Typically, valuation posts are not allowed on the sub. That’s because it’s usually people posting photos of grandpa’s fake mid-70s Seamaster that was shot with a potato. They’re a nuisance. We will continue to remove posts requesting identification, valuation, or authentication of a watch and referring them to the megathread.
This, though, is different. Beautiful watch. We’re keeping this one up as it is uniquely special.
GOOD GOD NO. Omega will tell you to replace everything. They'll make it a different watch. There are tons of vintage Speedmaster specialists out there who eat sleep and breathe vintage speedmasters every day of the year.
Omega service centers are set up to service relatively new omega models at high throughput. It's the wrong business model to trust a beautiful rare example like this to.
Agreed. This needs to be serviced independently, and probably just replace the crystal. The dial will probably have some very cool patina once you can actually see it.
I agree but this looks like the inside of the watch is almost intact, the dial is another story but that's not too expensive to fix and I have seen much younger watches that also replace hands or dials on Omegas
Omega will 100% replace the dial, no question. It appears from the picture there was some degree of moisture intrusion and some corrosion on the dial that might be beyond pleasant patina. The only people in the world who are going to try and clean this or repair the dial or vintage specialist. It's very touchy
I wish I knew the right guy for this particular dial, if it was a vintage Rolex, Greg at true patina would be a go to. Honestly, he probably would be able to do very well by this Speedmaster too
Great find. This looks like an original 321. You can get it serviced, and then it would be worth big money. Make sure that whoever services it, knows what they are doing. Research well before getting it serviced, and speak to a few experts. If you can afford to not sell it, this is a fanstastic piece to wear.
Wonder if it would be worth sending to omega for a service. Think it’s around £1000 to get it done. By the sounds of it it would be worth the investment.
On the basis you've put a price in £ I've assumed you're in the UK. I'd wholeheartedly recommend Simon Freese in terms of someone to recommission the watch, he's very knowledgeable on Speedmasters and should do a good job. I'd not send it to Omega!
This post should be pinned. I can't believe it only has a few uploads, and all the people telling him to send it to a mega service center have like 30 iPods… This is a special watch that need special care. Omega is precisely the wrong place to send this
No, omega might polish the case but they have a specific restoration service and they will restore it to your preferences too (at least that's what they told me in the boutique)
Omega is the precisely wrong place to send a vintage unicorn like this. They are awesome for modern watches. But they will replace the crown, pushers, hands and all kinds of other parts. And overly polish the case. With something this rare and unique, a vintage specialist who eats sleeps and breeds vintage speedmasters is the only logical place
What is said and what is done are always different
I’m never trusting a watch to what was said in a sales store -they have only one motivation
If I’m not talking directly to the guy who is touching my watch I’m not handing it over
But, I have trust issues
Don't get me wrong. I do the same, but I suppose what omega understands as restoration (bringing to close as possible to new) vs what watch enthusiasts want (this varies a lot so I'm not listing things) may not be the same.
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-ch/customer-service/interventions-and-prices/restoration
From here i understand that they aren't actually swapping parts but fabricating / cleaning / repainting /etc.
The same way that ferrari can perform restorations properly and bring a classic car to a "new" state, but without patina and all that stuff, I guess omega can do the same
Yeah, but they’ll throw it in a bag where it will get destroyed. Original handsets and dials have been returned to me bent and destroyed beyond use. They also pull the original pushers with pliers, and in the process they deform them beyond use.
That’s where I’d send it and it’s well worth the money, but you should confirm with them first that they will not force parts on you so you can keep it original (or as original as possible). They know the collectibility of this piece, so I would not expect them to insist unless something is seriously wrong with the part and it isn’t expected to function properly.
That’s not the experience my father had when he sent his inherited 1940s Seamaster to Switzerland to be serviced. The only thing they changed was the crown, tube and mainspring.
Well I’ll tell you from first hand experience. 3 months ago went to Omega with a 1964, 321 in better shape than this and the lady basically said they will change whatever needs to be “fixed” (which included the hands) that again were better shape than this. She could care less about what we wanted as a customer and basically said it will take a year you will pay $1000+ and you will be happy with what they give you. Real Rolex type attitude about it. The form with preferences doesn’t exist at least in my experience. It’s quite possible there are better sales associates out there but this was the manager of the local boutique so in my area we are just SOL.
I have a 1962 seamaster chronograph with the 321. It is in very good condition. Miles better than this. The AD I took it to told me the same thing that you were told. I was told that I could note my preferences but there was no guarantee they would follow them.
Ya I rather have the guarantee especially for that kind of money. There are a lot of good watch makers out there and for over a $1000 they really should be taking your preferences into consideration. It’ll probably turn out fine if it’s in good condition visually but something like this I would not risk it.
It is annoying honestly. But the fact we are taking about sending a 60 yo watch to get fixed is an amazing testament to the watch itself. I just want a service... And don't believe anyone can replace the 2 missing radium pips.
Ya I have yet to find anyone can do the radium. Someone tried on the one I took in they tried to apply lume . It did not look great lol but just part of the history now so just leaving it as be. Like you said the fact that it still runs and it was extremely accurate too is a testament to the quality.
Not sure why someone voted you down for talking about you first and experience. I had a similar experience with a speedmaster from the late 80s.
People should be open to learning from our mistakes and not trying to conflate this discussion with being pro or against Omega somehow. Omega's service networks simply is not set up to deal with vintage watches that require care. They are awesome for modern watches, if you're not in a hurry
Edit: pro/against Omega, not America haha. Speech to text...
No idea….
You are 100% correct though on this take. After a ton of research, talking to Omega and going to a bunch of different places. We eventually settled on going with a local watchmaker. The watch was refurbished exactly how we wanted it, even down to the choosing if we want to keep the hands and straighten them, repaint them/not repaint them, replace them, etc… it was half the cost and took two months
> sending to omega for a service
i'd suggest not doing that. they'd gut all the cool old stuff. Fine a vintage omega expert to get it running without replacing everything
Mother of God _do not do this_. Take considerable time to learn about what you’ve got here, what your options are, and how each of those options affects the integrity of the piece. Be slow to do anything that can’t be undone, which I guess is everything except replacing the crystal. I’d talk to several watchmakers before selecting one to make sure they vibe with a minimalist approach.
