Hello all, I recently received a trade offer for this 145.022-76, with a 39m serial (1979). It looks to be in fantastic condition but have trouble coming to terms with the dial. I am a little unfamiliar with Speedmasters, but in references I have looked up online, I can’t distinguish if the dial is from the 70s or the 80s. I have asked a few friends who are saying it may be an early service dial from the 80s. Hoping that OF can help chime in, if this is the correct dial, or a replacement.

 

Here's a 145.022-76 I used to own that was produced in 1977.

 

Thank you! Dial looks the same to me! But the lume on yours is a correct green-ish yellow, where as my example is more of a dark yellow. I also forgot to mention that should the mismatch of color on the dial and hands be a concern?

 

Tritium changes to a few different colors. Hands and dial don't always change to the same color.

 

@Foo2rama seems to have a good handle on the nuances of these dials. Regarding the mismatched hands and dial, it can definitely happen naturally, but it's up to you to decide if it bothers you aesthetically.

 

I believe this is that dial.

 

That's two different dials there.
Look at the tail of the r's position relative to the AL.

 

@efauser

looks like one of the last of the earlier dials. It’s expected from the date to have that dial.

dial looks good with a hint of green, as I’ve noticed from mine and others from this period. Mines a few weeks away.
Hands appear slightly darker which is a visual trick from the white paint. But I see a little degradation on the minute hand.

chrono seconds is interesting. It almost looks like a modern tan relume. I’ve not seen this dial go tan and at least in that picture it seems off.

 

Ok let’s not judge @efauser s watch lol.

let’s look at the OP.

looks correct to me for a late 1977 piece post September production. Tan lume is interesting and you can see the expected green tint to the hands.
I’d want to see it in different lighting. I’m mobile and not able to check the length of the r... but I think it’s right for a late -76 through 80’s dial.

There are no service dials exactly for 861’s. A service dial would be what ever current production is. Bezel looks like a correct Seriphed DNN for the a -76 through mid 80’s to me.

 

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. Nice catch.

It’s just, this was far and away the closest dial in the eMWO. The OP’s S is clearly the Tall and Open variety.

I assume that there are small variations in a dial group that was in production for a long time? What do the more knowledgeable people think?

 

Thank you for all the help! To everyone in the thread as well.

The tan lume is prevalent in various lighting, which was what baffled a few friends.