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Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002
19:29:49 +0100
>X-Info: Scanned for viruses by armourplate.com
From: Txxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxxx <>
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
To: cmaddox@xnet.com
Subject: Omega Speedmaster
Hi
There,
I wonder if you can
help.
I have this watch from my
Dad. Any idea which it is ? Would it be worth getting
serviced as the face is scratched and the strap is well
worn. Any info appreciated. Pic attached.
Cheers,
Txxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 14:10:09
-0500
To: Txxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxxx
<>
From: Chuck Maddox
<>
Subject: Re: Omega
Speedmaster
Hi
There,
I wonder if you can
help.
Hello
Txxxxxx,
Let's see if I
can...
I have this watch from
my Dad. Any idea which it is ?
Pretty good
idea...
Would it be worth
getting serviced as the face is scratched
and the strap is well worn.
It's your father's
watch, of course it's worth getting serviced!
Ok, here's the
schtick...
What you have there is
probably one of three specific modem "Pre-Pro" Omega
Speedmaster. Of the three models it could be, most
likely it's a 105.003. I have one of those myself...
Here's a link to a picture of my example:
http://chronomaddox.com/105.003-65.jpg
The watch could also be
either a CK2998 or a 105.012 also but I think the
chances are much lower on either of those models
(probably under 10% each)...
Ok, lets talk about the
specifics of your watch...
The Strap is the least of
your worries... It can be replaced with any
appropriate looking 19mm strap at your convenience. In
the picture above I have my example on a $25US Hirsch
Windsor Black Leather Long Length strap. Or you can
purchase an appropriate 1171 Genuine Omega replacement
bracelet for under $100US (be sure to ask for 19mm end
pieces)... Here is a picture of mine on such a
bracelet:
http://chronomaddox.com/105.003-65wbracelet.jpg
The "Face" or Dial...
From what I can see from your picture, the dial looks
to be ok... The Crystal on the other hand could use to
be replaced... Not to worry, Crystals can be had for
well under $100US, perhaps even under $50 US and any
competent watchmaker can swap out the
crystal.
The Bezel... It looks
pretty rough as well... A replacement bezel, nearly
identical to the original will run you about $125US
and it is also easily swapped by a competent
watchmaker.
The case... She looks
like she's lived an active life... The case can be
refinished and an attractive satin like finish can be
affected, again by a competent
watchmaker...
As for the rest of it...
You probably should have the watch's movement, cleaned
adjusted, oiled (ie serviced), especially if there is
any chance the watch has been in a situation where
water could have entered the case (via the crystal,
caseback, crown, pushers, etc. As these watches only
have a 50m W/R on their best days if the watch was
worn shipping get it to a watchmaker as soon as you
can.
Some background for
you... The 105.003 is the precursor to the first watch
worn on the Moon, (145.012) worn by Edwin "Buzz"
Aldrin during Apollo 11. It is of historical
importance in that it is the model that first won
NASA's certification for use by Gemini Astronauts and
is continued (in later models) in use by Shuttle
Astronauts on EVA's to this very day.
In fact this model was
the first model of watch worn in the Vacuum of outer
space (outside of a spacecraft) as it was worn by Ed
White during his famous "Space-Walk":
http://chronomaddox.com/35th.html
And this is the actual
watch:
http://chronomaddox.com/1stspacewatch.jpg
Your fathers is most
likely the exact same model... So besides the fact it
probably have great sentimental value to you, it also
is a representative of a historically very significant
model... So yes indeed she is well worth restoration.
Sorry I didn't do the currency conversion for you, but
I figure it's getting late in the UK at the moment and
I thought you might prefer a speedy (pardon the pun)
response!
Any info appreciated.
Pic attached.
I can see you
reside in the UK (where may I ask?)... If you wish
please visit the TimeZone Omega Forum as there are a
bunch of knowlegeable Omega owners who are regulars
there, among them a number of fellow UK residents who
may be able to assist you with region specific
recommendations for parts watchmakers, etc...
If you have follow-up
questions please feel free to ask.
Best of luck and I hope
you decide to make her shine like new
again!
