145.012 Looking for opinions

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Makesbelieve

·May 24, 2026

A 145.012-67/68 has come up for auction in my neck of the woods and I thought I’d share some photos to get the forum’s take.

Looks all original to me, correct AML dial, DO90 bezel, square-end chrono hand, clean hippocampus caseback and the original 1039 bracelet. Case is genuinely sharp for its age, brushing and facets still intact. Main concern is the dial lume, hard to tell if there’s much material left or if it’s just underpainting.

One flag, the owner doesn’t feel comfortable opening the case-back to confirm the serial or movement condition, he also doesn’t know the service history either as he inherited it recently.

Using Speedmaster101 I’d put it Good to Very Good, around USD $7,000 to $8,500 before an assumed service, that being said I have really no idea. Does that feel right to you?

 

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Davidt

·May 24, 2026

I’m not seeing anything that would lead me to think this watch is towards the very good category.

Case - good ish. There’s an argument say it’s good minus.
Dial - Fair plus.
Bezel - fair.
Movement - unknown so assume fair.

I’d be pricing this as fair plus. Then adding the value of the bracelet.

 

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Dash1

·May 24, 2026

Personally I don’t find the dial with its missing lume attractive, or the damaged bezel. Looks like an honest watch though.

 

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SOG53

·May 24, 2026

Agree w @Davidt assessment - fair. I think lume mostly there missing in spots (11 marker) and dirty elsewhere.
Value to me fair head plus 1000 bracelet minus uncertainty factor not seeing inside.
And most importantly do you like it?

 

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ibis888

·May 24, 2026

As others have said, watch seems correct but not in great condition. Do you like the looks of it?

Personally, I would rather use the same amount of money for a very good condition 3590.50 or 145.022 from the 70s or 80s. Depending on your budget, perhaps even a 145.022-69.

 

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watch_my_six

·May 24, 2026

Davidt

I’m not seeing anything that would lead me to think this watch is towards the very good category.

Case - good ish. There’s an argument say it’s good minus.
Dial - Fair plus.
Bezel - fair.
Movement - unknown so assume fair.

I’d be pricing this as fair plus. Then adding the value of the bracelet.

I would be a little more generous (but not much): the case/back appears minimally polished, with a strong hippocampus, so perhaps very good. And given how bad some of these bezels can be, I may give it a good. The dial/hands I don't like though, so fair at best. And regardless of the lack of a movement photo / serial, without even any indication of the rate/BE/amplitude, I would also give the movement a fair at best. It does have a flat foot crown as a bonus, as well as the bracelet as was mentioned. Last minor think to check would be the crystal.

Edited: May 24, 2026

 

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Ron_W

·May 24, 2026

The handset is a later replacement and there is some missing lume. Maybe the left side of the case is polished or dented as the polished bevel seems uneven ? And showing signs of age is not a bad thing perse as long as you think it is an attractive watch. An honest watch i think
but good minus at best, so 5K usd if it is a private transaction maybe ?

 

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Davidt

·May 24, 2026

watch_my_six

I would be a little more generous (but not much): the case/back appears minimally polished, with a strong hippocampus, so perhaps very good. And given how bad some of these bezels can be, I may give it a good. The dial/hands I don't like though, so fair at best. And regardless of the lack of a movement photo / serial, without even any indication of the rate/BE/amplitude, I would also give the movement a fair at best. It does have a flat foot crown as a bonus, as well as the bracelet as was mentioned. Last minor think to check wuod be the crystal.

Imo a case back with a significant scratch from poor opening attempts can’t be anywhere near very good.

I appreciating any grading system is subject but I also can’t see the bezel as good.

 

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Makesbelieve

·May 24, 2026

Thanks for all your responses, the answer to the most asked question, ‘do you like it?’ is: we’ll initially “no”. When I was on my daily scroll I saw it and scrolled past (not attractive bezel or dial), until the low start price ($2400 USD) forced me to take another look (that’s not the reserve mind you). The more I looked at the watch the more it grew on me… I started viewing it as @watch_my_six was assessing it, but I do believe that annoying start price was messing with me. I also had a slight feeling that the hands were replacements as @Ron_W mentioned, but on second assessment I’m not sure…

Anyway, thanks all for your wise words. I’ll let you know what the final hammer price is.

 

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SOG53

·May 24, 2026

Good luck with auction. Would this be your first Speedy?
Btw I’m not convinced the hands are replaced they may well be original.

 

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Makesbelieve

·May 24, 2026

SOG53

Good luck with auction. Would this be your first Speedy?

Thanks! No I own a 145.022-76

 

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Makesbelieve

·Fri. 9:37pm

For posterity and for anyone who may have been interested, the watch ultimately fetched $3,291 USD with only a single bid (not me). So ‘Fair’ according to our beloved Speedmaster101 price chart.

The transaction took place on New Zealand’s version of eBay (TradeMe), so no additional auction fees or buyer's premiums would have been added, just shipping costs.

 

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pdxleaf

·Fri. 9:49pm·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

Makesbelieve

For posterity and for anyone who may have been interested, the watch ultimately fetched $3,291 USD with only a single bid (not me). So ‘Fair’ according to our beloved Speedmaster101 price chart.

The transaction took place on New Zealand’s version of eBay (TradeMe), so no additional auction fees or buyer's premiums would have been added, just shipping costs.

Well, that's a steal.

 

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Makesbelieve

·Fri. 9:59pm

pdxleaf

Well, that's a steal.

I agree, with a proper service and a fresh relume, this piece had excellent potential.

Ultimately, the seller’s inability to open the caseback before the auction ended likely deterred the 47 prospective bidders who were watching it.

Would any of you have taken a calculated risk on it?

 

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hansaboy

·Sat. 12:51am

Makesbelieve

I agree, with a proper service and a fresh relume, this piece had excellent potential.

Ultimately, the seller’s inability to open the caseback before the auction ended likely deterred the 47 prospective bidders who were watching it.

Would any of you have taken a calculated risk on it?

YES!!!
😄

 

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masteroftime

·Sat. 11:43am

Makesbelieve

Would any of you have taken a calculated risk on it?

I don’t see much risk. I would have paid $4k maybe more without hesitation.

 

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Davidt

·Sat. 12:52pm

$3200 with the bracelet is a very good price.

 

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pdxleaf

·Sat. 10:39pm·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

Makesbelieve

Would any of you have taken a calculated risk on it?

I've done it many times. I'll give the buyer 4k now