I have a Straight Writing Speedmaster with an A3, 24 tooth, wide logo crown. Version 1 of MWO suggests A3 is correct for -71 onwards but may be correct for some later -69's. Is there a consensus? For those who have (what they believe to be) original -69's what is your crown and serial? 145.022-69 Straigh Writing: 31,6xx xxx serial.
145.022-69 SW 32,2xx,xxx (not helpful, I guess, since it's later than yours) A3 (not as clean as yours)
This might raises more concerns than answers, but my 31,620,xxx 145.022-74 (extract, June ‘71) has an A3 crown.
You have an extract for a 145.022-74 with a delivery date in 1971? [Edit: Sorry, I just remembered that the extract will only say 145.022.]
Yeah, doesn’t confirm -74 on the extract so mine may just be muddying the water of the question. But for what it’s worth, it is a vintage crown that matches the details of 70’s crowns that I’ve seen to this point.
I think these early -74's with the 31mil serials may be something of an anomaly. I assume they were set aside for -71 production then ended up not being cased and waited for the -74.
I'm going to look at trying to pin down a more accurate transition from the A2-A3 so if anyone else would like to post (or pm me) their serial (block out the last couple of digits if you prefer) and type of crown I'd really appreciate it. I'd be particularly interested in hearing from members with one owner/barn find/original watches. Thanks in advance
Owner of a barnfid -69SW here. Sadly my crown was badly damaged and I had it replaced straight away. Will have to check if I still have it. If so i‘ll Update you tomorrow. Cheers, Max
Hi @Davidt I dug deep and found the service invoice and the crown that came off my speedy along with it. Excuse the terrible pictures please... desk lamp and no macro so I had to use my phone and a lupe. EOA confirmed a production date of July 8 1971 Serial is 31617xxx I got this speedy from the son of the original owner and it given it’s (original but dirty) condition I doubt that the crown was replaced at some point in the past before I got it. Cheers, Max
Hi @Dan S. Taking into account how you came to own that watch, and it's condition etc so you believe that is the original crown? Not a loaded question or anything.
You'r welcome Indeed it is, and if I find one one day for a decent price I'll bring my -69SW back to original spec. For now the service crown has to do. Cheers, Max
. Keep me updated, and good luck on your quest! Maybe the SW came with both, a2 and a3 crowns depending on serial?
It's far too early to draw any meaningful conclusions but I wouldn't assume a SW needed an A2 at this point. Like I say, it's early days though...
I understand what you're asking. The most I can say is that I have no reason to doubt that it's original, based on the way I purchased it and the condition (the wear-and-tear is consistent with the watch as a whole). However, I have no actual provenance or documentation. Hopefully you can collect enough data points to identify trends and outliers.