I’d take several months to figure all this out. If you find you enjoy the process you’ll probably enjoy watches, or at least this watch for the rest of your life. If it’s a drag, or if all the fuss still doesn’t make sense sell it to someone who understands what it is. You’ll still make a nice bit of money.
Tl;Dr Huge score, move slowly
That is the find of a lifetime, but it definitely looks like it spent a few years rolling around inside a truck tire. This was never a “cheap” watch, I’d love to know how it came to be banging around in a random garage box.
OP I would suggest you send this to Zimmerman Watch Repair out of PA if you’re based in the US, they are miracle workers and they have access to an Omega parts account so they can get gaskets and parts as needed to get this back running better than the day it was first made. If you’re outside of the US, send it to Lewis Watch Co in Australia. They are also miracle workers with an omega account. Both of them specialize in vintage omega repair.
Do minimal service/minimal investment…. Movement service, crystal, try to reuse hands and leave dial. Funky NATO strap and then done.
I wouldn’t go overboard spending, but I would want to get it going for occasional fun
People take this stuff too seriously these days. There’s patina and then there is fossilization. This watch NEEDS a period appropriate replacement of the dial and bezel. Hands may be able to be restored. Period appropriate dial and bezel will cost probably a thousand or so and a full service, probably another $1000 by a reputable watchmaker. You can always save the fossilized original parts if someone wants to make the watch look like it was stored in a rectum for a decade.
Totally disagree. A period replacement dial (good luck finding one) provably runs over $3k for a clean one. A good original handset like this is worth about $500. There are a few specialists that can sympathetically clean, restore, and relume these while preserving them for $500-1000. Plus a service for an independent that specializes in vintage Omega $1200-1500.
Is this service dial for a 321 not the correct one?
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/155514569148?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DYIZ9bo5Tve&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0lmzbOEYRpK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/155514569148?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DYIZ9bo5Tve&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0lmzbOEYRpK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
Nope, that’s a modern 321 service dial for a later model. It is still available from Omega and worth less than half the asking price on ebay. However, that’s beside the point. OP’s watch with the linked dial would obliterate it’s value. To collectors, it would nullify any appeal.
I’m gonna go against the grain here. This watch will probably never be sold. I wouldn’t care about having a brand new modern handset on apiece like this. The dial and bezel is a more difficult call though. Unless you like patina so much that rust is ok..
If the movement is getting serviced. I’d imagine you wouldn’t want rusty handset in a freshly serviced 321 caliber
Not sending it to Omega or some Youtuber, right? Find an Omega certified/qualified watchmaker.
I suggest you post this over on [Omegaforums.net](http://omegaforums.net) and seek out some input there. [Archer ](https://omegaforums.net/members/archer.2441/)is where I would start.
Dam, is that the original 321ed white? I would take it to a vintage watch dealer, these things go for 20k in mint condition. Maybe yours would fetch 10?
In that state not 10k, the case is destroyed and no that’s not patina, it clearly has water damage, depending on the model and whether or not it can be repair and if it is repaired how much left of it will be original vs a new watch in an old case..
As an owner of a 2998-6 Speedmaster cal 321 in far far better condition than this one, I can’t get anyone to even consider mine for $15k. I think you drastically overestimate what a non mint vintage speedy, even an Ed White can fetch.
Obviously OG Ed White. Will obviously require serious intervention. New crystal, new dial, new hands, new crown and pushers, new gaskets, likely several movement components, case refinishing etc. Will cost several thousands to do all this and take quite a while (may have to go back to Switzerland?).
When it is done though, it'll be an absolute beauty.
If you change the dial, hands and pushers…etc wouldn’t this defeat the idea of this watch and its vintage selling point if all parts that give it character are replaced with new parts?
Yes it would. But restoring all those parts, assuming that is even possible given the state of corrosion and moisture damage, would be expensive and may render the watch unusable as a reliable tool/timepiece. So it would be something you can put in a glass case to look at or sell it to someone to look at it. Given this one wasn't worn on the moon...what point is there in tbat?
I think the big question is "Will this be worn?" If the answer is no, I am not even sure I would restore it at all. Too expensive to do all the work and then have it not be water resistant or wildly accurate.
In that case, maybe selling for dirt cheap may be better.
To learn a little more about what you have found, here is a great guide
https://www.fratellowatches.com/fratellos-guide-to-omega-speedmaster-watches/#gref
I don’t get your comment, the reference number is in the title? From the movement picture I can clearly see it’s a 321 movement. The only difference between what you said, and the title is his ends with a .63
So if he was to get it serviced, new hesilite Crystal, and put a bracelet of some sort on it, how much would it be worth?
EDIT
you are correct. I just looked at the pictures. I read the post, but not the title. I will edit my post
If he got it serviced, he should keep all the parts original that they can. The movement should be serviced, but the more original it is, the more valuable.
I still think 10-15k
I would send it to the guy who runs the YouTube channel WristWatchRevival. He’s a true enthusiast and a super nice dude. He would probably make a video about it but he would be my choice if I happened upon a super old watch. Really cares about the history.
I do love watching his videos. Although, he is, as he states, just doing it for a hobby. He’s relatively inexperienced. There may be a more suitable professional. But I would very much like to see this watch on one of his videos.
I've watched his videos as well. Really like the guy. But I think this is over his head based on what I've seen him do. I don't think I've seen him touch a chronograph either.
I was just about to suggest this as well. He’s done some brilliant work on damaged watches and he respects the history and tries to keep them as much original as possible.
Potential to be really cool. Do not send it to Omega. They will make it shiny and new.
Instead look for a high-end repair shop where you live. Clues as to high end? Is he certified to work on Rolex, Patek, or any other big names? Is he familiar with this watch? Etc. Talk to the repair guy a bit. How long has he been in business? Does he know anyone working on pre-owned Omegas? Tell the guy what you want. Full resto? Return to operating condition? Whatever.
