Thank you to this forum for helping me avoid what I believe would have been a mistake in purchasing my 1st Speedmaster. I have been looking for an original 145.022-81 and recently located one on Chrono24 with an extract. As someone who has been lurking on this forum for over a year the experts have taught a man to fish alongside Moonwatch Only and Speedmaster 101. Before making an offer I wanted to validate each of the parts individually and noticed something potentially wrong with the bezel.

Can someone confirm that my assessment of the Bezel is not correct for the reference and the DN90 and accent over the E would likely make this a replacement bezel from the 90's or am I incorrect in my assessment.

 

The bezel is a replacement as you suspect and the case looks poorly polished. You also state the watch is a 145022-81 but it is my understanding the numbered series stoped at the 145022-78.

 

If it is an 81 I believe that’s a more modern replacement. Dial is also more modern post @88 I think.

How are you determining it’s an 81? There are no 145.022-81. After 78 they are marked just 145.022.

 

You are correct, DN90 and accent equals 1990's bezel

 

If it was produced in 1981 then is could be a 145022-78

 

Most likely service parts. Value puts it sub 2,800 with the bracelet. Looks like it has been polished also at an Omega service. Good brushing soft edges.

@new_heuer

Doubt it with 81 on the extract.

That being said the bezel and dial are late 80’s at the earliest. An 81 would exactly match a -78 in dial font and bezel correct DNN.

@rmaloney00 check out speedmaster101.com

 

Why do you say that? This looks like the -76/-78 dial that would be right for an '81 to my knowledge.

 

Not a Franken, just service parts I think.

 

Darn it flipped it in my head while wearing an early -76. I didn’t have my coffee yet.

Bad foo!

 

I was looking at it and wondering the same - "Wait, long S, drop r, t higher than s... this looks correct to me, what am I missing?" Glad it was cleared up. So only the incorrect bezel and badly polished case. Still wouldn't place this any higher than the $2800 already mentioned, since a replacement bezel will run you $500+ these days.