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Finally received my 145.022 – 69 back from resto-service !

Ron_W
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It arrived as a Christmas present for me, bought from the daughther of the original owner who told me it was a 1978 wedding gift for her parents. A new watch. In a bit of a sorry state but even i could see it must be a 69 with that step dial and DO90.
20231219_153740.jpg 31990344-srtrakqo170iz2tnar1cb4rb-ExtraLarge.jpg


So did Grandfather cheap out on that wedding gift ? We will never know i guess and no point in telling the kids.

The price was very fair, even for a -78 with the wrong 1162 bracelet, lumeless hour hand and the movement shot made clear emergency service was needed after laying in a safety box for a decade, plus some parts. But that very sharp case looked unmolested , the bezel realy good and the dial had a very nice hue so i took it.

I had to because of the Wrath of @pdxleaf PSA on molesting Mark II racing Speedies, bless him ! i felt the need to step into the light and figure i pay my penance by saving this poor baby. At least i get a watch out of it which can never be a bad thing, right ? Beats Hail Mary`s .

I had to do First Cleaning myself, i did not dare to give it to someone with so much ...... on it. From behind the pusher

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Inside crown tube, and then some...

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So off to the watchmakers bench it went with strict orders not to polish it and figure out a way to keep the pushers and crown, just wriggle in some new O-rings or something. Crystal has the old logo so leave it as well. This one will be like it`s 1969.

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But, just this week , 5 months in waiting…. I had a set back call from the watchmaker that a reset lever had to much play in the platine so he had to take it apart again to fix that bushing or hole or whatever – and it ran totally great on the timer he added some pain to my misery - for an extra day`s work and €.

You realy have to love rusty old crap to call this a hobby 😀 !
Let me thank you all again who kept me away from that project cal 321 on auction a few weeks back, i reallllllllllllly appreciate it even more now ! ! @hansaboy @Dan S etc You are fine people !

So I could do with some chearing up as you`ll understand if you have been in this kind situation. How about telling me please how to classify the dial in condition and colour. I have never seen a coloured/tropical dial in real life, and this one got a little bit of hue to it, or is it just worn ? No clue to what are the different shades or Pantone numbers.
The closest one i find is on @Speedmaster101 ; Chocolate dial 145.022-69 with 2960xxxx serial but i dont think mine is that chocolate. Movement dates to June 1970. And I am open to compliments as well 👍

Straight TL light and then 2 on the watchmaker bench light, no filters used.

20240501_135934 2.jpg 20240501_140004.jpg 20240501_140010.jpg


Thanks for reading and hopefully i will have it complete to show here in 2 weeks time. I need a drink…. Bottle size
 
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gbesq
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Looks to have been well worth the effort. Should look great when it's done. Did you procure a correct bracelet for it?
 
YYTIN
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I can do compliments 😀
It is a really appealing dial and yes with some brown hue to it on your pics ! The case looks still sharp and the bezel is also nice to my eyes !
So congrats and hopefully your patience will be rewarded very soon. Let's share it when its back 👍
 
Davidt
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Certainly seems a nice tropical dial from your pictures.

What’s happening in the middle of the dial? Is it corrosion or simply where the hands have dragged slightly. If the latter it should be possible to clean it up slightly (very carefully)
 
pdxleaf
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I've had very little experience with brown dials, having only seen one in person and owning one that if I hold it in the right light at the right angle, I think I might see just a hint of brown. Yours has more color, and is nice to look at. It's the brown enough that people won't think you're entirely crazy when you show them the watch and say "can you see it, it's brown, right?" 😁

Besides that, like you said, the bezel and case are nice. Much better than a 78. You did well.

No wrath this time. 🥰 for saving a watch (and a grandpa's memory.)
 
Ron_W
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gbesq gbesq
Did you procure a correct bracelet for it?

Thank you ! For now i have a 1171 bracelet , and a 1175 in repair, i am not sure if i like a 1039 enough to pay for it.

YYTIN YYTIN
So congrats and hopefully your patience will be rewarded very soon.

Many thanks, i have learned a lesson here on patience of which i thought i had enough. I was wrong..... 👎
 
Ron_W
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Davidt Davidt
Certainly seems a nice tropical dial from your pictures.

What’s happening in the middle of the dial? Is it corrosion or simply where the hands have dragged slightly. If the latter it should be possible to clean it up slightly (very carefully)

Thanks , now my day starts to brigthen up ! Not 100% sure on the pinion section but the watchmaker did not call corrosion so i think it is hand dragging. It shows in the pictures but i couldnt see with reading glasses in real life.
 
