I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
- gaf1958
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12431
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
- CW-watches: 24
- Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS
I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
I love Omega’s 300M Seamasters - over the last decade or two, I must have had eight or more of them and two of them have been white versions from the nineties. The original white SMPs came with a polished silver bezel, which I hated, polished silver hands and hour markers against a white dial - not an easy watch to read in many a light. The silver bezel was easily fixed by replacing the (entire) bezel with a black one from the early noughties’ sword handed models.
Fixing the hands was not so easy. My first attempt used the sword hands from the GMT Great White SMP, but they didn’t gel with the round dial markers and eventually I sold it. The second attempt had the same black bezel, but I decided to see if I could live with the silver hands on a white dial. I could not... so it too was sold.
I’d been admiring a couple of the new white SMP 300M divers on the forum; the first I think belonged to Patrick, but a couple of others soon followed. Personally, I think the white SMP is the very best of the of the current models, but I hummed and hawed about it and admired it, yet did nothing, hoping a nice one would turn up used. None did.
This however, did come up for sale - in Australia no less - and this time, there was no hesitation on my part. I saw it and wanted it. I really wanted it. A sale was agreed and the nasty business of paying for it and waiting a day or two for it to arrive passed uneventfully.
This was a brand new watch, that started life as the grey ceramic dial model, with blue bezel bezel, blued hands and hour markers. Now I know there’s at least one of the grey model on the forum, but nice as it is, it just wasn’t on my shopping list. It was ordered in for the purpose of pulling it to bits by the watchmaker who has serviced a number of my Omegas - he’s Omega certified, but is basically a sole trader. He has access to all the parts, has the expertise in models both old and new... but ... he’s willing to do a rebuild without case polishing or refinishing (although his refinishing is first rate); he will keep that original dial with years of patina rather than a new one, if that’s what you’d prefer.
He also loves to mod watches.
So anyway, as I mentioned earlier, this started life with the grey dial and he ordered in a new white parts dial - it cost an astonishing AU$1400! (£750!). He then removed the black outlined hour markers from the $1400 white dial (fortunately they’re pin fittings I believe) - a somewhat harrowing task I would think; if it ended badly, that’s a lot of money on the line. Likewise, he removed the blued markers from the original grey dial, then he fitted the blue markers onto the (now bare) white dial. I guess he put the black ones onto the grey dial? Don’t know, didn’t ask...
So now he had a white dial with blued hour markers (and probably a few extra grey hairs from the experience). A white date disc was fitted to the movement in place of the grey one, the original blue hands were refitted and the whole shebang was fitted back into the original case with, of course, the blue bezel. Bit of work, what!
So basically it’s the white SMP, but anywhere the original is black, this one is blue.
Ok, not the dial writing...it’s still black (and red). This is not without precedent; the two most similar Omegas I own are the Goodplanet Aqua Terra and the white and blue Broad Arrow Speedmaster. Both have white dials with blue hands and hour markers; the AT has a matching blue minute track and dial text; the BA however has a black minute track, black subdial markings and black text. So this one stands up by Omega’s own mixed bag of standards. BTW, the aforementioned BA has been modded to have a blue bezel in place of the standard polished steel one. There’s a theme going here isn’t there....
The parts cost for the mod was considerable. The white dial alone is $1400AUD and the additional blue rubber strap and buckle cost $450 (the watch has the original OEM bracelet as well). Throw in the cost of the new date disc and factor in all the work to actually do the conversion and he came to the conclusion that it would not be possible to recreate this watch for a marketable price (he sold this one at basically the cost of the new watch plus OEM rubber strap). So he said that he won't be trying this again, but the end result is something genuinely unique and I think it’s a stunner. Even my somewhat critical wife thinks it’s gorgeous.
I guess if anyone else were to do something like it, the most likely way will be to simply fit a blue bezel to a white SMP. You’d get much of the look for a fraction of the effort (but similar parts cost). If they’re keen they may also include a set of blue hands, but it’ll still have the black hour markers, so is it going to look right? Close enough for most I guess...
The work that went into this is astonishing and for that reason alone it really is unlikely to be duplicated any time soon - unless of course bloody Omega does it themselves down the track...
And now the obligatory photos... they just show the relevant bits and pieces, I mean we’ve all seen an SMP or three.
Fixing the hands was not so easy. My first attempt used the sword hands from the GMT Great White SMP, but they didn’t gel with the round dial markers and eventually I sold it. The second attempt had the same black bezel, but I decided to see if I could live with the silver hands on a white dial. I could not... so it too was sold.
I’d been admiring a couple of the new white SMP 300M divers on the forum; the first I think belonged to Patrick, but a couple of others soon followed. Personally, I think the white SMP is the very best of the of the current models, but I hummed and hawed about it and admired it, yet did nothing, hoping a nice one would turn up used. None did.
