Hi. I am evaluating various Omega 145022 to buy for my first Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch and have narrowed it down to two watches which I found online. One is a 145022-71ST which the dealer says is original except that the lumen has been reworked and the bracelet is 1116 asking for USD3,500 (no box or papers) - see first pic while another is a 145022 from around 1985 with a 1171 strap with full box and papers - see 2nd pic but asking a much higher USD6,500. Any advice on which is a better buy would be appreciated? Thanks
The minute and hour hand appear to be shorter in the first photo. The end of the minute hand should reach the end of the minute markers.
The drop end chrono second hand wasn’t fitted after 1968. The hands on the first watch are definitely wrong. Neither watch is a great buy, the second is far too expensive.
Buy a copy of Moonwatch Only, you can check the details of each reference. The 3rd edition is at a good price currently.
Thanks. Is it worth paying USD6,500 for the 1985 145002? I read the Speedmaster 101 article but it only covered up to 1978. Is it because anything after 1978 is not considered vintage?
pretty sure $6500 is more than a new one... nothing particularly special about a 1985 vs any other later year, e.g. no premium for a mid-80's watch. what are generally recognized as vintage, e.g. for what people may pay a premium, would be 145.022-76 and earlier, and certainly one with some aspect of wabi, aged to character, signs of appropriate use, etc. yellowed lume, minor nicks snd scratches, subjective indeed. i always flashback to this WUS post when judging "appropriate wear, distress of purpose, evidence of daily use" https://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/mechanic-wearing-speedmaster-729461.html my 145.022-68 came to me with a long, unknown history that i like to ponder while i add my own adventures and memories to its journey. YMMV. good luck with your search. joe
That is a ridiculous asking price. You should take some time to research prices of sold watches on the OF private sale forum and eBay.