First Speedmaster Purchases - How Badly Did I Screw Up?

cyuvan · Jan 25, 2020

This all started a few weeks ago with the the start of a new decade and me planning to celebrate my 50th birthday this year with a watch purchase. I started searching around and read up on the history of the Speedmaster and it intrigued me. I then decided that I wanted to purchase a watch produced in my birth year 1970. I searched eBay and Chrono24 with the keywords Speedmaster and 1970. I ended up purchasing two 145022-69s. It is after purchasing these two watches that I found this forum. I regret not finding this fantastic resource earlier and I now know that I probably could have done better based on what some of the OF members have offered and sold recently. Here are the details of the watches I purchased. I would love to get some feedback on what you think of them and how I could reasonably restore either one or both of them to a more original state. Ideally I would like to keep the better one and possibly sell the other to recoup some of the expense.

Here is my rookie analysis based on what I have been reading on this forum the past few weeks.

Watch #1 - 145.022-69, eBay, Head only, Misprint 220 Bezel
Dial - strongest part of watch, very clean, looks original, nice browning of dial, nice even patina on hour plots
Bezel - misprint 220 Bezel, in good condition but some damage at 180 to 220 (uggh!)
Handset - looks original, lume flaking at center of hour and minute hands, Lume on minute hand is disintegrated, nice patina on chrono hand, none of the lume effective on the hands
Crown and Pushers - don't know
Case - good well used condition, does not seem to have been polished very much
Caseback - well used condition, speedmaster etching visible but faint due to wear, caseback teeth in good condition with no large scratches, inside stamped with correct number
Movement - looks ok, seller claims it was serviced in the past 3 years, serial number 3099xxxx is correct for caseback and correct for 220 misprint bezel. Based on ilovemyspeedmaster tool predict November 1970

Watch #2 - 145.022-69, Online Retailer, w/1039/516 Bracelet
I realized just yesterday that this exact watch was discussed as a potential purchase by another OF member on this forum last month.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/can-anyone-talk-me-out-of-buying-this-145-022-69.106811/
Dial - clean, looks original, nice even patina on hour plots, lume is even
Bezel - correct DNN, overall in excellent condition with no scratches or dents
Handset - replacement luminova handset
Crown and Pushers - 24 teeth, pushers?
Case - case is in good condition but seems to have been polished quite a bit for the sale
Caseback - Speedmaster etching is faint due to polishing, caseback teeth in good condition with no large scratches, inside stamped with correct number
Movement - looks ok, seller claims it was serviced recently, serial number 3059xxxx is correct for caseback.
Bracelet - Original 1039/516 in good condition, stamped 4/70, spring links intact and working
Here is one picture please go to the original thread above to see more details

Thanks in advance for all your comments. Please be gentle!

OMEGuy · Jan 25, 2020

I really like the dials of both watches. 😀

I don't think #1 has seen a movement service within the last couple of years, while the reset pusher appears to have been replaced recently. In my opinion, the case has been refinished at least once, some of those round edges don't result from normal wear. If it was me, hour and minute hand needed to be restored or replaced.

#2 has been well examined in the thread you mentioned.

Whether you did well, depends on how much you paid for each?

Badwolf · Jan 25, 2020

Like OMEGuy said, price is key. Impossible to judge otherwise.

cyuvan · Jan 25, 2020

OMEGuy
I really like the dials of both watches. 😀

I don't think #1 has seen a movement service within the last couple of years, while the reset pusher appears to have been replaced recently. In my opinion, the case has been refinished at least once, some of those round edges don't result from normal wear. If it was me, hour and minute hand needed to be restored or replaced.

#2 has been well examined in the thread you mentioned.

Whether you did well, depends on how much you paid for each?

Thanks, both were around $5000USD. #1 head only, #2 with the 1039.

OMEGuy · Jan 25, 2020

cyuvan
Thanks, both were around $5000USD. #1 head only, #2 with the 1039.

My personal opinion is, that you overpaid for #1 and did well with #2, especially since this was including the bracelet.

ChrisN · Jan 25, 2020

The first one has a movement that will need a service and some parts are very marked/possibly with corrosion. According to http://speedmaster101.com/price-chart-2/
the watch would be $5300 for "Good" and as it's not serviced and not in "good" condition (see the definition on that site) then I think you overpaid significantly. Don't think the 220 bezel really adds any value but, others may disagree.

This is my -69 with a DON and extract showing June 1970. I would sell this at about the "good" price for a -69 with DON, when I service it - head only. No damage to the bezel and so on and that's how I read those tables.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0HHOUfn8MA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The second one has been extensively discussed but if you take off $1500 for the bracelet, the head was under $4000 so, a reasonable deal in my opinion (as @OMEGuy said).

Cheers, Chris

cyuvan · Jan 25, 2020

Thanks for that. What I paid is already paid so I will have to live with my ignorance. What I would love to hear from the experts on this forum is what if anything I can do at this time to improve either of these in a reasonable manner or should i just accept them the the way are. I really do love the dials on both these watches, especially #1. I find it very attractive.

#1 - Now I know the first one definitely needs a service so I’m curious if I should even spend this money. The handset needs alot of work as well. Relume?
#2 - I would love to change the full handset but I’m not sure how easy that would be. I don’t see many vintage full handsets available.

Thanks again

Faz · Jan 25, 2020

If I can give one piece of advice, for your next purchase, it's really is crucial to consult prior to pulling the trigger on a vintage watch. I must say, I'm dumbfounded at how many novice collectors spend huge $$$ THEN ask if they got screwed without having done 100% of the homework, which would include submitting certain pieces for scrutinity to seasoned enthusiasts/collectors.

