Speedmaster Professional with Military Inscription

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 4, 2026

I bought this a short time ago because it has a military provenance. A watch reseller company with LOTS of watches had it for sale. It was probably his retirement watch or promotion gift. At least it was owned by a service member. Plus his last name is what I go by.
I did some googling and found him. Army Veteran who flew helicopters in Vietnam 1967 through 1995 when he retired. Shot down once. Shot up a lot. He has some great stories that I found.
The bracelet is missing the links that taper out by the end links. Probably impossible to find those. I've orders an Uncle 1479 bracelet for the time being. Don't know if I should retire the original or keep hunting. I could buy the expensive originals that are for sale or simply hope and pray for a long time apparently.
Like hear any thoughts on the watch or bracelet.

I did send LTC Donovan a very respective message and I am looking forward to the possibility of hearing back. But I completely understand if I don't.

 

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SOG53

·Apr 4, 2026

It could be 3590.50 or 3570.50 Tritium dial but other references are possible with more photos

I can’t ID bracelet from limited photos you have posted.

More photos of back of watch, and inside clasp of bracelet where your thumb is on last photo, and closeup of endlinks there are numbers on back of those.
For full ID need to have caseback removed by watchmaker, and take good closeups of movement including Serial number and caliber number - 3 digit by the Omega symbol- and closeup focused photos of inside caseback which has reference number stamped inside.

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 5, 2026

Sorry. I was having trouble with uploading last night. And the casebook is on tight. I have the correct tool and have removed many without ever scratching a one but this case back won't budge. I need to send it in soon for a service so I'll have those images soonish.

Edited: Apr 5, 2026

 

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Duracuir1

·Apr 5, 2026·Never Used A Kodak

I like your new watch. You may be able to put that engraved clasp on your Uncle bracelet.

Hoping you hear back from Col Donovan.

 

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SOG53

·Apr 5, 2026

Thanks the bracelet is 1478 or 1479? Check under magnification. Cant tell from pictures. Endlinks 812 solid . If it is 1479/812 that would support my guess that its 3590.50 or 3570.50 Tritium which came with this bracelet. Of course bracelet might have been swapped along the way.

Can you post a photo of back of watch also please? May look like this:

 

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SOG53

·Apr 5, 2026

One more observation:

Assuming bezel is original, it is "B4. Dot close to 70 - Wide C". 1990-95, which came on 3590.50 reference, not on 3570.50

So, with assumption that parts as seen are original, I have squeezed every drop of info I can and think this is indeed 3590.50, with cal 861 Yellow, 17 or 18 jewels, SN range should be 48.238.xxx - 48.343.xxx

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 5, 2026

The back

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 5, 2026

SOG53

Thanks the bracelet is 1478 or 1479? Check under magnification. Cant tell from pictures. Endlinks 812 solid . If it is 1479/812 that would support my guess that its 3590.50 or 3570.50 Tritium which came with this bracelet. Of course bracelet might have been swapped along the way.

Can you post a photo of back of watch also please? May look like this:

1479

 

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SOG53

·Apr 5, 2026

Thanks
All consistent with 3590.50
Post inside info when you get it.

Also take some pictures of the bracelet on its side to show sides of links like this

Replacement links are findable for many older bracelets. Some even directly from Omega. Can take a while but are findable if you set up search on ebay for extra links Omega Bracelet 1479

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 5, 2026

open with additional photos

 

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Dan S

·Apr 5, 2026

You got me pretty excited reading the thread title, followed by a massive disappointment. Personally, I would not call this a military inscription. It's just a personal inscription on the bracelet clasp that includes the owner's title/rank. Think how many former soldiers/officers owned personal watches.

My FIL flew helicopters in Korea, Cambodia, and VN and was shot down twice. We have several of his watches. They are not military watches.

I own several watches that I purchased from the estates of veterans, including one that he wore in combat. They are not military watches.

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 5, 2026

Dan S

You got me pretty excited reading the thread title, followed by a massive disappointment. Personally, I would not call this a military inscription. It's just a personal inscription on the bracelet clasp that includes the owner's title/rank. Think how many former soldiers/officers owned personal watches.

My FIL flew helicopters in Korea, Cambodia, and VN and was shot down twice. We have several of his watches. They are not military watches.

I own several watches that I purchased from the estates of veterans, including one that he wore in combat. They are not military watches.

Sorry to disappoint. Here are two for you although not an Omega. And probably still not what you're looking for. One is on an Elgin Veritas pocket watch to a young man going into WWI. The second is an actual military inscription on a Hamilton 992B that was presented to Earl Renner from his squadron when he retired. He was in the Navy and on Active Duty on Ford Island when the attack on Pearl Harbor hit.

 

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SOG53

·Apr 5, 2026

Nice looking watch

This confirms it is 3590.50
If you run SN check on ilovemyspeedmaster.com production date estimated September 1991

The inside Caseback ref ST 145022 is correct for earlier watches in this reference. Later ones have double case codes 1450022 - 345.0022

The PIC code is 3590.50 indicating steel bracelet.
If this is confusing join the club but the bottom line is you have a correct earlier 3590.50 watch in good condition. The PIC code system was new and changing during this time.

You have one more extension to lengthen the bracelet a bit. Push in the little button at red arrow on clasp, and let it slide up to yellow arrow. Then repeat o n other side. Be careful as these little springbars can fly away if allowed.

Then estimate how many more extra links you need to fit your wrist. Search for 1 or 2 more than you think.

Enjoy your nice Speedmaster! If you plan to wear it regularly a service of movement would be advised.

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 7, 2026

I'll post a few pictures with the Uncle bracelet. I put the clasp on and the original end links. Looks and wears great. I will make one more post on the status of the watch which bears directly with the inscription.

 

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DonovanMartin

·Apr 7, 2026

After a few days of digging using the rank and the appropriate date of the watch, i was able to find when I thought LTC Ken Donovan served in the military. I looked in a few places and found only one real candidate. He is not online but a friend of his is. He put us in contact with each other. I spoke with him for an hour about his experiences in Vietnam and afterwards. He gave the watch to a family member who ended up making the decision to let it go at some point. After a long pause, he asked me what my plans were if if I'd be willing to sell it. I told him what it cost me and what the bracelet cost and he said he would be happy to buy it back. Maybe the first watch I've sold for absolutely no profit but I feel absolutely great about the outcome!

 

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bgrisso

·Apr 7, 2026

DonovanMartin

After a few days of digging using the rank and the appropriate date of the watch, i was able to find when I thought LTC Ken Donovan served in the military. I looked in a few places and found only one real candidate. He is not online but a friend of his is. He put us in contact with each other. I spoke with him for an hour about his experiences in Vietnam and afterwards. He gave the watch to a family member who ended up making the decision to let it go at some point. After a long pause, he asked me what my plans were if if I'd be willing to sell it. I told him what it cost me and what the bracelet cost and he said he would be happy to buy it back. Maybe the first watch I've sold for absolutely no profit but I feel absolutely great about the outcome!

very cool and glad it made it back to him !

 

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SOG53

·Apr 7, 2026

Great story. And great watch karma. Would love to see smile on his face when he opens box.

 

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kwh81

·Wed. 3:02am

That is just great! What a wonderful thing you did for him 💫