Hi, unfortunately the pictures aren’t too clear but I’d really welcome your views as to whether this is a ‘69 stepped dial (appropriate for a 145.022 ‘69). Concerned it may be a newer replacement dial, particularly since the chrono hand isn’t original. TIA all

 

Photo 2 looks definitive, but photo 1 lacks definition (due to retouching? None of the crystal scratches are visible) and photo 3 is poorly out of focus. I think it's a stepped dial, but that chrono hand put me off it - not only is it incorrect but it's not resetting properly to 12. As I recall, I think the price was too high too on this listing.

 

Thanks for your information - I think you’re right about the chrono not resetting accurately. Price was $5,100 with a 1039/516 bracelet which is worth circa $1k. Does that not represent value, accepting it needs a replacement hand and service.

 

Ah must've confused it with all of the $9,000+ Speedmasters being listed out of Japan these days. That would've been an OK value probably, but it was a DNN bezel (non-220) and with that suspect hand, would've been a good pickup only if you really liked it enough to correct the problems. Usually a hand like that is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

As mentioned there are a couple of red flags with this one although not difficult to fix. I would request some HD photos from the seller and if you don’t hear anything back then there’s good reason for that.

 

No doubt you’re right - who knows when else is wrong with the watch but in terms of the bezel I think the 220 DNN would have predated the straight writing case back Speedy. I’m not an expect and could be mistaken of course!

 

Thanks Tad

 

Is it me or the bezel is not properly aligned with the dial?

 

Thanks, you’re absolutely right. Applying a straight line through the 12 marker and the 6 marker and it’s very obvious. Definitely has been replaced or reapplied in the past. I’ve also noticed that there’s a small fragment of something between the dial and the crystal - maybe a bit of lume from the original chrono hand.

 

It definitely would. I did not actually look to closely at this listing, just sorta scanned it quickly and moved on!

 

Yes, it's a step dial.

 

Thanks - had an opportunity to buy it but the more I’ve looked into it the more issues have been highlighted. Stepped dial looks good though!

 

Picture two shows a stepped dial.