These "tall C" versions don't seem to come up on ebay much. I guess they are not valued. I would like to get a spare for my everyday 78'. Anyone know best place to get a vintage one in good condition. tks M

 

They are not easy at all to find. I looked for a while and was about to give up. Fortunately my watchmaker managed to salvage my original one.

If you need something for your beater I would have considered an aftermarket bezel. I have not seen them in the flesh, but at least looks to have very close looking fonts:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEZEL-INSERT-FOR-OMEGA-SPEEDMASTER-321-145-022-145-012-BLACK-/160850566408Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

... and then you could always spend some time finding a good and original one!

 

tks, I have seen the ebay $30 re-pro ones. I would like that even the beater stays original. Lucky the one I have is in good condition so I'm not in any rush and can wait for another original one to come up.

 

Then I would have saved the one you have, and made myself a $30 beater bezel.
The prices of the original DN90 (dot next to 90) bezels seems to be heading the same way as the DO90. Not at the "utter madness" level yet, but rising.
It would be cheaper and easier to have a replica to beat up (or worst case loose) rather than an original one.

 

DN90s are out there and plentiful, just not valued highly enough for them to come out of the woodwork like the DONs are. Try posting a WTB ad once you've surpassed 200 posts, you might find something.

 

I tried..... And I have a bit above 200 posts... Nothing more than good wishes resulted!

https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145-022-bezel.34834/

 

Interesting.... as Spacefruit says, maybe these are already going the way of the DON!

If it were me, I'd trawl eBay for an '80s 145.022 that I could use as a parts watch in this case, or at least re-sell (for less) with the original (bad condition) bezel. Sometimes you get lucky and a nasty, over-serviced (think official Omega) thing comes along, with its original bezel included...

 

Out of curiosity I ordered one of those and the insert I received is totally different. Obviously the seller has photographed an OEM bezel, as his photos appear (to me at least) to be 100% correct. The insert that was delivered looks visually identical to this one, although bigger:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEZEL-INS...437061?hash=item259492c6c5:g:gmIAAOSwezVW040JPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
It is marginally too small to fit over an OEM crystal and the outer dia is also marginally too small for the bezel. Obviously this is the source of the insert discussed on another thread - DON and Dot below 70, with the taller font. The wide spacing of the 1 (100-190) appears worse in the flesh. I have raised a complaint with the seller but not getting very far. I doubt if he ever had the correct pattern.

 

Good to know!
As I pointed out I have not seen one myself "in the flesh". Was it the same seller as the one I linked to?

 

Sorry. I can see now its the same seller.... They advertise several versions. Perhaps they have swapped it?
Keep us informed (and pics if possible) of the outcome!

 

The only one that he lists, which is visually similar to the insert I received, is apparently to fit the 'Reduced' Speedmaster. What I received clearly would not fit a Reduced, but it's not quite correct for a 145.022 either, probably 0.25 / 0.5mm too small, both inner & outer dia. Possibly there is a Speedmaster variant, one of the autos maybe, that this insert would fit.

I will post a few pics, whenever I figure out how to. I have enough bits in my parts collection to provide a comparison.

 

Have been on the look out for a 80's version but most have the small c later version......but good idea. Maybe I should buy an 80's version for my everyday and take better care of my 70's. tks, M

 

Noooo! Don't do that! Wear the -78 and enjoy it!

 

I just hope by doing this thread I have not caused the price of these to go up or people to hold onto them.

 

Yes, wear the -78. No, doubtful that this thread has affected market values of DNN bezels. If you look closely you can find '80s 145.022s and even sometimes earlier 3590 / 3592 with them. Those Japanese sellers often have them, and every now and then one of them is priced well.

 

This may be a stupid question. Why not just put on a current bezel ?

 

Some would say that is the thin end of the wedge....I guess it is a personal thing. Everyday I work in the nano-technology field where we control to E-10 of a meter. I kinda like my not so accurate Speedy's/Connies that have stood the test of time. I feel it is a nice balance.

 

Here's a quick photo of the insert I received, together with a couple of bezels from my parts box, one used and faded and the other unused, NOS.

The eBay offering:

Two genuine bezels, one used / faded and the other unused NOS:

 

The eBay insert has a dia approx 0.5mm too small, both inner and outer.