Was wondering what are everyone's thoughts on modifying a watch (with authentic service parts), and where would you draw the line (if at all). For example, I really like the Speedmaster pulsations dial and am thinking of replacing the Tachymeter bezel of mine with a pulsations dial.
It's your watch, do as you please (bezel/dial? which one are you thinking of?). I have no issues with owners making their "own" watch. As long as it's disclosed if you ever decided to sell it on, so keep any original parts.
Your choice on your property. Do what you want. A lot of mods can be reverted back to original so if we are talking changing a dial or hands then as long as you keep the original items then why not if it makes you smile? Of course I would echo the sentiments of the previous poster in that if you do sell on in modified form then full disclosure is a must.
In your specific case , I would barely view it as a mod, more like an option or a special order. (isn't it possible to request a decimal or pulsation bezel when buying new?)
Thanks for everyone's thoughts, I had found out about the existence of a pulsations dial when I was watching Mr. Aurel Bacs talking about his collection and instantly fell in love with it. Since then I've been reading up about modifications and have been amassing several parts that intend to modify on my Speedmaster. Was hoping to make a project out of it and will be sending them to a watchmaker to get them fitted on after the new year. Was thinking about blogging on this experience but not sure how interested people would be on it?
If you think about it, a lot of watches have been modified. How many 60s and 70s speedmasters are still in the same condition as when they were sold? How many dials have been relumed and swapped? How many inserts have traveled from case to case? As said above, as long as watches are fitted with genuine Omega parts and changes are disclosed when possible, most people do not care (at least those you may be interested in interacting with). And to answer your last question, yes, I believe people would be very interested in your experience.
I guess by pulsations dial you mean mean pulsations bezel; one of the four main options (still) available for the Speedmaster Professional. You can get the parts from Omega and (in my experience) if the OB has a watchmaker the swap can be done on-site. I had my Tachy bezel swapped for a decimal one. Pre- Post- The decimal bezel Omega part number shown above is 082ST1450012DE There are pulsations dials (Seamaster, Chronostop...) but I can only remember seeing one Speedmaster with such a dial, the Rattrapante. This thread might interest you:- https://omegaforums.net/threads/what-are-some-interesting-pulsation-dial-watches.69794/
I like the decimal bezel on the speedy a lot, more symmetrical. Not very useful IRL, but who uses a tachy scale regularly anyway? Not many people probably.
Well, my employer uses decimal minutes in their time booking system so actually more useful than the Tachy scale for me.
There are 5 bezel options total for the regular Speedmaster Pro case: 082SU1589 | STEEL BEZEL TACHY - BLACK RING 082SU1589DE | STEEL BEZEL DECIMAL 0-100 082SU1589PU | STEEL BEZEL RING PULSOMETER 082SU1589TE1 | STEEL BEZEL TELEMETRE1 - in kms 082SU1589TE2 | STEEL BEZEL TELEMETRE2 - for those stuck in the 19th century... Cheers, Al
When I bought my first Seiko Bellmatic it had a silver dial, silver hands and a silver alarm ring. It was difficult to read at a glance. Since I had bunches and bunches of spares and parts, I changed the hands and alarm ring to black. Better contrast and easier to read. With silver hands with black hands
I think its fine, do what you want. As long as you dont make a copy of, for example, the Mitsukoshi and try to sell it as one of the genuine originally made. My Mitsukoshi mod: My own build with only genuine Omega parts:
Brilliant! Thanks for the contributions and I'll update everyone about the progress of the mods! As of now I'm planning to swap in the pulsations bezel, the dial of the 35th Anniversary Speedmaster and the Alaska Project chrono hand.
I have 2 modified Speedies, one with a pulsation bezel and one with a Mitsukoshi mod. I also have all the parts, apart from the watch, to make a smurfmaster like this if I get around to buying another Speedy: I think it’s clear I have no issue with modding. As others have said, don’t pass something off for something it isn’t in a sale and keep the original parts. You may also get lucky unlike me. I was going to buy a couple of Tin Tins for modding as nobody wanted them and they were dirt cheap. I didn’t so it goes in the list of bad watch mistakes I’ve made, along with selling a very nice Baby Ploprof for $1,400 4 years ago just before they went ballistic lol.
Another vote for the 'it's your watch, do what you want, but full disclosure if you ever decide to sell it' camp. Here's a pic of 3570.50 heavily modded with genuine Omega parts. Now gone ...
Yes, mod away. It’s your watch so you can do what you like with it. I’ve a few that have been played with. Only caveat is full disclosure when selling on.