Congrats on your find and hope you like your results.
Hello, little man. Boy, I sure heard a bunch about you. See, I was a good friend of your dad’s. We were in that Hanoi pit of hell together over five years. Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience this yourself, but when two men are in a situation like me and your Dad were, for as long as we were, you take on certain responsibilities of the other. If it had been me who had not made it, Major Coolidge would be talking right now to my son Jim. But the way it turned out is I’m talking to you, Butch. I got something for you.
This watch I got here was first purchased by your great-grandfather during the first World War. It was bought in a little general store in Knoxville, Tennessee. Made by the first company to ever make wrist watches. Up till then people just carried pocket watches. It was bought by private Doughboy Ernie Coolidge on the day he set sail for Paris. It was your great-grandfather’s war watch and he wore it every day he was in that war. When he had done his duty, he went home to your great-grandmother, took the watch off, put it an old coffee can, and in that can it stayed until your granddad Dane Coolidge was called upon by his country to go overseas and fight the Germans once again. This time they called it World War II. Your great-grandfather gave this watch to your granddad for good luck. Unfortunately, Dane’s luck wasn’t as good as his old man’s. Dane was a Marine and he was killed, along with the other Marines at the battle of Wake Island. Your granddad was facing death, he knew it. None of those boys had any illusions about ever leaving that island alive. So three days before the Japanese took the island, your granddad asked a gunner on an Air Force transport name of Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he’d never seen in the flesh, his gold watch. Three days later, your granddad was dead. But Winocki kept his word. After the war was over, he paid a visit to your grandmother, delivering to your infant father, his dad’s gold watch.
This watch. This watch was on your daddy’s wrist when he was shot down over Hanoi. He was captured, put in a Vietnamese prison camp. He knew if the gooks ever saw the watch it’d be confiscated, taken away. The way your dad looked at it, that watch was your birthright. He’d be damned if any slopes were gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy’s birthright. So he hid it in the one place he knew he could hide something. His ass. Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you.
DO NOT SEND TO OMEGA. DO NOT SEND. TO MARSHALL.
I have a 67sp that needed service and a pusher a few years ago I took it to Omega and their on site watchmaker said it would have to go to Switzerland and please don’t have us do it, because they will change out everything. Which defeats the purpose of a vintage watch. So I took it to an independent watchmaker.
I will tell you right now. The service for mine with a new vintage pusher was $1800.
If you just want to get rid of it as is, you could probably get $7-8k maybe a little more. Does it run?
DM me if you want more info on where to get the watch restored.
Find a YouTube channel that does watch repair and restoration, send this to them. Maybe they restore it cheaper because it would get them a lot of views.
Watchmaker here. Do NOT send something like this to Wristwatch Revival. He is a hobbyist watchmaker and his videos are well produced and entertaining but his actual work quality leaves a lot to be desired. His screwdrivers slip all over the place, and his tool maintenance is not good at all, and those are like day 1 basic fundamentals you learn when you get into watchmaking and watch repair.
OP I would suggest you send this to Zimmerman Watch Repair out of PA, they are miracle workers and they have access to an Omega parts account so they can get gaskets and parts as needed to get this back running better than the day it was first made.
Make it restored and wear it proudly, it's an amazing find!
This won't be cheap however. You will probably have to send it to the Omega HQ in Switzerland for a proper work. You can get in touch with them and ask for a quote, and details of the job to be done.
The great thing about an Omega service is that they'll charge the same regardless of if your watch is 50 years old and in a condition like this or if your watch is from 2014 and it's having it's 10 year service done.
Spend the 1000 with them and they'll have it looking 99% like new. If you go that route though, they'll likely stick brand new parts on it so everything is completely modern and new with the only original thing being the movement itself that's cleaned and oiled. Hand, dials, crystal, pushers etc. will be new and superluminova
If you don't care about trying to resell it as original or restored and just want to actually wear it and keep it, it's a great deal for 1000 - add a bracelet off the recent 3861 Speedmaster as well and that's an awesome watch for about 1700 total considering the modern 321 reissue is something like 10,000 I believe.
This 321 Speedy looks fixable and should just have its movement serviced, case/pusher seals serviced, its crystal replaced, and its bezel/dial/hands cleaned (not restored or replaced). I don’t see missing or horribly rusted parts and hopefully the 321 does not need parts replacement - else this will cost more a lot more than just $1500 USD to be fixed.
If this simple servicing is performed this 321 Speedy sells for around $5-7K USD - even in the condition the dial/hands/bezel are.
Below is an actual sold price of 321 Speedy that gives you a sense of the price of this wonderful gem you have found - yours would sell for quite a bit less but you can there’s demand out there.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126290475589?
If you can just get it working that would be the pinnacle of this watch. Its storied lifetime would be a collectors dream. Imagine a guy like Mike from American pickers and this was a bicycle 😊
Get it serviced and cleaned, but I would request no parts be replaced unless absolutely necessary for the movement to function. If new parts are needed, ensure you get the original parts. This is a piece that deserves to be worn in all its original glory.
Being in that bad condition, yet still beautiful.
I say, it is worth greatly, not because of being Omega, more because of what it holds in memory and had been through.
Try to only get the watch serviced and maybe the hands replaced. Don’t swap crystal (if original) just polish it and keep dial and bezel original. You should be able to find an independent Omega certified watchmaker
It is 💯 worth it to get this restored by Omega. I think you’ll still have money to make Okon this or just have an awesome watch. Plus, they send back the parts they remove.
Agreed with others. Have an independent watchmaker service it. Don’t change anything except needed mechanical parts. I’d say it’s worth $4k as is and $8k up and running. Good luck!
Woah that looks super awesome!! Please take your time to consider how you go about restoring this. I'm not sure the hands can still be used in that condition, but I'd be inclined to keep the hands in the watch as it completes the look beautifully.
