Sounds good to me.
Hi Henry,
please allow me to go through your points one at a time.
: I'm looking at an older Speedmaster at a local
: watch/clock shop. It's your basic moonwatch
: style, but I'm not sure of the age.
OK.
No markings on the caseback (other than the Omega monster),
So that suggests it is a pre 1969 watch. From '69 onwards Speedmasters had a "moon" inscription on the back.
can't remember if it says "Professional" on the face or not.
"Professional" first appeared in 1966, so both are possible for a pre-69 watch.
: It's on a bracelet, but what I think is odd
: is that it's a semi-cheesy feeling bracelet
: with folded links and a stamped clasp with
: the Omega symbol. Is this bracelet Omega
: original, folded links and all, or some
: aftermarket piece with an Omega stamp.
The bracelet sounds dead right for a speedmaster of this age. ( & quite valuable )
Here's a link to web page that I wrote showing you how to remove links from these bracelets this has some pics of the underside of the bracelet.
I know this isn't a great description, but the
big potential flag to me is the folded links.
The bracelet may also give you a BIG clue to the age of the watch. If you look on the inside of the buckle, you should see a number like 3 over 62 this means 3rd quarter of 1962. The 1st single digit gives the quarter & the 2 digit part is the year, ( between 57 & 69 ).
There should also be a 4 digit number for the bracelet type, probably one of these.. 7912, 1035, 1039, 1501, 1506
A few more tips. It is worth considerabley more WITHOUT "professional" on the dial. If this is the case, there should NOT be any case metal between the pushers & crown, ie no crown guards
If your watchmaker will allow you to take a couple of pictures of the watch, ( dial, bracelet, buckle outside & inside ). We can also have a quick look if everything is as it should be ( eg it could have new hands, new dial, new bezel )
: Thanks,
: Henry
You're welcome !
As with anything that is around/over 40 years old, almost anything is possible. But, from your description it sounds like you could have found an early speedmaster on it's original bracelet.
All the Best
Steve
