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Old 10 October 2014, 07:31 AM   #1
jmsrolls
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My numbered FOIS is no more!

It is now a FSIS (First Speedmaster in Space), #1/1, a Sigma 7 commemorative.

Some of you recall my project about 10 years ago to build a Speedmaster like the one worn by Wally Schirra on his October 3, 1962 Mercury flight. Circumstances did not permit completion of the project but I kept the case back I had fabricated at the time:



It sat in a drawer awaiting a final polish if an opportunity ever arose to use it. When Omega introduced the FOIS at Basel, I suspected the opportunity just might happen. On the day of introduction, I called Jim at Continental and placed my order.

I must admit that the OEM FOIS case back was a disappointment, my only disappointment with Omega's effort. I patiently waited as long as I could (didn't want to risk my warranty) but I recently took the ∑7 to my local watchmaker (Gary at Wilson Watch Company) for him to do the final polishing.

So without further ado:



What do you think?
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Old 10 October 2014, 09:06 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmsrolls View Post
It is now a FSIS (First Speedmaster in Space), #1/1, a Sigma 7 commemorative.

...

What do you think?
Love it!

Not a fan of the Omega version.

Was intrigued to see this custom job in a previous thread...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...light=Caseback

and glad to see you've now pulled the trigger.

Well done, well done indeed!
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Old 10 October 2014, 10:05 AM   #3
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That looks great, the way it should have been all along!
BTW, I thought the rough engraving looked good, but the finished product ...wow!
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Old 10 October 2014, 11:44 AM   #4
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Awesome!
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Old 10 October 2014, 12:07 PM   #5
incontrol
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Awesome work on the case back! It really looks fantastic!
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Old 10 October 2014, 04:50 PM   #6
capote
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Great looking!
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Old 10 October 2014, 05:40 PM   #7
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Nice job.
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Old 10 October 2014, 07:53 PM   #8
DCheeta
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Wow, awesome! I've been waiting to see this completed. Congrats!
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Old 11 October 2014, 12:28 AM   #9
jmsrolls
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Here is a dial shot of the FOIS next to the unpolished Ʃ7 case back:



and here is the OEM FOIS case back:



The engraving around the edge of the Ʃ7 reads "THE FIRST - SPEEDMASTER - WORN IN SPACE - SCHIRRA - MERCURY ATLAS 8 - OCT 3 1962".

For more of Wally Schirra and the Ʃ7 story, click here: 'Sigma 7' at 50: Retro Space Images recall 5th US manned spaceflight.

After seeing Gary's polishing job, I said to heck with the Omega warranty and swapped the backs without any hesitation or reservations.
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Old 11 October 2014, 05:01 AM   #10
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Another interesting link:

Omega designs new timepiece to mark 50 years of watches in space
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Old 11 October 2014, 05:18 AM   #11
flyinghell34
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That is one great looking modification. I love the watch but I'm not fond of the case back as well. What is the reference # you used to create your back? Will a standard 145.0012 case back work on the FOIS?

Great job.
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Old 11 October 2014, 10:40 AM   #12
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Wow Fr. John. Great work. Such a great watch.
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Old 12 October 2014, 10:53 AM   #13
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Very cool caseback.
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Old 13 October 2014, 01:12 AM   #14
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Very nice!
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Old 13 October 2014, 04:39 AM   #15
jmsrolls
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyinghell34 View Post
That is one great looking modification. I love the watch but I'm not fond of the case back as well. What is the reference # you used to create your back? Will a standard 145.0012 case back work on the FOIS?

Great job.
The 145.0012 was what I started with.

BTW, I have another Ʃ7 undergoing final polishing. Don't know which one I will be keeping.
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Old 9 December 2017, 08:09 AM   #16
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Sorry for reviving such an old thread. But I am interested in finding/making a thinner case back for my ck2998, and no sure if it would be physically possible. From your pictures, it seems that the custom case back is a perfect fit and thinner!

May I know if that's just appearance or is it indeed the case? How can I get one of those awesome case backs? Thanks!
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Old 10 December 2017, 12:45 PM   #17
jmsrolls
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Originally Posted by tunadubby View Post
Sorry for reviving such an old thread. But I am interested in finding/making a thinner case back for my ck2998, and no sure if it would be physically possible. From your pictures, it seems that the custom case back is a perfect fit and thinner!

May I know if that's just appearance or is it indeed the case? How can I get one of those awesome case backs? Thanks!
No, it's not any thinner.

I made two and both have been sold.
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Old 12 September 2018, 07:54 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmsrolls View Post
The 145.0012 was what I started with.

BTW, I have another Ʃ7 undergoing final polishing. Don't know which one I will be keeping.
Thanks for sharing
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Old 12 September 2018, 08:52 PM   #19
1William
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Nice.
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Old 12 September 2018, 11:05 PM   #20
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very nice
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Old 13 September 2018, 01:23 AM   #21
Dr. Robert
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Very cool!
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Old 18 September 2018, 02:01 AM   #22
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Very cool!
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