Hi all,

As I am sure many of us have experienced, sometimes it takes a lot of patience to land that one lovely piece... Here's another one.

To the most puristic of all purists; my apologies in advance, as there's a number of steps taken to get this watch to where it currently is...

Whilst on holiday last April, I spotted this Speedmaster 145.022-69 online with a South African watch dealer. Whilst the case and pushers resembled molten Chocolate, the dial reminds one of the same sweet. So, after a few messages back and forth and a confirmed 2960XXXX serial, a project was added to the collection.




Of course I was anxious to see the watch in real life as the case seemed pretty poor in the pictures. That, clearly, did prove to be true... So as a next step, the hunt was on for a correct case band which led me to a parts dealer in Australia. With a little help from @blubarb who provided me with some reassurance, a nicely aged 145.012-57 / 145.022-69 case made it's way to my doorstep.



(The flat foot crown came with it as a bonus.)

Next step; decasing it.

(Apologies for the poor picture quality)

And with some help of my watchmaker and his (hand) painting skills, this is the picture I received from him a week ago.


It goes without saying that I rushed over to pick the piece up and start wearing it. I am pretty chuffed about it, as must be obvious by now.



At the same time, @MtV also picked up his brown dial Speedmaster. They make a lovely pair, don't they?



One question remains, which I would certainly like your feedback on. Would you replace the service bezel on this 145.022-69 with a period-correct Dot-Over-Ninety, or would you just leave it as is?

Regardless of the answer, it's on my wrist right now and will be enjoyed.

 

Lovely pair, this, even though their condition is… let’s just say different.

Having handled the piece in sunlight yesterday I have to say: It’s such a lovely deep brown, much more intense than our pictures could convey.


But then, we’re both watch nerds, no hobby-photographers, as this little behind-the-scenes shot probably makes very obvious

 

You have gone to so much trouble to re-case this valuable dial … may as well go for a DON.

 

Yes, nose to grindstone to get this far, finish the update and enjoy.

 

Alright… I guess I’ll have to keep monitoring the Parts for Sale posts here.

 

Lovely dial. Gotta agree it’s needs the correct bezel.

 

I think I haven't mentioned this in person yesterday, but yeah, +1 on the correct bezel from my side. That being said, I don't think it needs to be perfect. As you can see, I find the combination of a brown dial with a light grey bezel pretty mesmerizing. I think it shouldnt be quite as dinged up as my example, though. And I'm not only saying this because you helped me source it and then slightly regretted that.

Good shape, slightly grey would be ideal, imo.

 

Agree! Also, the DON ghost bezel does look very good with the well-lived brown dial on your Speedmaster. Happy with that result!

It's clear that the consensus is that my Chocolate Speedy 'deserves' (let's not say 'needs') a fitting DON. I'll keep an eye out for one.

 

Very nice : congrats to both of you you do pair well too

 

Thanks, I’d say we look about as different as our -69s though.

 

Wot he said.
Edit. Mine added, just because.

 

Nice watches
The @MtV 's speedy reminds me a bit of @oddboy his Zombie
https://omegaforums.net/threads/wruw-today.567/page-9467#post-1990497


I also managed to pick up a nice one last week

 

Lovely piece! Well done, @Eve !

 

A short update. My Chocolate project has been completed after having successfully sourced a passable, slightly imperfect DON bezel...

(Please excuse the poor image quality, better pics follow)

... yet the fun isn't over yet. Spot the missing piece(s):



Yes. You guessed right. If anyone happens to have a pair of 575 End Links sitting around, please do drop me a note. I will be posting a WTB for this shortly, of course. For now, I'm off to enjoy the watch on my wrist whilst sorting out the last bits of X-mas shopping.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

 

Beautiful watch, 575 are still available at your OB, merry christmas,

Max

 

Thanks! I am aware they can still be obtained and have the service ones on order already. However, as the design has evolved substantially, I’d prefer to obtain vintage ones at some stage.

For now, I’ll just enjoy it on a strap.

 

Mine says hi
Kind regards Max

 

Finding a perfect watch is a great fun but working on a not so good watch, but with an attractive dial, and making it great can be even more fun I guess, right? I hope to make it one day