Hi Everybody,

So last year I bought a Moonwatch “tin tin” but let’s just say that’s now made me want more Speedmaster’s in my humble little collection.

Now there’s a birthyear Speedy that’s popped up in a second hand dealer in Melbourne that’s really tempting but I must say the tightass in me wishes it had the original box and papers (given that it’s a 78 model I know I probably shouldn’t be so strict lol) so another idea is to buy a newer model that’s a sapphire sandwich or some type of LE model that my wife could also wear occasionally.

I think a sapphire sandwich would be great as my wife would probably scratch up the hesalite and I would probably put either on a leather or nato strap.

Question is....would I regret not buying a birthyear watch when given a chance? They don’t come up all that often. But then it’s not a special edition or anything so it would only matter to me I guess.

Or should I want and see what Omega release later in the year??? Given my second son was born earlier this year...this option has a lot going for it.

So hard to make up my mind so I’ll ask you guys please help!

 

Just about that -78 speedy, although the ref says -78 the extract/papers might not actually be at 1978 so even if you passed on that -78 it might not be a problem. (At least, I know it's the case for older ones. Is it more accurate towards the late speedys?)

How about a birthyear for your son instead? That's an option too.

 

Buy whatever appeals to you.

 

There will always be another watch you want.

 

Birth year watch are always great.
But buy a watch that you are going to enjoy.
And of course buying a watch of your sons birth year, wearing it and handing it to him when he turns 18 is a good idea
Cheers

 

So I would need to request an extract from Omega to see if it is indeed a watch from 1978? I thought the 78 meant it was from 1978 but if you’re saying it might be a 77 or 79 model then I’d feel I wasted my time!

Might just keep the dream of owning a 1978 moonwatch in my head and not get disappointed with one made in an other year!

 

Yes, unless you find a set with the original papers (actually, even if you did...), the only way to see if it's actually a 1978 watch is to ask for an extract, which costs $. So, IMO finding a true birth year speedy is some tough business.
If you know the extract dates of some speedys you can probably correlate it to the serial numbers. That's what ilovemyspeedmaster.com does. https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/

 

So it is! My 145.022 74ST is dated 1976 November from the extract, ilovemyspeedmaster tells 1976 April. At least the year is right there.

 

Birth year watch? Carrying a sundial around on my wrist all day would get a little tiresome.

 

i just got my birthyear speedy 145.022-76 after looking for it for 4 years. its a box and papers. with birth year on the receipt 1978. its nerdy, i know it and i dig it. if you get the opportunity you always should buy it now, because you will regret it once the prices go higher and higher and you regret you missed the days that you could have owned such a piece at an earlier point in your life.

that said it completely makes sense to buy a cool new watch for your kids too. on of my watch friends in amsterdam, just bought him self a new white daytona. for his soon to be born 1st kid.

 

Thanks guys I think I will at least go and have a look at the watch and try it on and see if I like it!

Who am I kidding....I’m gonna want it when I see it in person!

 

A 145.022-78 can be from early 78 to early 1980

Ilovemyspeedmaster.com can tell you your serial numbers your aiming for any low 145.022-78 should be from 78.

 

Oh my, buy all the year Speedies. -78s aren't that hard to find yet, so whatever pops up first that is way cool just buy it and keep your eyes open for a birth year. Unfortunately, my birth year predates Speedies, but there are cool 3/moons and date-at-sixes I like. Then there are "milestone" Speedies. Such as a 2915 to commemorate my first pedal car and a 2998 to to celebrate first grade, then a 69 lunar lander year when I probably first.......

 

As others have started, best to use ilovemyspeedmaster for the rough age guess of the Speedy you are looking at. My personal opinion, go with the birth year as they are getting older and older everyday!

 

My “birth year” 145.022-76

There is something intrinsically cool about a birth year watch. Makes a great story and ties the watch to you in a way that other watches don’t.

Birth year is in quotes as mine is 100% a 77 production but unconfirmed via extract, and my dial variant was assumed to be only early production when I purchased mine. Through research of serial numbers on this forum and my research and documentation of -76 models mine is most likely exactly a year younger then me lol.

Still the last watch is sell.

I swear I’m not that hairy!!! What’s up with that picture!!!

 

So the seller got back to me and says the movement number starts with a 44... would I be correct in saying that this number is too high for a 78 watch and would be more like a 79-80?

 

What does ilovemyspeedmaster.com say?

 

It’s says a 1978 model should be in the order of 399xxxxx.

Guess I keep looking and hoping for another one.

 

44m puts it around Jan 1980

 

I always say don’t chase a ref, chase condition. And when it comes to watches from a certain year, I always say forget about that. Myself had a very nice Speedy from -78 and I also have a 1675 and a 5513, both from -78. Me being born -79 but that has no affection whatsoever. And yes, I actually have a 1655 from -79 but it’s not like that feels any moore special than the rest. Again, condition is everything..
But as I understand, you are choosing between a vintage one and a new one, the choice is easy