Reply With QuoteLove it
Have seen these come and go on SC and have always been very tempted.
A different kind of Speedmaster!
Arrived yesterday - 1976 Speedmaster Professional 186.0004 Quartz - LCD display - calibre 1620
Another watch ambition achieved. I remember seeing one of these in a shop window just off Leicester Square in 1977 and thinking "if only I could afford that". Around that time I recall seeing an ad for the LCD range in a magazine. Oh well, one day perhaps......
Ive fitted a new Di Modell Rallye strap which I think suits it well. These are lovely straps, I do wish they came in shorter sizes though.
Ive ordered a NASA style velcro strap from GGB.
I realise that it isnt everyones cup of tea but I really do love it.
Cheers
Ian
Last edited by Velorum; 23rd March 2016 at 21:25.
Love it
Have seen these come and go on SC and have always been very tempted.
That's not a Speedy I've seen before and I like it a lot!
What are the dimensions please?
Cooler than cool. It will look great on the velcro
Case width: 38mm
Depth: 10mm
Lug width: 20mm
Lug to lug: 42mm
**UPDATED 13.5.16**
Double checked using a digital calliper
Width: 38mm (with pushers 41mm)
Height: 11mm
Lug width: 20mm
Lug to lug: 44mm
Last edited by Velorum; 14th May 2016 at 09:04.
That's great, thanks!Originally Posted by Velorum
I hope that this is a keeper for you, but if not...
It will be in keeping with the NASA connection - currently a 3 to 4 week wait for theseCooler than cool. It will look great on the velcro
**EDIT** Got that wrong - its even longer - 4 to 5 weeks!
Last edited by Velorum; 25th February 2017 at 09:28.
Very nice. I have the same model, and a steel Memomaster as seen in the advert. Just cool.
Nice piece of watch history
.12345
Last edited by jambobbyb; 21st May 2019 at 19:12.
Any idea how these were priced compared to the Pro in period?
I know some of the early Seiko Quartz watches (and others) were crazily expensive compared to their mechanical contemporaries.
M
I seem to recall the one I saw in 1977 being priced at well over £100 - doesnt sound a lot but that was more than a months wages to me at the time
**Edit**
A google search indicates that the quartz version was approximately twice the price of a conventional Speedmaster - Im not sure how accurate this is. If it is true then these represent great VFM now as when they do appear from time to time they seem to be between £700 - £1500
Last edited by Velorum; 4th March 2016 at 10:19.
I am indebted to Dan (Caruso) for not only selling me this marvellous watch but also pointing me in the right direction as regards an owners manual. I printed it out this morning and its pretty much essential to someone like me!
Ian
Up till now I'd never regretted selling any of my watches, but I'm definitely feeling a tinge of sellers remorse over this one.
Very cool piece of kit
A digital watch with Pedigree....Luv it !
In addition to the GGB NASA strap Ive managed to secure this - one of the last NASA replica ones available
Its on its way from Cyprus
Expensive, but I love the look
Last edited by Velorum; 28th March 2016 at 11:46.
Very nice! So the question is, which way to thread it...
Straight through like Edward E. Aldrin?
Or looped back through the spring bars like Vance D. Brand?
Really really like that strap! Think that would look great on my speedy.In addition to the GGB NASA strap Ive managed to secure this - one of the last NASA replica ones available
Its on its way from Cyprus
Expensive, but I love the look
Can I ask where you've ordered from?
After a number of Google searches looking for NASA style straps I happened upon a link to an eBay seller that has some of these. His latest listing was an old one
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/20mm-Original...-/130599641918
I emailed him anyway and he said that he had just the one left - which he sold to me. He reckons that no more of these will be made - however, fabricating them is hardly rocket science () so someone somewhere is likely to make some if there is enough demand
That's a hell of a wait you had to get one. Cool watch.
cool ! Remembers me when I was to secondary school...
Have fun! I like the Vance method myself, it eliminates the velcro layer behind the case so the watch sits slightly lower.
You must have gone to a posh school if your classmates were wearing these!
Last edited by Velorum; 26th February 2017 at 00:50.
