Why does my Speedy have a different font for the numbers on the bezel?

Jazzguy251 · Mar 29, 2022

I have seen these style bezels on other types of Speedys, like dark side of the moon and automatics, but never on my model, the 1861 hesalite.

I got this one used, came with all the paperwork, the box, the serial number matches, reputable dealer, etc. I believe this was a late model 1861, made shortly before the new model. Did some come like this? Could the bezel have been switched out? Thanks for any advice!

M'Bob · Mar 29, 2022

I believe correct for that model.

savka · Mar 29, 2022

Posting my 1861 here for comparison.

Edit: Looks pretty similar to me?

Jazzguy251 · Mar 29, 2022

savka
Posting my 1861 here for comparison.

Edit: Looks pretty similar to me?

Look at the “2”‘s on the bezel, like in 120 or 225. Your 2’s have a slight swoop outward before going straight down to the bottom horizontal line of the 2. Mine are straight diagonal into the bottom line. The font is different.

Scarecrow Boat · Mar 29, 2022

I bought a 1861 brand new earlier this year and the Tachymetre bezel was incorrect for the model, but I have no plans on changing it 😉

savka · Mar 29, 2022

J Jazzguy251
Look at the “2”‘s on the bezel, like in 120 or 225. Your 2’s have a slight swoop outward before going straight down to the bottom horizontal line of the 2. Mine are straight diagonal into the bottom line. The font is different.

Well I’ll be… you’re right! Good eye. I’d guess it was replaced at some point but that’s a guess based out of ignorance. I’m sure someone here probably knows better if this is a known occurrence.

Jazzguy251 · Mar 29, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
I bought a 1861 brand new earlier this year and the Tachymetre bezel was incorrect for the model, but I have no plans on changing it 😉

That’s interesting, I notice the DON bezel as well. I’ve heard that Omega used these bezels on very late 1861 models right before the introduction of the new model. Perhaps mine was a similar transition case? Not sure. It seems that it was most likely replaced at some point. Just not sure why or if it was an aftermarket or an Omega bezel.

Jazzguy251 · Mar 29, 2022

savka
Well I’ll be… you’re right! Good eye. I’d guess it was replaced at some point but that’s a guess based out of ignorance. I’m sure someone here probably knows better if this is a known occurrence.

Yeah I think the most likely explanation is that it was replaced. Just not sure why it would have been, or if it was an aftermarket bezel or an Omega bezel.

savka · Mar 29, 2022

J Jazzguy251
Yeah I think the most likely explanation is that it was replaced. Just not sure why it would have been, or if it was an aftermarket bezel or an Omega bezel.

Maybe the original was damaged for some reason? The 2’s on this one from eBay look like yours:

avidmark · Mar 29, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
I bought a 1861 brand new earlier this year and the Tachymetre bezel was incorrect for the model, but I have no plans on changing it 😉

What's incorrect about your bezel?

Scarecrow Boat · Mar 29, 2022

avidmark
What's incorrect about your bezel?

It’s the little detail of the Dot Over 90 where the correct bezel will have the Dot Next to 90. This bezel belongs to the new 3861 Speedy. How it ended up on mine and the few others that have reported it as well, is beyond me. I purchased mine brand new from an AD.

MarmosetJKM · Mar 29, 2022

Jazzguy, I don't see your bezel anywhere in MWO. The standout difference to me is the 70, with the dot diagonally below the 0. Modern bezels since 1995 until the 3861 models have had the dot directly below the 0. Yours looks a lot like the bezels found on the reduced models, but that's a different case size; I wouldn't think the bezels are interchangeable with a standard moonwatch.

I'd say yours was definitely replaced at some point. With what, exactly, I don't know.

Jazzguy251 · Mar 29, 2022

MarmosetJKM
Jazzguy, I don't see your bezel anywhere in MWO. The standout difference to me is the 70, with the dot diagonally below the 0. Modern bezels since 1995 until the 3861 models have had the dot directly below the 0. Yours looks a lot like the bezels found on the reduced models, but that's a different case size; I wouldn't think the bezels are interchangeable with a standard moonwatch.

I'd say yours was definitely replaced at some point. With what, exactly, I don't know.

Indeed, it is a mystery. What’s really odd is that the printing on the bezel matches the dark side of the moon bezel exactly (see below). The font, the dot locations, the accent over the e. Everything. But I believe the dark side bezel is actually painted or coated in some kind of black lacquer so I don’t think mine is just a dark side bezel. There are also other types of speedys that use this or a similar design, I think the automatic is one. So it may be possible it is still an omega bezel but I don’t know when or why it was replaced. Or if for some weird reason it came from the factory that way.

savka · Mar 30, 2022

J Jazzguy251
Indeed, it is a mystery. What’s really odd is that the printing on the bezel matches the dark side of the moon bezel exactly (see below). The font, the dot locations, the accent over the e. Everything. But I believe the dark side bezel is actually painted or coated in some kind of black lacquer so I don’t think mine is just a dark side bezel. There are also other types of speedys that use this or a similar design, I think the automatic is one. So it may be possible it is still an omega bezel but I don’t know when or why it was replaced. Or if for some weird reason it came from the factory that way.

Could very well be, if the case dimensions/size match up, as was already noted. However, most autos are <42mm and the DSTOM, in addition to being made of a different material, is 44mm. I don’t think these are signed so the mystery will live on.

If this was purchased recently, you might consider using the bezel issue as a bargaining chip for a discount. In any case, great Speedy!

matlt · Mar 30, 2022

Guessing this will be due to time frames and a different machine they use to put these numbers on all their bezels

bmpennington · Mar 30, 2022

I never noticed before, but with this watch not all the bezels are consistent.