback. When I had to source new dial/hands after the previous version, see prior post, I waited until I found one with the less common Racing Hands used on the true racing dial models. No, the dial is not perfect, but that’s why you use it for a mod. If the MKII is perfect it’s not meant to be a donor. And yes, MKII can be put back together in no time with the original parts.
View attachment 1776109 View attachment 1776110

Be interesting to see which gets the most wrist time.

I’d bet on the MKII… less flashy, more of a daily beater for me. Or that’s the plan at least, we will see how that meshes with reality.

Hi Dave, these also have a black center ring but are thinner then the ones that came on mine ? Is there a parts number or were these only for the MK II ? Two great looking watches you have !