Help Finding a Birthyear Speedmaster Professional

emolina · Nov 9, 2021

Hi all,

I've been looking to purchase a birth year Speedmaster to celebrate my 30th birthday. From the information I've been able to research I believe I should be looking for a reference number ST 145.0022 with a serial number range in 482565XX-4828XXXX.

Currently, I've been using Watch Recon to aggregate my search across different sites, but was hoping to get more direction from the folks on this forum:
- Are there reputable vintage watch stores I could visit? (I'm NYC based)
- Any other forums/website you would recommend?

Appreciate any help you are able to provide.

MtnMarine · Nov 9, 2021

First off, welcome to the forum!

I had this same goal a couple years ago. I found that pinning down an actual year produced was difficult; case vs movement vs dial etc. Then also pitting that against the date the watch actually sold from the store. I ended up going after an older model I truly enjoyed instead (3592.50), that happens to date around 1991, about when I was in Kindergarten. This model wasn't available in my birth year.

I'm not saying that to discourage you from your search, but only to encourage you to figure out what's more important to you. Looking back, I would never trade my Apollo XI edition for a standard Speedy in my birth year. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with your search!!!

emolina · Nov 9, 2021

MtnMarine
First off, welcome to the forum!

I had this same goal a couple years ago. I found that pinning down an actual year produced was difficult; case vs movement vs dial etc. Then also pitting that against the date the watch actually sold from the store. I ended up going after an older model I truly enjoyed instead (3592.50), that happens to date around 1991, about when I was in Kindergarten. This model wasn't available in my birth year.

I'm not saying that to discourage you from your search, but only to encourage you to figure out what's more important to you. Looking back, I would never trade my Apollo XI edition for a standard Speedy in my birth year. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with your search!!!

Thanks for the welcome and the response! The Apollo XI is a great model, glad you found something that you loved! I'll keep your words in mind as I search.

Dan321 · Nov 9, 2021

Is your 30th this year, meaning you’re looking for a 1991 watch?
As mentioned above, a watch sold in 1991 may have been made a year or 2 or more before that.
I would personally aim for one that was sold in your birth year, so if you find one with papers that will confirm this.
I would initially Google ‘1991 (if that’s the correct year) speedmaster’, find some examples and then post them here for comment.

Dan321 · Nov 9, 2021

Also, when you have a serial number, try ilovemyspeedmaster.com and that will confirm an approx production date, as above this may differ from your birth year.

Dan321 · Nov 9, 2021

A couple found on eBay, I cannot comment on whether these are a good buy, others who are far more informed than me can do that.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omega-Sp...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=707-127634-2357-0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-Sp...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

emolina · Nov 9, 2021

Thanks for the info Dan321. I've been using ilovemyspeedmaster to estimate production years, so it's good to hear others recommend it. Is buying on ebay typically safe? I've shield away from it because (for whatever reason) it's seemed more likely to be fraudulent.

Dan321 · Nov 9, 2021

E emolina
Thanks for the info Dan321. I've been using ilovemyspeedmaster to estimate production years, so it's good to hear others recommend it. Is buying on ebay typically safe? I've shield away from it because (for whatever reason) it's seemed more likely to be fraudulent.

I think it’s better than it was because of the authenticity guarantee, but that doesn’t mean the watch always has period correct parts, ie they may have some service replacements, I’m relatively new to the vintage scene so hopefully more experienced members will also chime in with their thoughts

Help Finding a Birthyear Speedmaster Professional

emolina

MtnMarine

emolina

Dan321

Dan321

Dan321

emolina

Dan321

Similar threads

Birthyear Speedmaster produced in 1984

Help finding a watchmaker

Help finding a tre/sei tacche

Help finding a qualified watchmaker

Help finding a tritium speedy!

Help with birthyear Speedy