I've had this watch for about three years, I got it for a very decent price and it runs great with a fresh service. I am happy with it. However I had always been told it was a '69 145.022 because of the caseback it came with, but I never ran the serial number. Turns out it's a 1972-73 145.0022 with a 31 million serial, so I'd like to bring it back to spec with the correct case back at the very least. Is there anything else I'm missing to make it correct?

-Max

 

Is that a pic your actual watch?

 

Yes

 

Pics aren't the best, can't see if it's a step dial and the hour hand is covering the "S". Obviously, being a 31M is out of range for a '69....

 

Are these better?

 

What makes you think that?

 

@new_heuer , according to the chart here (http://chronomaddox.com/romans.html) it was made in '72-'73.

 

i don't think a 145.0022 has a stepped dial

 

Curious how you know the case back is incorrect, vs the movement may have been replaced with a newer one due to some damage/ issue. Or does it not really matter since the case is the same either way, so it's fine assuming the whole thing is/ should be a '72/ '73?

 

-69 is the model number not the year it was made
A 31m serial is perfectly correct

 

https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/ use this to confirm a closer estimate of production date

 

I have just seen your other photos and in my eyes (not an expert but have been doing a LOT of research recently) it looks correct and a nice example. Correct dial, bezel and case back.

 

This estimate is saying July 1971, 145.022. I've seen other '71 models with similar serials with a first generation of the "First Watch on the Moon" backs. Were they still shipping with the pre-moon caseback in '71?

 

I'm not sure, that's why I'm posting here. I'm assuming the movement serial would dictate the features the watch should have. I'm trying to get the watch to be correct for the movement. From what I'm hearing I may be correct already.

 

]

I don't think you are understanding
69 and 71 are not the years the watch was made but rather confusingly the model number! A 71 is a different watch with a different case back as you have seen

 

From speedmaster101,

145.022-69 2842 xxxx – 3162 xxxx

Good to go.

I'm not sure what the issue or question is...

 

Ah, OK. I'm still confused by the chart, since I'm going by the movement serial number.

 

whats the bracelet number? That is normally closer to the date it was made

 

This chart is throwing me off: http://chronomaddox.com/romans.html

Is that not accurate? Also, when did the "First Watch Worn on the Moon" casebacks start getting used, or does that not matter?

 

http://speedmaster101.com/145-022-69/