New to the world of vintage Speedmasters. I have recently seen a piece for sale listed as original owner with box and papers 145.022. The serial number on the movement puts it around 1970 (2911xxxx) which would make it a 145.022-69. Everything appears correct and original to me with the exception being the case back. I have not seen other examples of the 145.022 w/this particular writing on the inside and am not sure if the curved writing first watch on the moon backs came on these earlier models.

Any help would be appreciated,

Jon

 

If the movement is 2911xxx then I have not seen one with this case back, and I think it unlikely original.
It could have been recased, or just the back changed, or something else.
Lets see the front.

 

The caseback was likely replaced in the 1980s. I'd look at the rest of the watch very closely to ensure nothing else has been replaced, then devalue accordingly.

 

Agree, caseback is 80s or early 90s version.

 

Here is a shot of the front.

 

Agree - it should have a 145.022-69 case back. Oddly enough I purchased an original owner tropical 2911 serial several years ago and it had a later case back. I asked the seller if it had ever been changed, he responded that he bought it in the late 70's and asked the jewelry store to change the case back to the later variant so the watch looked like the newer model.

 

Bezel is post-1998, and the hands are just... weird.

Nice dial, and it's probably the one that came with the movement, but the rest of the watch is quite suspect.

 

Thanks for the input. I also saw this one which appears to have a DON bezel and has a 145.022-69ST stamped case back. I have seen some reports that DON bezels alone fetch a good price (>$2,000 USD) but the seller is asking less than $5kUSD. Are there things that are incorrect that I am missing?

 

That's a nice bezel on the second watch and not a bad price.

Incidentally, what's the price on the first watch? I'd agree the caseback is likely from the 80's and the bezel is incorrect but the dial looks like it could be stunning, slightly tropical, so I'd consider making an exception for watch 1 if the price is ok.

 

The asking price on the first watch is ~$6200. Also what is incorrect with the hands on the first watch? they look similar to other 145.022's I've seen.

 

Cobbled to together, Perhaps original owner but Definitely NOT all original

 

reports of DON's that high? No a pretty much every day occurrence.

The second posted does not appear to be a bad buy. The first has way to many problems that will take alot of time and money to correct.

Notice I am saying it appears to not be a bad buy, the movement shot would be needed to confirm, also the other side of the caseback would be nice to see which one it is.