** HELP ** My Dad’s Vintage Speedmaster

[OmegaJJH]

Hello TRF fiends,

I need some guidance.

I’ve just been gifted my father’s Omega Speedmaster (Circa 1970).

This watch means EVERYTHING to me. It’s the watch my dad wore when I was a small child and the watch that got me on to this very expensive (but amazing) hobby. The watch my dad has worn almost daily my entire life.

The watch has been worn daily for 50+ years and is showing signs of wear and abuse.

I intend for this to be a “Very” special occasion watch.

My questions are:

1) Over the past decade on the forum I’ve consistently heard of a man in Hong Kong who is famous for restoring old Omega bracelets. Would someone be so kind as to send me the details? (Personal experiences even better).

2) What on earth do I do with this watch?

Here’s what I’m thinking.

Go to my local Omega boutique to have it sent back to HQ for all work.

Replace hesalite because it’s really badly scratched. (Or can this be polished?)

Full service to movement (I doubt it’s been serviced in years!)

VERY light clean and polish. No point polishing to look like a new one, this is my dads watch.

Retain hands, dial and pushers exactly as they are.

Replace bracelet for leather with deployant Omega clasp - Any suggestions?

This has more sentimental value than all my other watches combined.

I genuinely would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the best way forward, any experience doing something similar or any alternatives to my plan above

Thank you in advance.

Any guidance in this area in gratefully received.

[bonovox]

My $.02. If it's keeping okay time, and the bracelet is in fact an issue when wearing, I'd find a leather strap you like to wear on it and just sit with the watch for now and get to know it. If the crystal is Hesalite, Polywatch will get those bad scratches out, but those scratches are a representation of your fathers journey with the watch. I'd give yourself a time period (a few months as an example) to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the watch, then see how you feel after that time passes.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by bonovox

My $.02. If it's keeping okay time, and the bracelet is in fact an issue when wearing, I'd find a leather strap you like to wear on it and just sit with the watch for now and get to know it. If the crystal is Hesalite, Polywatch will get those bad scratches out, but those scratches are a representation of your fathers journey with the watch. I'd give yourself a time period (a few months as an example) to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the watch, then see how you feel after that time passes.

That’s precisely the sort of advice I need.

Very sensible and absolutely the opposite of what I’d do normally.

Thank you !!!


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[David1973]

To be on the safe side, perhaps have the seals checked. I would have the original steel band restored, as you suggested, so that it will last for decades again.

Take a moment to look at the watch itself and see how it keeps time, perhaps if you have the opportunity, use the time machine to check the amplitude. Then you can see whether a service is necessary.

In any case, congratulations on the beautiful piece and keep it in honor.

[Tools]

Great heirloom and it seems that you are sending it to a good place for an overhaul. Plexi crystals should be changed when damaged or worn as it does become brittle with age and exposure.

Personally, I am not in favor of leather on a dive watch, but it will certainly look good on a Speedy that sees little water.

[jatco]

Not a specialist by any means..but is the watch running?
I presume it is. It's a great time piece in vintage condition..I'm not sure how much I would want to do to it except for a full service if it hasn't been serviced in a lo g time. The bracelet could use work but the links seem sturdy except for the stretch. I'm sure other ppl on here will chime in.

[brandrea]

That’s the best gift a father could give a son.

In my very humble opinion, I’d leave it be.

Perhaps have the bracelet looked at and the movement serviced if you must, but I’d want every mark mark left just as is.

Enjoy that beautifully watch

[Watcheroo]

Originally Posted by bonovox

My $.02. If it's keeping okay time, and the bracelet is in fact an issue when wearing, I'd find a leather strap you like to wear on it and just sit with the watch for now and get to know it. If the crystal is Hesalite, Polywatch will get those bad scratches out, but those scratches are a representation of your fathers journey with the watch. I'd give yourself a time period (a few months as an example) to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the watch, then see how you feel after that time passes.

I second this.

