Omega - Speedy Question

Speedy Question

Thanks for the welcome, all - I have met a few Omega collectors over the years, and we certainly seem to be a different bunch! The watches are so beautifully made, but often don't carry the cache of other collectable watches, so it seems all the Omega collectors I know do so for much purer reasons - a love of the watch, an interest in the history, and enough self confidence not to have to show off to everyone with a double red rolex!
The dial on my Flightmaster was hideously dirty when I first saw it, but after the service it came back looking as it does now. I love a patinated dial, and prefer it over a crisp clean dial any day of the week.

A question for those of you much more knowledgable than myself - My Speedmaster is a work in progress; rescued from wearing the costume of a Mark II and returned to what I think is a period correct case and bracelet, I'm wondering what else could be off with this one? From what I can tell the dial is circa '68, with the applied logo, and the movement is an 861. The case is know a moon case, which I think is from '69 - a little off but not too bad I guess. Would it be worth getting a correct caseback for this, or is the case itself too different to warrant the change?
I'm wondering if anything else is jarringly off to show this for the Franken it is? The bezel or handset, perhaps?
And the most obvious feature - the Mark II painted on the dial. Does anyone have any experience removing paint from a Speedy dial? Any idea how I should best go about it?

Thanks again for the warm welcome - I'm looking forward to posting pics of my newly refreshed Mark III and 120 when they arrive in a few weeks.

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Hello from a HK Omega fan

By: ethandesu : October 26th, 2011-01:48

Dear All, I have been lurking for some time, and enjoying the maniacal appreciation of Omegas, both old and new. I have been a bit of a fan of Omega for a while, and have been lucky enough to live not far from a brilliant watchmaker who has been able to r...

Welcome and may I say ...

By: flightmaster71 : October 26th, 2011-07:07

you've got great taste in watches. Very similar to my own, with a strong preferance for late 60's early 70's chronos and divers. My first vintage Omega was a ref. 176.016 Speedmaster day date which I wore on a mesh bracelet. I always coveted the speedy Ma...

Similar, but much more cache

By: ethandesu : October 26th, 2011-07:15

Thanks for the welcome, Zac - The 200 is an amazing watch, I'd gladly lose my 120 for one of those. I've even considered the Helson homage for a "gym" watch - one that I can really beat up and wear swimming without fear. I'm sure there will be more watche...

Always a pleasure to meet another Omega fan . . .

By: Dr No : October 26th, 2011-10:53

. . . and a tip of the proverbial cap for resuscitating a down-and-out Flightmaster, which constitutes a good deed in my book! Cordially, Art

welcome to you from UK

By: G99 : October 27th, 2011-05:58

your in the right place as most of us on this Omega forum collect vintage goodies and enjoy the hunt, servicing, refurbishment etc, but most of all we enjoy patina. best G

Hi there - I love the Flighty but .....

By: aroma : October 27th, 2011-08:41

then I would wouldn't I as I have an early one myself. I see yours has a 'tropical' looking dial - is that a result of humidity? A pie pan Connie would be a great addition - but then, there are soooooo many others to choose from. Above all, enjoy wearing ...

Speedy Question

By: ethandesu : October 27th, 2011-17:29

once the dial is cleaned of the 'mark II' most of it looks fine

By: G99 : October 28th, 2011-01:38

i'm pretty good with Speedy's, but not a total expert like some other members. the dial, hands, bezel and case look correct for an early 861 calibre. have you got a pic of the caseback as that is the thing most likely to have been changed. it should be ju...

Dynamic

By: ethandesu : November 14th, 2011-00:01

Finally, my Dynamic has returned to me - a Bienne restoration, I was fortunate that they left the original Tritium dial in. It's a wonderful watch that wears very comfortably with just enough presence on the wrist. A very under appreciated vintage Omega i...

Seamaster 120

By: ethandesu : November 21st, 2011-20:50

One last image - my 120 is back from service, and unfortunately looking a little soulless now that the dial and hands are gleaming and new. I thought it worth grabbing a pic while I had a friends Alaska project handy. Hope you like the pic. desu...