I’m sure this post will raise some controversy… John sent in his Speedmaster for a service, and it didn’t look too good. The hands are bent and have lost their luminous compound and lots of their white paint, and the dial markers have been re-lumed with some dark green gunk, which wasn’t even properly applied. So in our book, nothing original to preserve, but a lot of room for improvement. The paint that’s come off the bezel is fine in our book, as the bezel is original – we will leave it as it is.

The case shows the usual wear and tear, but is in good condition considering the age of the watch.

Yes, it’s a 105.012-64!

The dust cover is in good condition which always bodes well.

And the movement is in great condition! Both Mitka and I are surprised – with the state the dial and hands were in, we didn’t expect such a good movement.

The beat error is on the high side, and the movement is fast, but otherwise doesn’t look too bad.

The dial and hands in their full glory. You can tell that the luminous compound on the dial isn’t original.

The hands get the Nitromors treatment to take off the old lume and paint.

Apart from the luminous compound, the dial looks good.

And the movement is in great nick.

Everything as it should be.

There are some marks where the cock for the two recorders has been lifted up, but that’s not really something to write home about.

I take the chronograph layer apart.

The top plate is done, and now it’s time for the bottom plate.

Almost done.

The hands get a new coat of matte white paint.

All parts are cleaned, and ready for reassembly.

The barrel gets a new mainspring.

The bottom plate comes together.

I get the beat error down to 0.7ms. It’s collet adjusted, and as the movement has a lift angle of only 40 degrees, it’s very tricky to adjust the beat error.

That done, I put the chronograph layer together.

Then the bottom plate is completed.

The movement is ready for casing.

The case gets a new original Omega crystal, which now costs £54!

Mitka did the luminous compound on the dial, as he is better than me doing that. Must be my old age 😉 He did an absolutely splendid job, and the dial and hands look a million miles better than before.

The movement is cased with a new case back gasket.

We are very pleased with the end result – especially when you compare it with the “before” photo!