BIRTH OF THE CONCEPT

On Christmas 1999, I had the opportunity to sell my watch, and with some additional savings I was able to purchase my first Omega: Speedmaster Reduced.   I was very happy with the watch, until I saw Wichai's Speedmaster moon phase on the TimeZone Omega Forum, and soon after another Speedmaster with moon phase being offered in a popular auction site.  Prior to this I did not know it was available in a two-tone model.   Did this mean that it was available in stainless steel?  Mr. John R. Diethelm at Omega informed me that the Speedmaster automatic with moon phase indication was produced from 1990 through 1995 in steel and gold and in solid gold, but never in stainless steel.  No plans for reintroduction of such automatic chronograph in the future.

I did not have the money to purchase the one I saw at the going rate, and I had just purchased my first Omega which was great.  So I tried to talk myself out of it.   Perhaps this was the opportunity? I thought it was too much of a coincidence that I came across both of those models, so I decided to sell my Speedmaster Reduced while it was still in brand new condition and pursue a Speedmaster with moon phase indicator. 

The following week I was able to get a copy of A Time-capsule: The Omega Speedmaster, in which I read for the first time about the "Speedmaster Classic" and its few variations.  Prior to this, I did not know it had a name.  I really wanted one.  Fortunately the one I was monitoring sold for more than I could afford, and getting another one in decent condition was a very long shot.  This was unacceptable but my only option. I e-mailed many vintage and new watch sellers and they replied that if and when they found it, it would not be in the price range I was looking to pay. 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO...

I then thought to myself, as if in a day-dream, if it is based on the Valjoux 7751, and there are versions of this chronograph with and without moon phase indicator (from other manufacturers), then perhaps the moon phase mechanism could be put back on the watch?   I e-mailed many watchmakers, and e-mailed ETA as well.  One of them watchmakers told me it was impractical both from the standpoint of the watch and of the dial, and another one referred me to yet another one which I called.  When he answered and I asked him my question he said it was not possible to modify the Omega watch.  I emphasized the fact that it was a Valjoux 7751 movement which was available with moon phase indicator and without (according to me).  He referred me to yet another watchmaker who finally confirmed my suspicions.  He said it was "possible" to do such a modification, and that some parts of the moon phase mechanism might be in place.  He further commented that it was admirable that I wanted to pursue such a transformation, but that he could not do it for me, and neither could Omega (they cannot modify the current product-line).

Around the same time I received an e-mail reply from ETA stating that all their Valjoux 7751s they provide have the moon phase indicator in place, and if there's one without the moon phase disc, they do not know of it.  They suggested that  I  contact the manufacturer of that particular piece as perhaps I could get the "missing" parts from them. Hmmm....good news? or bad news?

I looked at many pictures of the Valjoux 7751, both with and without the moon phase disc, and decided I would do this project myself, or get someone to do it for me.  I had seen pictures of the Omega 1152 (Valjoux 7750), and 1151 (7751) and decided it was worth a shot. I told my watchmaker friend about it and he said he would not "tinker with it."  I still wanted to do it... especially after my Speedmaster Reduced had sold, and I was without a watch.  Fellow TimeZoner William Stonehill told me that the idea seemed feasible and suggested I only needed some basic tools, and lots of care to do it.  I decided to give it a shot.  I had no watch to wear!!!

GETTING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE

I went ahead and tried to purchase a Speedmaster Triple-Date, the one with the  white/silvered dial Ref.3521.30.  However, I discovered that it had just been discontinued, and replaced by the sportier 3523.30.  My transformation would not work with that model, as the bezel had a different design and the bracelet and winding crown were sportier.  It wouldn't look right.

I had to find a Speedmaster Day-Date 3521.30!  I e-mailed everywhere I could think of, and no one had a one.  I finally received an e-mail, but their price was hundreds higher than my initial quote (where they were all sold out).   I had the option of getting that one, and waiting to get the tools and parts later... OR  getting a gray-market version WITHOUT serial numbers and the tools for the transformation.  I thought, that watch is way too complicated for anyone other than Omega to service it the way it was intended, and thought a gray-market version without serial numbers might be denied service so I decided to get the one from the Authorized dealer... Just before I sent back the faxed authorization, I found out about other dealers and one of them claimed to have one. 

The dealer said that it had just been received from Omega in December 1999, sold, then traded back a few weeks later; it was essentially like new.  The price was better than any other and I decided to purchase it.  They would get back with me the next week.  I soon ordered a loupe, tweezers, screw-drivers, strap/bracelet pin tool, hand-removers,  a hand-setting tool, a movement cover, movement holder, case-back opener, silicon grease, pith wood, peg wood, watchmaker's paper, an oiler, finger covers and other miscellaneous tools for my project mainly from the TimeZone tool shop. The following week they called me back, informing me that it was a mistake on the computer.. the watch had already been sold...they are sorry.  I could not believe it!!!  I was very upset, to say the least. 