I was recently (about 3-4 months ago) gifted my grandfather’s watch that he wore for the last 40 years of his life. The only thing I’ve done so far is put a leather strap on it. I’ll likely get it serviced early next year.

The acrylic crystal on mine also needs changing but for now, Polywatch did the trick. I’ve learned that acrylic actually shrinks a bit with age and moisture can get in and damage the dial that way.

You have a beautiful piece. Enjoy.

[rootbeer7]

Congratulations on a lovely heirloom. As above. Vintage brown leather straps look great on Speedy.

[OmegaJJH]

Thanks everyone!

(Yes it’s running absolutely fine.)


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[RolexBHR]

I would get it serviced and gaskets replaced, put it on a strap and leave everything else as it is. Then take your time to see how to restore the bracelet.

[Number3]

What a wonderful heirloom James. I think your bracelet guy in Hong Kong could be Micheal Young (certainly for Rolex) - his work is impressive;

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/english/about

[winst]

Originally Posted by Tools

Great heirloom and it seems that you are sending it to a good place for an overhaul. Plexi crystals should be changed when damaged or worn as it does become brittle with age and exposure.

Personally, I am not in favor of leather on a dive watch, but it will certainly look good.

I’m the same with leather on dive watches, but as the Speedy is a Chrono and not a dive watch it should look good with one. Plenty of Omega style leather deployment straps and clasps out there OP which would look good for not too much money. Good luck with the Resto!

[winst]

That’s a great heirloom OP! Another option for your bracelet is Seth who is on the Forum as Watchcollectibles and is based in the UK. Will take a while for you to get it back but should be well worth it based on what others have said about his work. He may even be able to service it for you as well.

I think this is his email address: sales@thewatchdealer.co.uk

All the best!

[stevedssd]

I'm not sure where you are in the UK but for a bracelet restore Seth would be the first option, as suggested above. For servicing I'd suggest Simon Freese, based in Essex and the former manager at STS. He is a fantastic watchmaker and specialises in vintage Omega, especially Speedmaster's. I had a vintage watch sympathetically serviced by him, with the plexi polished, a full movement service and the rest cleaned but left original.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

I'm not sure where you are in the UK but for a bracelet restore Seth would be the first option, as suggested above. For servicing I'd suggest Simon Freese, based in Essex and the former manager at STS. He is a fantastic watchmaker and specialises in vintage Omega, especially Speedmaster's. I had a vintage watch sympathetically serviced by him, with the plexi polished, a full movement service and the rest cleaned but left original.

I don't have first-hand experience, but I gather Simon Freese is strongly preferred by Omega collectors in the UK.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by bonovox

My $.02. If it's keeping okay time, and the bracelet is in fact an issue when wearing, I'd find a leather strap you like to wear on it and just sit with the watch for now and get to know it. If the crystal is Hesalite, Polywatch will get those bad scratches out, but those scratches are a representation of your fathers journey with the watch. I'd give yourself a time period (a few months as an example) to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the watch, then see how you feel after that time passes.

100% agreed. Proceed with loads of care.

If you wanted a new watch you’d buy one. Don’t remove its history. It’s your history too.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Number3

What a wonderful heirloom James. I think your bracelet guy in Hong Kong could be Micheal Young (certainly for Rolex) - his work is impressive;

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/english/about

That's the one. Many thanks

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by winst

That’s a great heirloom OP! Another option for your bracelet is Seth who is on the Forum as Watchcollectibles and is based in the UK. Will take a while for you to get it back but should be well worth it based on what others have said about his work. He may even be able to service it for you as well.

I think this is his email address: sales@thewatchdealer.co.uk

All the best!

Originally Posted by stevedssd

I'm not sure where you are in the UK but for a bracelet restore Seth would be the first option, as suggested above. For servicing I'd suggest Simon Freese, based in Essex and the former manager at STS. He is a fantastic watchmaker and specialises in vintage Omega, especially Speedmaster's. I had a vintage watch sympathetically serviced by him, with the plexi polished, a full movement service and the rest cleaned but left original.

