I agree 100%. The original poster wore this watch on a solo transatlantic journey when he was 15 years old! I wouldn’t change a thing on the watch, including the dial and the caseback, and just wear it. Memories like that are worth more than the watch.
After all the feedback I'm getting from you guys I think I'll leave the dial "as is". However, I am curious what you mean by having it "stabilized"?
It actually looks a lot better inside the case as opposed to the picture I posted with it outside the case. BTW, this picture is from before it was restored (note the missing crown). Believe it or not I have no pictures of it after restoration because I just never thought of taking pictures of it (which I should have done) and now it is being stored for me in the US while I am overseas.
Anyway, I appreciate all the excellent advice you guys are giving me 😀. This is a great forum!
Stabilizing the lume if it needs it
Can you suggest anyone who has a good reputation for doing this in a way that maintains a vintage look to the watch?
Interestingly, my Ed White Speedmaster was bought by me from the original owner who also bought it new in the 60’s for the sole purpose of timing dingy/sail boat races in the north of England.
I think you may be referring to Robin Lee Graham and his boat "Dove". It was a pretty remarkable undertaking considering that he was only 16 at the start, and for most of the voyage he sailed a tiny 24 foot sloop that wasn't really the most seaworthy of vessels.
You might be interested to know that back in 1968 my parents paid $175 for my Speedmaster. That was the retail price (new) back then! Pretty far cry from what a perfect-condition one goes for today!
Thanks for sharing this watch and its history with us. If this watch belonged to me, I would send it off to Adam Lewis at https://www.lewiswatchco.com/ and let him decide how best to service and preserve the watch for the future. He's personally worked on my 1968 Speedmaster and did an amazing job on it. He will find the right combination of servicing to make it run correctly, restoring where it makes sense and preserving to keep the value and history of the piece, after which it should be good for another 50 years of adventures (with the occasional maintenance service work along the way of course). Good luck!
Hello Everyone,
I have a question I hope somebody can answer for me. I used to know the answer but I can't find it anywhere in my notes now.
I have an Omega "transitional" Speedmaster (145.022-68ST). I had originally considered selling the watch but have decided to keep it. The original dial simply looks horrible (due to salt water damage from my sailing mishap) I described earlier in this thread), as shown here:
I want to replace the dial but of course the cost to replace the original dial for the transitional model is astronomical (well over $3,000, even if you can find one).
However, I see a number of dials available at more reasonable costs for the 145.022-69 like this one for instance that sold on this forum for around $1,000 a while back:
MY QUESTION: Will the mounting lugs of this dial that fits a 145.022-69 also fit the 145.022-68ST?
I recognize that not having the original dial decreases the watches value but my goal is not to make it appealing to a collector. It is simply to have a nice looking watch. For all intents and purposes, the 69 version looks nice. The dial is stepped, and it has the *T Swiss T" marking even though it has teh painted Omega symbol instead of the metal one....but is sure would look nicer than m present dial!
Of course, I would keep the original dial, but I just want to have a watch that means so much to me look as nice as it can.
Sir, your story is remarkable. It is also fantastic that you both found your watch after it fell off and that you have it to this day.
May I respectfully suggest that you contact Omega through their customer service POC and share with them what you shared here about your journey and your watch. I believe they would be very interested to learn your story and may help you with a dial.
This would not be handled in the ordinary manner where any owner sends them their watch for service. They would need to treat it like the unique watch that it is. Perhaps they have one lone dial shoved away in a drawer waiting for the right person. It's a long shot for sure.
Even if they can't help you with the dial, I can’t imagine they wouldn't want to know about it and to meet you.
As for how it looks now, I think the original dial is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. No amount of money could reproduce it.
Thanks for sharing your story and watch.
Sir, your story is remarkable. It is also fantastic that you both found your watch after it fell off and that you have it to this day.
May I respectfully suggest that you contact Omega through their customer service POC and share with them what you shared here about your journey and your watch. I believe they would be very interested to learn your story and may help you with a dial.
This would not be handled in the ordinary manner where any owner sends them their watch for service. They would need to treat it like the unique watch that it is. Perhaps they have one lone dial shoved away in a drawer waiting for the right person. It's a long shot for sure.
Even if they can't help you with the dial, I can’t imagine they wouldn't want to know about it and to meet you.
As for how it looks now, I think the original dial is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. No amount of money could reproduce it.
Thanks for sharing your story and watch.
I have to say that all of the members of this forum have just been so nice and helpful. That is not the case with many open forums I've run across where members seem more interested in making nasty troll-like comments instead of sharing useful information, and just participating in a like-minded community.
