Community Stories

Speedmaster Pro Mk II. Restore? Updated w/ restored pics.

Greenblob
Posts
8
Likes
37
Hoping some of the vast knowledge base here might be able to give me some advice.

I'm relatively new to the watch world, but recently inherited this vintage Speedmaster Professional Mark II from my Stepdads estate. I'm wondering what the pro's (you guys!) think about it being restored.

It has sentimental value obviously, but I'm wondering if its even viable to pursue restoring to make it a daily wearer. I'm willing to spend up to $1000USD for the restoration if it would bring it back to a presentable (used - not pristine) piece. Stepdad was a highschool shop teacher for 30 yrs... and I'm guessing this saw the majority of those classes. It shows.... Rarely worn in the last 15yrs though (after retirement) but all functions seem to work. Sadly I have no documented service history or anything like that.

I'm guessing at a minimum it needs: full inspection, new crystal, new sealing kit, possibly new case (maybe salvaged with new lapping?), oiling and setup?

From my VERY uneducated inspection. it appears:

- Time function is ok - Very basic 24hr test against phone stopwatch was within 10 seconds.

- Chronograph function/stop/reset is ok, but haven't timed it for accuracy in any way.

- Crystal O-Ring appears to have degraded, leaving a weird distortion on the Tach ring. I read the Tach detail is printed onto to the crystal in these 70's models?... does that mean I'm screwed? (please correct me if I'm wrong - very new to this!)

- No sign of water damage/ingress... but can only imagine all the seals need replacing



RqAmjgq.jpg

GmocOcX.jpg
P9RzZma.jpg
gSOLP5Z.jpg
ZgU7Xfm.jpg





In the right light its potential is more obvious...

Ncy6eOi.jpg


Again, apologies for my newbieness in this post.. but any advice would very much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,789
hi and cool watch. anything can be fixed so best is get some estimates from watch makers that have an omega account so the crystal with inner printing and other parts can be gotten, along with an estimate for the mvt service and work. Don't go too crazy cosmetically restoring the watch as the more you replace the less it's the same watch 馃榿
 
OMEGuy
Posts
2,086
Likes
2,897
Hello and welcome!

If I get you right, it's important for you to bring your Stepdad's watch back to life. So it's a sentimental task. Your given budget sounds realistic to me and if you don't compare the costs to the market value, everything will work out fine.

I think the watch has the potential to bring it back into very nice condition. It appears the case hasn't been refinished, but only heavily worn, which is very important. I believe the case can be redone up to very good condition. The caseback looks good, which is fine as well. By the pictures, I can't tell anything bad about the dial.

So maybe you should have a service of the movement and gaskets, an expert refinishing of the case and bracelet, add a new crystal and a new set of hands. In my opinion, this would turn out to cost about what you suggested.
 
smorrisonmd
Posts
399
Likes
708
As rough as it is, I would recommend total cosmetic rehab as well as service. I would highly recommend Tanner Moorehouse, and suspect he can do all for around your budget.
 
Greenblob
Posts
8
Likes
37
Thank you all for the advice. @smorrisonmd - I'll check out Tanner Moorehouse. The watch has spent the last 40+ yrs in Melbourne Australia but I now have it with me in Salt Lake City UT. If any others have recommendations for independant U.S service guys please chime in. I'm a bit lost on that front atm.



janice&fred janice&fred
Don't go too crazy cosmetically restoring the watch as the more you replace the less it's the same watch 馃榿

OMEGuy OMEGuy
I think the watch has the potential to bring it back into very nice condition. It appears the case hasn't been refinished, but only heavily worn, which is very important. I believe the case can be redone up to very good condition.

Could you guys briefly explain the pro's and con's of refinishing the case? Not a collector piece by any means, but does a case refinish typically make look the case look new, ot just the tidied up? Do you think the case can be cleaned up while still retaining some of its character?... or i your opinion.. better off left alone? I like the idea of some wear and age, but cant see the watch getting anywhere near as much wear from me if it looks like a hammered work timepiece. The crystal will have to be replaced, but I do love the faded/patina hands and face markers. I would almost insist they stay.

Thanks again!
 
OMEGuy
Posts
2,086
Likes
2,897
Greenblob Greenblob
Thank you all for the advice. @smorrisonmd - I'll check out Tanner Moorehouse. The watch has spent the last 40+ yrs in Melbourne Australia but I now have it with me in Salt Lake City UT. If any others have recommendations for independant U.S service guys please chime in. I'm a bit lost on that front atm.







Could you guys briefly explain the pro's and con's of refinishing the case? Not a collector piece by any means, but does a case refinish typically make look the case look new, ot just the tidied up? Do you think the case can be cleaned up while still retaining some of its character?... or i your opinion.. better off left alone? I like the idea of some wear and age, but cant see the watch getting anywhere near as much wear from me if it looks like a hammered work timepiece. The crystal will have to be replaced, but I do love the faded/patina hands and face markers. I would almost insist they stay.

Thanks again!

