A looming question...

zwjk

Not sure why everyone is saying replace the caseback. Leave it as is... it’s literally three letters and the engraving is a part of the watch’s story.
The hippocampus is clear and there are no big gouge marks.

I would go with this one instead of a new modern one; simply because they don’t make them anymore 😉 If you change your mind, you could always sell the vintage one and not lose much money. The modern one is always there for you to purchase 😀

Marsimaxam

If I have a choice between vintage and contemporary, I have always bought vintage. Yes, it is a matter of choice. I like the character, the patina, and the history of the vintage watches. I look at a vintage Speedmaster, in good condition mind you, and compare it to the modern day version...the vintage model wins every time. I love the patina of the tritium plots, the character of the dial, the hands, the history of the watch itself, and, of course, wabi sabi... look it up if you don't know what it means. Yes, I recently bought a very mint 145.022-68 transitional, but, although in amazing condition it still has character that a contemporary watch will lack.

Take Rolex Submariners, for example, vintage wins every time for me as I can't stand the metal rings around the plots, ceramic bezels, etc...contemporary watches, IMHO, will not age like the watches from the years gone by, the materials used today are far more stable. I may be wrong, but, I don't believe so.

The choice is yours.

momentomori

(A side note)

But, see, this is what I mean about lume. I am still trying to trust my eyes.

Here is a different watch. How are these plots, specifically the hands? They seem to be two different colors. Is it evidence that the hour hand and chronograph hand are replacements

zwjk

The chrono hand could be a service replacement but it may just be the lighting. Hour or minute hand could have period replacements but it’s really hard to tell IMHO. Judging the overall condition of the watch with its wrist cheese, I would say the hour and minute hands are original.

lexieb007

^ Yeah momento it's fine... like I said if you don't want it please link me where I can buy it via PM...

Marsimaxam

The dial is very nice, quite typical that hands do not match dial lume... Good plus. The bezel insert is a DON in fair plus condition and the case has sharp angles, definitely not over polished but does have wear... scratches and dings.... good minus minus

A 145.022-69 DON
Dial 8K
Bezel 5K
Case 5.5K
Average is 5.8 - 6.1

The price is fair at 5.5

Link: https://speedmaster101.com/price-chart-2/

Thrasher36

Buy it. BUY IT!

Thrasher36

Buy it. BUY IT!

Dan S

OK, looks like it's safe now for me to put couple of mine up for sale. 😁

momentomori

Bought! Photos to follow =)

Dan S

OK, looks like it's safe now for me to put couple of mine up for sale. 😁

momentomori

(A side note)

But, see, this is what I mean about lume. I am still trying to trust my eyes.

Here is a different watch. How are these plots, specifically the hands? They seem to be two different colors. Is it evidence that the hour hand and chronograph hand are replacements