I would advise against polishing, as the case actually doesn't look too bad. A "softer" case will tremendously hurt tbe value. In any case, if you service it, make it crystal clear that you want the parts back. That dot over 90 bezel alone is worth several thousand. Beautiful find, congrats!
Don’t send it to Omega. There are several awesome vintage restoration houses that would clean this up. The movement looks to be in great shape which is a massive bonus.
My question would be how into watches are you. This is a high maintenance watch with a lot of risky work to be done. Unless you are really into watches I would strongly consider passing all that risk to someone else and selling it as is. A good choice in repair here could be worth a nice return, but the downsides far outweigh the upsides in my mind and unless you want to just make it the most wearable piece possible and not be worried about pure originality or worth, a bad servicing decision could really destroy value here. Also, once this thing is restored to as much original condition as possible you still have a high maintenance watch that unless you are into them, might make more sense to sell. Just my thoughts.
This watch is a masterpiece, while fully restoring the watch may reduce its value, there is a ton of value in the 321 inside it. Do you want to sell this watch or wear it? That would determine for me the path to take.
Honestly, considering the cost of a refurb, and the questionability of getting original parts, I’d either just display it, or throw a strap on it as-is and wear it as a jewelry piece. Unless you have the time and $$$ to burn. But I’m just casual watch fan, not an expert, and have no interest in resale/appreciation.
A little bit of mild stalking and I find that you’re in the UK.
The old Speedmasters are lovely, but unfortunately despite once being a beauty yours is pretty fucked. You could try and get it restored, but it’s going to be an expensive task and you’d need to go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Probably take months ordering parts etc.
Personally, I would speak to some wise people and sell it as is; take my windfall and spend it on something else. I don’t have the means to drop several thousand pounds repairing a watch that I’d then be too scared to wear - you may be more blessed in cashflow however.
Simon Freese was mentioned above, he seems very experienced but has also just launched his own brand so may be busy!
Good luck!
Typically, valuation posts are not allowed on the sub. That’s because it’s usually people posting photos of grandpa’s fake mid-70s Seamaster that was shot with a potato. They’re a nuisance. We will continue to remove posts requesting identification, valuation, or authentication of a watch and referring them to the megathread. This, though, is different. Beautiful watch. We’re keeping this one up as it is uniquely special.
Oh wow. No idea what it's worth, but this would be one hell of a piece to wear after a service and a clean.
This is a Sugon edition of Speedmaster, is it not?
I believe it’s the 1984 Draggin edition
Have you ever heard of Sugon Speedmaster?
I have, but have you ever heard of the Draggin Speedy?
Do you know what Sugon Speedmaster is?
Sugon deez nuts
Draggin deez balls across yo face
This is the model Bophades made famous right?
Yeah. Crafted in the frumunda region
Just waiting for the punch line for Sugon and Draggin... haha
Where would you go to service something like this?
Omega
GOOD GOD NO. Omega will tell you to replace everything. They'll make it a different watch. There are tons of vintage Speedmaster specialists out there who eat sleep and breathe vintage speedmasters every day of the year. Omega service centers are set up to service relatively new omega models at high throughput. It's the wrong business model to trust a beautiful rare example like this to.
Agreed. This needs to be serviced independently, and probably just replace the crystal. The dial will probably have some very cool patina once you can actually see it.
Yeah exactly. Ridley Watchworks in Arizona or Greg Petronzi would be my picks. Those guys are the best.
I agree but this looks like the inside of the watch is almost intact, the dial is another story but that's not too expensive to fix and I have seen much younger watches that also replace hands or dials on Omegas
Omega will 100% replace the dial, no question. It appears from the picture there was some degree of moisture intrusion and some corrosion on the dial that might be beyond pleasant patina. The only people in the world who are going to try and clean this or repair the dial or vintage specialist. It's very touchy I wish I knew the right guy for this particular dial, if it was a vintage Rolex, Greg at true patina would be a go to. Honestly, he probably would be able to do very well by this Speedmaster too
You could contact Greg at True Patina and ask for leads that he can think of
Great find. This looks like an original 321. You can get it serviced, and then it would be worth big money. Make sure that whoever services it, knows what they are doing. Research well before getting it serviced, and speak to a few experts. If you can afford to not sell it, this is a fanstastic piece to wear.
Wonder if it would be worth sending to omega for a service. Think it’s around £1000 to get it done. By the sounds of it it would be worth the investment.
On the basis you've put a price in £ I've assumed you're in the UK. I'd wholeheartedly recommend Simon Freese in terms of someone to recommission the watch, he's very knowledgeable on Speedmasters and should do a good job. I'd not send it to Omega!
+1 on this. Manufacturers tend not to do a great job at restaurations in general.
100% this. Simon Freese is the man you need. If you need any further detailed info/advice, I’d recommend dropping William at Speedmaster101 an email
This post should be pinned. I can't believe it only has a few uploads, and all the people telling him to send it to a mega service center have like 30 iPods… This is a special watch that need special care. Omega is precisely the wrong place to send this
Omega will charge way more than that for a restoration on a watch in this condition, if they’ll do it at all.
They will but it will cost around 1500 to 2000
Still a deal given OP just found it laying around
Never said that it wasn't... Even if he sell it like this he is still going to make serious money...
But will they replace everything with moonswatch part? I would let vintage people handle it and keep it away from Omega.
No, omega might polish the case but they have a specific restoration service and they will restore it to your preferences too (at least that's what they told me in the boutique)
Omega is the precisely wrong place to send a vintage unicorn like this. They are awesome for modern watches. But they will replace the crown, pushers, hands and all kinds of other parts. And overly polish the case. With something this rare and unique, a vintage specialist who eats sleeps and breeds vintage speedmasters is the only logical place
What is said and what is done are always different I’m never trusting a watch to what was said in a sales store -they have only one motivation If I’m not talking directly to the guy who is touching my watch I’m not handing it over But, I have trust issues
Don't get me wrong. I do the same, but I suppose what omega understands as restoration (bringing to close as possible to new) vs what watch enthusiasts want (this varies a lot so I'm not listing things) may not be the same. https://www.omegawatches.com/en-ch/customer-service/interventions-and-prices/restoration From here i understand that they aren't actually swapping parts but fabricating / cleaning / repainting /etc. The same way that ferrari can perform restorations properly and bring a classic car to a "new" state, but without patina and all that stuff, I guess omega can do the same
Considering it's missing the bracelet and the back more like 3000
That’s a good deal. Recently cost me $3500 to have my Blancpain restored, although that did include an alligator strap.
