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Ian_km
·Mines original, will need some attention to hands and a service soon. But I'll leave case/crystal/dial alone,its a fantastic piece to wear,enjoy yours.
Speedmaster Pro Mk II. Restore? Updated w/ restored pics.
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Greenblob
·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 am now. Thanks for the tip.
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Lonestar
·Just in case you change your mind about restoration, I’ll offer another vote for Tanner Morehouse (TMWatchco.com). He’s 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).
good restoration job on that one... but as said above, after that, if it looks this nice, I'd be afraid to wear it...
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Greenblob
·Quick update. Dropped the watch in at a local shop today for a service and crystal replacement (Salt Lake City, Utah). Found the shop online and wasn't sure what to expect but it had a super relaxed and old school feel that was really cool.
After a brief chat with the owner (a one man shop) I found it very reassuring that without prompting he echoed everything the majority in this thread had recommended (give it a service, new gaskets, replace crystal.. don't refinish the body - will kill its soul). Awesome.
Quoted $650USD total (service, new crystal, new gaskets). Was actually a few hundred less than I had imaged, but understand that may change if issues are found.
After removing the back he found/confirmed it to be a 1970 Speedmaster MKII (apparently there were a gazzillion made that year), and the inner case showed there had been 5 documented services performed in its life. I didn't know marking the case that was a thing? Yeah.. Newbie.
I understand the watch is nothing particularity special in the "boutique" watch world, but the fact he put effort into keeping ticking, makes me want to do the same even more.
The shop guy also had a similar era Speedmaster with the racing dial that was in for a crystal replacement also, so I has a chance to hold and compare them side by side. The racing dial is pretty amazing.. especially with faded hands and mojo. Was great to see what a new crystal looks like (All parts were uninstalled. Ordered for the other customers racing speedy) and gave me an idea of what mine will look like. I can see how you guys get hooked on this stuff. It's a rabbit hole for sure!
Anyways... Estimated 6 to 8 weeks till it's done, but will slap some pics in the thread when I get it back. Excited to have it back in action!
After a brief chat with the owner (a one man shop) I found it very reassuring that without prompting he echoed everything the majority in this thread had recommended (give it a service, new gaskets, replace crystal.. don't refinish the body - will kill its soul). Awesome.
Quoted $650USD total (service, new crystal, new gaskets). Was actually a few hundred less than I had imaged, but understand that may change if issues are found.
After removing the back he found/confirmed it to be a 1970 Speedmaster MKII (apparently there were a gazzillion made that year), and the inner case showed there had been 5 documented services performed in its life. I didn't know marking the case that was a thing? Yeah.. Newbie.
I understand the watch is nothing particularity special in the "boutique" watch world, but the fact he put effort into keeping ticking, makes me want to do the same even more.
The shop guy also had a similar era Speedmaster with the racing dial that was in for a crystal replacement also, so I has a chance to hold and compare them side by side. The racing dial is pretty amazing.. especially with faded hands and mojo. Was great to see what a new crystal looks like (All parts were uninstalled. Ordered for the other customers racing speedy) and gave me an idea of what mine will look like. I can see how you guys get hooked on this stuff. It's a rabbit hole for sure!
Anyways... Estimated 6 to 8 weeks till it's done, but will slap some pics in the thread when I get it back. Excited to have it back in action!
Edited:
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Tet
·Congrats OP, that's a great watch with an interesting history which makes it even better.
I would have agreed with this completely, if leaving the case untouched personally I think the original crystal would have been more inkeeping. That case has really been through the wars so I'd have gone all in, or all out personally.
My own mk2 is untouched apart from a new crystal(how I bought it) and if I'm honest I often feel it would look better if the crystal showed the same signs of wear as the case. It's a bit like going for the ruff and ready clothing look paired with brand new white trainers.
Anyway we're all different and sounds l like you're happy wuth your decision there. I would ask if you can keep the original crystal for sentiment, and you could always have it refitted later if you changed your mind.
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!
I would have agreed with this completely, if leaving the case untouched personally I think the original crystal would have been more inkeeping. That case has really been through the wars so I'd have gone all in, or all out personally.
My own mk2 is untouched apart from a new crystal(how I bought it) and if I'm honest I often feel it would look better if the crystal showed the same signs of wear as the case. It's a bit like going for the ruff and ready clothing look paired with brand new white trainers.
Anyway we're all different and sounds l like you're happy wuth your decision there. I would ask if you can keep the original crystal for sentiment, and you could always have it refitted later if you changed your mind.
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OMEGuy
·Quick update. Dropped the watch in at a local shop today for a service and crystal replacement (Salt Lake City, Utah). Found the shop online and wasn't sure what to expect but it had a super relaxed and old school feel that was really cool.
After a brief chat with the owner (a one man shop) I found it very reassuring that without prompting he echoed everything the majority in this thread had recommended (give it a service, new gaskets, replace crystal.. don't refinish the body - will kill its soul). Awesome.
Quoted $650USD total (service, new crystal, new gaskets). Was actually a few hundred less than I had imaged, but understand that may change if issues are found.
