Got a new project today, and it’s about that famous OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. You know, the one everyone’s talking about. Decided to take a crack at swapping out the regular case back for a transparent one. I’ve heard it’s a pretty cool mod.
First things first, I hunted down a sapphire case back. Found a decent one from Thomas Preik – I’ve used his stuff before, and it’s always been solid. They fit most Speedmasters, which is a big plus. No need to stress about compatibility.
Then came the tricky part – getting the old case back off. I carefully removed it, making sure not to scratch anything. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, you know, working on such a nice watch. Once that was off, I cleaned up the watch case a bit. You wouldn’t believe the gunk that builds up in those tiny spaces.
- Got the transparent case back from Thomas Preik.
- Carefully took off the old case back.
- Cleaned the watch case.
Next, I popped in the new sapphire case back. It fit like a glove, which was a relief. I’ve heard stories of people getting the wrong size and having to deal with returns and all that mess. It’s a manual winding movement, so seeing all those gears and parts moving around is pretty mesmerizing.
This Speedmaster’s got a 42mm stainless steel case, but it feels smaller on the wrist, which I like. The black dial and the Hesalite crystal are classic. Oh, and the bezel has that “dot over 90” detail, which is a nice touch. This watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, so no worries about getting it a little wet.
Key Steps in the Process
- Securing the new case back: Made sure it was snug and secure.
- Checking the fit: It was perfect, no gaps or anything.
- Admiring the movement: Spent a good while just watching the gears work.
The whole process took a bit of time, but it was worth it. Now, I’ve got a clear view of the inner workings of the watch. It’s like having a little mechanical city on my wrist. I used the watch for a while, just to make sure everything works well, like the power reserve, hour, minute, and second functions.
I kept the original case back, of course. You never know when you might want to switch back, or maybe it’ll be important if I ever decide to sell the watch. But for now, I’m really digging the transparent back. It adds a whole new level of appreciation for the craftsmanship of this timepiece.
So, that’s my little adventure with the OMEGA Speedmaster. It’s a fun project, and if you’re into watches, I’d say give it a shot. Just be patient and careful, and you’ll end up with something really special.
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