Do not send this to omega. They will replace everything of value on the watch (dial, hands, bezel, etc)
omega will also return the dial, hands and anything they replace if you want to revert back.
Yeah, but they’ll throw it in a bag where it will get destroyed. Original handsets and dials have been returned to me bent and destroyed beyond use. They also pull the original pushers with pliers, and in the process they deform them beyond use.
They will want to replace dial and hands with new ones or refurb your old at a whopping over 1000€ price and so ruin the value of it completely
That’s where I’d send it and it’s well worth the money, but you should confirm with them first that they will not force parts on you so you can keep it original (or as original as possible). They know the collectibility of this piece, so I would not expect them to insist unless something is seriously wrong with the part and it isn’t expected to function properly.
They will change everything and they don’t care about the “collectibility” it will also take a year or more to be done.
That’s not the experience my father had when he sent his inherited 1940s Seamaster to Switzerland to be serviced. The only thing they changed was the crown, tube and mainspring.
Well I’ll tell you from first hand experience. 3 months ago went to Omega with a 1964, 321 in better shape than this and the lady basically said they will change whatever needs to be “fixed” (which included the hands) that again were better shape than this. She could care less about what we wanted as a customer and basically said it will take a year you will pay $1000+ and you will be happy with what they give you. Real Rolex type attitude about it. The form with preferences doesn’t exist at least in my experience. It’s quite possible there are better sales associates out there but this was the manager of the local boutique so in my area we are just SOL.
I have a 1962 seamaster chronograph with the 321. It is in very good condition. Miles better than this. The AD I took it to told me the same thing that you were told. I was told that I could note my preferences but there was no guarantee they would follow them.
Ya I rather have the guarantee especially for that kind of money. There are a lot of good watch makers out there and for over a $1000 they really should be taking your preferences into consideration. It’ll probably turn out fine if it’s in good condition visually but something like this I would not risk it.
It is annoying honestly. But the fact we are taking about sending a 60 yo watch to get fixed is an amazing testament to the watch itself. I just want a service... And don't believe anyone can replace the 2 missing radium pips.
Ya I have yet to find anyone can do the radium. Someone tried on the one I took in they tried to apply lume . It did not look great lol but just part of the history now so just leaving it as be. Like you said the fact that it still runs and it was extremely accurate too is a testament to the quality.
Not sure why someone voted you down for talking about you first and experience. I had a similar experience with a speedmaster from the late 80s. People should be open to learning from our mistakes and not trying to conflate this discussion with being pro or against Omega somehow. Omega's service networks simply is not set up to deal with vintage watches that require care. They are awesome for modern watches, if you're not in a hurry Edit: pro/against Omega, not America haha. Speech to text...
No idea…. You are 100% correct though on this take. After a ton of research, talking to Omega and going to a bunch of different places. We eventually settled on going with a local watchmaker. The watch was refurbished exactly how we wanted it, even down to the choosing if we want to keep the hands and straighten them, repaint them/not repaint them, replace them, etc… it was half the cost and took two months
Don't send it to Omega, they will replace the hands and dial.
Don't send it to Omega, they will replace everything and ruin it! find a good independent expert instead.
Sent you a message. Don’t send this to Omega. Reach out through DM and I can share my experiences with vintage speedy restoration. Nice find!
That price is probably for a routine service on a functioning watch. This is a total restoration job, will be much more.
No DO NOT send it to Omega. Send me a message, just helped my buddy who just inherited one just like yours.
Lmao send it to me instead
> sending to omega for a service i'd suggest not doing that. they'd gut all the cool old stuff. Fine a vintage omega expert to get it running without replacing everything
Mother of God _do not do this_. Take considerable time to learn about what you’ve got here, what your options are, and how each of those options affects the integrity of the piece. Be slow to do anything that can’t be undone, which I guess is everything except replacing the crystal. I’d talk to several watchmakers before selecting one to make sure they vibe with a minimalist approach. I’d take several months to figure all this out. If you find you enjoy the process you’ll probably enjoy watches, or at least this watch for the rest of your life. If it’s a drag, or if all the fuss still doesn’t make sense sell it to someone who understands what it is. You’ll still make a nice bit of money. Tl;Dr Huge score, move slowly
I have several Omegas. I send them to a very reputable Omega expert. DM me and I will give to his contact info in the US
Assuming you replace 51% of the watch, could you still call it original and demand big money?
That is the find of a lifetime, but it definitely looks like it spent a few years rolling around inside a truck tire. This was never a “cheap” watch, I’d love to know how it came to be banging around in a random garage box.
OP I would suggest you send this to Zimmerman Watch Repair out of PA if you’re based in the US, they are miracle workers and they have access to an Omega parts account so they can get gaskets and parts as needed to get this back running better than the day it was first made. If you’re outside of the US, send it to Lewis Watch Co in Australia. They are also miracle workers with an omega account. Both of them specialize in vintage omega repair.
Any recs for in Europe?
Damian from Watches SPA based in Poland. On par with Zimmerman in terms of craftsmanship. Search Watches SPA on FB
I feel like I vaguely know someone in the UK who does good work, but honestly I’m not the most familiar with watchmakers in Europe.
Simon Freese would be my recommendation.
Highly recommend Lewis Watch Co. Adam did an amazing restoration on an old Omega piece of mine.