I've struggled for the past 10 years with this forums search function.

Could anyone point me in the direction of Seth and his contact details / website?

Thank you all so very much again.

[DJ2020]

I'm in a different camp on this. I would want to preserve it. I would have it factory restored. Then I would wear it. A lot. My son would see me enjoying it as you seen your father enjoying it. Then when the time comes I would pass it to my son. Generations of memories in the making.

I have pocket watches of this nature. I sometimes reflect on all the events the watch has been threw during several generations of ownership in my family. Great heirloom to have and enjoy.

[Curated]

If it keeps time and the bracelet works then wear it as is. The bracelet stetch looks similar to one of my 1171 Omega bracelets that I bought new and have worn alot for the last 15 years and honestly is the most comfortable bracelet out of all the Rolex and Omegas I own.

Personally all I would do is a movement service and pressure test the watch and then wear the hell out of it making your own memories with it.

I look forward to one day passing on my most worn Rolex and Omega to my son and hope that any small battle scars the watches may have acquired just make them all the more special to him. Many of those scars have been acquired with him while doing things like working on cars, boating etc.

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

I've struggled for the past 10 years with this forums search function.

Could anyone point me in the direction of Seth and his contact details / website?

Thank you all so very much again.

Here is the website
https://www.thewatchdealer.co.uk/ind...ge=page&id=100

Having re-read your original post, I'd personally put the watch on a leather strap after having the watch itself serviced. For info in the UK, the Omega Service Centre in Southampton currently have around a six month turnaround for service, according to posts on UK forums. Independent's who are Omega accredited service centres are 8-12 weeks. It may be worth checking the omega accredited list for where you are in the UK. If you are in the South East you are in luck. I've used Simon Freese, Swiss Time Services, TWR all in Essex, plus there is Russell Tallerman in Central London. I had very good service from STS and TWR but you will deal with the service manager rather than the watchmaker. Simon Freese is a one man band and so there are longer lead in times and a more personal service.

Just as examples here is a 1992 Speedmaster serviced by STS and a 1968 Super Compressor serviced by Simon Freese Of course neither are as special as your Dad's Speedmaster.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[OmegaJJH]

Well,

Having read all the advice above I’ve decided to wait.

Took the watch to a local vintage watch expert who I trust implicitly.

The consensus was the watch is mechanically sound so a service not required at this stage.

Some degradation to the hands to keep an eye on.

Sent the watch away to be cleaned and a light polish to the plexiglass only. Everything else will remain exactly as it is for now.

That will then buy me some time to decide what to do. 6 week turnaround time then I’m going to wear it.

Omega leather on deployant seems most likely. £500-£750 from Omega which seems pricey but hey ho! No real budget for this one. Also found a fully refurbished period metal bracelet which is another option.

Will report back once I finally get it on my wrist.

Thank you again to everyone who has posted with advice. Truly appreciated!


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[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Well,

Having read all the advice above I’ve decided to wait.

Took the watch to a local vintage watch expert who I trust implicitly.

The consensus was the watch is mechanically sound so a service not required at this stage.

Some degradation to the hands to keep an eye on.

Sent the watch away to be cleaned and a light polish to the plexiglass only. Everything else will remain exactly as it is for now.

That will then buy me some time to decide what to do. 6 week turnaround time then I’m going to wear it.

Omega leather on deployant seems most likely. £500-£750 from Omega which seems pricey but hey ho! No real budget for this one. Also found a fully refurbished period metal bracelet which is another option.

Will report back once I finally get it on my wrist.

Thank you again to everyone who has posted with advice. Truly appreciated!


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Great update, keep us posted

[1William]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Well,

Having read all the advice above I’ve decided to wait.

Took the watch to a local vintage watch expert who I trust implicitly.

The consensus was the watch is mechanically sound so a service not required at this stage.