This however, did come up for sale - in Australia no less - and this time, there was no hesitation on my part. I saw it and wanted it. I really wanted it. A sale was agreed and the nasty business of paying for it and waiting a day or two for it to arrive passed uneventfully.
This was a brand new watch, that started life as the grey ceramic dial model, with blue bezel bezel, blued hands and hour markers. Now I know there’s at least one of the grey model on the forum, but nice as it is, it just wasn’t on my shopping list. It was ordered in for the purpose of pulling it to bits by the watchmaker who has serviced a number of my Omegas - he’s Omega certified, but is basically a sole trader. He has access to all the parts, has the expertise in models both old and new... but ... he’s willing to do a rebuild without case polishing or refinishing (although his refinishing is first rate); he will keep that original dial with years of patina rather than a new one, if that’s what you’d prefer.
He also loves to mod watches.
So anyway, as I mentioned earlier, this started life with the grey dial and he ordered in a new white parts dial - it cost an astonishing AU$1400! (£750!). He then removed the black outlined hour markers from the $1400 white dial (fortunately they’re pin fittings I believe) - a somewhat harrowing task I would think; if it ended badly, that’s a lot of money on the line. Likewise, he removed the blued markers from the original grey dial, then he fitted the blue markers onto the (now bare) white dial. I guess he put the black ones onto the grey dial? Don’t know, didn’t ask...
So now he had a white dial with blued hour markers (and probably a few extra grey hairs from the experience). A white date disc was fitted to the movement in place of the grey one, the original blue hands were refitted and the whole shebang was fitted back into the original case with, of course, the blue bezel. Bit of work, what!
So basically it’s the white SMP, but anywhere the original is black, this one is blue.
Ok, not the dial writing...it’s still black (and red). This is not without precedent; the two most similar Omegas I own are the Goodplanet Aqua Terra and the white and blue Broad Arrow Speedmaster. Both have white dials with blue hands and hour markers; the AT has a matching blue minute track and dial text; the BA however has a black minute track, black subdial markings and black text. So this one stands up by Omega’s own mixed bag of standards. BTW, the aforementioned BA has been modded to have a blue bezel in place of the standard polished steel one. There’s a theme going here isn’t there....
The parts cost for the mod was considerable. The white dial alone is $1400AUD and the additional blue rubber strap and buckle cost $450 (the watch has the original OEM bracelet as well). Throw in the cost of the new date disc and factor in all the work to actually do the conversion and he came to the conclusion that it would not be possible to recreate this watch for a marketable price (he sold this one at basically the cost of the new watch plus OEM rubber strap). So he said that he won't be trying this again, but the end result is something genuinely unique and I think it’s a stunner. Even my somewhat critical wife thinks it’s gorgeous.
I guess if anyone else were to do something like it, the most likely way will be to simply fit a blue bezel to a white SMP. You’d get much of the look for a fraction of the effort (but similar parts cost). If they’re keen they may also include a set of blue hands, but it’ll still have the black hour markers, so is it going to look right? Close enough for most I guess...
The work that went into this is astonishing and for that reason alone it really is unlikely to be duplicated any time soon - unless of course bloody Omega does it themselves down the track...
And now the obligatory photos... they just show the relevant bits and pieces, I mean we’ve all seen an SMP or three.
CW C1+2xC3+6xC6/60K+C7+C11+3xC60T+2xC65+C90+2xC600
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Omega Ω 11xSpeedy+14xSeamaster+4xConnie+DeVille
Cartier+2xPanerai+2xFarer+2xOris+Sinn+11xSeiko+ManyVintage
B&R+Halios+5xVisitor+TagH+6xTissot+2xZelos+4xCertina+more
Family12xCW+2xΩ+Cartier
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Wow! That’s an amazing result, from a truly ambitious project.
Nice one, Gary.
Nice one, Gary.
Richard
- Amor Vincit Omnia
- Moderator
- Posts: 33798
- Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
- CW-watches: 4
- Location: Norfolk, UK
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Subtle indeed. I’m afraid I’m not very well versed in the world of Seamasters, so I definitely needed your excellent write-up to appreciate it. Otherwise I would not have known it was an original. Very enjoyable read over the early coffee! I love blue on watches generally, and that is a great look. Thanks for sharing, Gary.
PS. All the mods on this forum are good. Two of them were even up at 6 am reading your post!
PS. All the mods on this forum are good. Two of them were even up at 6 am reading your post!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Another interesting write up Gary. Resulting in another unique mod for your collection.
The March of the Mods indeed.
https://youtu.be/xPkKgrmgFTw
Neil
The March of the Mods indeed.
https://youtu.be/xPkKgrmgFTw
Neil
Other watch forums of interest:
TZ-UK
TZ-UK
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Interesting that Omega just released an exact copy of this watch earlier today! The writing is in blue on the Omega Tokyo 2020 though. Congrats on your watch!!