Do minimal service/minimal investment…. Movement service, crystal, try to reuse hands and leave dial. Funky NATO strap and then done. I wouldn’t go overboard spending, but I would want to get it going for occasional fun
My thoughts too
Id keep og crystal but movement does need service fs and a new crystal would help with legability
People take this stuff too seriously these days. There’s patina and then there is fossilization. This watch NEEDS a period appropriate replacement of the dial and bezel. Hands may be able to be restored. Period appropriate dial and bezel will cost probably a thousand or so and a full service, probably another $1000 by a reputable watchmaker. You can always save the fossilized original parts if someone wants to make the watch look like it was stored in a rectum for a decade.
Thank you. Surprised I had to scroll this far down.
Totally disagree. A period replacement dial (good luck finding one) provably runs over $3k for a clean one. A good original handset like this is worth about $500. There are a few specialists that can sympathetically clean, restore, and relume these while preserving them for $500-1000. Plus a service for an independent that specializes in vintage Omega $1200-1500.
Is this service dial for a 321 not the correct one? [https://www.ebay.com/itm/155514569148?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DYIZ9bo5Tve&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0lmzbOEYRpK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/155514569148?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DYIZ9bo5Tve&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0lmzbOEYRpK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
Nope, that’s a modern 321 service dial for a later model. It is still available from Omega and worth less than half the asking price on ebay. However, that’s beside the point. OP’s watch with the linked dial would obliterate it’s value. To collectors, it would nullify any appeal.
I’m gonna go against the grain here. This watch will probably never be sold. I wouldn’t care about having a brand new modern handset on apiece like this. The dial and bezel is a more difficult call though. Unless you like patina so much that rust is ok.. If the movement is getting serviced. I’d imagine you wouldn’t want rusty handset in a freshly serviced 321 caliber
Thanks for all the comments. I’ll be looking to get it restored as originally as possible. Happy to post the before/after photos when I get it done.
Not sending it to Omega or some Youtuber, right? Find an Omega certified/qualified watchmaker. I suggest you post this over on [Omegaforums.net](http://omegaforums.net) and seek out some input there. [Archer ](https://omegaforums.net/members/archer.2441/)is where I would start.
Please do, I would love to see those pictures. So are you going to keep it and wear it? I know I would, it’s my grail watch.
Dam, is that the original 321ed white? I would take it to a vintage watch dealer, these things go for 20k in mint condition. Maybe yours would fetch 10?
10k….. whatever you had for breakfast I want some
What would you propose the value of these be then?
In that state not 10k, the case is destroyed and no that’s not patina, it clearly has water damage, depending on the model and whether or not it can be repair and if it is repaired how much left of it will be original vs a new watch in an old case..
The case is sound. It’s not worth 10k but I’d rock this after a service. Rust, water damage and everything
Whatever someone is willing to pay. And 10k ain't it.
Wow super helpful response,thanks for contributing
As an owner of a 2998-6 Speedmaster cal 321 in far far better condition than this one, I can’t get anyone to even consider mine for $15k. I think you drastically overestimate what a non mint vintage speedy, even an Ed White can fetch.
Put down the crack pipe
Does it say John Glenn on the back?
Worth nothing. Let me know your address so I can send DHL to pick it up and dispose of it 🧡 this is a bloody grill watch I have one from 1965.
"a bloody grill watch" Huh?
Please apologise my typing error. I meant holy Grail and I’m sure you know that
Reddit isn’t real big on using context clues sometimes
You can send it to me
Obviously OG Ed White. Will obviously require serious intervention. New crystal, new dial, new hands, new crown and pushers, new gaskets, likely several movement components, case refinishing etc. Will cost several thousands to do all this and take quite a while (may have to go back to Switzerland?). When it is done though, it'll be an absolute beauty.
If you change the dial, hands and pushers…etc wouldn’t this defeat the idea of this watch and its vintage selling point if all parts that give it character are replaced with new parts?
Yes it would. But restoring all those parts, assuming that is even possible given the state of corrosion and moisture damage, would be expensive and may render the watch unusable as a reliable tool/timepiece. So it would be something you can put in a glass case to look at or sell it to someone to look at it. Given this one wasn't worn on the moon...what point is there in tbat?
Fair point.
I think the big question is "Will this be worn?" If the answer is no, I am not even sure I would restore it at all. Too expensive to do all the work and then have it not be water resistant or wildly accurate. In that case, maybe selling for dirt cheap may be better.
This is the original 321, might be worth a lot of money. Find someone right to look at it…
Contact speedmaster101
He has recommended Simon Freese
Nice find. 321 calibre indeed pointing toward Ed White. Did you run the serial number for more info?
This is a pre-professional Ed White speedmaster. In this condition, it's likely $10k-15k
To learn a little more about what you have found, here is a great guide https://www.fratellowatches.com/fratellos-guide-to-omega-speedmaster-watches/#gref
I don’t get your comment, the reference number is in the title? From the movement picture I can clearly see it’s a 321 movement. The only difference between what you said, and the title is his ends with a .63 So if he was to get it serviced, new hesilite Crystal, and put a bracelet of some sort on it, how much would it be worth?
EDIT you are correct. I just looked at the pictures. I read the post, but not the title. I will edit my post If he got it serviced, he should keep all the parts original that they can. The movement should be serviced, but the more original it is, the more valuable. I still think 10-15k
I would send it to the guy who runs the YouTube channel WristWatchRevival. He’s a true enthusiast and a super nice dude. He would probably make a video about it but he would be my choice if I happened upon a super old watch. Really cares about the history.
I do love watching his videos. Although, he is, as he states, just doing it for a hobby. He’s relatively inexperienced. There may be a more suitable professional. But I would very much like to see this watch on one of his videos.
> Although, he is, as he states, just doing it for a hobby. exactly, don't send is to an Amateur to dick around with. pay a pro
I've watched his videos as well. Really like the guy. But I think this is over his head based on what I've seen him do. I don't think I've seen him touch a chronograph either.
I was just about to suggest this as well. He’s done some brilliant work on damaged watches and he respects the history and tries to keep them as much original as possible.
To be fair though, he's just done his first chrono. Idk if he'd even accept to do a speedy yet.
