Vintage 145.022-69ST pushers worth to be restored?

perlunk · Dec 19, 2023

Hello, I did the mistake a while ago to let my Speedmaster serviced by Omega. I was new to Vintage. Omega replaced all the vintage critical parts. At least they sent back the original parts after kindly asking them.

All vintage parts are back in place again, except the pushers. Omega damaged them while replacing them. It seems that the used a pliers.

I'm attaching a photo of the original pushers. The tip that goes inside looks like coated brass. It's not typical yellow as brass but not "silver" as steel.

My watchmaker said that he might be able to restore the pushers. There'll be steel soldered onto the damaged areas and then the pushers will be remodeled. Cleaning and new gaskets etc. All that an expensive procedure.

My question:
Does anybody know if these are really the original pushers and not already serviced ones? I'm just trying to find out if it's worth to get my pushers restored.

Thanks for your help!
Volkan

Alex Cheers · Dec 19, 2023

Or you could just have the pusher caps exchanged?

140dave · Dec 19, 2023

No difference between the service part and the original as far as the design and part itself goes.

Yes, it is not the original pusher but same/same otherwise. They may already have been changed over the last 50yrs and most would never know. Not an issue for me personally for a -69, I prefer new pushers and crown if I plan on wearing it.

A 105.012 and earlier I would give a different answer but service pushers on a -69 is no issue for me.

perlunk · Dec 19, 2023

Thanks for your responses!

@Alex Cheers I suggested that as well to replace the pusher caps only, but the watchmaker said that the thread might be a bit different and then you might ruin the pusher.

@140dave are the pushers on the photo not original vintage ones? If so, then it wouldn't make any sense to restore them anyhow.

140dave · Dec 19, 2023

perlunk
Thanks for your responses!

@140dave are the pushers on the photo not original vintage ones? If so, then it wouldn't make any sense to restore them anyhow.

Vintage, yes, they look vintage to me. Original to the watch, who knows.
It is one of the most often changed parts during service so if it ever had a service in its lifetime there is a good chance they were replaced. Or not, its just nearly impossible to know if pushers on a -69 are original to the watch. IMO "Could be" original, is as close as you get on a -69 and they are in that category, if they are service replacements they are at least vintage replacements.

On replacing pusher caps; if you go that route I think you would still need to find vintage ones. The only reason not to use service pushers in the first place (for this particular watch/reference) is if you feel that they look too new for the overall look of the watch. If thats the reason then new pusher caps will have the same effect.

Again, just my opinion. I take good seals over original pushers, but I keep the original pushers to include in the event of a sale later.

pitbos · Dec 19, 2023

140dave
I take good seals over original pushers, but I keep the original pushers to include in the event of a sale later.

This is sage advice. I do the same.

perlunk · Dec 19, 2023

@140dave thank you for your feedback!

Spacefruit · Dec 19, 2023

You can see the marks where the pushers have been removed with pliers.

saves time, and is omega procedure as they don’t re use them.

SOG53 · Dec 19, 2023

You have a waterproof watch,(unless you replaced back the old crystal and crown ). Wear and enjoy it. It’s not a museum piece

Davidt · Dec 20, 2023

I would not bother to restore pushers on -69’s and later, services ones are perfectly acceptable imo.
Different with crowns as -69’s to -71’s used a different crown to -74’s onwards (slightl generalisation there) so I’d always try and keep the original A1 or A2 crown, accepting there will be an impact on water resistance.

perlunk · Dec 20, 2023

I might follow the general opinions and just keep the serviced pushers installed and keep the vintage ones. At least for now.

I have a A2 crown installed. It was cleaned up and the gasket(s) were replaced.
And the glas is also the original "2. Short Feet" vintage one.
DON-Bezel, original hands, pre-moon bevel.

I'm aware of the impact on water resistance. I don't wear the watch all the time.
I know it's not a 105 or earlier, but once you're in that "vintage mindset" it's a curse and blessing to own any vintage watch. At least for me. 😀

Thanks for your opinions and feedbacks!

DON · Dec 20, 2023

Take new pushers and place in bag with some gravel. Shake it up a little and voila.. vintage looking scuffed pushers

blow out any particles or dust

paddymoran · Dec 20, 2023

DON
Take new pushers and place in bag with some gravel. Shake it up a little and voila.. vintage looking scuffed pushers

blow out any particles or dust

You just know someone will ask what grit gravel to use!! Great post by the way. 😀

ndgal · Dec 21, 2023

perlunk
My watchmaker said that he might be able to restore the pushers. There'll be steel soldered onto the damaged areas and then the pushers will be remodeled.

The pusher caps are Nickel coated brass. Your watchmaker won't be able to solder steel on to them.

perlunk · Dec 21, 2023

ndgal
The pusher caps are Nickel coated brass. Your watchmaker won't be able to solder steel on to them.

Oh ... I thought the caps are stainless steel and the tube is coated brass.

Vintage 145.022-69ST pushers worth to be restored?

perlunk

Alex Cheers

140dave

perlunk

140dave

pitbos

perlunk

Spacefruit

SOG53

Davidt

perlunk

DON

paddymoran

ndgal

perlunk

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