Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

A place to discuss other watch-brands
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by gaf1958 »

So I have a fondness for Omega’s Speedmaster; at one time, I owned nine of them. Then along came the need to fund a property deposit without a) eating too much into my superannuation and b) doing so without selling the house we owned for another six months or more. So along came a big sell off of some of my more expensive watches to fund said deposit... yes it was worth it... :) six of the Speedys were included in the selloff, so only three left; a Broadmaster and two LEs.

I’m starting to get back some of the other watches that I sold, I replaced the Panerai 512 with a nearly identical 630, my standard black dialled Speedy was kind of replaced by a black dialled Omega DeVille chronograph, but the actual Speedmaster count has remained at three... until now. I’ve added a mid-seventies TV dial Speedy to the stable. It’s called a TV dial because of the rounded off square shaped dial and crystal; those younger than myself may have seem similarly shaped TVs in old movies - I grew up with them. In the seventies, all TVs looked like that...

It’s an automatic, one fitted with a movement I love; the Lemania 5100, or in Omega-speak the Calibre 1045. It has three subdials, a twelve hour totaliser at 6, running seconds at 9 and a 24 hour indicator at 12. So what’s missing - the chronograph minute hand you say? It’s hidden behind the chrono second hand, so minutes and seconds are both read off the standard dial markings. It’s possibly the easiest to read chronograph watch around - or at least it was until Tag Heuer developed the Calibre S.

This one has been serviced (very recently) by Omega Bienne so it should be good for a little while now and I have the documentation for that. It still has the original tritium grey-blue dial, but the full handset seems to have been replaced at the service; a shame perhaps, but at least they look good and have some almost reasonable lume so I can tell the time when I wake up in the middle of the night...

And here it is...

Image

Image

Image

Image



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
User avatar
Thegreyman
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12066
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 3:45 pm
CW-watches: 6
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Thegreyman »

Very distinctive with the TV dial and looks to be in superb condition, with the assurance it has just been serviced. Highly functional too with the chrono and day/date.

The bracelet looks retro cool too, what sort of clasp arrangement does it have?

It looks like you have picked up an absolute corker there Gary!
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
User avatar
Boydesian
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1000
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:27 pm
CW-watches: 7
Location: New Hampshire (USA)

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Boydesian »

I love it. Now I want one...and yes, I can confirm that all TV screens were that shape in the '70s. :D
Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?
Whare hae ye been sae brankie, O?
Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?
Came ye by Killiecrankie, O?
User avatar
mikes
Senior
Senior
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:22 pm
CW-watches: 1
Location: NC, USA

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by mikes »

I’ve not seen one of these before - I quite like it!
A car guy with an interest in watches:
CW Mk I C3 Malvern Chronograph
Oak & Oscar Olmsted 38
Orient Ray II
Orient Bambino Ver. 3
Seiko 5 SNK807
User avatar
stefs
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 5952
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:40 pm
CW-watches: 2
Location: Sunny Tiptree, Essex

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by stefs »

Cracker Gary. Very retro and very cool. How do you always find these things in such amazing condition!
Great pick up, enjoy it.
Cheers now, Paul
User avatar
TigerChris
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3244
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 2:51 pm
CW-watches: 1

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by TigerChris »

stefs wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 4:02 pm How do you always find these things in such amazing condition!
I've been wondering that myself, Paul. Great looking watch, I'm not normally a 'Speedy' fan - I actually think that if they hadn't been the first watch to go to the moon not many people would give them a second look and that a lot buy them just because of that and not because they like the look of the watch. Anyway, I digress! This is one Speedmaster that I could really take to, day/date certainly helps for me. A modern reissue could look fantastic.
Lavaine
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3918
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:45 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Alberta, Canada (The Great White North, eh!)

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Lavaine »

TV dial watches are a fun design, that clearly speak to a specific era. Even with a design as timeless as the Speedmaster, there is no question as to when this watch was made.
While nowhere near as nice, I love the playful design of my TV dial Memostar Alarm.
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
User avatar
Amor Vincit Omnia
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 33800
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:34 pm
CW-watches: 4
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

^^^As Chris says, very much of its time. For some reason, the rounded square has never attracted me. Still a classy watch, though.
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)
Lavaine
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3918
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:45 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Alberta, Canada (The Great White North, eh!)

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Lavaine »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 8:33 pm ^^^As Chris says, very much of its time. For some reason, the rounded square has never attracted me. Still a classy watch, though.
Overall I do prefer the rounded rectangle dial of my Memostar and some other TV dials, although I think the square was more common (and is possibly the only 'proper' TV dial?).
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
Lavaine
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3918
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:45 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: Alberta, Canada (The Great White North, eh!)

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Lavaine »

Lavaine wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 8:46 pm
Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 8:33 pm ^^^As Chris says, very much of its time. For some reason, the rounded square has never attracted me. Still a classy watch, though.
Overall I do prefer the rounded rectangle dial of my Memostar and some other TV dials, although I think the square was more common (and is possibly the only 'proper' TV dial?).
I'm too lazy to find a picture of mine right now, but it looks like this one:
Image
2017 CW Forum "Darwin Award" winner.
User avatar
Thermexman
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 6225
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:40 am
CW-watches: 4
Location: South West UK

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Thermexman »

A great find Gary.
Steve.
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by gaf1958 »

Thegreyman wrote:The bracelet looks retro cool too, what sort of clasp arrangement does it have?
It’s just the standard seventies style Omega deployant clasp, with about 3 dozen holes for adjustment... :wink:
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
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by gaf1958 »

stefs wrote:How do you always find these things in such amazing condition!
I’d like to say perseverance and patience Paul, and to be truthful that is often the answer, but not in this case.

Although I’ve been looking at these on and off for almost a decade, this one however, was simply happenstance. I hadn’t been looking for one of these for many months but while looking for something totally unrelated, I chanced upon this one. After a little bit of somewhat hurried research (mostly to confirm my own recollections and understanding of this model) I bought it.

So basically, just jammy...
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
User avatar
gaf1958
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 12431
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:24 am
CW-watches: 24
Location: ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ʇsɐoƆ ǝuᴉɥsunS

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by gaf1958 »

The 1045 movement in this is used in only a few Speedys: this one; the 125th anniversary (a run of 2000 watches, that are so truly bulky and awkward on the wrist that you regularly see them up for sale); the “Mark 4.5” of which I’ve already owned two examples; and the so called “holy grail” a rarely seen and insanely expensive moonwatch fitted with this movement (far more Frankens/fakes of this exist than the real item).

I’ve owned a Revue Thommen with a Lemania 5100 in it and I just love the way that it works with the two central chronograph hands for minutes and seconds.
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
User avatar
Caller
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2124
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:44 pm
CW-watches: 2
Location: Hua Hin, Thailand

Re: Blast from the Past: TV Dial Speedy

Post by Caller »

That is an absolute peach of a speedie! I love everything about it - congratulations!
'Tis me
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post