Help with servicing a vintage Speedmaster
I have a "non-watch guy" friend who I always share my enthusiasm with and he's caught the bug a bit. With his new found interest, he recalled his dad having some old watches in a safe, so he asked to see them.
In the safe they found a 90's TAG Heuer, but his dad was sure he had an old chronograph somewhere that he wore for over 20 years. I laughed with my friend and told him it's probably some old Daytona or Speedmaster, wouldn't that be funny. He had no idea what I was talking about.
That was back around Christmas time. Fast forward a couple of months and I get a text from my buddy that they found the chrono in an old hope chest this weekend and he sent me the photos.
Woah!! How cool is that!? An original Speedmaster that's never been serviced. He doesn't know how to open the caseback (and we're in different states), but I'm fairly sure it's a 145.012-67 (but I'm sure there are some experts on here that know a ton more than I).
Anyway, he lives in the San Jose/Bay Area, would any Crunchers be able to recommend a watchmaker in that area that would be able to properly service it? He doesn't want to ship it anywhere. Thanks!
Ever since I got a calculator watch for my 9th birthday, I’ve been a watch enthusiast and it was during the pandemic that things went crazy. Current collection consists mainly of “affordable” field/pi...
That's an awesome find 👏🏻👏🏻
My bias would be toward using an Omega Boutique. I’d pay extra for the piece of mind of knowing it’s done right with a warranty from the manufacturer. Once you know the condition then you could shop it around next time.
SF area should have an Omega (stand-alone) boutique. Take it there and they will service it for you (likely) they will ship it to the east coast were their service center. That way you will know the watch is safe. You may pay a little more but the security (IMO) of knowing Omega is servicing the watch is a plus. For me a no-brainer. I have used them on my speedy with zero issues. 5 week turnaround...
I am no expert, but found this:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-differences-speedmaster-bezels/#gref
Looks like it might be pre-70s based on the bezel dot positions..
The only difference I notice between the 321 in the article and your friends is the blunt end of the seconds hand - in the article it appears more square, whereas your friends appears to be rounded slightly. Might just be the image though..
Also this:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-omega-speedmaster-145-012/#gref
Looks like the bracelet is correct too - the 'hairpuller'..
Good Luck!
There are multiple Omega dealers/ boutiques in the South Bay. The AD I use is in Napa. Bring it to one of them and they will send it to to one of the west coast repair centers (usually the SoCal one) and then call you 4 months later when it’s ready to pick up. It should cost around 1400 if I remember correctly.
There are multiple Omega dealers/ boutiques in the South Bay. The AD I use is in Napa. Bring it to one of them and they will send it to to one of the west coast repair centers (usually the SoCal one) and then call you 4 months later when it’s ready to pick up. It should cost around 1400 if I remember correctly.
Off topic but what other brands does this place in Napa sell?
There are multiple Omega dealers/ boutiques in the South Bay. The AD I use is in Napa. Bring it to one of them and they will send it to to one of the west coast repair centers (usually the SoCal one) and then call you 4 months later when it’s ready to pick up. It should cost around 1400 if I remember correctly.
Thank you! Wasn’t sure if I should send him to a local watchmaker or Omega. Taking it to an Omega boutique sounds like the best bet.
I am no expert, but found this:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-differences-speedmaster-bezels/#gref
Looks like it might be pre-70s based on the bezel dot positions..
The only difference I notice between the 321 in the article and your friends is the blunt end of the seconds hand - in the article it appears more square, whereas your friends appears to be rounded slightly. Might just be the image though..
Also this:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-omega-speedmaster-145-012/#gref
Looks like the bracelet is correct too - the 'hairpuller'..
Good Luck!
This article shows the rounded second hand. I think I’ve seen an article that said the 321 had both hands, while the 861 only had the squared. 🤷♂️
https://speedmaster101.com/145-012/
In SF there’s an omega boutique and Topper jewelers in Burlingame can help I think.
Off topic but what other brands does this place in Napa sell?
Creations Fine Jewelers
They are in the process of moving to a new location (in the same shopping plaza). In the new location they will be carrying Omega, Tudor and Tissot. There might be other brands but I’m not positive. They have been great to deal with and always remember my name even though I only stop in every 3-4 month.
Olde towne Jewelers in Santa Rosa usually has a few good vintage pieces.
Thank you! Wasn’t sure if I should send him to a local watchmaker or Omega. Taking it to an Omega boutique sounds like the best bet.
An Omega boutique is the easiest and safest bet. You can call omega service and mail it directly to them if the Boutique is too far of a drive.
I would contact Nesbits in Seattle. They are one of the top-tier Omega service centers.
I would actually ask a reputable watchmaker for a quote before going through Omega. Even with new models the manufacturer is going to cost much more / take longer for servicing and considering this is so old, the availability of parts that you would get from a new model is moot.
Plus 1 for Nesbitts. They serviced my 1978 speedy 2 years ago. Advantages:
Shorter wait time
Discount off omega charge
They’ll communicate in what’s to be done. I had an actual phone call. I wanted to retain my dial. They did insist on replacing the hands but I got the old ones back.
That all being said, for a “non watch guy” the comfort of Omega servicing may be worth the downsides.
Love the story
Cheers, Dave
Amazing story! Thanks for sharing it. Certainly your friend will find a watchmaker. Cheers!
To the best of my knowledge there are no Omega service centers here in the Bay Area. I suggest Nesbit’s in Seattle. They did a great job on my 1993 SMP 300. You ship, they service and ship back.
It sounds like Nesbit’s is worth a try. I’ll have him contact them for an estimate. Thank you, all! (I think I may be more excited than he is, ha!)