Dating a Potential Speedy Purchase

Jpodolski104 · Aug 9, 2022

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Happy to be here.

Was interested in purchasing this ST 145.022 Speedy, with a 4823XXXX serial listed as a 1990. From my research (and sifting through many conflicting sources) I believe this is likely from 1987. Also believe that a 1990 would be a ref 3590.50, and not the ST145.022 (but again have seen conflicting information) Since this is a birth year piece for me, I would really like to get it right.

OneTwo · Aug 9, 2022

Hello and welcome to the forum! I'm no expert or even too experienced with Speedmasters, but I believe https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/ would be a good resource for you search. Just did a search with a generic 4823000 serial number and got the below.

I'm also looking for a similar reference as my birthyear watch is 1988. Not sure why the 88's are so hard to find but so far no luck for me. Anyways, best of luck with your search!

Dan S · Aug 9, 2022

Here is some advice that you won't like, but it comes from a place of experience, so I hope you will take it in the right spirit. IMO, the best thing is just to get over the birth-year thing, and accept that within a few years is good enough. Very likely the watch was assembled/shipped in one year, and sold in a different year anyway. Instead, focus on buying the best watch you can find.

Foo2rama · Aug 9, 2022

Dial and bezel are consistent with 1987 production.

Aludic · Aug 10, 2022

Welcome!

Correct, this is most likely an earlier piece. Did you note it comes with a relatively rare and very comfortable (1450) bracelet?

Speaking from experience: If you’re really looking for a 1990 watch and getting it ‘right’ means something to you, you’ll just have to carry on, you’ll find it someday. If reasonably close is good enough for you, this one might be worth considering as it seems attractive.

Sherbie · Aug 10, 2022

The only sure way of knowing when the watch was produced, is to order an Omega Extract from the Archive. It will cost you, but at least you’ll know when the watch was put together at the factory.

the watch in question is attractive, but not without issues - the lugs look soft to me, the minute hand needs stabilising (lume cracking), and the minute track should be looked at closely ( of course, it could just be the crystal needs replacing, as its scratched etc).

Davidt · Aug 10, 2022

Birth year is a mine field. What constitutes birth year - the year the watch was made or sold?
A watch made in 1990 is unlikely to have been sold in 1990, due to the time it took to be tested, shipped then sat as inventory. If your parent celebrated your birth by going to a jewellers and buying a Speedmaster the week you were born, said watch would likely have been produced a year or two earlier.

Jpodolski104 · Aug 10, 2022

Aludic
Welcome!

Correct, this is most likely an earlier piece. Did you note it comes with a relatively rare and very comfortable (1450) bracelet?

Speaking from experience: If you’re really looking for a 1990 watch and getting it ‘right’ means something to you, you’ll just have to carry on, you’ll find it someday. If reasonably close is good enough for you, this one might be worth considering as it seems attractive.

The 1450 bracelet is one of the things that had me pursue it in the first place. As some other have mentioned, it needs a new crystal, the minute hand lume is cracking, and it needs a service. At a $4000 price tag I don’t want to buy, invest more money in it and come to feel I rather have waited for the 1990.

BarbVl · Aug 10, 2022

It's a very nice watch in my opinion so if you will buy it i am sure you will enjoy it very much. Regards.

iamvr · Aug 11, 2022

J Jpodolski104
Also believe that a 1990 would be a ref 3590.50, and not the ST145.022 (but again have seen conflicting information) Since this is a birth year piece for me, I would really like to get it right.

A 3590.50 would still have ST145.022 stamped on the inner case back as the case ref remained 145.022.

Here is mine from 1990 (sorry already promised to another member)

At a price of $4000 incl. 1450 bracelet I think it’s a great deal regardless of the production year.

Jpodolski104 · Aug 11, 2022

iamvr
A 3590.50 would still have ST145.022 stamped on the inner case back as the case ref remained 145.022.

Here is mine from 1990 (sorry already promised to another member)

At a price of $4000 incl. 1450 bracelet I think it’s a great deal regardless of the production year.

Beautiful piece! If it falls through for any reason, please let me know!

trioli_l · Aug 12, 2022

J Jpodolski104
Longtime lurker, first time poster. Happy to be here.

Was interested in purchasing this ST 145.022 Speedy, with a 4823XXXX serial listed as a 1990. From my research (and sifting through many conflicting sources) I believe this is likely from 1987. Also believe that a 1990 would be a ref 3590.50, and not the ST145.022 (but again have seen conflicting information) Since this is a birth year piece for me, I would really like to get it right.

Hello and welcome,
The only way to be certain about the year of production of a watch is getting the extract of archive otherwise you have to use the serial number charts. If it is mandatory for you to have a watch that exactly match your birth year then you need to have a lot of patience and luck but it will eventually happen, telling from personal experience. So .. good luck!!

Dating a Potential Speedy Purchase

Jpodolski104

OneTwo

Dan S

Foo2rama

Aludic

Sherbie

Davidt

Jpodolski104

BarbVl

iamvr

Jpodolski104

trioli_l

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