Look here (or in many other threads here):

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-mark-ii-restoration.60241/
 
oddboy
Posts
9,217
Likes
24,048
You can follow my adventure here,

https://omegaforums.net/threads/racing-dial-mark-ii-back-from-omega-restoration-service.19381/

I still love the watch, but it's far from vintage at this point.

I would caution you to think twice. You may find that bringing this one back will cost more than the watch, and for a bit more, you could get one in far better condition.. I've put more money into this watch than its worth, but I'm ok with that. It was a valuable lesson for me early on.
 
FREDMAYCOIN
Posts
1,076
Likes
1,781
Just service the movement, replace the crystal and call it a day. Nice watch
 
smorrisonmd
Posts
399
Likes
708
FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
Just service the movement, replace the crystal and call it a day. Nice watch
If this were a $10k pre-moon Speedy, I would agree. But it is not (at least in the vintage Omega world) a particularly rare or valuable watch. And if you like the Beat to Hell look, why change the crystal?
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,789
FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
Just service the movement, replace the crystal and call it a day. Nice watch

yep that would be my choice too

smorrisonmd smorrisonmd
If this were a $10k pre-moon Speedy, I would agree. But it is not (at least in the vintage Omega world) a particularly rare or valuable watch. And if you like the Beat to Hell look, why change the crystal?

you would be surprised how much nicer that watch will present with just replacing the crystal and a good solid cleaning of the case and bracelet. with a clear and unblemished crystal that watch would look presentable on the wrist. Close-up pics like those in this thread don't really translate to how a watch appears when on the wrist. Going too far in a cosmetic resto will wipe out all the watch's history. i always go for "Sympathetic" restos and try to keep our stuff as-found as much as possible.
 
Greenblob
Posts
8
Likes
37
oddboy oddboy
https://omegaforums.net/threads/racing-dial-mark-ii-back-from-omega-restoration-service.19381/
I would caution you to think twice. You may find that bringing this one back will cost more than the watch, and for a bit more, you could get one in far better condition.. I've put more money into this watch than its worth

Damn it.. your restoration looks great!!! Thinking you are right though... a full restoration probably isnt right for this guy.

FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
Just service the movement, replace the crystal and call it a day. Nice watch

I'm leaning towards this. I'll get some quotes etc for crystal replacement and movement service. Are vintage OEM printed crystals still available from Omega? any tips here?

.
 
FREDMAYCOIN
Posts
1,076
Likes
1,781
Call Otto frei give them your case number and they will tell you if available. Let them know omega oem. Hope this helps. Good luck. You could get their number by doing a web search.
 
Vercingetorix
Posts
3,549
Likes
5,996
If you restore it, you worry about it. Leave it as is, service the movement, replace the crystal, and wear the hell out of it.
 
Greenblob
Posts
8
Likes
37
Vercingetorix Vercingetorix
If you restore it, you worry about it. Leave it as is, service the movement, replace the crystal, and wear the hell out of it.

Agreed. This is now the plan. Will update this thread with pics when it gets done.


Thankyou everyone for the genuine and helpful advice. A very cool forum. Much appreciated.
 
smorrisonmd
Posts
399
Likes
708
FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
So you could admire the dial,
FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
So you could admire the dial,
Which will probably look ~pristine, while the rest of the watch looks like it has been dragged behind a truck for about 50 miles. In general I would agree with the "leave it alone" approach, but this one is too far gone IMO. Whatever is decided, wear it and enjoy it. Very cool watch!
 
Taddyangle
Posts
4,821
Likes
31,573
Hello,

Are you part of the SLC_Chrono group? If not you should look them up on IG. They are a group of watch enthusiasts that meet monthly. One of the guys is a watchmaker. I went to one of their GTGs when I was visiting last year. I live on San Diego and we have a sister group here.

I think I would just get it serviced and crystal replaced. I think a full case restoration would not be good, as it would make it look to odd given condition of dial/hands.

I have a mark ii racing and I too thought about restoring case. I decided to leave as is.

IMG_20191031_100159.jpg
 
F
Posts
49
Likes
59
I have a soft spot for the Mark 2, so I vote yes on replacing the crystal, the rest leave as is...
Edited:
 
bama2141
Posts
563
Likes
1,248
Just in case you change your mind about restoration, I鈥檒l offer another vote for Tanner Morehouse (TMWatchco.com). He鈥檚 done a few watches for me and is a master at restoring these style cases through laser welding and re-lapping. He can also do the movement service and crystal replacement. Your watch could look new (if you want that).
52BBAC04-55DA-4EFA-904D-44A99521325F.jpeg 2D9F96B8-7CC0-43D4-BE99-0D0435F09B81.jpeg
 
20 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

2Cents

Restore, sell, trade, or trash my 1968 Omega Speedmaster Professional?

2Cents Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
neilp
neilp
Posts
31
Views
5K
W

Beat to HELL! 70's Constellation - Restoration (w Pics)

Whatwhato Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
W
Whatwhato
Posts
26
Views
3K
shawn.dww

Speedmaster MK ii restoration- maybe?

shawn.dww Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Cal_321
Cal_321
Posts
25
Views
3K