Finding the right speedy

I have always liked the speedmaster watch and wanted to get one for a special occasion for the last 30 years. Recently my interest in vintage watches got sparked by the purchase of a Universal Genéve FS watch and then a Squale - both from late sixties/early seventies. Since I’m turning 50 within the next year I decided that now is the time, and my wife have even decided that she would like to give me the watch - so now the hunt for the right one is on!

I’m on my way down the rabbit hole, and have been watching videos and reading guides fx. Speedmaster101.com (thank you @Spacefruit) trying to find the right one and believe 145.022 is right for me. Either the pre-moon fx. a -69 or something a decade later in start eighties where I see a lot of watches that has the nice warm glow to the tritium.

This watch pretty much checks all the boxes, but I’m half a year late unfortunately
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-145-022-68-mk5-excellent.186744/

I have now seen this one on C24 that seems to me like a solid example with the extract from the archives, even though I’m unsure about the hands and the fact that it has been services by Omega in 2022, which I understand comes with the risk that parts have been changed. Do any of you see any other issues I should be aware of here?

The other speedy I’m looking at again and again is this one where I really like the colour of the indexes, but on the other hand I’m a little worried about seeing finger-prints on the dust-cover which I guess is not a good sign that it has been handled professionally?

Any perspectives on either watch of finding the right watch in general will be welcome.

That's a good point - I actually don't like the moldy hands, just many of the ones I've seen have them.

Following to see where you land. I too have been looking for a speedy. Lots available also in Japan, but with fewer pictures but often at less cost, but with tariffs. Lots of trade off. I continue to look in Japan and assume the 15% tariffs for US and a complete overhaul in my eval

Like you, it seems the tritium markers have appeal. Wondering if you have considered the 3590.50’s?

Thanks - I can see G-Web has some nice samples up for sale👍

Yeah - many things to consider 🧐

I have been looking at Japan as well, but understand there is a higher representation of Franken-watches, so being extra cautious there. (did write a message to one seller on C24 about a watch I especially liked, but had a mismatch of movement serial to other parts of the watch - the answer were "we are aware of that", so that was not the watch for me. Have also considered a 3590.50 for their beautiful tritium markers, but for now looking for something a little older.

But I think it poses a great question to the more experienced collectors: What makes you keep a watch, while others are let go off?