After removing the back he found/confirmed it to be a 1970 Speedmaster MKII (apparently there were a gazzillion made that year), and the inner case showed there had been 5 documented services performed in its life. I didn't know marking the case that was a thing? Yeah.. Newbie.
I understand the watch is nothing particularity special in the "boutique" watch world, but the fact he put effort into keeping ticking, makes me want to do the same even more.
The shop guy also had a similar era Speedmaster with the racing dial that was in for a crystal replacement also, so I has a chance to hold and compare them side by side. The racing dial is pretty amazing.. especially with faded hands and mojo. Was great to see what a new crystal looks like (All parts were uninstalled. Ordered for the other customers racing speedy) and gave me an idea of what mine will look like. I can see how you guys get hooked on this stuff. It's a rabbit hole for sure!
Anyways... Estimated 6 to 8 weeks till it's done, but will slap some pics in the thread when I get it back. Excited to have it back in action!
I really enjoyed reading your feedback. Thank you. 😀
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Greenblob
·Took awhile, but I received the watch back today. Thought I'd do a quick update with comparison pics. Lost some paint on the tach hand (center hub), and the crown logo is different, but overall very happy with the result. Again, I'm aware this isn't a crazy spendy or fancy piece in the watch world, but for dipping my toe in, and keeping a late family members favorite watch being worn for maybe another 50 yrs, its been totally worth it.
Thanks again to all for the help earlier in the thread. As a newbie I much appreciate the input!
Crystal before/after
Hardware parts replaced:
Original Crown vs New Crown - Was told original it fell apart on removal. Pretty different style from old and new.
Paint came off tach seconds hand on removal. Shop offered to replace hands with new, I declined. I like the faded old ones. I'm not that precious about it.
Thanks again to all for the help earlier in the thread. As a newbie I much appreciate the input!
Crystal before/after
Hardware parts replaced:
Original Crown vs New Crown - Was told original it fell apart on removal. Pretty different style from old and new.
Paint came off tach seconds hand on removal. Shop offered to replace hands with new, I declined. I like the faded old ones. I'm not that precious about it.
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janice&fred
·Wow that is what I call a perfect sympathetic restoration. You just had done what's necessary and preserved the watch's as-found as-lived aura. What a great outcome for a fantastic watch!
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Widows Son
·Beautiful watch, you made the right decisions!! I have a MKII from 1969 with the racing dial. I put a black rubber strap on it and it looks neat. I'm assuming they put the bracelet through an ultrasonic cleaner. Any idea the condition of the pins holding the links together???
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OmegaP99
·Took awhile, but I received the watch back today.
...Again, I'm aware this isn't a crazy spendy or fancy piece in the watch world, but for dipping my toe in, and keeping a late family members favorite watch being worn for maybe another 50 yrs, its been totally worth it.
I bought a MKII with no personal connection to me, and planned to restore it fully, but once it arrived I slapped it on my wrist and was done.
If a scratch tells a story, this whole watch describes a lifetime. You managed this preservation perfectly I think! Cheers!
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Greenblob
·Any idea the condition of the pins holding the links together???
No. I did have 3 links of the bracelet removed though (as my wrist is much smaller than previous wearer). Nothing was said about the pins or condition. Looking at the ones removed they seem fine but really, i have no idea what an issue might look like.
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b-lilja
·yep that would be my choice too
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.
Yes...why press reset - that's beside the whole point.
Great watch, you are lucky to have something to remember him by like this...
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b-lilja
·This is one for the books, well done!
I bought a MKII with no personal connection to me, and planned to restore it fully, but once it arrived I slapped it on my wrist and was done.
If a scratch tells a story, this whole watch describes a lifetime. You managed this preservation perfectly I think! Cheers!
Got caught up in it prematurely...turned out perfect. So neat.
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Ian_km
·Great outcome, now enjoy wearing it, such a classic piece.
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CPRwatch
·Big congratulations to you on your lovely mk11. I think you did the right thing by this watch ,and it now looks exactly how I imagined it would after the very sympathetic restoration.
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High Hope
·The watch oozes with character. You have a great story about the decades the watch spent in HS Shop Class, too. It’s definitely a keeper, congratulations!
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loniscup
·You did the right thing!! Wonderfull watch that tells a story, enjoy her!
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ewand
·Really well done, OP. Initially, I was thinking if you had the case restored you'd wear it more, then I recalled having my MkII re-lapped, and the first time I wore it, I put a nick in the sunburst finish 😲
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-mark-ii-love.51132/#post-616758
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-mark-ii-love.51132/#post-616758
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Watchout312
·Really well done, OP. Initially, I was thinking if you had the case restored you'd wear it more, then I recalled having my MkII re-lapped, and the first time I wore it, I put a nick in the sunburst finish 😲
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-mark-ii-love.51132/#post-616758
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Jacquot
·Just read through this thread. I really like your choice and the watch looks great, even the hands. I bought one here (1969) that had been completely restored by Omega, and it looks fantastic. I do wonder what it looked like before, and in retrospect would have gladly had others that were original and worn that have appeared since. I like the visible history of it. Enjoy!
