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Getting my facts straight on the 1970 Speedmaster

dapellegrini
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As I stated in another thread, I'm in the market for a 145.022-69 w/ 220 error bezel. From the research I have done, it seems there are 3 legitimate versions of the Speedmaster that might have been reasonably manufactured in 1970.

1. The Dot over 90 145.022-69
2. The 220 error bezel 145.022-69
3. The Dot next to 90 145.022-69

However, while looking around at watches for sale, I have seen it asserted that various "straight line" and "medallion" versions were also manufactured in 1970.

Am I correct in believing these are false assertions? I thought they followed in the 145.022-71 from 1971 and after?
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Go ahead and find yourself a copy MWO. Amazon often sells them at good discounts.

While you wait for your book to arrive, spend some time reading through this wonderful resource 👍
https://speedmaster101.com
 
dapellegrini
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Thanks, I just ordered the book. As for the website, that has been my primary source of information.
 
dapellegrini
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Also, this is a would be gift for my wife, who prefers Omega to Rolex, loves all things related to the moon, the stars and the night sky, and for whom the number 22 has followed her around in life enough to be noticed... She's a Sept 1970 baby, so the 145.022-69 w/ 220 error bezel, with it's alleged autumn of 1970 manufacture, seems the very best match.

Still I am intrigued now by the other "legit" 1970 versions that might be out there and still trying to get my facts straight.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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dapellegrini dapellegrini
From the research I have done, it seems there are 3 legitimate versions of the Speedmaster that might have been reasonably manufactured in 1970.

1. The Dot over 90 145.022-69
2. The 220 error bezel 145.022-69
3. The Dot next to 90 145.022-69

However, while looking around at watches for sale, I have seen it asserted that various "straight line" and "medallion" versions were also manufactured in 1970.

Am I correct in believing these are false assertions? I thought they followed in the 145.022-71 from 1971 and after?
I’m assuming you are referring to Straight Writing when you say straight line? If you are, the Straight Writing was the last of the -69 reference. It used a DNN bezel as well.

The medallion caseback started with the -71 reference and had two versions: NASA engraving & No NASA (sterile medallion caseback).
Edited:
 
dapellegrini
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Yes, I meant "Straight Writing" - still getting my terms straight here, thanks for the correction. So was the "Straight Writing" case back with DNN also manufactured in 1970? I thought I saw the Serials were later than that, but now need to go back and figure out where I think I saw that
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Here is a listing for a SW with an extract date of 1970:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-145-022-69-straight-writing-collector-set.112990/ Cover Image
Thread 'Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 "Straight Writing" Collector Set' ·
For sale comes simply the best Straight Writing Speedmaster I've ever had in my hands with some nice accessories as a collector set. So why am I selling it? Because my best half and I decided to...
SOLD
kov ·


Here is another with an extract date of 1971:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145-022-69-straight-writing-apollo-xi-5975.159955/ Cover Image
Thread 'Speedmaster 145.022-69 Straight writing Apollo XI -$5975' ·
Speedmaster 145.022-69 Straight writing Apollo XI.
Extract shows delivered to Japan, as expected.

No proof of service except date inside caseback that says likely serviced 2021. Movement appears...
SOLD
pdxleaf ·

There is a bit of variation to the -69 Speedmaster reference with quite a bit of serial overlap. This is a subject you can spend quite a bit of time researching. The MWO book is a great resource to use for this.
 
dapellegrini
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Excellent, so there is a narrow window for the Straight Writing version in 1970, making I think at least 4 legit versions in that year.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Laneside Laneside
Nothing about Speedmaster watches is straightforward. Even if you find a version that you want, it may not have been produced in 1970. Eg. I have 3 x 145.022 -69's. Two were produced in 1970 and one in 1971. If your criteria is production year, I suggest you check the movement number against:

https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/
Eugene’s website (ilovemyspeedmaster) is wonderful and will be far more accurate with a -69 reference as he has received countless extracts to create his database. However, the only way to definitely date a piece is with an extract, which Omega no longer issues for the foreseeable future.
Edited:
 
Laneside
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
Eugene’s website is wonderful and will be far more accurate with a -69 reference as he has received countless extracts to create his database. However, the only way to definitely date a piece is with an extract, which Omega no longer issues for the foreseeable future.
I'm sorry...... who is Eugene?
 
Laneside
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Apologies to you and to Eugene. I thought it was a William Roberts Site.
 
SOG53
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If you only consider 220 bezel then your options are much narrower.
I would look for 145.022 -69 reference and consider anything in 30.xxx.xxx serial number that checks out as 1970 on ilovemyspeedmaster
Might include DON , 220, or DNN bezels I would make decision based on condition of watch
 
ibis888
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The MWO only book will be your friend - the 220 error bezels are thought to have been produced in the fall of 1970 (as you point out). Seems like a nice starting point for someone born in the fall of 1970.

There is a solid 145.022-69 with the 220 bezel for sale right now in the private sales section. They don't come around that often.
 
Spacefruit
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This post highlights the confusion when referring to years.

Define a "1970 Speedmaster"

Try to do that and you will see the issue.
 
dapellegrini
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I find it intriguing and awesome to see what a transitional year 1970 was for the Speedmaster.

Another question... Do the serial numbers follow each version in groups, or are they mixed up? For instance, do all of the DON version serial numbers predate the DNN versions, which then all predate as a group the 220 error bezels, which then predate the straight writing versions? Or are they muddled up such that each version can be found legitimately in a serial number range of other versions?
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Not sequential

-69 DON
2842 0xxx – 3162 9xxx

-69 220 bezel
30.588.xxx~31.008.xxx

-69 Straight Writing
31xx xxxx-32xx xxxx
 
dapellegrini
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So that is the confounding bit... the serials are all muddled, but at least they are well defined. I love the work that has done on sorting these and very much looking forward to receiving my MWO book tomorrow.
 
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