145.022 versus 145.022-78

Tonyash · Aug 16, 2020

I am aware that the consensus would probably be that an ST78 Speedmaster is more desirable than a straight later 145.022 but what is the opinion on how much more desirable the 78 version is?. I am currently looking for a Tritium dial 861Speedmaster and have found one each of the above references quite close in price and age. However the 145.022 from around 1984, by serial, looks to be in overall better condition and is very slightly cheaper.
In this situation given the watches are probably only about two years apart on serial number is it better to go for condition or that date stamp on the caseback.
I lean towards the 78 but the other will always be the better looker. Decisions, decisions....would appreciate any forum thoughts on this dilemma. Thanks.

Davidt · Aug 16, 2020

Between a -78 and an 80's Speedmaster I'd 100% go with condition rather than simply choosing the -78 for the extra digits in the caseback

Badwolf · Aug 16, 2020

I would also go for the better condition watch between those two. Are they both on bracelets?

Adri · Aug 16, 2020

Would always go for condition instead of year except you are born in 1978 then I would look for a good 145.022-78.

Be aware that most of the -78 have a greenish lume (only dial) the later 145.022 has more fluffy yellow/brown cream lume on the dial.

Here my -78 with greenish tritium lume

u35rm8 · Aug 16, 2020

I would also go for condition but pictures always helps with such decisions.

Tonyash · Aug 16, 2020

Badwolf
I would also go for the better condition watch between those two. Are they both on bracelets?

Both on bracelets the 78 on an original screw pin Trapezoid logo 1171 and the 145.022 on a 1479. Not sure what the protocol is on showing pictures from dealer listings otherwise would post pics.
Thanks for the responses.

Sherbie · Aug 16, 2020

My Jan 1983 145.022 also has the lime green lume, but came on a 1171 bracelet

kaapstadflaneur · Aug 16, 2020

Just to follow up on @Sherbie comment. I have a late-1982 145.022 (serial 44121xxx) that has mint green lume. So the mint green tritium lume was definitely used on early-1980s Speedy Pros well after 145.022-78 went out of production. Not sure when Omega transitioned to the more yellow-orange lume. If it were up to me, I would pick the watch in better condition...

And because a picture is worth a thousand words...

u35rm8 · Aug 16, 2020

Interesting to see so many with green lume from the same period. Before this thread I would have put it down to exposure.

Sherbie · Aug 16, 2020

u35rm8
Interesting to see so many with green lume from the same period. Before this thread I would have put it down to exposure.

Nope, definitely the lume Omega were using back in the esrly 80s. I also have an 1983 Mark 4.5, made just 3 weeks apart from my speedy pro above, that also has green lume

However, late 83 speedy pros had the really nice lume again ( photo borrowed by Davidoff Bros)

Go figure

u35rm8 · Aug 16, 2020

Sherbie
Nope, definitely the lume Omega were using back in the esrly 80s. I also have an 1983 Mark 4.5, made just 3 weeks apart from my speedy pro above, that also has green lume

However, late 83 speedy pros had the really nice lume again ( photo borrowed by Davidoff Bros)

Go figure

That’s good to know as I like them both and allows for a bigger selection to choose from in the future. I’m guessing they both looked the standard white when they were both manufactured and have just aged differently?

Sherbie · Aug 16, 2020

u35rm8
That’s good to know as I like them both and allows for a bigger selection to choose from in the future. I’m guessing they both looked the standard white when they were both manufactured and have just aged differently?

Now I would love to know the answer to that one?
Does anyone know?

Tonyash · Aug 26, 2020

Thanks for the responses I decided to opt for the 145.022. Pictures are attached. Serial is #48xxxxxx which would seem to put it into early 90s and 3950.50 territory but I am no expert on serials. Watch appears in good condition, dial and hands in particular and case does not seem recently polished. Lume appears a slightly different colour on hands and dial but they behave the same under light, the lume on the indices is a very attractive golden colour while hands have a very light green tinge although the sweep seconds lume is quite close to dial plot colour.
Caseback inscription still has almost all of it's black paint which is nice to see, crystal is generic, not a big deal for me as it will be serviced in the very near future. 1479/812 bracelet is very nice indeed, first time I have had one of these.
Pictures are attached and grateful for any feedback either way. There is also a picture alongside my 76 39xxxxxx which has service bezel and service tritium hands and has been polished because I've owned it since the days when polishing was seen as case refurbish not case reduction

.

kaapstadflaneur · Aug 27, 2020

Looks great! Glad that you ended up choosing the watch in better overall condition. Even though the lume on the dial and the hands are slightly different, it's not particularly noticeable. Congratulations!

u35rm8 · Aug 27, 2020

Great choice, I’ve found the hands on vintage Speedmasters to be less likely to match the dials so not much of an issue. The writing on the case back is really clear!

screamhouse · Aug 27, 2020

Looks really great, I have a 92 one.

Tonyash · Aug 27, 2020

screamhouse
Looks really great, I have a 92 one.

Looks very nice and hand dial lume relationship seems similar to mine. Do you know the serial?. Just curious as, from what I can find, my 48' serial would seem to date to around 92 as well.
Cheers

Tonyash · Aug 27, 2020

u35rm8
Great choice, I’ve found the hands on vintage Speedmasters to be less likely to match the dials so not much of an issue. The writing on the case back is really clear!

Thanks, am really happy with the watch and not overly concerned about mismatched lume, It happens and I have seen worse, like Heuer 980 divers from the early 80s. Take mine for example....

machamp6650 · Aug 28, 2020

Tonyash
Looks very nice and hand dial lume relationship seems similar to mine. Do you know the serial?. Just curious as, from what I can find, my 48' serial would seem to date to around 92 as well.

Out of interest, what are you referencing your serial date against? Minor difference but ilovemyspeedmaster dates your exact serial to May 1991.

I was interested because I have a 3590.50 that is a very close cousin of yours (also 4827XXXX) and have held onto the assumption that mine was made in October 1991.

Tonyash · Aug 28, 2020

Unfortunately had not heard of ilovemyspeedmaster until now and Speedmaster101 only goes up to 78, I found the site below which dates my serial to 1992. Obviously no idea how reliable this is
https://lunaroyster.com/resources/omega-speedmaster-date-of-manufacture-by-serial-numbers/

145.022 versus 145.022-78

Tonyash

Davidt

Badwolf

Adri

u35rm8

Tonyash

Sherbie

kaapstadflaneur

u35rm8

Sherbie

u35rm8

Sherbie

Tonyash

kaapstadflaneur

u35rm8

screamhouse

Tonyash

Tonyash

machamp6650

Tonyash

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