The Vintage Speedmaster Project

[a.i.gladden]

Greetings all. After reading through the awesome and inspiring post from Nivka below, I have decided to embark on a vintage-look build myself.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/omega-replicas/256696-omega-speedmaster-2013-special-edition

As we all know, the Speedy rep scene isn't the greatest. So I wanted to pick a decent rep to start from and then make it my own for that more "vintage" speedmaster look. I know this won't be perfect and I wouldn't consider this a Franken (close to gen) build like you might see in the Rolex forum, but I still think it will be a nice easy way to get a "vintage looking" speedy that will suit my purposes just fine. To start I have ordered the following:

Rep Omega Speedmaster (went with this model as I felt it was the most vintage looking of the available options, manual handwound, heard good things about the Asia Venus 75 movement for chrono reps, etc):
https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35_81&products_id=15298

GEN Omega Hesalite Crystal (obvious from Nivka's post this completely changes the look of the watch):
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=114083078194&view=all&tid=2069658503001

Uncle Seiko US1171 Presidential Bracelet (really wanted that vintage look of the 1171 bracelet but unwilling to drop $500-750 on a GEN version, this one looks amazing for the price):
https://www.uncleseiko.com/store/p237/US1171_Omega_Speedmaster_President_Bracelet.html

GEN Omega 1171 Deployment Clasp (to swap out for the Uncle Seiko clasp):
https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1870842522

Items all start to trickle in soon, and I will be updating the thread as I receive parts and the build starts to take shape

Stay tuned!

 

[CaptainSplash]

Can't wait! I've been toying with a speedy build too, and your post comes as if sent!

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

 

[a.i.gladden]

Think that I might add a display casebook to the project as well, to make the movement visible. Anyone have thoughts on this? Anyone have experience with this option:

http://www.customwatchconcepts.com/index.php?cPath=2

 

[a.i.gladden]

Parts have started to arrive! Still waiting on the watch from TT....

Uncle Seiko Bracelet, GEN Omega Clasp, and GEN Crystal:

The bracelet from Uncle Seiko is legit. Looks the part and way better than spending the $500-600 on a GEN. I can already tell the bracelet ends will need a bit of modification. The GEN clasp is just a tiny bit more narrow so I'll need to trim a MM or so off the bracelet end links on the clasp side

Nice, bubbly dome goodnesses

Going to work on trimming the bracelet end links and fitting the GEN clasp next while I wait for the watch to make its way over. Stay tuned!

 

[a.i.gladden]

Alright well the bracelet work is complete. Ended up having to do some trimming on the clasp side as I mentioned. Took one from about 16MM down to 14MM. On the other side, instead of trimming the end link down to the 7MM width of the GEN Omega clasp, I elected to do the reverse and trim the GEN clasp opening to the Uncle Seiko 10MM width. This is because I could tell it would be difficult to take about 7MM from half of the endlink and end up with a good looking result. Used a Dremel 200 with a sanding disc on high setting to do the work. Polished the work areas with Mother's polish afterwards as the parts discolored a bit when heated from the trimming process.

Very pleased with the result. In my opinion I now have something super close to the GEN 1171 bracelet but for about $180 instead of $500-700.

Once I get the watch from TT (shipping in progress) I'll tackle the crystal swap! More to come.

 

[correllian G]

Nice work will be following this with a keen interest as I've always wanted to do a vintage speedy project and you may have just inspired me enough!!

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[a.i.gladden]

correllian G Glad you’re following along. Thank you

 

[a.i.gladden]

Ok. Band is on, just need to swap the crystal out and I'll post some pics of the final product!

 

[CK13]

Came across this thread, very very interested in this build. I've conducted continuous research for a decent looking Speedmaster build! Looking forward to the final product!

 

[JonathanLing91]

This is an extremely cool build. Unfortunately, the speedy just doesn’t get enough love in the community. I can’t wait till you post the end result!
Best of luck.

J.B.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[perfecto71]

I couldn’t see what the base watch was as the Trusty link changed. What did you start with?

have you seen the new Uncle Seiko flat links?

 

[oldtools]

I like this bracelet as an option for a vintage speedie

https://forstnerbands.com/products/...-for-omega-speedmaster?variant=32297164865591

Of course there is also the original "Komfit" mesh band

https://forstnerbands.com/products/forstner-komfit-jb-mesh-watch-band-with-horned-ends

 

[Thrasher]

I used the Uncle Seiko flat link bracelet on my watchCo Seamaster 300 and then added a genuine clasp. No need for a dremel clasp cover only

I could easily put this on my 3592.50

 

[a.i.gladden]

Sorry for the delay here guys....here are photos of the finished project:






2014 sti 0 60

 

[a.i.gladden]

I couldn’t see what the base watch was as the Trusty link changed. What did you start with?

have you seen the new Uncle Seiko flat links?

The links change constantly but I believe it was :

OMG0595A - SpeedMaster MoonWatch SS/SS Blk OMF V2 Venus 75

 

[a.i.gladden]

I used the Uncle Seiko flat link bracelet on my watchCo Seamaster 300 and then added a genuine clasp. No need for a dremel clasp cover only

Perhaps on the flat link version that's the case. The version I have did require trimming to fit a GEN clasp.

 

[museguy]

The links change constantly but I believe it was :

OMG0595A - SpeedMaster MoonWatch SS/SS Blk OMF V2 Venus 75

a.i.gladden

Thank you for sharing your beautiful watch !

Your watch has the correct four ticks per second and the OMG0595A - SpeedMaster MoonWatch SS/SS Blk OMF V2 Venus 75 has two per second. Did you change out the dial ?

Thank you !

Cheers

 

[Thrasher]

If anyone ever had a SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL solid case back for sale I would buy it, Please PM if interested.

 

[Moadib]

This seems a very cool project, always interested when people tackle those!
Can I ask, does the gen hesalite crystal fit any Speedmaster, such as OMF? I was wondering if the 'Snoppy' model would look better with a gen hesalite on it.

 

[a.i.gladden]

a.i.gladden

Thank you for sharing your beautiful watch !

Your watch has the correct four ticks per second and the OMG0595A - SpeedMaster MoonWatch SS/SS Blk OMF V2 Venus 75 has two per second. Did you change out the dial ?

Thank you !

Cheers

No. That is how the dial came on the rep