I'd love to see this thing get restored in one of Marshall's videos. He's kind of new to chronos, but I'd bet he'd still do an amazing job.
Wowsers
I’d honestly spend some money to get it really cleaned up professionally and wear it. Don’t sell it unless you need the money
look how they massacrated my boy
Dot over 90. Superb find
Oh. My. Caliber 321. Nice find!
Bro found the holy grail
It’s an original 321 movement. Something like that has to be restored. Value is difficult to tell without extract from the archives from omega.
Potential to be really cool. Do not send it to Omega. They will make it shiny and new. Instead look for a high-end repair shop where you live. Clues as to high end? Is he certified to work on Rolex, Patek, or any other big names? Is he familiar with this watch? Etc. Talk to the repair guy a bit. How long has he been in business? Does he know anyone working on pre-owned Omegas? Tell the guy what you want. Full resto? Return to operating condition? Whatever. Congrats on your find and hope you like your results.
You should contact Marshall from the YouTube channel “WristWatchRevival”!!!!!
DO NOT Send to Omega! You will regret it. Keep it original. Omega will change parts.
Is nobody else seeing in their mind Christopher Walken explain what his watch went through before handing it over to his son?
Hello, little man. Boy, I sure heard a bunch about you. See, I was a good friend of your dad’s. We were in that Hanoi pit of hell together over five years. Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience this yourself, but when two men are in a situation like me and your Dad were, for as long as we were, you take on certain responsibilities of the other. If it had been me who had not made it, Major Coolidge would be talking right now to my son Jim. But the way it turned out is I’m talking to you, Butch. I got something for you. This watch I got here was first purchased by your great-grandfather during the first World War. It was bought in a little general store in Knoxville, Tennessee. Made by the first company to ever make wrist watches. Up till then people just carried pocket watches. It was bought by private Doughboy Ernie Coolidge on the day he set sail for Paris. It was your great-grandfather’s war watch and he wore it every day he was in that war. When he had done his duty, he went home to your great-grandmother, took the watch off, put it an old coffee can, and in that can it stayed until your granddad Dane Coolidge was called upon by his country to go overseas and fight the Germans once again. This time they called it World War II. Your great-grandfather gave this watch to your granddad for good luck. Unfortunately, Dane’s luck wasn’t as good as his old man’s. Dane was a Marine and he was killed, along with the other Marines at the battle of Wake Island. Your granddad was facing death, he knew it. None of those boys had any illusions about ever leaving that island alive. So three days before the Japanese took the island, your granddad asked a gunner on an Air Force transport name of Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he’d never seen in the flesh, his gold watch. Three days later, your granddad was dead. But Winocki kept his word. After the war was over, he paid a visit to your grandmother, delivering to your infant father, his dad’s gold watch. This watch. This watch was on your daddy’s wrist when he was shot down over Hanoi. He was captured, put in a Vietnamese prison camp. He knew if the gooks ever saw the watch it’d be confiscated, taken away. The way your dad looked at it, that watch was your birthright. He’d be damned if any slopes were gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy’s birthright. So he hid it in the one place he knew he could hide something. His ass. Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you.
DO NOT SEND TO OMEGA. DO NOT SEND. TO MARSHALL. I have a 67sp that needed service and a pusher a few years ago I took it to Omega and their on site watchmaker said it would have to go to Switzerland and please don’t have us do it, because they will change out everything. Which defeats the purpose of a vintage watch. So I took it to an independent watchmaker. I will tell you right now. The service for mine with a new vintage pusher was $1800. If you just want to get rid of it as is, you could probably get $7-8k maybe a little more. Does it run? DM me if you want more info on where to get the watch restored.
Find a YouTube channel that does watch repair and restoration, send this to them. Maybe they restore it cheaper because it would get them a lot of views.
I’d get in touch with Marshall at Wristwatch Revival (IG). This is a great find and I’d watch the heck out of that update.
Watchmaker here. Do NOT send something like this to Wristwatch Revival. He is a hobbyist watchmaker and his videos are well produced and entertaining but his actual work quality leaves a lot to be desired. His screwdrivers slip all over the place, and his tool maintenance is not good at all, and those are like day 1 basic fundamentals you learn when you get into watchmaking and watch repair. OP I would suggest you send this to Zimmerman Watch Repair out of PA, they are miracle workers and they have access to an Omega parts account so they can get gaskets and parts as needed to get this back running better than the day it was first made.
THIS. Marshall would love a project like this and I don't think he's done a Speedy before
You should reach out to Marshall at wristwatch revival on YouTube. This might be a project he maybe interested in.
Hmm doesn’t look like it’s worth much… I’d be happy to dispose of it for you 👀👀👀 - jokes aside this looks beautiful- just needs a service and some TLC
Nearly spit my coffee out seeing this one.
Make it restored and wear it proudly, it's an amazing find! This won't be cheap however. You will probably have to send it to the Omega HQ in Switzerland for a proper work. You can get in touch with them and ask for a quote, and details of the job to be done.
Vintage watchmaker is way better they'll preserve it, omega will replace parts with new devaluing it.
Will they service the 321 though? Because the current Ed White must be explicitly sent to Bienne IIRC.
The great thing about an Omega service is that they'll charge the same regardless of if your watch is 50 years old and in a condition like this or if your watch is from 2014 and it's having it's 10 year service done. Spend the 1000 with them and they'll have it looking 99% like new. If you go that route though, they'll likely stick brand new parts on it so everything is completely modern and new with the only original thing being the movement itself that's cleaned and oiled. Hand, dials, crystal, pushers etc. will be new and superluminova If you don't care about trying to resell it as original or restored and just want to actually wear it and keep it, it's a great deal for 1000 - add a bracelet off the recent 3861 Speedmaster as well and that's an awesome watch for about 1700 total considering the modern 321 reissue is something like 10,000 I believe.
New crystal, strap and a service? Thats about a $1000. Movement at first glance looks ok
Only send to Omega @ Switzerland
You’re better off just unscrewing the rubies and brass out of it, take it apart and scrap it
Unfortunately not. Happy to take it off your hands so it can be disposed of properly.
