Hi Guys,

The movement shows 3221xxxx I would date this for 1971 last year of the straight line "man on the moon model" bracelet is stamped 1039/516 4/71 that sounds spot on to me. Can the pro's chime in with your thoughts. To my knowledge this looks about right to me. Thanks Guys

 

You're good.
Here's my Straight line NOS

 

WOW, awesome! What is yours stamped...FLAWLESS example look at that!

 

I can't get to it right now-
I can look tomorrow
I'm sure you're good though sounds perfect

 

Mines a 316xxxxx

 

When they assembled the early 861s they used parts at random from the parts bin. So early "transitional" case backs (hippocampus) were still coming out occasionally when they introduced the straight text case back, and the straight text case backs were still popping up and being sold in 1973 long after the introduction of the current case back.

Mine has serial number 32217xxx - very close to yours. The movements may date as late as 1973.

Highest documented serial number according to speedy4ever as per the Moonwatch Only book and the owner stefan is 32.8M, sold in 1973 (with the papers to prove it).

 

PS here's mine (white balance was a little screwy.. lume should be pale creamy yellow):

 

Dibs !!!!

 

There are three versions I have seen of this caseback.

 

Beautifully documented on your website by the way. Thanks for maintaining that as a very handy resource - I spotted the recent updates to the transitional case back section.

 

Link to website mentioned above?

Thank you.

 

http://www.speedmaster101.com/145-022-69/

Scroll down for the transitional backs

 

awsome