Having said this, your purchases aren't a disaster but you could have certainly done better by having them checked out here before buying.

cyuvan · Jan 25, 2020

Faz
If I can give one piece of advice, for your next purchase, it's really is crucial to consult prior to pulling the trigger on a vintage watch. I must say, I'm dumbfounded at how many novice collectors spend huge $$$ THEN ask if they got screwed without having done 100% of the homework, which would include submitting certain pieces for scrutinity to seasoned enthusiasts/collectors.

Having said this, your purchases aren't a disaster but you could have certainly done better by having them checked out here before buying.

Faz,

Totally agree with you. I purchased both of these quickly and hastily before finding this forum. I think I know a bit more now and will not make these rookie mistakes again. This forum has been great and all the members have been very helpful. I wish I would have found it earlier before pulling the trigger on these two. Thank you to all for your support and expertise.

ChrisN · Jan 25, 2020

cyuvan
Thanks for that. What I paid is already paid so I will have to live with my ignorance. What I would love to hear from the experts on this forum is what if anything I can do at this time to improve either of these in a reasonable manner or should i just accept them the the way are. I really do love the dials on both these watches, especially #1. I find it very attractive.

#1 - Now I know the first one definitely needs a service so I’m curious if I should even spend this money. The handset needs alot of work as well. Relume?
#2 - I would love to change the full handset but I’m not sure how easy that would be. I don’t see many vintage full handsets available.

Thanks again

If you're going to wear #1 then get it serviced as the cost will only increase as more parts wear.

Sure a handset will come up for #2 at some point but, you can wear and enjoy it as is.

Cheers, Chris

Partagas · Jan 25, 2020

Can't add anything, but cool you picked up birth year Speedy(s). I'm also a 1970 baby and would like to do that someday. Happy 50th!

kov · Jan 25, 2020

I don’t think either is a disaster. Both have a great dial and the cases are not too bad. At least, you can wear both without worrying to make the first ding or scratch.

What you’re going to do with them depends on the purpose of your purchase. If you want them to remain birth year artifacts, you don’t need to bother servicing. If you want to regularly wear at least one of them, it would def make sense to treat the mechanics.

Ah and I have the tritium hands for you in my parts bin, just in case 😉

kmacrae001 · Jan 25, 2020

cyuvan
Thanks for that. What I paid is already paid so I will have to live with my ignorance.

Great wisdom in that statement!

WYO_Watch · Jan 25, 2020

kov
At least, you can wear both without worrying to make the first ding or scratch.

My opinion as well. Wear them and enjoy them.

I like the look of the 220 misprint. Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, so if you pulled the trigger you probably liked it too.

While the price you paid may have been higher than what others would have paid, if your not looking to sell them right now, who cares.

cyuvan · Jan 25, 2020

ChrisN
The first one has a movement that will need a service and some parts are very marked/possibly with corrosion. According to http://speedmaster101.com/price-chart-2/
the watch would be $5300 for "Good" and as it's not serviced and not in "good" condition (see the definition on that site) then I think you overpaid significantly. Don't think the 220 bezel really adds any value but, others may disagree.

This is my -69 with a DON and extract showing June 1970. I would sell this at about the "good" price for a -69 with DON, when I service it - head only. No damage to the bezel and so on and that's how I read those tables.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0HHOUfn8MA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The second one has been extensively discussed but if you take off $1500 for the bracelet, the head was under $4000 so, a reasonable deal in my opinion (as @OMEGuy said).

Cheers, Chris

WYO_Watch
My opinion as well. Wear them and enjoy them.

I like the look of the 220 misprint. Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, so if you pulled the trigger you probably liked it too.

While the price you paid may have been higher than what others would have paid, if your not looking to sell them right now, who cares.

Thank you. Appreciate your comments. I am happy I own them and will enjoy them. My only regret is not finding this forum earlier.

kip595 · Jan 25, 2020

Honestly, I would personally wear and keep close the one I like/connect with best, and sell the other, fairly advertised, of course. That’s just me.

For example, for years I held on to two ‘inverted’ Pan American stamps I had inherited from my grandfather. The one he handed to me I keep. The one he was “eh, I got this in a trade” I finally sold...to fund another hobby.😎

ryankelly · Jan 25, 2020

WYO_Watch
My opinion as well. Wear them and enjoy them.

I like the look of the 220 misprint. Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, so if you pulled the trigger you probably liked it too.

While the price you paid may have been higher than what others would have paid, if your not looking to sell them right now, who cares.

Yup, thumbs up to the OP for his courage and good nature in asking hard questions and accepting honest answers. It’s not easy. I also like the 220 look, and I hope he enjoys the watches long after he forgets the price.

First Speedmaster Purchases - How Badly Did I Screw Up?

cyuvan

OMEGuy

Badwolf

cyuvan

OMEGuy

ChrisN

cyuvan

Faz

cyuvan

ChrisN

Partagas

kov

kmacrae001

WYO_Watch

cyuvan

kip595

ryankelly

Similar threads

Omega Speedmaster 345.0808 Copper / Rare first execution / 1447 bracelet / Recently serviced / Tritium dial and hands

Introducing my 145.022-69 (220 bezel) and me

Rado Captain Cook - how bad did I do?

Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 on an auction (new pictures) !

A huge leap from a modern to a vintage 321: my 105.012-66 HF up close

Omega Speedmaster 145.022-71 on an auction last week!