Just a shameless reply to keep this thread going. Here's a reference to an old thread about the incredible accuracy these can deliver. -3seconds in 19 months. Just changed the batteries in mine and set it with my atomic G, will see if it's still as good.
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...light=Accuracy
Velorum's very own watch was always one of my most accurate quartz watches.
Interesting thread
I note that the case diameter is quoted in it as being about 36mm
Ive just double checked mine and I make it 38mm
Spoke to STS today - they are happy to do a full service including case refinishing
Not sure yet whether they can replace the slightly damaged bezel insert - will see what they can do
If they can't then its not the end of the world as the damage isnt that noticeable - I guess the only alternative would be see if a reasonable facsimile could be fabricated
Sending it off to them tomorrow morning
Ah, not checked but will take your word for it.
STS did mine and it came back looking like new. Not sure if they can still get the bezel inserts though....
Unless they have some gathering dust in the storeroom I guess. As I understand it Omega stopped making these many years ago.
I am an optimist at heart though....
Anyway, fabricating one must be within the bounds of possibility - wonder who does this kind of thing?
I had no idea that these existed! I can see how people get the Speedmaster bug! :-)
Some related links that may be of interest
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...nt-Speedmaster
(Thanks Dan!)
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/w...6-details.aspx
Oh dear.......
Just received an email from STS saying that this calibre can now only be serviced by the Omega factory in Switzerland
Ive asked them to get me a quote
GGB NASA strap arrived this morning
Bugger! Doesnt fit - lug to lug isnt right
Fitted to my second 186.0004:
Looks good though I think
Last edited by Velorum; 6th April 2016 at 20:04.
Which reminds me - this is my second one
The result of a deal with a chap in France - complete with original bracelet and 'hens teeth' end links
Some wear to the case but the bezel is excellent. All is not well with the movement though as its losing about a minute a day. He also told me before the sale that the light wasnt working - which was true at first but with some repeated jiggling of the centre pusher it is now functional. I suspect the interface between the pushers and LCD movement needs a good clean
My first one is still with STS, depending on the outcome I will decide what to do with this one
It looks quite good on this cheapy black NATO actually - I think I will try it one of Eddy's thicker and higher quality ones
Despite the case size it wears small - due to the lack or a conventional dial I guess - more like a 35mm vintage to me. Slightly bigger on its bracelet however with the added bulk of a NATO type strap it has more presence
Last edited by Velorum; 2nd April 2016 at 12:22.
Never seen one before but to me it looks like a cheap digital watch to be honest
Interesting period in Omega's history.
Indeed
Some TZ links:
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...highlight=1620
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...-back-from-STS
Some day I'd love one of these along with a 1975 Bulgari Roma:A different kind of Speedmaster!
Arrived yesterday - 1976 Speedmaster Professional 186.0004 Quartz - LCD display - calibre 1620
(Thread here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...-Roma-1975-LCD)
Great links, thanks.
Just a quick update
My first remains with STS / Omega and Im waiting for the service estimate
Ive sold the second one to Caruso (Dan)
Ive sent the bracelet and end links to j111dja (David) for refinishing
The GGB that doesnt fit the lug to lug width is now on sales corner as I am pretty sure that it will fit a conventional Speedy
Bracelet has now been refinished by David
Marvellous job!
Last edited by Velorum; 25th February 2017 at 23:26.
Cracking job! Can't wait to see the pics of the whole ensemble.
Quote back from Omega
I feel compelled to press on
Interesting about the case back. I infer from "case back bears no case reference-must be replaced" that this is a replacement, generic case back. Do you know if this is the case?Quote back from Omega
I don't think that its generic - it looks like this
These 'Seamaster' ones were standard fit for the 186.0004 according to what I can glean from the internet
Unless its a copy thats been fitted at some point?
Ah, in that case, were I in your position, I definitely wouldn't want them to replace it.
The caseback on 'our' other 186.0004 does have the 186.0004 reference on the inside.
Thanks Dan
I had noted that when I popped the back off to take a picture of the movement for you.
I hadnt taken the case back off the one that sent to STS though so perhaps it doesnt have this and thats what they are referring to.
If so I wonder why Omega regards this as an issue?
Posting Permissions
