zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

:
: Hi John, Hi Guys,

: Firstly it's a great catch & I don't think
: the condition is too bad.

: I can only confirm Chuck's comments & add a
: few minor points.

: 1, Crystal, I 100% agree with Chuck. Get a new
: crystal it will dramatically improve the
: watches appearance. I know there are 2
: different crsytals out there for the
: Speedmaster. There is one with a
: Chrome/silver inner ring, this is for
: earlier models. You should get the
: "normal" version with the black
: inner ring for your model.

: 2, I'm not a strap man. I've seen many pics of
: speedies on straps, they look good. All I'd
: add is that IMHO Brown also looks good . You
: didn't mention it, but if you are looking
: for a quality Almost period bracelet, I'd
: put it on a 1171/653 bracelet. You can get
: these cheap enough from Chucks
: "contact". It's not technically
: the correct bracelet. They didn't start
: appearing on speedies until the early 70's
: but it's a good & cost effective way of
: getting the watch onto a bracelet. & as
: I said, It is almost correct

: 3, Minute hand. Tough one. ( for me ) A new
: hand set will just look wrong. Whey won't
: match the wonderfully patina'd dial. Having
: the minute hand touched up will probably
: look even worse. ( unless you can find a
: watchmaker who can fix it up & then
: "age" it - I read something about
: cigarette smoke being used to quickly age
: hands ) .. So I'm not sure what I'd do.

: 4, Bezel. I spent a LONG time looking for a
: "period" bezel for my 105.003 It
: currently has a pulsations bezel on it,
: which I dislike. The bezel I finally found
: is in pretty much the same condition as
: yours. I am SO glad that I finally found
: one. As with speedmaster dials, there are
: different bezels that have been used through
: the years. Yours is listed in the
: "Omega Masters" book as a
: 1961-1969 version.

: If I were you I'd do one of the following.

: A new crystal, dial , handset & bezel. (
: IMHO changing the hands & Bezel WITHOUT
: changing the dial will just not look right )

: OR

: A new crystal & leave everything else.

: As Chuck says though, if you change anything
: please keep the originals somewhere safe
: & keep them with the watch. If you ever
: decide to sell the watch it will be worth
: considerabley more with its original dial,
: hands & bezel fitted regardless of their
: condition.

: The first option will give you a watch that
: looks almost new, that 99.9% of people won't
: know that it is not new & original.

: The second option will keep your watch as a
: period ( 42 year old ! ) watch, with lots of
: history.

: It's your choice, but by keeping all the
: original parts you always have the choice of
: "undoing" the
: "improvements" at a later date.

: To be Honest it it were my watch, I'd look into
: "doing something" with the minute
: hand & apart from a new crystal, I'd
: leave everything else. I think an old speedy
: should look used. ( that doesn't mean
: abused, just used )

: Let us know what you decide, how you get on
: & show us some before & after
: pictures.

: Steve

Great advice

What an interesting corner we collectors regularly paint ourselves into . . .

I have always "justified" this particular variety of collecting by noting that as a wristwatch collector, I don't leave my collection on a shelf or in a safe, but actually use the collected items for their intended purpose. I think most of us are like that -- we intend to wear what we buy. Those of us with the vintage flavor of this obsession find ourselves regularly in pursuit of the Grail . . . . (sorry, Chuck, not your Grail) -- originality -- "new old stock" -- or even better, having been on the wrist just enough to acquire the patina of age.

So we find the exquisite -- or not so exquisite -- vintage piece with all (or some) of the original parts intact. And our joint desires that drive our collecting conflict:

originality and "I want to wear this cool watch I have".

The issues we face are not unique to watches -- Chuck could (and has!) weighed in with analogies from car collecting, and there are many other similar collecting issues with other things someone loves.

My advise to the collector is the same as purchases: buy what you love. In this case, do what makes you love the watch more.

This may be heresy, but if you are happy with the watch you have and aren't in the business of selling watches, the price you paid wasn't too much! Value is not really part of the equation -- if you wanted the cheapest timekeeper, you'd have a quartz from Wal-Mart . . .

In the same way, what you do with and to your watch is up to you. Do what makes you love it more. Just like my remark above, there are a few caveats that you just can't get around.

My watchmaker says "It's only original once". Reversible change is better than non-reversible change. And remember you and half of the 50 guys on this forum are the only ones who care what you did to that old watch so don't lose sleep over it -- this is supposed to be fun!

(Can you tell I am struggling with a restoration question?)

Sam