Chuck
Chuck,
What a start. Thanks for
the info. And so quick.
You are somewhat of an
expert !!!
Txxxx,
Eh, I try... Perhaps a
second or third rate quasi-expert... In reality I'm a
student of the topic at hand
I live right on the UK
South Coast 3 miles from a town called
Arundel
West Sussex. By all means
use this email in your TZ forum.
Ah, I don't think I've
gotten down that far in the UK. I've made a couple of
visits, once with my parents when before I was a
teen-ager, and one about 15 years ago...
BTW how do I access the
TZ Forum (I am used to Newsgroups
etc)
http://beta.timezone.com/forum.aspx?forumId=omega
For that a little history
:
My father Pxxxxx Vxxxxxxx
Bxxxxxxxx was a Navigator - Flight Lieutenant in the Royal
Air Force. I presume it was during this service that he
bought the Speedmaster, I'm sure some of the use comes from
miles in the sky. He always liked buying quality items, and
I guess the Moon Landing was around this time
also.
After he left the Air
Force and worked in Navigation marketing Sat
Nav kit with Decca and Racal.
I remember as a child he
travelled all over the world and often I would
sneak into the bedroom and admire the watch. He re-married
and moved to South Africa some 20+ years ago and we have
always kept in touch although as life goes never
enough !
He died last week and I
flew to South Africa. In the bottom of a
plastic bag with all sorts of tat was the very
watch. Now she sits here in England with
me.
I miss my father and
Grandfather profoundly. My condolences, I've been there
and nothing prepares you for an event like that. But it
is good to know his watch is with someone who will take
care of her...
I ideally would keep her
as is, but the strap is on the way out (and
may break) and I agree now I would like to get he restored
to as near perfect as possible with ideally
original parts, strap etc. Mind you I would
also like to keep some of the history so maybe
a new and correct service would be in order by an
expert (and make sure Waterproofing etc is OK)
If you can recommend someone good in the UK that would
be great.
I wish I could, which
is why I recommend getting on the TZ Omega Forum. Great
bunch of fellows there from all over the world (a few
ladies too from time to time)... But you may wish to get
in touch with Omega.ch as well... Let my find that
link:
http://www.omegawatches.com/omega/cu_price_maintenance
I looked at
http://chronomaddox.com/105.003-65.jpg
and it's identical (sorry my photo is not so
good) I notice also on my (Dads) watch it says
Omega Speedmaster (and no professional) and on
the bezel there is Tachymetre with a \ above the e (as
in French) ?
Yup...
Tachymètre… Or rather
TACHYMÈTRE…
In fact I am staggered
that you have so much knowledge. How did you
learn so much, what's your background if you
don't mind me asking.
Well... Actually I've
already written most of that up here:
http://chronomaddox.com/likes.html
As for other details I don't
mention... My family has for at least the past 4 or 5
generations been in the business of building Golf
Courses. Starting with my great-great-grandfather Asa
after the American Civil War, through my
great-grandfather Gene, my Grandfather (Charles Sr.,
Father (Chuck Jr.), my Uncle Bill and I myself did it for
about 10 years myself with both my father and
grandfather. So I've lived all across the U.S. spent a
lot of time on job sites, and the highways between them
etc. When we had a slow time of work in the late 1980's I
got the first of a succession of jobs in my field of
study (Computer Science) and got away from that. I do not
know at this point if the next generation will continue
with the family craft or not. My uncle is still actively
involved in projects, so while I do not have kids, my
uncle Bill's three grandsons might take it up, I don't
know...
While always interested in
watches and chronographs, I was pretty much a clean sheet
of paper prior to November 1998... All I know I've
learned in the time since.
This has really helped me
deal with things oddly. I wore the watch today
and took great care as I the strap pretty
dodgy.
Straps are cheap. I'd
start looking for a replacement. You can probably find
one at the nearest Jewelry Store or Department
store.
Cheers,
Tim
Cheers!
Chuck
P.S. Don't look too deep on
my watch page or you'll likely get addicted to watches!
-- C
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