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145.022-74 Speedmaster Purchase

gdupree
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I received myspeedmaster purchase some time ago - a 145.022-74 - and I thought I'd share some of my excitement here.

Got it for a nice deal. From all my knowledge, it appears to be all correct. Included the correct 1171/633 bracelet as well. I believe it is the original crystal, but without a loupe its difficult to make out the exact characteristics of the tiny omega symbol on it. I'm also not the most experienced gauge of condition/polish grades, but from my eye I can at least tell that the case doesn't appear to look like a used bar of soap.

However, since receiving it, I have found an issue. The chrono hour register doesn't reset to zero. The hour register runs when engaged, it doesn't creep when disengaged, but it resets to just north of one as you can see. I counted on it needing a service when buying, as there were no records, but still the issue is concerning. Anyone had experience with this? Let me know your thoughts.

Some photos:

439066-6fae2369a4a85217b1944343ecdbd103.jpg 439067-98d8e591308b7d6c43e73157b873e9d9.jpg aa.jpg
Edited:
 
kreyke
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I have the same issue with my speedmaster but I was told it is not a difficult fix. I'm hoping the pros can chip in on it as well!

Are the lumes spilling out or is it just the photo?
 
gdupree
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kreyke kreyke
I have the same issue with my speedmaster but I was told it is not a difficult fix. I'm hoping the pros can chip in on it as well!

Are the lumes spilling out or is it just the photo?

They are. Up close it looks more like they're more dusty and have sort of oxidized outward.
Edited:
 
abrod520
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Nice pickup, the chrono reset issue should be able to be fixed at service but be sure to point it out to the watchmaker.
 
gdupree
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abrod520 abrod520
Nice pickup, the chrono reset issue should be able to be fixed at service but be sure to point it out to the watchmaker.
Great to hear.
Edited:
 
gdupree
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Movement shot, for anyone interested.

439414-8e010ace9f4343695259acf890fb5077.jpg
Edited:
 
Peter Lundberg
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The hour hand creeps when it's time for a service. I think it's a well known fact that this happens when it's time to bring it in to your watchmaker. I had the same on my watch. Don't worry - usually it's not a problem.

Best regards
Peter
 
TomGW
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Looks like a good buy at that price, so well done. If the hour chrono hand isn't creeping and resets to the same place each time, it is simply positioned wrongly on its spindle. However, it is unlikely to have been set like that at its last service so you may find that the tube has enlarged slightly and is loose. A good indicator would be to run it for almost 12 hours and then stop & reset the chrono. If it flies back from that maximum distance and stops in precisely the same spot it isn't very loose - if loose you would expect the momentum to return it closer to 12.
 
gdupree
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kreyke kreyke
Do you have a close up of the lume?
It's hard to get a close up without glare. Interesting to me that the lume has deteriorated more in specific areas on each plot, rather than the whole plot evenly.

440310-a5b8e5cc74c77b57e6da36e78cfaa61d.jpg 440311-780fba939bb42bc2cc730e89a1f73e0b.jpg
Edited:
 
gdupree
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Peter Lundberg Peter Lundberg
The hour hand creeps when it's time for a service. I think it's a well known fact that this happens when it's time to bring it in to your watchmaker. I had the same on my watch. Don't worry - usually it's not a problem.

Best regards
Peter
How thoughtful of them to build that feature in for us!

Haha. Good to know.
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kreyke
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gdupree gdupree
It's oddly hard to get a close up without glare. here are a few that do a decent job. Interesting to me that the lume seems to have deteriorated more in specific areas on each lume, rather than the whole plot evenly.

Note that the photos are just barely off axis, making the chrono seconds look like it's not lined up correctly, but it is.

View attachment 440321 View attachment 440322

I'm curious as well. Do you think it could be a relume?
 
gdupree
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kreyke kreyke
I'm curious as well. Do you think it could be a relume?
If so, it would have had to have been relumed quite some time ago. I suppose that's possible over 45 years, but the lume color seems consistent with original lume from the era. Seems unlikely that it would have been relumed after only 5-10 years.
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Kmart
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kreyke kreyke
I'm curious as well. Do you think it could be a relume?

I don't think that's an indication of a relume. Lume plots often don't age evenly. In fact lume which is totally even and consistent is more of an indicator of a relume.

Nice -74! Mine (with similar lume) says hi:

IMG_6630.JPG
 
gdupree
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Here's a glow shot of the lume. Seems the right color. Loses probably 95% of its glow in about 1 minute. So I think that checks out for the age.
Edited:
 
440349-e07570fc7cbe8038ec18ecf653a5e184.jpg
gdupree
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Kmart Kmart
I don't think that's an indication of a relume. Lume plots often don't age evenly. In fact lume which is totally even and consistent is more of an indicator of a relume.

Nice -74! Mine (with similar lume) says hi:

IMG_6630.JPG
Gorgeous! Wish my hands were in that good of condition!
 
kreyke
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Kmart Kmart
I don't think that's an indication of a relume. Lume plots often don't age evenly. In fact lume which is totally even and consistent is more of an indicator of a relume.

Nice -74! Mine (with similar lume) says hi:

IMG_6630.JPG

Ah. So a watch with an even lume is indicative of a relume? I'd assume they can age evenly as well.
 
abrod520
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I would have your watchmaker check out the lume smudges to make sure they're not flaking or anything - set yourself up for a long life.
 
gdupree
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abrod520 abrod520
I would have your watchmaker check out the lume smudges to make sure they're not flaking or anything - set yourself up for a long life.
Right. Meaning setting the watch up for a long life, or myself literally due to the radioactive tritium flaking off?
 
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