Ron_W
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
t's the brown enough that people won't think you're entirely crazy

My day just has turned out to be a great one ! Thanks and the Wrath thing was a little fun but you did make me reconsider "originality" so it was for the good cause after modding the Mark II.
So on a scale of 3, 1= crazy not there, 2= he is that a little brown ? , and 3= chocolate i did alright !
 
gbesq
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Ron_W Ron_W
Thank you ! For now i have a 1171 bracelet , and a 1175 in repair, i am not sure if i like a 1039 enough to pay for it.
I’m not a fan of the 1039. The 1175 has much more robust construction. I have one on my ‘69 Straight Writing. Very happy with it.
 
140dave
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I’m in the not brown camp. Yes, it has tone but doesn’t look like a brown/tropical dial to me from those pics. Many -69 have a very “warm” tone to them, a brassy look that gives it that dark chocolate tone but not a brown that brings a premium price. I can make 2-3 of my dials present like that in light at the angle as shown.

Very attractive, part of the reason I love -69s. I am not being negative on the watch, I like it, just wouldn’t go all the way and call it a brown dial.

To me, you have to see brown in any light, in a straight on shot, to have a brown dial that brings a premium price. But that’s just my opinion, YMMV.
 
Ron_W
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
for saving a watch (and a grandpa's memory.)

And i did like that story just as much to be honest.

gbesq gbesq
The 1175 has much more robust construction
I was thinking the same on robust.
 
Ron_W
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140dave 140dave
Yes, it has tone but doesn’t look like a brown/tropical dial

Thanks Dave ! Not brown for sure but i was wondering about the names or different shades of tropical. It has a bit of colour to me but i will make better pics straight on if i ever get it back.
 
140dave
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Ron_W Ron_W
Thanks Dave ! Not brown for sure but i was wondering about the names or different shades of tropical. It has a bit of colour to me but i will make better pics straight on if i ever get it back.
I get it, I am never sure what to call them either. I’ve just always said they have a warm tone which is kind of a silly way to describe it but I know what I mean. Doesn’t mean anyone else does but it works for me 😁

That tone is why the new 3861 didn’t stick for me. It has the step but not the soul that the warm coppery -69 has.
 
Ron_W
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That, warm coppery, is another pretty perfect description for it !

140dave 140dave
I get it, I am never sure what to call them either. I’ve just always said they have a warm tone which is kind of a silly way to describe it but I know what I mean. Doesn’t mean anyone else does but it works for me 😁

That tone is why the new 3861 didn’t stick for me. It has the step but not the soul that the warm coppery -69 has.
 
paddymoran
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Congrats on the find. It looks in great condition, particularly the case and the bezel. Unfortunately, my colours aren’t great - so I’d have to ask my wife if it was tropical/ brown (!) but the movement number isn’t in the typical ranges where tropical dials tend to appear. Not saying that’s definitive; more of a guidance. Can’t wait to see the pictures when it’s back from your watchmaker.
 
Ron_W
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Thanks ! was not aware of the movement range but will read more on it.

And I am okay with either aged, or warm coppery as Dave said, or tan/hue/tone. Just curious to learn when it is recognized as such. Here is the picture from @Spacefruit website i mentioned earlier for reference which has more brown tone but is close.
So the general term is Tropical for all dials with thie colour change ? i thought Tropical was for the lighter/lightest shade of the different brown`s and going up to dark brown or chocolate.

speedmaster101-29116271-145022-1..jpg


paddymoran paddymoran
Congrats on the find. It looks in great condition, particularly the case and the bezel. Unfortunately, my colours aren’t great - so I’d have to ask my wife if it was tropical/ brown (!) but the movement number isn’t in the typical ranges where tropical dials tend to appear. Not saying that’s definitive; more of a guidance. Can’t wait to see the pictures when it’s back from your watchmaker.
 
hansaboy
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Ron, the watch lookes better and better everytime i look at it!
Really lovely piece!
And I do think that it has a brownish tone/tint!
The one that makes you go Aaaaahhhh!!😀

Really nice and fun to follow your hunt!

Enjoy it when you get it back, and share more pictures!

Have a lovely weekend mate, and also to the rest of the OF gang!
 
Ron_W
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hansaboy hansaboy
Really nice and fun to follow your hunt!

Many thanks Hans, much appreciated !! Will share more here once i have it back.
 
hansaboy
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Ron_W Ron_W
Many thanks Hans, much appreciated !! Will share more here once i have it back.
Again - I really enjoy your effort and affection for the watch!
 
pdxleaf
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Ron_W Ron_W
That, warm coppery, is another pretty perfect description for it !


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