Hello:
Picked up this watch yesterday. I have owned many vintage Speedmasters but this one is the first for me with the straight
"First Watch On The Moon" engraving in the center of the case back. I see there are no figures on how many of these were produced over a year or so of production. I think it is quite rare since it is the first one I found in the wild in 20 years or so of buying watches. What has your experience been and what are your thoughts on this variant?

 

I like them

 

You snagged a nice one. I have one in each variety as there was this and the other which mentions Apollo 11. They were only made in the early 1970's and are a nice looking, different, relatively rare case back. Enjoy.

 

I would like to find the Apollo 11 one. One day

 

1969 was a very interesting year for Speedies. 3 bezels, 3 casebacks. Makes for expensive collecting.

 

Very nice examples Mine is in lesser condition but still a nice trophy for the hunt.
I would venture to say that for every 10 you find with the more common case back you find one of these.
May be even less...

 

Why 3 bezels?
and you forgot about the 2 different large second hands and the different crown or?

 

Pre-moon, 220 and Straight Writing. Were there 2 chrono hands in 1969? I thought only the flat in 1969

 

Right you are, forgot the 220

 

Of course I mis typed, I meant DON, 220, DNN