A new acquisition for me this week is a Speedmaster 176.0012, colloquially known as the Mk 4.5. Essentially a Mk IV case with the Mk V calibre 1045 (Lemania 5100) movement, it was apparently never officially a "Mark" speedy even though it used the Mk IV case. When I recently bought my Speedy Mk II re-issue I had to make the decision as to whether to get the grey dial with orange highlights or the black version. I (almost) unhesitatingly went for the grey/orange, with no significant regrets. This arrival addresses any lingering regrets and gives me one new, one vintage! It looks good, particularly so for a 40-odd year old watch, with an unrestored case and a brand new Omega bracelet. I used a cape cod polishing cloth (very gently) to help remove some light marks from the grained area on the front of the case. It helped restore the "brightness" of the original finish without destroying or diminishing the grained effect. Even next to it's 40 year younger "twin" it holds its own very well... The old one is lighter than the new, but most of that stems from the old style bracelet being much lighter than the super-solid new one.
Yes, I also find it interesting how similar the Mk IIs and Mk IVs are. Omega obviously liked the Mark II enough to morph it into the Mk IV and much later resurrect it as a 2014 model.
The new bracelet is also a work of art. It looks so faithful to the original, but with solid steel links and a great clasp - combining the vintage look with modern resilience.
They are a great looking pair, the vintage is in lovely conditiion they really don't look 40 years apart
Great looking pair! I never liked the old one but the added color to the dial really makes the new one pop IMHO
The case looks identical!!! Very handsome pair, and I wish I could have a Mark 4.5 with that condition.
