Help on acquiring this Speedmaster 145.022-69

Hello - looks like a nice piece. You’ve identified the biggest flaw which is the bezel. The dial appears to be a step dial with nicely matching hands. The case also looks sharp as does the bracelet.

As for price, a nice condition ‘69 with a DON bezel recently sold for $9K on one of the boards, so I think you have that nailed as well.

Hi!

First of all, not a bad piece indeed.

One question remained when reading your post; the 146.022-69 has been delivered with two, or perhaps even three (counting the so-called 220-error-bezel) different bezels with wildly different prices. What's the serial number starting with?

This would probably have had a DNN or perhaps error bezel.

The price isn't crazy, especially with the bracelet, but I think you will have to judge for yourself how much you like the watch. TBH, I really can't get a good sense of the dial and case from those photos.

Hey @SickBuzzle

I would say pass on this example, and here are the reasons why:

1) It has a service bezel from the 1990's. By the serial number, this example should have a 220 Error DNN bezel. Price for a nice one of those is over $1,000 (and they are not easy to find).

2) It has service pushers.

3) The case has been polished.

4) The dial (although in great shape) has the Greener lume which is indeed correct for this period. However, not favorable with most collectors.

5) The bracelet is a mess. It is not a fully original 1039. If you look closely at the non-springy bracelet links you'll notice that they are solid (from an earlier 7077) and not folded like a true 1039 should be. Also if you look at the width of the last link where it meets the end links you'll see that it is 18mm (if not smaller). Also notice that a few of the solid links have the divots on the front (they should be on the back side of the link) which means that this is a bracelet that has been put together from scraps of other bracelets, and it has been amateurishly over polished. so if you thought this watch might be a great deal because it comes with a 1039/516's, then you should factor the value of the bracelet right out.

There are much better buys at this price range, especially if you figure the additional cost of a bezel (should you ever care to make it "all original" again).
I'd wait for an all correct and attractive example of a 145.022-69 to 145.022-74 (step dial) if I were you.