Bought this one on auction a week ago precisely.



Today I received it back from Ingemar, my wizard of a watchmaker, after a complete overhaul! Less than a week in turnaround! When others have to wait for many, many months, I´m completely spoiled by Ingemar, who provides top notch service in no time at all! I owe him big time!

Despite the appearance it´s a 145.022-69 with a cal 861 inside





The compulsatory wristshot


It´s actually a quite interesting piece, since it´s some kind of transitional. It has the old dial. The seller had bought the watch new in 1970, and he assured me that the dial had been there always. Ingemar could confirm this, that the dial is original to the watch. He had to dismantle the dial, because the mainspring was broken, and had to be replaced. The hands had not been removed before. Furthermore, the dial feets were positioned correctly to fit the 861 calibre. It´s a Singer dial. Everyone knows the 145.022-68 reference, and acknowledge it to be the transitional reference. But obviously the transitional era continued into the 145.022-69 reference too. Early ones. This watch has a 29,6 mill movement. It may be old news to some, but I hadn´t seen a transitional 145.22-69 before.

I compared it with one of my other 145.022-69, and the lids looked different inside:

The transitional:


The later 145.022-69 (30,5 mill serial)


Side by side:


Finally I let my 105.012-65 beater join in


It´s so much focus on the older Speedies, but I definitely regard the later references with the new movement as very beautiful and collectible too!

I would like to hear your opinion of the 145.022-69 as a transitional reference. If we could discuss that, it would be interesting, since I now have one in the collection

 

Great watches, Martin - congrats. And yes, you have a fantastic watchmaker

 

Nothing to add but congratulations. It looks fantastic!

I was in contact with the seller during the auction and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that his story is true. He had no clue about what the auction could end up at... He knew it used to be a nice watch - as he had bought it - and one of his friends told him to try to auction it. I guess he is as happy as you...

Let me know if it is on the move at some point.

 

Lovely catch and a great collection! Congratulations!

 

I love threads like this. Fantastic find. Major congratulations!

 

congratualtions! those bezels ..

 

Don't tell me that I beat you in an auction? If that's so, it's the first time!

 

No bidding for me. Too much hunting equipment bought... Could not resist investigating that watch though.

 

Really nice watch and the quick turnaround is a big bonus!

 

Great find Martin. Beautiful lume, and I'd bet those hands are original too.

Interesting to see an applied logo dial on such a high serial no. which is well into painted logo territory.

On a recent thread about transitionals, there was at least one person with an AML '69 but I cant recall the serial.

 

I've never seen a -69 transitional, but the speedmaster101 Price Chart does allow for them:

"* Transitional, includes -69 where other conditions are met"

very nice looking watch! congrats!

 

Really nice looking watch, great find!

 

Really well done, Martin! Congrats

 

You beat me..... By a very slim margin.
Congrats Martin! Now leave some for the rest of us will you?

 

Great looking watch. Beautiful patina and general condition.. You can't ask for much more.

It seems like every 'rule' with these watches has an exception!

 

Congrats! Both to Ingmar and the Speedy