zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: Dear all, I have been asked for help by a friend of mine, whose
: father has bought a strange Speedmaster.
: Basically the watch looks like a 'standard' Moonwatch with orange
: chrono hands like the ones of the Racing MkII.
: Watches identical to this are shown at these links:
My opinion: all parts are original but this watch did not come out
: of the factory this way but was assembled later on with a
: substitution of the hands, either by a watchmaker or by Customer
: Service.

: So in turn I am asking to you experts:
: 1. Has Omega ever made this specific watch? If so, does anybody
: know the reference?
: 2. If not, is this a put-together or a custom-made? In the latter
: case, I have heard that even Omega themselves seem to have done
: such jobs, as another lot in the Omegamania auction carried the
: note 'dial changed at owner's request'. Should this be the case,
: does the fact that the modification may have been done by Omega
: themselves provide any legitimacy to this piece?

: Any inputs welcome.
: Thanks
: Fabrizio

1969 was not an era when Omega was suffering and doing business oddly in ways which subsequently damaged their reputation. They were one of the strongest Swiss brands. I assume that you know this watch was from this era.

Two examples of the odd behavior, which do not answer your question directly, I realize. In later eras (mid-1980s), we see many instances of very limited production for a specific market, such as the Teutonic Speedmasters. During the mid-1970s, the Constellation line, which had always been chronometers, began to have non-chronometer models. If the watch is from later eras, unexpected variations become more likely.

To more directly address your question now: Clearly, the decimal bezel and orange hands were produced by Omega, and are available today. I am unaware of a model ever produced in that configuration as a production model. However, I do believe customized model were available from Omega or that era's equivalent of Omega After Sales. However, unless there is paperwork to prove that . . . it will be regarded as an aftermarket customization.

I would suggest contacting Omega Vintage to see what they can tell your friend . . .