Hello most knowledgeable OForumites.

Did the Pre moon Speedies ever come with a leather band or strap back in '65-68, or just with the bracelet (not talking about astronaut NATO)? If so, did they come with a signed Omega buckle, and if so, what is the going rate for a period correct one?

Thanks,
Chris

 

That's an interesting question. It seems I have read that at some point the Speedmaster case reference denoted whether the watch originally came with a bracelet or leather strap (not 100% sure, so clarification on that would be appreciated).

I have never seen pictures of references that came with leather straps. It would be nice to find original advertising or pictures of complete sets showing the original leather straps!

I cannot confirm what originally came on a Pre-moon Speedy. A period correct stainless buckle can be bought for $35-65 USD. (Be careful as there is a flood of fake stainless Omega buckles out there!)

Fake..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-16MM-OM...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item3a95b2a7f1Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

Fake..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-OF-10-X...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item3a95c60fb7Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

Genuine, but not sure it's stainless. Note that Omega symbol is attached with tab/rivet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FINE-vintag...292443391?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item27e1d342ffPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

You remember what you read correctly; however what you read was not correct.

The misconception was that the case reference of "145.012-67 SP" meant the watch came on a strap. If true, this would have required Omega to have dedicated casebacks (along with assembly instructions, assembly drawings, part fabrication drawings, etc) simply for selling an otherwise identical watch on a strap.

Instead, this stood for "special poussoirs", meaning that the pushers were redesigned to be improved over prior versions. I believe these were changed to screw-in pushers, which were more robust and better water resistance than the prior versions.

http://omegaforums.net/threads/145-012-67-sp-question.7751/
http://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-caseback-sp-reference.2482/

In both these discussions, you'll find both he postulate that SP stands for strap, as well as, in the second thread referenced above, the definitive answer.

best regards