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
- Thegreyman
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12066
- Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
- CW-watches: 6
- Location: Edinburgh
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Very interesting to read through that Gary. I saw your photo and blue comment first in NCWOTD and presumed you were just commenting that the light made the black look blue...but no you have actually got a very unique watch.
I’m biased of course but love the white dial on the SMP and it looks superb with the blue/blue edged bezel, hands and indices.
I used to own the white dial/blue bezel Trident mk2 which was a rare combo for CW, I never understood how it didn’t sell more as I thought those colours matched so well.
I hope Omega don’t bring out the same model, but perhaps someone who works for them will see it on a watch forum. It would be a big compliment to you if they did I guess!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m biased of course but love the white dial on the SMP and it looks superb with the blue/blue edged bezel, hands and indices.
I used to own the white dial/blue bezel Trident mk2 which was a rare combo for CW, I never understood how it didn’t sell more as I thought those colours matched so well.
I hope Omega don’t bring out the same model, but perhaps someone who works for them will see it on a watch forum. It would be a big compliment to you if they did I guess!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Patrick
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Great read and looks great
-- gannet.
C65 AMGT 1VEV | C60 Trident Chronograph 300 | C7 Rapide Automatic | C7 Rapide Quartz | C3 Malvern Chronograph MK II -Limited Edition
C65 AMGT 1VEV | C60 Trident Chronograph 300 | C7 Rapide Automatic | C7 Rapide Quartz | C3 Malvern Chronograph MK II -Limited Edition
- missF
- CW Forum Poet Laureate
- Posts: 11868
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:59 pm
- CW-watches: 3
- Location: Edinburgh
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Bravo!
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
Watchaholic
‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
Watchaholic
‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
- richtel
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 1795
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:10 pm
- CW-watches: 8
- Location: Cotswolds
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Thanks Gary, I enjoyed reading that! You've ended up with a beautiful unique piece. Indeed the resemblence to the new Tokyo special edition is uncanny but the logo and text on the rear sapphire on the SE detract from the pleasure to be had seeing the 8800 inside like yours. It's also some £400 more expensive with a waiting list.
Rich
"The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you're the pilot."
"The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you're the pilot."
- strapline
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 2328
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 3:00 pm
- CW-watches: 0
- Location: SW Ireland
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Having read the OP, it's really hard to believe that this wasn't a variant being offered by Omega. This is just lovely, with such a strong nautical/ocean presence. Think it might be my new Seamaster 300m fav, although I still like the white dial/black bezel variant. Superb!
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
-
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 1921
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:22 am
- CW-watches: 9
- Location: London
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Great write up and another fine result Gary!
Stephen
A few CWs and other brands
A few CWs and other brands
- Thegreyman
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 12066
- Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
- CW-watches: 6
- Location: Edinburgh
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Agreed, and at least with the black text and minute markers, Gary's is still one of a kind.richtel wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:56 am Thanks Gary, I enjoyed reading that! You've ended up with a beautiful unique piece. Indeed the resemblence to the new Tokyo special edition is uncanny but the logo and text on the rear sapphire on the SE detract from the pleasure to be had seeing the 8800 inside like yours. It's also some £400 more expensive with a waiting list.
Patrick
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
C60 Pro 300, C60 Sunrise, C63 Sealander Lucerne blue LE, C65 Dartmouth, W11 Amelia (wife), C63 Sealander (son)
Some others + a few on the way
- H0rati0
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 2314
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:49 am
- CW-watches: 4
- Location: Alpenvorland
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
That Gary, is a straight bullseye. Outstanding.
And given the route to getting there, a blatant bargain.
And given the route to getting there, a blatant bargain.
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
-
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 3168
- Joined: Fri May 05, 2017 2:14 pm
- CW-watches: 0
- Location: South Wales
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Like that a lot G! Superb effort. Give your watchmaker a pat on the back from us
As for the dial text being black, hard to notice and with the hands/markers presumably being heat-blued, they will look black a lot of the time anyway.
Can't find fault with it (size maybe ).
As for the dial text being black, hard to notice and with the hands/markers presumably being heat-blued, they will look black a lot of the time anyway.
Can't find fault with it (size maybe ).
Ryan
- ItsAliveJim
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 7667
- Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:07 pm
Re: I love a good mod, and this is subtle, but *so* much work...
Now that's what I call a result. It looks superb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What the hell is he building in there?" Tom Waits
"What the hell is he building in there?" Tom Waits
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 9 Replies
- 626 Views
-
Last post by aa_bcfc.
-
- 1 Replies
- 285 Views
-
Last post by Alex r
-
- 1 Replies
- 93 Views
-
Last post by RichM
-
- 0 Replies
- 122 Views
-
Last post by FloridaPhil