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Almost perfect 145.022-69 or good 105.012-66 ?

Monobike
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Hi All,
As I got to give my 145.012-67 back to the seller as I quickly found out the movement was not matching, even though it was cosmetically close to NOS, I am chasing again a Pre-moon watch, from 105.012 models.
I found 2 watches that have caught my attention.
One is a 105.012-66 CB located in Germany, everything looks OK, case has visible CB edges with some dings here and there, nice dial/hands, fair/nice DON bezel, 24m 321 caliber but no bracelet.
The second one is a 145.022-69 located few blocks from my office (I saw it this week) which looks like new. It is a Q4-70 one, so with Seahorse case back, perfect case and dial, perfect 1039 and what especially attracted me, a 220 bezel. Everything matches here, confirmed by EoA and got serviced by Omega in March 21. Only the 3 sub-dials hands have been replaced but the seller has them next to the watch (to be fitted back IMO).

So on one side, I have a nice CB watch that I can get without seeing it, with no EoA and no band and on the other side, a perfect 69, perfect 1039 with EoA, just serviced and not so common 220 bezel.
105 is a bit more expensive (1k€) than the 69 but this is not a concern.
I just hesitate between these 2. I don't look for an investment watch, just a desirable one and not so common on wrists.

Any thoughts, comments are welcome.
 
Dan S
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Apples and oranges. It's up to you. Condition is always desirable but the 105.012 is obviously more interesting to collectors. Without photos, it's impossible to give useful feedback.
 
Wlcutter
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105, almost certainly, but it also depends on what you want+what you plan on the watch *being*, essentially. If it's to show other collectors your amazing example, the 145. If it's to wear an incredible watch that's lived a bit, the 105. But maybe that's just me+ymmv.
 
Monobike
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Stripey Stripey
The 105, because it won’t be so scary to wear.
I usually go for very good condition watches and don't fear wearing them in any situation. 👍
 
Monobike
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Wlcutter Wlcutter
105, almost certainly, but it also depends on what you want+what you plan on the watch *being*, essentially. If it's to show other collectors your amazing example, the 145. If it's to wear an incredible watch that's lived a bit, the 105. But maybe that's just me+ymmv.
I am not into showing off what I wear on my wrist (or I would only wear Patek). When I went for the non-matching 145.012, it was in perfect condition. For the few weeks I weared it, I did not think " wow, I wear a Speedmaster with a cal.321" but was more amazed by the super nice look, tritium colour and this little applied logo.
So the balance here is in between applied logo again and 220 bezel. The below 1039 is a super nice bonus and for sure, without it, I might have not stopped by this 145.

Here is the 105 :
CB 66.JPG


Here is the 145 :
20210513_092105.jpg 69 7.jpeg
 
69 8.jpeg
Dan S
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The back of the lugs on the 145.022 show a lot of wear/polishing. Do you have photos from the side?
 
Monobike
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Here it is :
20210513_092244.jpg

NB: What appears to be some strong impacts on the lower left lug is only light reflexion.
 
Dan S
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The photo is hard to see, but my sense is that the case has been polished and refinished. I'm also a bit skeptical about the seemingly unworn condition of the case-back, perhaps it was replaced at service. A 220 bezel adds little value to me, but at the very least you should make sure that the serial is correct for a 220 bezel. Is it between 30.6M and 31M?
 
Monobike
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Dan S Dan S
The photo is hard to see, but my sense is that the case has been polished and refinished. I'm also a bit skeptical about the seemingly unworn condition of the case-back, perhaps it was replaced at service. A 220 bezel adds little value to me, but at the very least you should make sure that the serial is correct for a 220 bezel. Is it between 30.6M and 31M?
I also thought it was a service case, but looking with a magnifier, I noticed few polished dings. The band is also very tight and last spring links are also firm, as if this watch sat in a safe for quite a while.
I checked this 220 bezel history, finding a dedicated thread here and the watch seem to match. EoA mentions 30.59m + October 70. 2 month old Omega service also confirms serial number.
 
Monobike
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Case condition is also not a concern for me, unless there is big ding on it.
Then laser welding can solve the issue. (some might kill me here, but that is another discussion).
 
Dan S
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Monobike Monobike
I also thought it was a service case, but looking with a magnifier, I noticed few polished dings. The band is also very tight and last spring links are also firm, as if this watch sat in a safe for quite a while.
I checked this 220 bezel history, finding a dedicated thread here and the watch seem to match. EoA mentions 30.59m + October 70. 2 month old Omega service also confirms serial number.

No, I was not suggesting the case was a service case, you can clearly see the polishing at the edges, and the backs of the lugs have damage. I was talking about the case-back.

That serial is in the right range for an error bezel.
 
Monobike
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Dan S Dan S
No, I was not suggesting the case was a service case, you can clearly see the polishing at the edges, and the backs of the lugs have damage. I was talking about the case-back.

That serial is in the right range for an error bezel.
Sorry, wanted to write "I even thought..." not "also thought'. 😉
And agree on the fact that a guy did not remove the spring bars properly, leaving some scratches. 🙁
 
kingsrider
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Once again, one of the most important pieces of information is missing. In this case two of the most important.

Does anyone else think the 516 end links look suspicious?
Edited:
 
Dgercp
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I would take the 105 every day. But, totally unable to tell you what to do.
 
Monobike
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kingsrider kingsrider
Once again, one of the most important pieces of information is missing. In this case two of the most important.

Does anyone else think the 516 end links look suspicious?
What information is missing ? 👎
 
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