Hello Everyone.... a 69 18k gold Speedmaster w maroon bezel... was for sale last week.... It was also for sales back in May of 2021... We talked about it on Sunday Things With Springs Clubhouse chat we have every sunday.... and we have a thread here on the OF for each meeting... and we can look back and see photos and topics that came up in the room... here the thread from May 30th 2021 when we first discussed this Gold speedmaster.... @Dan S posted it to the room.... https://omegaforums.net/threads/things-with-springs-ch-thread-chat-5-30.132303/ and we revisited it yesterday... https://omegaforums.net/threads/things-with-springs-ch-chat-11-13-22.152558/ But for the OF... I will post sellers pics... The short form... each Gold Speedy from 69 was uniquely numbered..... the one for sale is marked "851" on the caseback .... I looked at Omega Journey Thru Time.... and they show the caseback of 851 on page 605 ! it is asset number 340 .... but no photo of the face of the watch in the book... I have a old copy of the Omega Museum collection Catalog from like 1999 and list item 340 as follows ... 340. Gold Speedmaster commemorating the 1st Moon landing, 1972: 18 k gold case and burgundy bezel, the exact replica of the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional worn by the American Apollo 11 astronauts on July 21, 1969, the first watch worn on the Moon. Back engraved "OMEGA Speedmaster - Apollo XI 1969 - The first watch worn on the moon - No 851". Gold on leather model. (BA 145.022) Also notice the watch at the museum is described as " gold on leather model" ... I just have questions about the watch that was offered for sale..... ( since i posted this on IG yesterday before the clubhouse chat, seller removed the "sold" watch from the site. upper right hand corner of page 605 ... of JTT and 851 is the upper right hand corner photo . back of the watch that was for sale .... close up of the back ... look like there was another engraving that was removed. Just more questions... Does anyone have any additional thoughts? Good Hunting Bill Sohne @Foo2rama , @Dan S , @Spacefruit
The Caseback on the watch sold by Hodinkee is not the same case back as the one pictured in the book.
Yes, look at how the "1969" aligns to the case back tool detent on either image. The Omega logo is not even close between the two.
Hi agree just look at the shape of the Greek Omega letter weight and serif are different. . Sp what do we have here ? Anyone ? bill
Hi Bill, not sure I have a theory yet but I have some photos to add to the debate. Interesting to note the Omega font is same in the photos below as the one in AJTT and not the one in the hodinkee sale. The same watch (851) from the book "A Moon Watch Story" page 141 2 more casebacks from "Moonwatch Only" Case back from Antiquorom "Omegamania" sale 2007
It’s interesting that the sold listing was removed from the site, I wonder if that means Hodinkee cancelled the sale or if it was just removed in order to prevent controversy about the sale. I’d imagine it has to be the former as they’re pretty careful with their reputation.
This would not be the first time that Hodinkee has removed a controversial old listing from the site.
I’m a a bit lost here. What’s the question - whether the Hodinkee watch no 851 is the same as a previous example numbered 851 or whether there are irregularities?
I think it has been established that the Hodinkee watch is not the same as the watch in the book, at least the case-back. I think that the elephant in the room is how there can be two case-backs with the same number.
Thanks @Dan S. I’ve reread the thread and it’s bloody obvious! Must’ve been having a moment. Has anyone seen a confirmed service caseback for these gold -69’s? Every other caseback I can find has the standard late 60’s Omega logo. Makes you wonder whether it’s a service caseback of even been polished smooth and re-engraved.
Hard to be sure from the Hodinkee pictures but the bezel on the Hodinkee watch doesn’t appear to be the same as the one on the MWO example either. Edit: in fact the dial isn’t the same either. Hodinkee has oval O, while MWO have round O.
Hi everyone, To reply the Topic subject, here you can find one fine example on Heritage Auctions. Any comments or opinions about it? Thanks a lot.
For me the font on the case back is not the same as others. It looks thinner and with different caliber and shape. It looks odd when compared to mine as well. The shape of the Omega also is very different.
Hello everyone..... we have an update on the watch in question... https://omegaforums.net/threads/things-with-springs-ch-chat-11-20-22.152810/#post-2081748