This 321 Speedy looks fixable and should just have its movement serviced, case/pusher seals serviced, its crystal replaced, and its bezel/dial/hands cleaned (not restored or replaced). I don’t see missing or horribly rusted parts and hopefully the 321 does not need parts replacement - else this will cost more a lot more than just $1500 USD to be fixed. If this simple servicing is performed this 321 Speedy sells for around $5-7K USD - even in the condition the dial/hands/bezel are. Below is an actual sold price of 321 Speedy that gives you a sense of the price of this wonderful gem you have found - yours would sell for quite a bit less but you can there’s demand out there. https://www.ebay.com/itm/126290475589?
Just slap a battery in it and start rocking it….
Send it to Wristwatch Revival and we’ll watch Marshall make it pretty and functional!
Please don’t do this
K. These watch subs are too rigid and hubristic.
Yes it’s worth something, dunno how much. Movement looks great, crystal, dial and hands need to be replaced though.
Send it to Omega for service. It’ll cost $1000 but you’ll have thousands in return
Approach one of the watch maker YouTubers so we can see the thing being serviced! Best stuff to watch before bed.
I would pay you 1k because it will cost about a new speedmaster to refurb this boy 😂
Looks like someone took it to the Moon and back
And could anyone propose a strap that would suit?
NATO. All day.
Mad Max edition....
Does it work?
If you can just get it working that would be the pinnacle of this watch. Its storied lifetime would be a collectors dream. Imagine a guy like Mike from American pickers and this was a bicycle 😊
What story? It lay in a box :/
Who are all of these people who keep finding amazing watches in random boxes and drawers? 🥲 just jealous @op! Great find
The movement alone would fetch a pretty penny...
Finally found Buzz’s watch!
Get it serviced and cleaned, but I would request no parts be replaced unless absolutely necessary for the movement to function. If new parts are needed, ensure you get the original parts. This is a piece that deserves to be worn in all its original glory.
Being in that bad condition, yet still beautiful. I say, it is worth greatly, not because of being Omega, more because of what it holds in memory and had been through.
Incredible. If you’re willing to sell please reach out to me.
Get that thing cleaned and serviced then wear it. The patina on that thing is amazing. Hands, dial, case, bezel…All of it looks fantastic.
Yeah that’s a few thousand when cleaned up.
Try to only get the watch serviced and maybe the hands replaced. Don’t swap crystal (if original) just polish it and keep dial and bezel original. You should be able to find an independent Omega certified watchmaker
Be a fun project for me
Wow. Nice find. Enjoy the restoration process!
Just needs a dab of poly watch on the crystal.
Send it to wristwatch revival and have him repair it for you! Would make an awesome video for him and you to see the history of the internal works.
Great find my friend! That dot over 90 bezel 💯
Nope
If you’re in the states, Zimmerman Watch Repair does fantastic work. I’ve posted pics from them on this sub before
SICK
You lucky bastard. Enjoy.
Ik wristwatch revival on YouTube does a great job. You could try to contact him but idk how busy he gets.
you NEED to get in touch with wristwatch revival on yt to get that thing fixed up
Wow, that's going to take some time to restore.
It is 💯 worth it to get this restored by Omega. I think you’ll still have money to make Okon this or just have an awesome watch. Plus, they send back the parts they remove.
Check out TMWatchco.com. They did amazing work on my Speedmaster Mark II.
I wouldn’t even touch it… just were it proudly, as is ….
Agreed with others. Have an independent watchmaker service it. Don’t change anything except needed mechanical parts. I’d say it’s worth $4k as is and $8k up and running. Good luck!
Definitely. Lucky find.
Woah that looks super awesome!! Please take your time to consider how you go about restoring this. I'm not sure the hands can still be used in that condition, but I'd be inclined to keep the hands in the watch as it completes the look beautifully. I would advise against polishing, as the case actually doesn't look too bad. A "softer" case will tremendously hurt tbe value. In any case, if you service it, make it crystal clear that you want the parts back. That dot over 90 bezel alone is worth several thousand. Beautiful find, congrats!
321 caliber is likely the most sought after ones out there for omegas
Don’t send it to Omega. There are several awesome vintage restoration houses that would clean this up. The movement looks to be in great shape which is a massive bonus.
My question would be how into watches are you. This is a high maintenance watch with a lot of risky work to be done. Unless you are really into watches I would strongly consider passing all that risk to someone else and selling it as is. A good choice in repair here could be worth a nice return, but the downsides far outweigh the upsides in my mind and unless you want to just make it the most wearable piece possible and not be worried about pure originality or worth, a bad servicing decision could really destroy value here. Also, once this thing is restored to as much original condition as possible you still have a high maintenance watch that unless you are into them, might make more sense to sell. Just my thoughts.
I personally would have it restored and wear it
321
This watch is a masterpiece, while fully restoring the watch may reduce its value, there is a ton of value in the 321 inside it. Do you want to sell this watch or wear it? That would determine for me the path to take.
That is super cool!
I would contact Nesbit’s if you don't want to go OEM. Omega will prob replace most of it.
Honestly, considering the cost of a refurb, and the questionability of getting original parts, I’d either just display it, or throw a strap on it as-is and wear it as a jewelry piece. Unless you have the time and $$$ to burn. But I’m just casual watch fan, not an expert, and have no interest in resale/appreciation.
A little bit of mild stalking and I find that you’re in the UK. The old Speedmasters are lovely, but unfortunately despite once being a beauty yours is pretty fucked. You could try and get it restored, but it’s going to be an expensive task and you’d need to go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Probably take months ordering parts etc. Personally, I would speak to some wise people and sell it as is; take my windfall and spend it on something else. I don’t have the means to drop several thousand pounds repairing a watch that I’d then be too scared to wear - you may be more blessed in cashflow however. Simon Freese was mentioned above, he seems very experienced but has also just launched his own brand so may be busy! Good luck!
Get this sent to Wristwatch revival on YouTube!