Some degradation to the hands to keep an eye on.

Sent the watch away to be cleaned and a light polish to the plexiglass only. Everything else will remain exactly as it is for now.

That will then buy me some time to decide what to do. 6 week turnaround time then I’m going to wear it.

Omega leather on deployant seems most likely. £500-£750 from Omega which seems pricey but hey ho! No real budget for this one. Also found a fully refurbished period metal bracelet which is another option.

Will report back once I finally get it on my wrist.

Thank you again to everyone who has posted with advice. Truly appreciated!


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I would look at Bulang & Sons watch straps. I have 10 or so for my Speedy and they are reasonably priced and of very high quality.

[samson66]

Personally I'd get it the full Omega treatment and polish and then consider replacing the bracelet. The watch head is the important thing here, not the bracelet.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by samson66

Personally I'd get it the full Omega treatment and polish and then consider replacing the bracelet. The watch head is the important thing here, not the bracelet.

The problem with this strategy is that the watch is roughly 50 years old.

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve just turned 40. For each one of those 40 years my dad has worn this watch. By sending it to Omega it will come back looking like a brand new one. Potentially new hands, new pushers even a new dial. If I wanted a brand new one I’d just buy one.

This watch is special (not because it’s a Speedmaster) but because it’s my dad’s. Every scratch, every mark is history and I don’t want to erode that. Once it’s gone I can never get it back.

Equally I want a solid, robust watch that will last until I hand it to my son one day.

I’m lucky enough to have a few other watches in my collection which allows the Speedmaster to be a real special occasion watch hence the thought process of swapping over to a really nice leather strap. Not a done deal by any stretch.

Thank you for your input as it’s really appreciated.


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[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would look at Bulang & Sons watch straps. I have 10 or so for my Speedy and they are reasonably priced and of very high quality.

Will do.

Thank you !!


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[samson66]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

The problem with this strategy is that the watch is roughly 50 years old.

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve just turned 40. For each one of those 40 years my dad has worn this watch. By sending it to Omega it will come back looking like a brand new one. Potentially new hands, new pushers even a new dial. If I wanted a brand new one I’d just buy one.

This watch is special (not because it’s a Speedmaster) but because it’s my dad’s. Every scratch, every mark is history and I don’t want to erode that. Once it’s gone I can never get it back.

Equally I want a solid, robust watch that will last until I hand it to my son one day.

I’m lucky enough to have a few other watches in my collection which allows the Speedmaster to be a real special occasion watch hence the thought process of swapping over to a really nice leather strap. Not a done deal by any stretch.

Thank you for your input as it’s really appreciated.


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My point was that although it would look like a new watch, it would still be your dad's watch.

I understand what you're saying and it makes total sense. If each of those blemishes comes with a cherished memory I can totally see why you'd want to keep it in its current condtion.

My post was more of a "what would I do" response. I'm sort of in a similar situation with a watch I inherited from my step-father who passed away not long ago. It's a gold coin watch with full gold bracelet. It's just obnoxious looking and I'd never wear it. But I'm thinking of getting a watchmaker to put some lugs on it so I can wear with a leather strap. If so I would probably wear it on special occasions.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by samson66

My point was that although it would look like a new watch, it would still be your dad's watch.

I understand what you're saying and it makes total sense. If each of those blemishes comes with a cherished memory I can totally see why you'd want to keep it in its current condtion.

My post was more of a "what would I do" response. I'm sort of in a similar situation with a watch I inherited from my step-father who passed away not long ago. It's a gold coin watch with full gold bracelet. It's just obnoxious looking and I'd never wear it. But I'm thinking of getting a watchmaker to put some lugs on it so I can wear with a leather strap. If so I would probably wear it on special occasions.

Thanks Mike.

The other tightrope I’m walking is my dad is still very much with us so don’t want to make any changes that he thinks WTF have you done to my watch

Feel free to post a pic of your step fathers watch


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