1969 SpeedMaster Pro Moon Watch?

[zcrxsir88]

Hey all,

I'm on the hunt for a 1969 Speedmaster pro moon watch (first gen)? The model like such:
http://watchco.com.au/ome00059

Long story short, one was given to me by my father but I think it has been lost (still hunting for it). I would like to try and track one down. I have found a couple on the chrono24 website for around 3,700 in mint condition. Does that price sound about on par?

I have searched the internet for days trying to find some but that's the only website I could find. Does anyone have suggestion on where to continue to hunt?

Lastly, once I find one is there a decent way to check and make sure the watch is original (dates / S/N) lookup?

Thanks in advance.

-V

 

[dsio]

zcrxsir88

Hey all,

I'm on the hunt for a 1969 Speedmaster pro moon watch (first gen)? The model like such:
http://watchco.com.au/ome00059

Long story short, one was given to me by my father but I think it has been lost (still hunting for it). I would like to try and track one down. I have found a couple on the chrono24 website for around 3,700 in mint condition. Does that price sound about on par?

I have searched the internet for days trying to find some but that's the only website I could find. Does anyone have suggestion on where to continue to hunt?

Lastly, once I find one is there a decent way to check and make sure the watch is original (dates / S/N) lookup?

Thanks in advance.

-V

Ok, '69 isn't first gen, its a fair bit later, there was the CK2915 (released in 1957) with the Cal 321 movement, then there was the CK2998 which is actually separated into several variants starting in about 1959, then the 105.002 starting in '62 then 105.003 in '63 105.012 following shortly after, and then 145.003 / 145.012 (all up to this point with Cal 321).

Then in '68 the 145.022 came out with the Cal 861 movement, now if your dad's watch was made in '69, it was likely a Cal 861 ST145.022, however if your dad BOUGHT it in '69, it could be an older 145.012 (as it was likely made some time before it was bought). So its likely about a 5th or 6th generation Speedmaster (Speedmaster really has been around a LONG time), but if you have pictures of it at all, that'd help, as would if you can remember did the dial have a painted on (white) omega logo or an applied metal (silver) logo?

 

[zcrxsir88]

Sorry, I was going off what the websites had said. When I said 'first' gen I was referring to the Speedmaster Pro Moonwatch. On some websites it was saying the version with this backing was First Gen
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/rjbroer/Fratello/casebackinscription.jpg

I haven't been able to locate the watch yet, but i vividly remember that being the back of the watch. He had said that he purchased it late 1969. So if my mother (who is currently looking thought my stuff) can't find it, I'd like to try and locate one similar.

 

[dsio]

Its definitely a Cal 861 circa 69 then, that caseback is actually rather uncommon.

 

[zcrxsir88]

Yeah, after much research and talking to my dad it for sure is. Unless my mother can find it..I might be SOL.

I have found one for around 3,800. I know this is a completely loaded questions but does that sound about on par for that version? I can't find any good rough pricing comparisions (ebay, etc). I have found some sales from a couple years ago, but they are closer to like 2,500..not almost 4.

Here are some photos of the watch that is for sale.

 

[dsio]

zcrxsir88

Yeah, after much research and talking to my dad it for sure is. Unless my mother can find it..I might be SOL.

I have found one for around 3,800. I know this is a completely loaded questions but does that sound about on par for that version? I can't find any good rough pricing comparisions (ebay, etc). I have found some sales from a couple years ago, but they are closer to like 2,500..not almost 4.

Here are some photos of the watch that is for sale.

3800 is too high, 2000-2500 is more the money.

 

[zcrxsir88]

I guess the watch has the original box, documentation about the ref number / work number? Would that cause the price to jump up that much?

Sorry, n00b questions since I'm still trying to get a feel for the market right now.

 

[dsio]

zcrxsir88

I guess the watch has the original box, documentation about the ref number / work number? Would that cause the price to jump up that much?

Sorry, n00b questions since I'm still trying to get a feel for the market right now.

Are you after a full set though, or just the correct watch with that caseback?

 

[zcrxsir88]

I'm just after the correct watch with the correct caseback. If I had to buy the full set, then so be it because I haven't been able to find a single one I'm looking for outside of the one mentioned above and I have been searching around for days... I have found a ton of what people are referring to 1970's, but none have the caseback I'm looking for.