I had been practicing with my tools by disassembling and reassembling an inexpensive watch that did not work.   Amazingly it worked after putting it back together.  At the same time I kept e-mailing dealers until I finally found a pre-owned  3521.30 costing the same as the new one from the gray market dealer that removed serial numbers.   I opted to purchase the pre-owned one. But when I received it, I was a little disappointed with its"ratty"condition (it was advertised as "like new in box with papers," had the wrong papers, and even had some hairline scratches on the sapphire crystal!), but it would have to do. 

It was not running when I opened the box, so I wound it.  It was still not running, so I thought I would set the time and perhaps that would get it going.   After that didn't work I sent it back the next morning.  I was really bummed out at this point.  Watchless again, and with all these tools.  During this time I had the opportunity to get an old stock dial from the Speedmaster Classic, along with some of the parts of the moon phase drive--in the event that they were missing.   I figured that I would need them sooner or later and so I purchased them. 

In the meantime I was lucky that a valued TimeZoner referred me to an authorized dealer who could still get a 3521.30.  I purchased it. When it arrived, I wore it for one day (to monitor that it was functioning properly), and took pictures of it (Friday, April 14, as you can see on the dial).   I was very happy!  I couldn't resist to begin the transformation and so the following day I took the much anticipated plunge... 

I carefully removed the winding stem, followed by the screws that fasten the movement to the case.

Remarkable that such finish is applied to movements that are not in exhibition.

Côtes de Genève or "Geneva Stripes" elegantly decorate the movement.

Its dimensions are 30mm in diameter by 7. 9mm in thickness. 25 Jewels, smooth balance with three arms in Glucydur.  Incabloc shock absorbing system and Nivarox balance spring with fine adjustment.

The main plate is decorated with circular graining.

The winding bridge, is unlike any Valjoux 7750/7751 I have seen before (in pictures).   It has a different shape, and I do not know if this redesign is for aesthetic or servicing reasons.

The Discovery: Moon phase drive mechanism is missing.  It is obviously left-out during assembly.

A very simple "work area" with the minimal tools in view. The two dots by the round pith wood, are the screws that hold the moon phase plate in place. 

Prior to receiving the missing parts, I assembled the watch without them to get a preview of what the project would look like in the end.

I carefully removed the new dial, and the moon phase drive cover plate.   I meticulously oiled the parts at the friction spots where they come in contact with each other using a fine black oiler and Moebus D5, high viscosity lubricant. It is important not to oil the parts that do not require lubrication, as the high viscosity could add resistance. Then I tried setting up the moon phase corrector and jumper--this time with the jumper spring in place.

Both "jumper" and "spring" are great descriptive names for this small part, and I think I have a pretty good clue as to why they come in sets of five!   This tiny, odd-shaped, metal "wire," roughly the thickness of a human hair, requires just the right pressure in order to be fitted in an equally small area, holding the moon phase corrector, and the moon phase jumper in place.  Fitting it into this area requires pressure, a steady hand, and lots of patience.  I felt like I needed an extra set of helping hands. 

After almost getting it into place, it jumped out of sight.  I could not find it!  I looked for it for many minutes without success.  This is the watchmaker's nightmare: losing tiny parts in the "Triangle of Bermuda."  I shrugged my shoulders, and decided to use another one--after all, five come in the package.  Just before doing so, I found it, stuck to the bottom of my wrist/side of my hand. I finally got it right at the third attempt, and quickly screwed the moon phase mechanism plate into place before the tension found relief causing the parts to literally "fly" out of place, and possibly out of sight.

Next, I had to set the moon phase disc into place.  This required pushing back the moon phase jumper, and holding it, as I put the disc into place.   Once this part was done, I had to check that the parts cleared one another, and I had to adjust them via eccentric screws.  I also had to verify that the forces exerted by the moon phase yoke, and the moon phase jumper were adequate, 7g and 10g respectively.

Now, I just needed to set the dial and set/line up the hands. Needless to say the chronograph hands are fairly small, and have to be handled with the utmost care.  Aligning the chronograph hands is difficult, and consists of trial and error.  In order to aid in the process, I put a little bit of rodico on the tip of the Bergeon hand-setting tool to "hold" the hand in place, as downward pressure was applied.

I then followed this with a few blows from the air blower, to make sure the dial and hands were impeccable as can be, prior to re-casing the watch.  I put the winding stem in place, and fastened the movement to the case. Followed by some more blows of air to the movement with the blower, I covered the movement.  I used silicone grease to prepare the o-ring gasket, set it in place, and closed the watch.   I then set the functions and  admired my results!!!  The project was very successful, and I have been wearing the watch every day! It has gained 3 seconds in one week.

This watch is not the first to have that combination.   It is a "classic" combination available from other great watch manufacturers--also commonly found in vintage watches.

Here are some samples I took from the web.  These are pictures (clockwise from top left) of The IWC Grande Complication in platinum, The Jaeger Le-Coultre Master Chronograph, The IWC Portugeiser, and the Minerva Pythagore II Anniversary.

In my opinion, this watch is a marriage of classic horological complications and modern, classy looks.  I have seen many watches with the Valjoux 7751 movement that either look too antique or not classic enough for my taste. I am very glad to have been able to transform this watch into one with the moon phase indicator, giving it that special touch of "Classic." Truly the watch of my dreams to date. I hope you have enjoyed my creation and the review!!!

Best Always,

Alex