Any Pictures of Mint Lugs on Omega Straight Lug Speedmaster

Marsimaxam
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I haven't seen many like new, NOS, mint condition unpolished straight lug Speedmasters. I know they are out there, so if you have one in your possession or know of a great image, please post on this thread. Most of the straight lug Speedys I've seen have been over-polished.

Show me what you have...

Thanks

(here's a few I found that show the bevel on the lugs)

DSC_0023.jpg DSC_0025.jpg DSC_0026.jpg DSC_0028.jpg
 
Dan S
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Keep in mind that the lugs were different in different years.
 
Davidt
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Good point. I should clarify that’s mines a -65. There are no bevels on -64’s and I believe minimal on -63’s.
 
padders
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@Marsimaxam

The watch you show in your first two pics has looks refinished to me. The bevel is correct for a -65 but should not be brushed, the top and bevel were polished smooth in my experience (like Davidt's example, mine too). As noted above, one factor that causes big misunderstandings is that the -63 and -64 seem to have no bevel, the -65 certainly does so this causes people to argue that one or the other isn't correct.
Edited:
 
M'Bob
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padders padders
@Marsimaxam

The watch you show in your first two pics has looks refinished to me. The bevel is correct for a -65 but should not be brushed, the top and bevel were polished smooth in my experience (like Davidt's example, mine too). As noted above, one factor that causes big misunderstandings is that the -63 and -64 seem to have no bevel, the -65 certainly does so this causes people to argue that one or the other isn't correct.

The ‘63 bevel issue has always been a confusing one: here is an example from William’s Speedmaster 101:

6E4585AF-6798-4A9C-8226-221EC5408483.jpeg

He says, “The sides probably been re brushed, but on a case that is still thick with good definitions. It is a very good example.” So I wonder maybe earlier 105.003-63 with bevel, later like the no-bevel ‘64 case?
 
eugeneandresson
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padders padders
The bevel is correct for a -65 but should not be brushed, the top and bevel were polished smooth in my experience (like Davidt's example, mine too).

If you look closely you will indeed see that the bevel (but not lug tops) are factory brushed on -65s … but it’s so fine as to be obscured by scratches from 55+ years of wear. @ndgal highlighted this fact somewhere, which prompted me to have a closer look and see it. OPs watch looks like the correct shape…but maybe with a fresh scraping of sandpaper which is a pity.

Edit : 2 fine specimens of factory original lugs/finishing in this thread …

https://omegaforums.net/threads/anyone-pick-up-this-ed-white-105-003-65.138988/
Edited:
 
Pvt-Public
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To answer the question in the title, No, I’ve never seen any pictures of “mint lugs”. I’ve seen various metals, ceramic and even plastic. But never mint.😝
 
padders
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
If you look closely you will indeed see that the bevel (but not lug tops) are factory brushed on -65s … but it’s so fine as to be obscured by scratches from 55+ years of wear. @ndgal highlighted this fact somewhere, which prompted me to have a closer look and see it. OPs watch looks like the correct shape…but maybe with a fresh scraping of sandpaper which is a pity.

Edit : 2 fine specimens of factory original lugs/finishing in this thread …
https://omegaforums.net/threads/anyone-pick-up-this-ed-white-105-003-65.138988/
That so? Maybe I should take another look at mine then. I figured mine were lightly scratched polished, rather than lightly polished brushed! I was working from memory and can't find a pic right now. Regardless, like you I still don't think the OP watch is the all original finish.
 
djmusicman
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Marsimaxam Marsimaxam
I haven't seen many like new, NOS, mint condition unpolished straight lug Speedmasters. I know they are out there, so if you have one in your possession or know of a great image, please post on this thread. Most of the straight lug Speedys I've seen have been over-polished.

Show me what you have...

Thanks

(here's a few I found that show the bevel on the lugs)

DSC_0023.jpg DSC_0025.jpg DSC_0026.jpg DSC_0028.jpg

​


Chat GPT thinks the first one is refinished:

delete.webp

Lug bevel (chamfer): The bevel line here is quite wide and flat, extending deep into the lug shoulder. On untouched 105.003 cases, the bevel is usually sharper, thinner, and more defined. This looks more like a refinish where the bevel was recreated with modern tools.
  • Edges: The transition between brushed lug top and polished flank is softened. On an original, that edge should be crisper.
  • Brushed finish: The brushing looks rather coarse and fresh, with visible directional lines. 1960s Omega brushing was finer and more subtle.
  • Overall lug profile: The lug looks slightly thinned compared to untouched examples, suggesting some metal has been removed.

Conclusion:​


This case has almost certainly been refinished. The bevel is too wide and soft, and the brushing too coarse to be original. While it’s not an overly aggressive polish (the case still has “meat” and decent proportions), it lacks the sharp, blocky geometry of an untouched Ed White.


👉 In short: refinished, but competently done.

And that this one is original:

105.003-65 unpolished shuck.webp


This one looks much closer to an original, unpolished 105.003 case.


Here’s why:


  • Bevel (chamfer): The bevel line is narrow, sharp, and flat, running consistently from the lug tip towards the case. That’s exactly what you want to see on an untouched Ed White.
  • Edge definition: The transition between the brushed lug top and polished flank is crisp and well-defined, not soft or rounded.
  • Brushed finish: The brushing is fine and even, not coarse. It shows the typical factory-style grain you’d expect from Omega in the mid-60s.
  • Proportions: The lug looks “full,” with no sign of thinning from polishing. The geometry is intact, with the correct angularity.

Conclusion:​


This case appears to be unpolished (or extremely lightly touched, if at all). It has the sharp bevels, crisp edges, and correct brushing that mark an original finish.


👉 Comparing this with your earlier photo really highlights the difference: the refinished case had wide, soft bevels and coarse brushing, while this one shows the tight bevel and sharp geometry of a factory-fresh case.
 
bsowers34
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Wouldn't the new FOIS serve as a reference? Polished top, brushed sides.
 
djmusicman
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Wouldn't the new FOIS serve as a reference? Polished top, brushed sides.
No, not for the 105.003-65 because the new FOIS has no bevel. Same case as the newer Ed White. Maybe a good reference for 105.003-64 though.

new3.webp
 
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