a prototype! listed for sale on chronocentric http://chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?page=1;md=read;id=51576 it's kinda cool... though I'm not a huge fan of pvd.
I know of a number of Seamsters that were PVDed by a third party. My guess this is likely to be the case here.
Might seem cool to a n00b who's not used to seeing Speedies... ...but it looks rather sacrilegious to me...
Doubt it is a prototype. Looks like an aftermarket PVD job. The bezel is still the original uncoated stainless steel.
Mark II http://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/fs-rare-omega-speedmaster-mark-ii-145-014-42mm-$4200-3534434.html
Saw a couple over the last two years on auction sites in Germany. I strongly believe those are not prototypes but, as others already mentioned, where PVD coated later in their lifes. It would be cool thou If one would turn up that would have been period correct modified. Like if Someone in the 70's saw a black heuer and thought "man I'll do that to my Speedmaster!".
I think it's just plain uggly. The speedy has been produced and sold for almost 60 years the way it's been designed. You don't have to do something just because it's possible. Cheers Thomas
Let me disrupt the general consensus and proudly say that I like it a lot, actually (note that it's different than saying "it's totally beautiful" - or conversely "it's just plain ugly"). Would I pay a hefty premium for it however? Not sure. But in general, I dig "stealth" looks and this one fits in the portfolio nicely. A few more here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/dlc-70s-speedmasters-discuss.43156/ De gustibus... Paul