145.022-68 Transitional Speedmaster, polished or not?

Posts

1,869

Likes

2,625

watchlovr

·Nov 8, 2019

So, i have this Speedmaster, as the title says, a “transitional”
Question for the polishing experts is, is it polished or not?
It looks great to my eyes, mid case graining looks original, I see no actual signs of re graining or polishing but i am tending towards polished purely because of the difference in finish between the mid case and case back.

 

Posts

8,285

Likes

19,545

alam

·Nov 8, 2019

watchlovr

...It looks great to my eyes...

it looks great to mine too 👍

watchlovr

...but i am tending towards polished....

when in doubt, refer to above 😀

 

Posts

5,092

Likes

15,746

eugeneandresson

·Nov 8, 2019

Square-on shot looking 'into' the dial, and also square-on shots looking 'into' the lugs please (but from those shots it does look crisp...just need to see a bit more)😀

 

Posts

1,552

Likes

6,780

Aludic

·Nov 8, 2019·@SpeedyBirthYear

Well, even if it has been polished lightly which is not surprising for a 50 year old, it is a great looking watch! It also looks very much like the one I have.

Congrats on this one!

 

Posts

72

Likes

240

Jim W

·Nov 8, 2019

The case looks very sharp. It may have had a very light polish during its 50 years. But who cares, it's lovely!

 

Posts

2,218

Likes

6,927

ATWG

·Nov 8, 2019

Looks way too clean to me considering the oxidation on the pushers/neck and the wear on the caseback, the story just doesn't hang together for me. I would lean on it being freshly polished.

 

Posts

206

Likes

737

Nla91

·Nov 8, 2019

As far as I know, this line indicates a polish. It appears because the polishing wheel cannot reach any longer.

 

Posts

30,163

Likes

77,888

Archer

·Nov 8, 2019

Keep in mind that truly "unpolished" watches are about as rare as you can imagine. A very small fraction of one percent I would say, so the chances that most of the watch being sold as "unpolished" haven't been polished, is very small IMO.

In no way would I pay a premium for any watch that was described this way, and in general I avoid sales that make these claims.

 

Posts

242

Likes

2,453

Ville_W

·Nov 8, 2019

Imho polished. Some small dings on the bezel but nothing on the case. And if you look underneath, mirror finish under the lugs but wear on the caseback.

 

Posts

2,720

Likes

5,554

kingsrider

·Nov 8, 2019

My 2 cents... at least the sides have been brushed. I don't see any blemishes on the sides and numerous blemishes that you would expect elsewhere.

 

Posts

390

Likes

677

DeepBlue

·Nov 8, 2019

Probably polished. But it still looks very nice.

 

Posts

25

Likes

129

Ralph971

·Nov 8, 2019

I think Nla91`s Picture indicates that it has been polished. Otherwise you would expect some scratches on the sides of the case. But overall, I have to agree: It looks very nice!

 

Posts

1,869

Likes

2,625

watchlovr

·Nov 12, 2019

Thanks for your input gents.

 

J

Posts

521

Likes

410

joe band

·Nov 12, 2019

tease! show us the face!

what's the story on this beauty?

 

Posts

2,427

Likes

4,700

mr_yossarian

·Nov 12, 2019

Is the case condition consistent with the rest of the watch?

 

Posts

24,792

Likes

55,066

Dan S

·Nov 12, 2019

Looks like a nice case. Polished/unpolished ... pretty much impossible to say.

 

Posts

1,869

Likes

2,625

watchlovr

·Nov 12, 2019

Sorry gents, can't find any more photos, and its on a friends wrist right now, potential purchase.
If he's ok with it I'll take some more and add them.

 

Posts

1,116

Likes

1,722

flqt-9000

·Nov 12, 2019

Nla91

As far as I know, this line indicates a polish. It appears because the polishing wheel cannot reach any longer.

I don’t agree. That line may be found also in the new ones.

 

Posts

206

Likes

737

Nla91

·Nov 12, 2019

flqt-9000

I don’t agree. That line may be found also in the new ones.

It's not on my modern unpolished Speedmaster, and a quick google didn't show it either. Feel free to share a picture😀

 

Posts

1,116

Likes

1,722

flqt-9000

·Nov 12, 2019

Here for example.
I had the opportunity to observe this live at the speedy tuesday event, and I can assure that the sound one has the lines.
At the same event I had a talk with an omega engineer which assured that the lines are due to the manufacturing.