I bought this at a reasonable cost from a private eBay seller a few years ago. It was pitched as a 1971 vintage (my late wife's birth year) and has served me well since.

I'm seeing the value of these increase over time, so I need to think about the value and getting some kind of certification for insurance. Before I go down that route, I'd appreciate some feedback on this so that I have at least a rough idea (and whether it's worth getting someone to assay it).

I don't have any documentation or provenance. The watch does feel right, the movement seems crisp and keeps pretty good time.

I've never had it serviced, I've never had the caseback off (scared to touch it), and never cleaned it except for a dab with PolyWatch every so often.

I'm basically wanting to know whether the watch "looks" right in terms of brand legitimacy or whether it's an absurd frankenstein of a piece.

Many thanks in advance.

 

Unfortunately the 'Frankenstein' question cannot be answered without seeing the inside of the caseback, the movement and the movement serial #..

 

Understood. However, an assessment of the exterior would be good at this point, at least for me to consider getting it properly assayed.

 

The dial is 1978 or later. Well specifically 145/022-76 made after Sept 1977 and continued through the 145.022-78 into the mid 80’s.

Bezel and hands coincide with a 145.022-69 through mid 80’s.

My guess it’s from 1978 or later and not a replacement dial on a 1971 model. These are often claimed to be the wrong year. Having a watch maker open the back and getting the serial number would answer all questions. The inside of the caseback would give clues.

My guess with bracelet insurance value of 5k replacement cost currently about $4,500. Assuming it’s not a 71 with a later service dial. If that’s the case price drops about $750 or so.

 

Interesting, thank you very much. So the dial and the bezel aren't contemporary with each other. I was kind of expecting it not to be a real 1971 model. But at least it appears to be geunine enough for me to look into getting it certified and insured.

 

I think it is a 76ST. Dial, bezel and font on caseback would fit exactly to this model.

 

They (the watch aspects) are correct for a 78-mid 80’s watch.

For a late -76 through mid 80’s yes. Most -76 have the older Speedmaster with the S that does not drop to the level of the p.

 

I don't think that's what @Foo2rama said. They could well be original to the same watch, just not in a 1971 model. Photos of the serial number and the inside of the case-back are needed to say if it's legit.

 

I'm at home know and just had a look into MWO. I thought the casebacks C5 "W" with low middle peak and "Q" with very short tail are introduced in 78. This is wrong, it was in 83. So it could be a late 76 or 78 till 83. The given caseback could also be a 71 but I do't think so, as for a 71 the dial would be definitly wrong or a later replacement.

 

So it’s correct for a late -76 through mid 80’s

 

It's been a while, but I've finally managed to get around to taking the caseback off my Speedmaster.

As you suspected, it's a 1979 model (399xxx movement serial).

Based on the internal photos below, is there any concern here about it's "togetherness" in terms of caseback, dial, and movement?

Sorry about the quality of the caseback photo - it's very hard to take a photo of this with my iPhone (v. small and v. shiny). I shall probably end up selling this piece as it's not the birthwatch I thought it was.

Thanks again for all the helpful information and advice.

 

Exactly fits what I said a few years back.
You can check the current price at speedmaster101.com