So this is a reeeeally vague question - I'm away from my Moonwatch Only book and stuck in Asia thinking about watches.

I've managed to acquire in my small collection a 345.0808 with copper movement and am about to receive a Japan Racing Special 2004.

Two, I think, very interesting models from the Speedmaster history.

I think 3 Speedmasters would make me content!

What I'd like, is a vintage piece, of some uniqueness like these two.... with an aged bezel that has turned blue and maybe a tropical dial. Something that I can wear and just enjoy it daily as a simple, great looking Speedmaster.

But I don't have the cash for some pre-moon watch, or one of the obvious references.

Can anyone think of a ref that is old enough or will be in a few years time that might fit the bill? That would age gracefully, be unique in an understated way but tick all the boxes?

Thanks.

 

Tropical and blue dials seem to gather around 68-69. So 145.012 and 145.022.

 

Which makes them both sought after and buyers prepared to pay a premium for. So @Malthus101 not sure of a later speedy ref that would help here?
Have seen other types of watches (non Speedy) that would display the vintage tropical dial. But I guess its Speedies specifically you are looking at.

 

Yes thanks for both your help - I had a feeling it would be a 145.022 variant of some kind.

I suppose a more useful question would be, what causes the black bezel to turn blue? How long does it take? Was it a particular material that reacted this way? Is that same material used on later models which might turn blue in a few years to come?

So instead of paying a lot for an already handsome model now, maybe one can be bought cheaper now than will age the same way in years to come - or are these things just totally unpredictable?

Thanks!

 

I believe the theory is that some batches of bezels and dials had different mixtures of paint that aged that way. It was considered an error and corrected. It is unlikely that you will see that again, though I guess anything can happen.

 

Ah I see.... thanks a lot.

 

There are some blue bezels out there that have been... helped...

 

Helped by exposing them to UV/light...... or helped.. with chemicals/replaced bezels etc?

 

If it's just the look you want, you could always take a standard speedy, the bezel from the gem4, and the dial from the brown dial sapphire sandwich.

But if you want a speedy, nothing beats a nice vintage one, or even anything up to around 1995-1997... the later, the less expensive.

Edit: err, pics, right?

 

These watches were from a narrow serial range with a batch of dials and bezels that had a reaction to the UV rays. Not sure how long it took.

Here are some pics of mine. In certain light the bezel is more blue/grey...but the dial is then dark chocolate.

In direct mid afternoon sunlight the dial becomes more milk chocolate and the bezel is dark grey.

Fun watches..

 

"But if you want a speedy, nothing beats a nice vintage one, or even anything up to around 1995-1997... the later, the less expensive."

I'm happy to have later dates for sure but I don't think they will have aged in this way (or ever will) because as wathknut just said, it's from a limited time period where the coating used had this reaction to sunlight.

Here is one from somebody on the forum I spoke with ages ago - such a beauty too:

 

I could live without the brown "tropical" dial........ but that naturally aged blue bezel...... I have to have one!

 

Say what??
105.012-64

 

Have one on a 68 that was more a faded/worn bezel. Sometimes grey and sometimes blue depending on the light.

 

Damn..... beauties!

 

@Malthus101 here is what you do...buy a 1980s or early 1990s Speedy with the most killer lume patina you can find.

Then source a used DNN bezel and bleach it.

There was a thread on here where a member had awesome results.

Killer lume + faded bezel = killer look

Done and done on a budget