 

[dsio]

This is actually a store local to me called Brisbane Vintage Watches, they did the restoration on my Rolex Submariner 1680 and the bloke heading the sales team, Ronnie is pretty good at sourcing quality vintage pieces, now they are expensive in general, but they're charging $2650 AUD for that model you're after with the caseback you want (and because you're in the USA not Australia, you can probably ask them to remove the 10% GST from the price, maybe even negotiate further).

http://brisbanevintagewatches.com/subpage_product_view.php?id=1397

The bracelet is not that pricey, assuming you actually want one, and frankly I'd rather buy a brand new 1171 bracelet than wear a 40 year old one anyway.

 

[MSNWatch]

IMHO, this watch is 2-2.5k head only in all original decent shape.

 

[dsio]

MSNWatch

IMHO, this watch is 2-2.5k head only in all original decent shape.

That was about what I'd figured, the bracelet is not rare, the movement case and dial certainly aren't, the only thing differentiating it from the most common Speedmaster Pro model is the '69 caseback.

 

[MSNWatch]

The complete versions of these came with a properly dated 1039 bracelet and a moonwatch box - both of these are desirable pieces. When equipped in this fashion, you are looking at $3500 - $4000.

 

[dsio]

MSNWatch

The complete versions of these came with a properly dated 1039 bracelet and a moonwatch box - both of these are desirable pieces. When equipped in this fashion, you are looking at $3500 - $4000.

You sure about the 1039? I've seen original '69s with period 1171s and Robert-Jan's Speedmaster bracelet article mentions the 1171 change happened at the same time as the 321 -> 861 transition www.omega-addict.com/reviews/bracelets/

 

[MSNWatch]

Yup, sure about it. Bill Sohne has one which he showed me with that bracelet and that box in overall NM condition. I believe back then he was willing to sell it (I believe he wanted ~$4k for the package). I've seen a few others with that bracelet as well. And it is not true that the 1171 change happened with the 321-861 transition- the earliest 861 (including the ones with the applied logo on the dial and the ones with the 145.022-68 casebacks (and cal. 861 movement even with the later painted on omega symbol) came with the 1039 bracelet and not the 1171.

 

[dsio]

Hmm k that's interesting, what was the first year of the 1171 then?

 

[zcrxsir88]

dsio

This is actually a store local to me called Brisbane Vintage Watches, they did the restoration on my Rolex Submariner 1680 and the bloke heading the sales team, Ronnie is pretty good at sourcing quality vintage pieces, now they are expensive in general, but they're charging $2650 AUD for that model you're after with the caseback you want (and because you're in the USA not Australia, you can probably ask them to remove the 10% GST from the price, maybe even negotiate further).

http://brisbanevintagewatches.com/subpage_product_view.php?id=1397

The bracelet is not that pricey, assuming you actually want one, and frankly I'd rather buy a brand new 1171 bracelet than wear a 40 year old one anyway.

Awesome... Thanks for the info 😀 Amazing how Google can find so much, but not much in the way of locating watches 'hidden' in pages of random watch dealers!

So the original band that would have came with the 1969 would be the 1035, not the 1171? So unless it has the original bracelet, the value shouldn't jump up that much above 2,000 - 2,500?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Omega-S...istwatches&hash=item33761ef6a3#ht_6169wt_1396

Is it consider lesser value if the caseback has been polished and the black filler in the caseback writing has faded off?

 

[dsio]

The 1039 bracelet is fragile and expensive, sort of like the Rolex 9315 bracelets, you're better off with an 1171 if you're wearing it every day as your main watch.

 

[dsio]

Mind you, Speedmasters look great on leather straps.

 

[zcrxsir88]

Yeah, I was just reading up on them and read that the 'expandability' feature was kind of a fail since it was so fragile. I would probably just order a new 1171 since I kind of like that look.

I'm just trying to get all my facts straight so that when I do make the purchase I don't get 'taken for a ride' 😉 Hopefully my mum will locate my father 1969 and then I can have two. One for daily wear and then one to pass through the family!

Thanks for the help and question assistance!