145.022-71ST Hello Again!

It has been quite some time since I have been back on these forums. Although I still don't know very much - I - REALLY - didn't know anything when I first arrived. Especially with the Speedy. Example: buying an extremely expensive Speedmaster reference book. Did I need to now knowing what is online today? Nope. And that list goes on - but - I also made some good choices, well- many of them were quite lucky to be fair lol. I purchased my 145.022-71ST about 7 years ago as a special occasion watch - wanting something vintage to mark that occasion with. I am a car guy, and the idea of of a watch called Speedmaster seemed to be on the right track - pun intended (sorry). Prices were very welcoming - especially for a non box and papers example of a 145.022-71ST - which wasn't - and probably still isn't - (even close to) the most popular of the T Swiss Made T dials out there lol. It came with some good stuff - which I didn't know exactly how good it was - until later. The movement was original (32.x), the body was original, with the engraved caseback also the original 71ST marked (inside caseback). Original crystal was in very good condition and most importantly it came with the original step dial and hands - albeit as parts after the previous Shop (on Chrono24 where I bought it) had it serviced. I had a replacement dial and hands in the watch when bought. The bezel was also newly replaced - with no part saved here (the replacement bezel is shown on the last watch pic - with the original dial and hands). The bracelet was a 1175 - which is period and watch correct - although I subbed it out for a NOS 1171 (but kept the 1175 just in case). Showing the time when I was searching - about 1.5 years or so after getting the watch, I found a NOS DN90 bezel. And for 750 dollars. That was the ultimate score for this watch. So beyond the hands - which are fairly worn - but with nice patina, the watch is in extremely good shape with a NOS bracelet and bezel. I (back) then - looked for a box - and not knowing what I was doing bought two boxes - one I thought was time correct (the white box) and once I found out it was the red box - and I couldn't find a nice one - I went for the ridiculous to some - but I love it - super Speedy Moonwatch box kit. I also picked up the red vintage box later on. I didn't realize it at the time, but this was a great watch to get into horology with lol. So much to learn - and through that - it taught me about other watches and what to look for. Although I will never get rid of this watch voluntarily - it is my favourite watch in my humble collection - I am also happy to see these step-dials 71ST's have bumped up in value to some degree. Fun to post again - Cheers!

Great story. Welcome back.

Thank-you sir - glad to be back - lots of great information continues here...Glad the site is strong!