Counsel on searching for a 1977 Speedmaster

Ladies and Gents, I am fairly new member here and peek in from time to time as am a big Speedmaster fan. After reading and contemplating on the different models and ref numbers, I am sincerely looking for a Speedmaster manufactured in the year 1977. Searches in google have yielded in sold watches hence am looking for some counsel on sites, vendors and sellers that can help me source a 1977 Speedmaster with box and papers. Thanks in advance for your time and input.

Nice to meet you and welcome to the Omega Forum.😀
I too like the Speedmaster.

There is a 145.022-76 for sale with Chrono 24 that comes with the box and paper.
I don't know the serial number so I can't confirm the year of manufacture.
How about contacting the seller if you are interested?
https://www.chrono24.com/omega/speedmaster-professional-moonwatch--id13383763.htm

There is also this article
https://www.fratellowatches.com/deadstock-omega-speedmaster-professional/#gref

As @Foo2rama says you'll need to do some hunting. The references he cited helped in my search for a 145.022-76 (as well as advice from generous and helpful OF members.)
For background info:
I have a late production run 145022-76. Based on the serial number on the movement, the Omega extract states a production date of August 1978, whereas a search on 'I Love My Speedmaster' stated January 1978. So there was a discrepancy of six months there.
Out of curiosity, I entered the movement serial no 39.400.000 into 'I Love My Speedmaster, which returned a production date of Jan 1977. If the margin of error is the same as in my watch, that number could relate to a watch made considerably later that year, although still a '77. From what I understand, the Omega extract remains the best way of verifying the exact date when your watch was produced (other members may challenge this.)
The main point is the 145.022-76 reference on the case back covers quite a long production period - and you need to do your homework to ensure your movement serial number falls within 1977. If you're set on getting a birth year watch, or the year it was made is important to you, you may want the reassurance of an Omega extract when purchasing the watch from a private seller or dealer.

It’s a nice looking box, though.

I'm an owner of a 145.022-76 which, according to ilovemyspeedmaster, was manufactured in the summer of 1977. This watch was my first vintage purchase and I'm assuming this is your first one as well. I think I did things the right way and got a great watch, so I think I can offer some insight into this based on my experience.

1. Make sure to do plenty of research on condition and originality first. I'd recommend reading speedmaster101. There's lots of good information on the site about how to determine if a particular watch is original or not, with regards to the bezel, the hands, the fonts, making sure you see the etched Omega logo on the inside of the crystal, etc. Regardless of how much you trust any dealer, you should always do your own research and make sure you feel comfortable with a purchase, so you have peace of mind. In my experience, having all this knowledge also enhances the experience of ownership, since you know more about your watch and what makes it great.

2. I would personally recommend prioritizing condition above both the year and whether box and papers are included with a watch. If the watch being manufactured in 1977 and having its box and papers is incredibly important to you, there's nothing wrong with that, but ultimately, your enjoyment in wearing the watch is going to be a result of its condition, not its year or the box and papers. Box and papers can often be faked. If you're debating whether to spend an extra dollar on condition or box and papers, I would go with condition every time. Watches in better condition will also hold their value for longer, which is an important thing to consider. For example, my watch has a faded ghost bezel, and I absolutely love that since it's rare and part of what makes my watch a great piece. Things like this make a watch special and unique, so you should prioritize those over everything else.

3. I would consider reaching out to prominent and trustworthy dealers on the site and elsewhere to have them source a watch for you, since your looking for something pretty specific. You can look up seller reviews on the site, and you can reach out to someone like Eric Wind, who runs Wind Vintage. I haven't dealt with him personally, but he seems like a trustworthy guy. Dealing with a dealer like this will be costly, but since you're looking for something very specific, it might be worthwhile since you'll probably have to wait a long time for a 1977 Speedy with box and papers to just show up on a particular site.

4. You should look up the watch you're looking for on watchrecon.com. Put the reference into the search tab and you should get a compilation of all the watches currently for sale across different forums and sites. You can also see the prices of watches that have previously sold.

Feel free to message or reply to this with any more questions. I'm happy to share my own experience of hunting for a 145.022 and I may be open to selling my own piece as well.

Here's my watch:

I lucked out buying mine off of Ebay about 5 years ago (crazy to me that it has been that long). I paid $2075 for the watch, and another $800 for service. I've not gotten an extract, but it was made around June or July of '77 - I was born in September. I couldn't tell what it was when I bought it, but I knew it was either a -76 or a -78, just based on features. Unfortunately my hour and minute hand are superluminova, but the chrono hand is tritium.

You aren't joking there: