Dating this ST145.022 - or is it 145.0022 or 3590.50?

Hi dearest OF members,

I have yet another question for the experts here, because I am being presented with (what the seller claims to be) a 1984/1985 dated ST145.022/145.0022 at an attractive price of around USD 3.2k - which I however believe to be a later model (based on the serial number on the lugs - 48313912 - which ilovemyspeedmaster.com dates to August 1994, in which case the price would be not so attractive).

Here are a few reasons why I am not 100% sure about the age - there are 2 inconsistencies with a 1990s watch from my point of view: the caseback and the bezel.

Caseback: Shows the reference ST145022, but I have also seen later models from the 90s that show 145.0022 on the caseback. Models from the 80s also carry the ST145.022 reference on the caseback, though I appreciate the caseback numbers and the production years / periods don't always match and a wide range of models show 145.022 at the back.

Bezel: Shows TACHYMETER without the accent above the E. I believe the accent was added again to models that were produced from 1990 onwards, but have also read conflicting info about that.

Serial number on the lugs: the 7 o'clock lug shows the serial number (or is it the case number?), which I think is again something that was added only in the 90s. However, in another forum I also read that sometimes the number that is shown on the lugs is missing the first digit while the number in the movement has the full serial number. Sometimes the two numbers also don't seem to match? Another model from 1985 that a friendly collector pointed out to me also does not have a serial number on the lugs.

Dial: Nothing much to say about the dial - it has aged nicely (main reason why I would consider getting the watch).

Bracelet: 1479 bracelet, which according to the thread below was not available until 1988 (although I have seen some older models who - maybe incorrectly - had this bracelet)
https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-145-0022-with-1125-from-1988-does-it-exist.64368/#post-807123

Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures. Thanks as always for your help!! I will post the pictures under the thread.

Pictures

While I will step aside and let the speedy dweebs weigh in on your questions, I will say your pictures are quite clear and high quality and certainly make mine look like a booger. 😁

If the serial number is on the lug then the case will be post 1992.
Forget about the nonsense you read on another forum regarding seven digit serials on the lug .

I have a 4838xxx, which is dated ‘98.
But as already mentioned it is either fully 90’s based on the lug serial or an 80’s moved to a 90’s case.

@amphib44 and @SBund, since you have models from similar periods, does the bezel then match the ones of your models?

No. The ‘90s bezel is with dot under 70 and accent over E (È).

Actually just found this article from fratellowatches - the DN70s and DN90s bezel with out the È was present until mid-1990s.
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-differences-speedmaster-bezels/

If you look at a few other 3590.50s, they also seem to have the same bezels, e.g. this one here:
https://www.crownandcaliber.com/pro...ssional-moonwatch-3590-50-00-10-10-ome-yh51fc

You have a service replacement caseback, that why it looks confusing on that early 90s Speedy 😉

Not necessarily I think - I think the ST145.022 caseback was used widely even in the 90s. This one also has it:
https://lunaroyster.com/product/1995-omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-3590-50-unpolished-2/

Well, I can't speak to the caseback as mine is a transitional model. It is in fact a 3570.50 with cal. 1861, but with tritium - named "the last tritium". I believe my case back is double ref.

Double ref meaning what exactly?

Also, while we are talking here, where do you think the price point for a 94s Speedy should be? Is 3k USD fair?

It’s fair price based on the condition provided the hands are still tritium.

Using a Speedy from LunarOyster as a refence? Yeah right ! 👍

In the later models, i.e. mid 90's and forth (I believe) the case back has two refs: 145.0022 and 345.0022. The later indicating that it was born with a steel bracelet.


I agree with this price for the US, however it would be considerably higher in Europe due to taxes and such.

I managed to take some pics myself now - let me know what you think of the hands. I checked them in the dark and they are definitely not superluminova. The question is whether they are service hands - or not.

Let me know if you want more pics.