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Stop gap or blasphemy for the 2998 and 105.002

lucreative
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to put modern service parts on a vintage Speedy? For example, white service Alpha Hands from the modern CK2998 on a 105.002 or vintage 2998?

So I recently purchased an 105.002 pre Ed White post 2998 transitional at a comparatively "inexpensive" price as a watch to personally enjoy. The watch did come with a few flaws, polished case, faded bezel (which I actually like), and service parts. I was able to source an A1 crown and crystal with the wide silver retention ring and now in the process of replacing the hand set. The chrono hand that came with the watch was a flat end, and the hands are baton (which may or may not be original). I'm trying to find vintage tritium Alpha Hands, but as many here can attest, becoming very difficult to do so.

As a stop gap in my search, since I'm enjoying the search, does anyone here know how the "modern" Alpha Hand milk would fit on the 105.002 or original 2998? I know they are actually painted white, but I don't think it should be a problem to remove the paint. Are they similar lengths? I am being offered a set for a very reasonable price and I think it might be fun to "imagine" how Alpha Hands would look on this watch until I am able to find/restore a original set.

Thanks OF!
 
Dan S
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If you think that the current hands are plausibly original, you might want to keep researching before making any changes. I see this all the time where people read something on the internet and immediately assume their watch is wrong, only to later learn that it's a correct variant. In fact, this is so common with certain models, that they are widely modified by dealers, just to fit the "conventional" belief of how they should look. Then later, with more research, people understand that they shouldn't have been changed.
 
lucreative
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Dan S Dan S
If you think that the current hands are plausibly original, you might want to keep researching before making any changes. I see this all the time where people read something on the internet and immediately assume their watch is wrong, only to later learn that it's a correct variant. In fact, this is so common with certain models, that they are widely modified by dealers, just to fit the "conventional" belief of how they should look. Then later, with more research, people understand that they shouldn't have been changed.
Very true, and I have been. Wouldn't want to spend so much correcting something that I already paid for. However, the serial on my 105.002 is 19,8xx,xxx which is early enough for the Alpha Hands and the chrono flat end hand was definitely a replacement, which could also imply the other hands were replaced together. Don't know for sure. But the baton hands have no lume, so I am keeping my options open.
 
watch_my_six
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lucreative lucreative
to put modern service parts on a vintage Speedy? For example, white service Alpha Hands from the modern CK2998 on a 105.002 or vintage 2998?

So I recently purchased an 105.002 pre Ed White post 2998 transitional at a comparatively "inexpensive" price as a watch to personally enjoy. The watch did come with a few flaws, polished case, faded bezel (which I actually like), and service parts. I was able to source an A1 crown and crystal with the wide silver retention ring and now in the process of replacing the hand set. The chrono hand that came with the watch was a flat end, and the hands are baton (which may or may not be original). I'm trying to find vintage tritium Alpha Hands, but as many here can attest, becoming very difficult to do so.

As a stop gap in my search, since I'm enjoying the search, does anyone here know how the "modern" Alpha Hand milk would fit on the 105.002 or original 2998? I know they are actually painted white, but I don't think it should be a problem to remove the paint. Are they similar lengths? I am being offered a set for a very reasonable price and I think it might be fun to "imagine" how Alpha Hands would look on this watch until I am able to find/restore a original set.

Thanks OF!
Most re-lumers I’ve asked have actually said that it is not very doable to remove modern superluminova, but you can apply faux-lume top of it.
 
lucreative
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bazelot bazelot
Any pictures?
These are the hands that are being sold to me. I understand that they may have to be adjusted to curveture...etc. Not putting the lolipop hand of course, since I already have the drop ends, but the hour and minute Alpha hands I wouls use. Even has the triangle. I wonder if I could paint, not relume them. I don't care about how they look at night.

755643872.webp
 
lucreative
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watch_my_six watch_my_six
Most re-lumers I’ve asked have actually said that it is not very doable to remove modern superluminova, but you can apply faux-lume top of it.
Yeah, most likely apply faux lume, or just repaint to match. Is there anything else to look out for to make these fit the 105.002 or vintage 2998? I read something about curveture and adjusting the tips, etc.
 
lucreative
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Here is how my watch came back from my watchmaker today. I had him adjust the paint on the hands because it was initially too dark. He removed the superluminova and then painted the modern CK2998 hands from the back.

What do you guys think? Wearable for now until I can source original Alpha hands? I also wanted to get a feel if I like the Alpha hands on my 105.002 or keep the tritium baton hands that I bought it with. It's a 19,xxx,xxx serial. I took pictures (still learning) under different lighting to see how the color matches the original lume on the dial.

20241214_134134.webp 20241214_134053.webp 20241214_133031.webp
 
Larry S
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I think it looks great.
 
lanckthephat
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I second that, I think it actually looks a lot better than I was expecting from your initial description!
 
lucreative
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Surprisingly the modern Alpha hands for the CK2998 has almost the exact same measurements as the old 2998 hands. The only exception is missing the transverse curve and lume differences But I guess from a wearability standpoint, it works. My prior debate on having the silver retention ring on the crystal has also been answered. Definetely yes, it changes the whole dial into the 2998 look.
 
SOG53
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I agree looks great. And reading MWO, the baton hands were only noted on the later examples on 20,52x.xxx serial range so the Alpha hands were correct for your watch. If you find original alpha hands great, but I wouldn't worry about it and wear as is - your watchmaker did good IMO

There is a nice one FS in Private Sale thread with lots of photos- this is a pretty rare reference worth a look
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-105-002-62-alpha-hands-with-7912-6-bracelet.175180/ Cover Image
Thread 'Omega Speedmaster 105.002-62 Alpha hands with 7912/6 Bracelet' ·
Omega Speedmaster 105.002-62 Alpha hands with 7912/6 Bracelet. Includes old style extract. Last service 2018 (see invoice photo.)

I think it is fair to say this is an overall excellent example...
FS
$ 19500 USD
pdxleaf ·
 
Aludic
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Very nice piece. If you don’t know, you’d need a very close look to see its hands have been worked on. The only thing that might give it away IRL would be the perfection of them. Compared to the rest of the watch, including the dial (which is attractive to me) is a bit more aged. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re happy with it as it currently is.
Either way, well done!
 
lucreative
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Aludic Aludic
Very nice piece. If you don’t know, you’d need a very close look to see its hands have been worked on. The only thing that might give it away IRL would be the perfection of them. Compared to the rest of the watch, including the dial (which is attractive to me) is a bit more aged. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re happy with it as it currently is.
Either way, well done!
Thanks Aludic. Very true. My watchmaker felt conflicted trying to "mess" with the hands to show some scratches instead of the pristine polish of modern hands. Still looks very new compared to dial, which I love as well. As stated, it's a stop gap until I feel like I love the Alpha hands look and finally pony up the expense, or go back to baton hands. Though, I am very much leaning in one direction right now...lol.
 
boogedyboo
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Alpha hands always look great.

Who is your watchmaker? That's a very decent job on the lume.
 
lucreative
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boogedyboo boogedyboo
Alpha hands always look great.

Who is your watchmaker? That's a very decent job on the lume.
My watchmaker is someone in Pasadena, CA. Lume is not his specialty, repair and service of vintage watches is. However, LAWW is also in Pasadena and they did an amazing job on another watch of mine
 
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