Considering purchasing: Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-68

Hey guys,

I am thinking about buying this watch:

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/spee...145022-68-vintage-chronograph--id22246534.htm

I am a newbie but did some research on Speedmasters in general, of course eager to learn more. I'd love to get your input on:

- is the price acceptable?
- do the parts look original?
- reluming seems to be a hot topic, does this look good, possibly original?
- does something look like it needs attention after purchase?
- any additional helpful comments/thoughts?

Thanks 😀

Some pictures:

I'll start with what I know, then go to what I think...
Serial is in correct range, I'm not qualified to comment on movement condition or appearance. The bracelet and endlinks are replacements (CORRECTION: as noted by @mountainunder and on mstanga's bracelet reference chart, the 1116/575 bracelet/endlink combination is correct for this reference); watch was serviced recently, pushers are definitely replaced, case looks refinished. Dial has some minor damage from subdial hands, and a spot or two but looks ok to me, original lume has shrunk but is attractive, a lot of the '68's the lume discolored. Hands look original to me (most '68 hands have dark and missing lume), but that chrono hand looks a little odd to me, the section with the lume looks stubby and rounded, shouldn't it be a bit longer are more angular in appearance? Caseback looks good.

Not sure about: bezel, almost too good to be true, someone who's versed in fakes should comment (edit: I don't see anything wrong with the bezel, so lacking other information I'd lean towards amazing original, but you just don't see many in this condition). Crown we can't tell from the pics, unless someone can count the splines and go that way, could be original though.

I could be way off here, but something about this watch just seems "off" to me like, almost like its been assembled. I'm very much looking for others to comment.

I have no comment on price, my '68 cost me $2600 USD (sorry, couldn't resist).

I am sure someone will come through here that will be able to dissect the watch at a glance. In the meantime have you had a chance to go through speedmaster101? Lots of great info there on evaluating watches, what to look for in all of the references and a price guide as well.

I'm not going to comment on the watch.
But, I recommend buying the seller first.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/seamaster-chronographs-at-shuck-the-oyster.105935/

I think the bracelet and end links of 1116/575 are correct for 145.022-68

The chrono hand looks weird... repainted maybe?
I think too that the pushers are service ones and that the case has been refinished.
The 1116/575 bracelet is period ok for me so I don't see anything wrong.

The price seems high to me...

Thanks, seller might have its problems 😀

As I said I did read up on Speedmasters but it's a vast topic so I am not done for sure. Regarding value, I looked up other listings of similar watches to get a feeling for current price structure. Will check out speedmaster101, thanks for the suggestion!

Thank you, that's a lot of valuable input. Congrats on that buy 😀

Thank you, I was wrong, this is correct. I've updated my original post to not spread fake news 😀 Given the bracelet is likely original to the watch, does anyone have any other thoughts on that bezel? It's in spectacularly good condition, which also gives me a cause for concern that it may be a modern reproduction... but I don't know. With lack of other information, I suppose I would lean towards authentic now. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I don't know much about these modern fakes.

I do not see anything wrong with the bezel. Price is high but with the bracelet it is within reason, especially if you can get him down 1-2k. Chrono hand does look repainted. Lume looks original to me and dial looks nice. What do some mean exactly by case being refinished?

DM incoming.

These days don't have to be a bygone. I'm more than happy to help you live out a nostalgic fantasy. Provided I am the proper end of the transaction and all.

For 12k no way, especially with the replaced pushers.. but my assessment is in line with @repoman 's, I was going to write my thoughts and realized the important bits were already all there.

The bezel seems to be a huge part of the price, I don't see the usual tells on 80 and 140. If it's a fake I don't know about it.