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Aludic
··@SpeedyBirthYearHi all,
As part of a larger parts trade, I have recently obtained this "145.012" case, which at first glance seems to be an older 105.012-66 case with the common higher 145.012 service pushers. So, I thought little of it at first.
Until I turned the case over and found a nicely sharp double beveled case back in a condition matching the case and bezel (being pretty good and sharp), which is strange as a double beveled case back matches neither a 145.012, nor a CB cased 105.012-66.
Subsequently, I had a closer look at the inside of the caseback, which is made by HF and stamped 145.012. The engraved rectangular shape could be hiding an earlier 105.012 designation.
Some research here revealed that there are more 'double reference' examples (1) out there (2), but neither is exactly like this one. Our member @ndgal also pointed out that some 145.012's came with a CB case and HF case back, as he writes on his insightful blog:
Observed on reference 105.012-66 CB, 145.012-67 SP2.
The manufacture of the Speedmaster Professional case by La Centrale Boites started around July of 1967.
This case differs from every Speedmaster Professional case that came before and after it.
Easily recognizable by the the distinctive ‘Flat-top’ lugs.
*Even though the 105.012-66 reference was replaced in 1968 by reference 145.012-67, the CB caseband was still used until late 1968 and several examples have been documented to have a caseback manufactured by Huguenin Frères stamped 145.012-67 SP2 married to the 105.012-66 CB caseband.
Whilst one would think this seals the deal, it's odd to see mine doesn't have an SP2 marking.
All this leaves me wondering; am I now holding onto one of these? Curious to find out whether there's more of these examples out there!
As part of a larger parts trade, I have recently obtained this "145.012" case, which at first glance seems to be an older 105.012-66 case with the common higher 145.012 service pushers. So, I thought little of it at first.
Until I turned the case over and found a nicely sharp double beveled case back in a condition matching the case and bezel (being pretty good and sharp), which is strange as a double beveled case back matches neither a 145.012, nor a CB cased 105.012-66.
Subsequently, I had a closer look at the inside of the caseback, which is made by HF and stamped 145.012. The engraved rectangular shape could be hiding an earlier 105.012 designation.
Some research here revealed that there are more 'double reference' examples (1) out there (2), but neither is exactly like this one. Our member @ndgal also pointed out that some 145.012's came with a CB case and HF case back, as he writes on his insightful blog:
Observed on reference 105.012-66 CB, 145.012-67 SP2.
The manufacture of the Speedmaster Professional case by La Centrale Boites started around July of 1967.
This case differs from every Speedmaster Professional case that came before and after it.
Easily recognizable by the the distinctive ‘Flat-top’ lugs.
*Even though the 105.012-66 reference was replaced in 1968 by reference 145.012-67, the CB caseband was still used until late 1968 and several examples have been documented to have a caseback manufactured by Huguenin Frères stamped 145.012-67 SP2 married to the 105.012-66 CB caseband.
Whilst one would think this seals the deal, it's odd to see mine doesn't have an SP2 marking.
All this leaves me wondering; am I now holding onto one of these? Curious to find out whether there's more of these examples out there!
