Hello - Good Morning from the American West. I am seeking advice and comments regarding a potential Omega Speedmaster Professional I am considering purchasing online. Photos follow below. I have done research on the timepiece - read through Speedmaster101.com's site (great information!) and have looked up the movement reference via ilovemyspeedmaster.com. The movement number dates to approximately October 1968. It is a reference 145.012 SP-67, 321 calibre. The owner has stated that it has been serviced, not sure if there is a service dial/hands on the piece (my principal concern as to appearance), or if indeed has an original bracelet. Also noted is that the chrono hand is a straight spear, which Speedmaster 101.com indicates that within this reference there may have been two types of chrono hands made concurrently with this vintage. It is a no-return sale, no box or papers available. From what I can gather this is not an unusual situation. Ask is $6900, which is much higher than two other similar 145.012 comps have sold for recently (one auction went for $5300 and a private sale went for $5500), so would bid lower. Any commentary/advice most welcome. Thanks.
Im not an expert on the 321 Speedies...but this one looks heavy polished...that alone would be a dealbraker for me! Best
Dial appears to be washed of it’s lume, hands are not original i’m virtually positive but is hard to tell in the over exposed photos, and as others have said it’s horribly over polished. A strong stay away from me!
@SpeedyPhil - yes, this was my concern relative to some others in that vintage. Seems almost too nice to be original.
The case is very sad, lost all textures and edges, from here on I stop the assesement already. Unless it is dirt cheap (less than 6.9k) I wouldn't consider it unless you want a project watch to rebuild which would not be worth it either, at least as it concernes me.
Find some photos of a pristine example of the reference, and then compare some of the pieces you’re interested in with it. Notice the details when comparing: which surfaces of the case are brushed (sides), which are polished (angled facets), how sharp the edges are, the color of the lume plots, the condition of the lume plots, etc. After you look at many photos, these details will jump out at you. Until then, check back with us when you have a piece you’re interested in and you’ll catch on quickly.
Thanks for the feedback. I have considered the polishing/brushed aspects (thanks again to Speedmaster101.com), although was admittedly overlooking that b/c of initial dial concerns - which have been validated.
It will all come down to your budget in the end. If you aim at a Pre-Moon ,the 145.012 is an obvious choice, Caliber 321, AML-Dial, highest production numbers of 321 Speedies, hence most affordable...oh, wait..I had an interesting converstation about this Reference in November, with a well known Swiss Collector & Dealer. His assumption was: a couple of hundreds in excellent condition left of the 145.012. I would probably stretch that to a low 4 digit number because I'm more optimistic and not a Dealer, but truth might be not so far away from both views. I won't elaborate it here now, you can find some more here https://omegaforums.net/threads/ref-145-012-deconstructed-under-valued.57227/ Why am I writing this anyway? To make you aware of the two options you have to choose from. Either a honest, worn, not perfect (but in important points retaining the beauty, for example a banged case with scars over a dead piece of polished metal) but correct one within the 6,9k possible I'd say, or do something crazy and try to find one of the few remaining killer examples, which will eventually cost twice as much. And take-your-time! Either ways, it's gonna be a longer road than you think Good luck hunting!
Pass, pass, pass. The case is terrible - very overpolished, as is the bracelet. The dial has lost much of the lume and has no vintage charm or warmth left. The chrono hand is also wrong.
Horrible one. Just run away... Even the crown looks polished Terrible washed dial as well. Once more, run away...
I would stay away from this one. It's been listed on eBay for months. (another member asked about it months ago and get the same advice; RUN). Seller is dreaming if he thinks he can get even half his asking price. This watch has been so badly over polished, that they even polished the crown and pushers! (look how round they are). On top of that the dial has no lume, bracelet is not period correct, chrono hand it no correct. Just run, run away...