During all the Speedmaster hunting, I frequently came across 1967 case backs marked "145.012-67SP" as well as the more orthodox "145.012-67" marking.

Also, Watchco were selling off what they described as NOS case backs with the "145.012-67SP" marking.

At first, I speculated that this may have indicated a service part but I'm not so sure about that now. And I haven't seen the "SP" on any other Speedy case back. It only seems to appear on the 145.012-67 models - not any other year of the 145.012 or on any other model ref.

So - does anyone know what it is & what it signifies (if anything)

 

I read somewhere ages ago that the SP meant "service part" as in a replacement... but I'm not 100% on that.

 

If you were considering a Watchco back; as your watch is a collector piece and the original back will always follow the watch, I would consider a Thomas Priek display back instead. Inexpensive and a great way to view and show off the movement

 

I have a Thomas Priek caseback on mine and would totally second that, its a brilliant option, and the Cal 321 is a movement that needs showing off.

 

Will look into the Priek case backs, but the original query wasn't because I am looking to replace the case back - more of a quest to find out why only this model and year have SP added to the ref in some cases.

 

Could "SP" mean "Speedmaster Professional", or "Speedmaster" (if pre-Pro)?
gatorcpa

 

One of my team at work is French, so I have asked. Initial feedback is that if SP signifies "service part" then in French the adjective would come first, so the abbreviation would be "PS".

We are investigating further, to see if there is any similar phrase or meaning that would result in a "SP" abbreviation. Beyond that, we will be into the realms of guesswork without any other clues or ideas.

Gator's idea that it may be Speedmaster Professional might be closer to the mark, especially if it was something only included by a particular supplier - but that is pure specuation on my part.

 

From Omega, via Desmond. May or may not be relevant.

BA Yellow gold
BC White gold
BG Pink gold
BT platinum
DA Yellow gold combination
DD gold combination
DG pink gold combination
DL gold combination
MD gold plated
SP Strap <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ST Stainless steel
TA titanium and gold
TI titanium
TL titanium and pink gole
Y

Note: Sometimes this code is stamped before the case number…

 

Maybe, but I'm not quite ready to say that myself. Perhaps Desmond may have some insight.

If only Chuck were here

 

What is not correct? I don't "have" anything
Whether it has any relevance is questionable. I stated that . If you have any question about the list's correctness, take it up with Desmond who published it and quoted Chuck Maddox as the source. http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//aCaseStudydefinitive.pdf page 23.

In the mean time I will keep searching for a definitive answer, as no one has produced one yet.

 

Another interesting piece of uncertain relevance.

http://www.chronocentric.com/forums/omega/index.cgi?md=read;id=59168

"I just had my Constellation serviced. It was quite expensive, IMO -
: they wanted around USD900 for the job which did involve getting
: parts from Omega (that alone took a couple of months). The watch
: looks fine - I hope it keeps time as well as it used to.
: I tried to get into Omega's Vintage Watch web pages, but failed. It
: seems they are working on the site, and some parts are
: unavailable. Maybe you can help? I bought the watch in 1969 (the
: price (without strap) was approx. USD125 at the time!). Can you
: tell me the production year, and any other particulars for this
: watch?
: The caliber is 564, the Ref.# is CD 168 017 SP, and the serial# is
: 264 05 737.
: --
: Aage J.
++
This is the Omega Vintage Database entry.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Constellation - "C"
Gents' leather strap
Reference
BA 168.009 =168.017
International collection
1966
Movement
Type: Automatic chronometer certified
Caliber number: 561 / 564
Cal. 561
Created in 1958, 24 jewels
Cal. 564
Created in 1965, 24 jewels
Functions
Date, Chronometer
Case
18K solid yellow gold
Case back
Screw-in
Full metal
Dial
Solid gold dial with gold hour markers and gold hands.
Crystal
Armoured hesalite
Bracelet
Leather
Water resistance
30 meters
This watch may have existed with different dials.
More product information
Case : "C" shape (35 mm diameter), 18K solid yellow gold
For leather straps of 19 mm lug-size
International Collection : 1967-1972
Swiss retail price (1971) : CHF 1'550.-
Also available on 18K solid gold bracelet under ref. BA 368.4044 (CHF 3'240.- in 1967).
Also available in 18K solid pink gold (BB 168.009, CHF 1'550.-) or in 18K solid white gold (BC 168.009).
JLM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The serial number indicates an age of approximately (+/- 3 years) of 1968.
The CD and SP in the case reference is a metal code and manufacturer indicator. SP indicates "strap". I will assume you have a stainless steel watch.
There is an alternative OVD listing . . .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Constellation - "C"
Gents' leather strap
Reference
ST 168.009 =168.017
International collection
1967
Movement
Type: Automatic chronometer certified
Caliber number: 561
Created in 1958
24 jewels
Central sweep-second hand
Functions
Date, Chronometer
Case
Stainless steel
Case back
Screw-in
Full metal
Dial
With gold hour markers and gold hands
Crystal
Armoured hesalite
Bracelet
Leather
Water resistance
30 meters
This watch may have existed with different dials.
More product information
Case : round (35 mm diameter)
For leather straps of 19 mm lug-size
International Collection : 1967-1972
Swiss retail price (1971) : CHF 480.-
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
At the 1971 exchange rates, CHF 480 = US$117.
At current exchange rates, it is more like US$510 (the dollar has lost a lot of value);
adjusted for inflation, about $2,500.
Further, add a luxury premium of say 40% (Swiss watches were a premium brand of a necessity, now they are clearly an expensive luxury) and
you get a price of about $3,500 in today's dollars.
Pretty comparable to an AquaTerra before the latest upmarket moves by Omega . . . .
Messages In"

 

Maybe you should assume the title of "InvestiGator" now.

Although in reading that post, it seems that the strap comment was from Sam and not part of the OVD listing.

Not sure why there would be any difference between a caseback for a strap watch or a bracelet. Even today, the difference is simply in the stock code, and not on the actual caseback.

We may have an answer, or we may not.
gatorcpa

 

Nope, "InvestiGopher" wouldn't have the same ring to it.