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  1. T5AUS Sep 9, 2017

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    A silly question but I have seen this "DON Bezel" mentioned in a sellers description on a Speedmaster as follows
    "145.022-69 ST features a gorgeous, even brown dial, slightly navy "DON" bezel", just what are they saying here.
    Thanks anyone
     
  2. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Sep 9, 2017

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    DON bezel refers to the placement of the Dot around the 90 on a Speedmaster bezel. In 1969 they changed the bezel design slightly. In this case the Dot is Over the Ninety.

    As watches serviced got later bezels with the Dot next to Ninety. These early bezels are prized and worth a premium denoting an original part.

    So you have 2 bezels Dot over 90 and Dot next to 90. As collectors prize original watches the DON carries a large premium. DON bezels trade for over 2k usd, and a 69 or earlier missing this piece carries a lower price.

    Calling a bezel navy enters into another conversation... involving ghost dials and blue dials that would require a very lengthy discussion on real vs fakes and how they got that way.
     
    Edited Sep 9, 2017
  3. arcadelt Sep 9, 2017

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  4. khanmu Sep 9, 2017

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    Am I imagining things or is there a slight softening of DON bezel sales? I know they get sold, but it seems that prices are a bit lower and they are hanging around for longer, than they did a few months ago. Or is that just a summer slow down?
     
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  5. jimmyd13 Sep 9, 2017

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    I think that the prices reflect the quality of what is being offered. As with all things Speedmaster, higher prices for rare or good examples brings lesser ones to market which, quite obviously, sell for less. The overview is that prices are dropping or stuttering while, my observation, is that prices are pretty solid right now - neither rising nor dropping.
     
  6. T5AUS Sep 9, 2017

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    Thanks for the reply's guys, I think that clarify's it pretty well
     
  7. Pahawi Sep 9, 2017

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    Or the fake ones are getting closer to originals....?
     
  8. MaiLollo Oct 9, 2017

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    Hey guys, just seen this auction from @DB1983 end up at quite a low amount (the bezel isn't great but it's really OK and 710 euros seems cheap). Do you think the market is slowing (maybe less people now need a DON to complete their piece?) or was it just a great deal ?

    http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Omega-Speedm...d=322799650241&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
     
  9. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Oct 9, 2017

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    There's been a glut of bezels being sold over the past few months, here, elsewhere, eBay. There's been like what, 20 or so? With more supply, buyers can afford to be more selective.
     
    Edited Oct 9, 2017
  10. mr_yossarian Oct 9, 2017

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    It was just an underaverage bezel. A 50% nice bezel does not cost half of a 100% nice one but 20% of it.
     
  11. omegaman1973 Jul 14, 2019

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    Looking into this. Is there any further information on when Omega switched from DON to non-DON bezels on Speedies? DON bezels seem to fetch a lot more so it becomes a point to check.

    I’ve seen Speedies (some with provenance/long family ownership) in the 28, 29 and even 30 million serial range with DON bezels, when I thought they switched from late 1969 (27,xxx,xxx) onwards? Might it be the case that those later serial ones have been re-bezelled with DONs as they fetch more? Or, was it just a haphazard switch over by Omega depending on stock left lying around?
     
  12. jimmyd13 Jul 14, 2019

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    The 145.022-69 came with a DON bezel up until mid-late 1970; the first DNN bezels had the 220 misprint, approx Oct 1970 to Jan 1971. From then on, you had the various DNNs. I'm not sure how that tallys with serial numbers but you can always check MWO.
     
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  13. omegaman1973 Jul 15, 2019

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    Ok, thanks. On that basis it looks like any Speedie with a serial less than ~ 30m should have a DON bezel if fully original, a non-DON “200” bezel would likely be a later service replacement
     
  14. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Jul 15, 2019

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    Well photos are gone.

    If the worlds best known speedmaster dealer is selling a bezel on eBay, I cannot imagine it would be of good quality. Why don’t they keep it? I imagine because it’s not good enough.

    Anyone got a shot of the bezel?

    I would agree that poor quality bezels are being offered at higher prices that are not justified. A top bezel will still fetch over $4000 provided the buyer is satisfied it is genuine. That’s a bit less than 12 months ago.

    I think the same can be said for prices of speedmasters. There are a lot of not especially attractive watches being offered for too much money. However important fine speedmasters are finding homes when offered at sensible prices.
     
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  15. Just Livin Jul 15, 2019

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    Believe this is a shot of the bezel from that eBay auction:
    s-l1600.jpg
     
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  16. Dan S Jul 15, 2019

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    It's more complicated than that. There is very detailed and specific information about this in the Moonwatch Only book. And if you search previous threads, you will find many discussions. Just going off the top of my head, the transition was in the 30.5 million range, but there was an overlapping range of serial numbers where both bezels were used. Moreover, not all replacements are the same. A replacement might be a much later service replacement with negligible value, or it may be another bezel that was swapped by a seller. Some replacement bezels (like a legit DNN) have some significant value. I suggest you show photos of the specific watch you are considering, or do more research. People get burned on bezels all the time.
     
    Edited Jul 15, 2019
  17. M'Bob Jul 15, 2019

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    An alliteration only a watch-nerd could love...
     
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  18. omegaman1973 Jul 15, 2019

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    Hi, the one I have in mind is a 1969-sold 27xxxxxx with provenance, but it has a non-DON (standard 200, no tachy accent) bezel
     
  19. Dan S Jul 15, 2019

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    It sounds like what is often called a DNN bezel, but photos would be helpful to verify. In any case, it's certainly not the correct bezel, but it might be worth something towards a correct one.
     
  20. omegaman1973 Jul 15, 2019

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    Hi, yes it is DNN, ie the second alternative 1970-1990 in here, which is helpful
    https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-differences-speedmaster-bezels/
    Fratello seems to have some fluidity in changeover date though between DON and DNN?
    Original watch sales receipt was late1969 for the one concerned