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Twin ‘71 Speedmaster Pro 145.022-71s Calibre 861 needing advice on bracelet and servicing

jds1971
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My dad just gave me 2 original 1971 speedmasters. They have been sitting in a hope chest for the past 40 years. He bought them new, one for him and one for my grandfather. One has the original 1171/633 bracelet and works. The other has cheap replacement bracelet and doesn’t work. The stem pulls completely out. He thinks he still has the other original bracelet somewhere. But we all know how that goes. Looking forward to getting the non working one fixed. I plan on keeping one with the original bracelet and putting a nice leather one on the other.

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dsio
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Nice pair! Being Calibre 861 they shouldn't be too much trouble to get in perfect running order again, just try to preserve as many aesthetic parts as you can with the exception of the movement, crystal and probably crown
 
impaw
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Lovely!
Yes, be sure to tell the watchmaker to keep as much as possible of the original parts.
The hands for an example - service hands will look totally off on your nicely patinated watches
 
Foo2rama
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Can you provide a clear picture of the Speedmaster writing on the dial?

Also casebacks?
 
jds1971
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hansaboy hansaboy
What a nice pair of Speedys - congratulations, and welcome to the Forum!

Here is an interesting article regarding serviceparts etc.
https://speedmaster101.com/blog/why-dont-we-want-service-parts-a-quick-guide-for-a-newcomer/

Keep us posted with the progress of your watches!
A bit curious - how do you know they are 71´s?

You could also share more pictures - we LOVE Speedy pictures!
I believe 1971 was the first year they put the flight qualified ….. for all manned space flight on the back. My Dad said he bought them in 1971. But you are right, that is my conclusion. Until they are opened and serial numbers checked, I really don’t know for sure.
 
jds1971
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Here is one of them up close as requested. I’m having the other evaluated for repair by a local jeweler that has experience with Omegas. I know I should send it to Omega, but it’s just an initial evaluation.

IMG_0120.webp IMG_0121.webp IMG_0122.webp IMG_0123.webp IMG_0124.webp IMG_0125.webp
 
Scarecrow Boat
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jds1971 jds1971
I know I should send it to Omega, but it’s just an initial evaluation.
I don’t see a step dial, so this wouldn’t be a -71. And no, don’t send these to Omega. They would not be the best option if you want to keep originality.
 
jds1971
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impaw impaw
Lovely!
Yes, be sure to tell the watchmaker to keep as much as possible of the original parts.
The hands for an example - service hands will look totally off on your nicely patinated watches
I don’t plan on having anything cosmetically done to them other than a hand polish with a cloth. No buffing or high polished shine. I want them to be in original patina’d condition.
 
redzer007
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As has been mentioned above, do not send to Omega. They will replace parts with service parts, eg dial, hands, maybe even bezel.

Find a good independent, ideally with Omega parts account.

Nice pair, keep em that way.
 
jds1971
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
I don’t see a step dial, so this wouldn’t be a -71. And no, don’t send these to Omega. They would not be the best option if you want to keep originality.
Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
I don’t see a step dial, so this wouldn’t be a -71. And no, don’t send these to Omega. They would not be the best option if you want to keep originality.
 
jds1971
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Another angle, yep, no step. Learned something today. I guess the old man’s memory ain’t what it used to be. So maybe an early -74?

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Scarecrow Boat
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They are still excellent pair with a lot of character & charm. Enjoy and have lots of fun wearing them.
 
Foo2rama
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jds1971 jds1971
Another angle, yep, no step. Learned something today. I guess the old man’s memory ain’t what it used to be. So maybe an early -74?

IMG_0126.webp
That’s going to be my guess….

Although it’s possible it’s a 71 that has a service dial and updated caseback.
 
JwRosenthal
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jds1971 jds1971
Another angle, yep, no step. Learned something today. I guess the old man’s memory ain’t what it used to be. So maybe an early -74?

IMG_0126.webp
We see it alot here- grandad says it’s never been serviced and bought it new, but the service marks inside the case tells another story- then grandad says “well there was that time I went swimming and it flooded and I had it repaired- but that was just that once”
 
jds1971
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I finally got one of the watches opened up. Still waiting to hear from the watchmaker. I can confirm the case back is a 1974, however the caliber 861 internals show a 28084640. Is the stamp below on the case back a jewelers/watchmakers mark? I used the Ilovemyspeedmaster.com to search that number and it says production date October 1969 not a moon watch. Any ideas? My father says he bought them both new. He did say he had one of the hesalite crystals replaced, not sure of which one. One was my grandfathers, the one currently being evaluated for repair, and the other my dads. My understanding is the later 74 models also had the plastic ‘brake’ this does not not. Possible this has the internals of a 69 model with a 74 case back a dial?

IMG_0150.webp IMG_0151.webp
 
SpdMastr
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jds1971 jds1971
I finally got one of the watches opened up. Still waiting to hear from the watchmaker. I can confirm the case back is a 1974, however the caliber 861 internals show a 28084640. Is the stamp below on the case back a jewelers/watchmakers mark? I used the Ilovemyspeedmaster.com to search that number and it says production date October 1969 not a moon watch. Any ideas? My father says he bought them both new. He did say he had one of the hesalite crystals replaced, not sure of which one. One was my grandfathers, the one currently being evaluated for repair, and the other my dads. My understanding is the later 74 models also had the plastic ‘brake’ this does not not. Possible this has the internals of a 69 model with a 74 case back a dial?

IMG_0150.webp IMG_0151.webp

More likely than not, the original movement was replaced somewhere along the way for a variety of reasons. As you pointed out, the movement number is out of range for both a 74ST and a Speedmaster Professional.
 
Vinz Clortho
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Great looking pair of vintage Speedmasters with wonderful patina. Had to chuckle about him "swimming and it flooded, but just the one time."

Any good local watchmaker will be able to service the watches. If it's been a while, probably best to get both serviced (not at the same time) as it will keep them running, plus can identify any possible issues which might need to be addressed. Most are very good about keeping the vintage charm of the watch and not polish it, etc.

Enjoy them as they're meant to be worn!
 
Davidt
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That movement is certainly not correct for a -74 so we have a caseback, dial and movement that don’t match.
Given the story, I’d say the most likely scenario is it’s a -74 that had the movement swapped when it flooded after swimming.
 
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