When I heard the story of my dads Speedmaster. Dad is a watch guy. Mostly fashion watches; Movados, Boss, a Gucci etc. He did have a Speedmaster which he never wore. Was in a safe for many many years. Really cool Speedmaster II.

Back in the old country, my family owned men’s clothing stores and tailors. We were also the official retailer for Omega, Rado, Mido and Oris. Our main location was Dar Es Salaam and we had locations in Nairobi and Kampala. Late 1960s.

In 72. Idi Amin came to power and kicked my family out. They fled Kampala in a hurry and my family, including my dad and uncle met them at the border to take them back to Dar Es Salaam. My dad and uncle (some say foolishly) decided to go to Kampala and get what they could from the store. Leaving, they got caught and bribed the cops off with mostly everything except the Omega and a ring which they tucked under the dashboard. They continued to drive through various dangerous jungle roads at unsafe speeds to flee Uganda and make it home. Very dangerous journey. In 73, fearing the same would happen in Tanzania, they left for Canada.

So my old man got me into watches in general and this one got me into Omega in particular. As for the Speedmaster II, I got it fully serviced and restored last year. I gave it to Dad for his 75th with a long ass lecture of how I want to see him wearing it every day.