Around four years ago, I had to lay down my screwdrivers and take up residence in hospital for back surgery. That should'nt have been a problem, usually 3-6 months later and it's back in business. Except in some cases that is, and unluckily for me I turned out to be one of those "some cases". Well, fourteen major back surgeries later, including a stint in ICU in a coma on life-support (I'm not really sure how long, and I regret to say I can't remember seeing any tunnels of light!), I am at last back home and able to spend a few hours a day at my workbench, not to mention being thankful I can even walk to it. Let's just say I am very grateful to be alive after going through all that, in no small way due to the unrelenting help and support of my Thai wife Siri.
I have serviced plenty of Omega cal 321 Speedmasters before, but I have never actually owned one, and they have always been a favorite of mine. When I read Chuck Maddox's article on "What watches were worn on/near the moon", I thought it would be really cool to have a 321. (BTW, I was shocked and greatly saddened to hear of Chuck's passing earlier this year - I still can't believe it). Can someone please tell me what happened?
So, laying in my hospital bed loaded up with pethidine and plenty of time to think, the idea occurred to me that it would be really neat to have a brand new or NOS 321 Speedmaster. Only problem is that they have been out of production for more than forty years and there ain't no more of them. Would it be possible to make one from spare parts? No problem if all the parts can be found I thought. As it happened, I had converted all my service manuals to pdf files in case I got watch withdrawal symptoms while in hospital, and I had them on my notebook. I also had some favorite watches with me too, to help keep me company. So I set to work to build up a complete parts list of what I would need. That isn't as easy as it sounds, as the Omega 321 parts manual starts with the 27 Chro from its inception in 1942, and progresses stage by stage through the various versions of the 27 Chro, to the 320, and up to the latest 321 - there being no single absolute list of 321 parts as such. There are many common parts from step to step (eg. a 320 barrel is not the same as a 321 barrel, but the reset hammer for a 320 is the same as a 321 reset hammer etc.) so it was a real exercise to do, and took a long time. There are a total of six variants of this movement. Having done that, I set about trying to source the parts, and for a while it looked like I was not going to be able to get everything. To cut a long story short, it took three years and dozens of pleading emails and phone calls to suppliers all around the world. I finally thought I had all I needed to complete my project. If you think I got it right first time - no way! it took many re-orders to correct my mistakes, and I ended up with lots of extra parts that I wouldn't need. I reckon I would have one of the larger stocks of 321 parts to be found anywhere! Fortunately, most of this was done before I got my hospital bill!
The following series of pics gives a rough idea of how my project progressed. Excuse their quality, I'm no Paul Delury!
In summary, there are questions one might ask about this project. Was it easy? What it worth the trouble? Was it a cheap way of getting a nice watch? Would I recommend it is a project for others to do?
Though I really like the 321 movement, in my opinion the next generation of it, ie. the cal. 861 is a better movement overall, with design bugs in the 321 having been resolved nicely. Ignoring our love of column wheels, the 861 cam system is simpler and nicer in action. The 321 has a minute counter system that, while is ok and quite traditional, is fiddly to set up correctly (from scratch that is), while the 861 design of this part of the chrono mechanism is much better I think. Also, the 861 beats faster (21,600 against 18,000) and has a non-magnetic flat hairspring and solid glucydur balance, against the steel overcoil hairspring and screwed balance of the 321. I do think the 321 balance does look nicer though, more classic you could say. In either case, the iron antimagnetic shield is still worth having, as strong magnetism can affect the center chrono wheel starting properly. Overall though, the 321 has history and character, being the first watch worn on the moon, and that to me is a big plus in its favor.
For myself, this project served a major purpose. It kept me occupied and gave me something to look forward to doing while I spent years on my back in bed. For just that alone, it was well worthwhile. As for cost, I reckon I could have bought two or three nice second-hand 321's with what the parts cost alone, not counting the hours involved. I would not recommend this as a project for everyone to tackle for a few reasons. You need all the 321 data sheets, and some really good friendly parts suppliers who know you well. The chances of getting everything you need is low. Also, you need reasonably good watchmaking skills and a reasonably well-equipped workshop. It is not simply a matter of screwing together all the bits, tolerances vary and often parts need tweaking to fit properly. I am sure this would have occurred in the Omega factory too as the watches progessed down the assembly line. Despite the high precision in the manufacture of watch parts, sometimes tolerances add up the wrong way and something is either too loose or too tight and needs adjusting or a replacement part. As they say on "Video Zonkers"..."Don't Try This At Home!"
I hope you enjoyed reading about my little project. I have only one regret. Chuck Maddox was looking forward to seeing the completed watch, and I am very sorry to say I didn't get to finish it in time.
Regards, Rob