...another Speedmaster value inquiry ;-)

I'm faced with a conundrum. Or maybe it's a dilemma - I can't decide. You see, deep down I'm a seventies Seamaster guy. I like my Omegas the way I like my women: in their mid-forties, chunky, C-shaped, and orange.

But I often find myself drawn to the timeless elegance of the Moonwatch. I've tried one on many times, and every time I do, I don't want to take it off (much to the chagrin of their owners). I've convinced myself that I need to own one at least once in my life. If I love it, it could be my gateway drug and if I don't, I could sell it relatively easily and replace it with a Soccer Timer or something.

So I've been on the hunt for a while now (keen observers will note that this is at least my third such thread: suffice it to say my previous attempts didn't work out). I'm frequently tempted by the more interesting vintage examples with step dials and beautifully patinated hands. But as I'm not a man of means and late to the party, anything pre-moon/321/transitional/stepped is above budget for me. And again: I'm a Seamaster guy at heart - if the required funds would magically become available, I'd buy me an Anakin and the best Big Blue I could get my hands on.

I've therefore been looking for 145.0022-74, -76 and -78s, but not many pop up in my neck of the woods. If they do, they're either train wrecks, fitted with service dial/hands, or (way) more expensive that the excellent speemaster101 price list indicates. I don't wanna go for a new Speedy either: I have no interested in (or room for) huge display boxes; an 1861 just isn't an 861; and pristine white hands make my eyes hurt.

I think I've located my sweet spot, though: an early nineties 145.0022. They're relatively cheap: possibly the cheapest Speedies one can buy (...on account of not being considered vintage, perhaps?). Yet I think those before 1997 should still have tritium hands and the 861 movement, and those before 1994 could have an original 1171/1/633 bracelet (right?). Such an example might make the perfect 'training Speedy' for me.

And now I may have found one. Thing is, I'd need to be able to buy one at a decent price - and I don't know what that is. Also, as speedmaster101 offers little information on these newer Speedies, I've lno idea how to spot replacement bezels etc. I don't have any movement shots yet, but I can inspect the watch in person before buying it. It's been serviced 2 years ago (by a watchmaker I know, so it's all good) but doesn't come with box or papers. Would you guys mind taking a look at the pictures below and say whatever comes to mind? Finally, what would be the maximum you guys would pay for this?

Thanks so much - once again

 

Might just be my novice eye, but that example seems to have been polished to death. No clear bevels on the twisty bits.

 

Thanks - that's another thing I'm particularly bad at spotting. I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on the finish of most 1040-equipped Omegas, but I'm not sure what these Speedies should look like in that regard. I've handled too few in real life, and it can be tricky to work only off pictures on speedmaster101.

 

Well, congrats at least for giving it a try. Your watch looks like a fine early 90's Speedmaster with the correct dial and bezel. Make sure you get a serial # to confirm everything.

I am in agreement with you, 80's-90's Speedmasters are great entry point and offer tremendous value. They are staple in my collection. I would only add that if you're going modern, try to buy a complete set.

Here is my Apollo XI from 1989.

 

Gorgeous! Is the '89 Apollo XI the one with the engraving on the side?

Would you agree with corn18 that the example I posted is overpolished? To my eyes, there's not much difference with your XI - but like I said, I tend to be a bad judge of that.

 

You may be right about the camera angle. Compare the one you show to this one:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513735

 

a 90's Speedy was salso my first Moonwatch......and still in the collection.

 

Yes, it has an engraving on the side.

To my eyes, the case is not that bad, it has been polished but would need some better side angle shots to confirm.

 

The case on this one looks nice, however, wouldn't touch his watches with a 10' stick.

 

Do note that the OP watch and the one sold in the Rolex Forums link are 3590.50 models (or early 3570.50) and not early '90s 145.022 models... If I were you, I'd hold out for a true '80s or early '90s 145.022 with the correct tall-C DN90 bezel and drop-S dial. However, the 3590.50 values will be slightly (very slightly) lower.

 

Thanks! That's something I never fully understood. Does this mean that 'unmarked' (...without the -78 suffix) 145.0022s were in production simultaneously with 3590.50s in the late 80s/early 90s?

Also, shouldn't a 3590.50 originally have a 1479/812 bracelet instead of an 1171/1/633 (...or am I just mixing up stuff now? ;-)

I guess I need to shell out for Moonwatch Only at some point...

 

Not intentionally meaning to hijack the thread, but that year happens to be my birthyear. Any rough ideas as to cost these days?

And to the OP - great to see you're seriously considering going down that path

 

There probably was some overlap in production around 1990-91 or so as the last of the 145.022 reference cases were used up. However the 1991-95, maybe 96 or 97 3590 watches would have had the short-C DN90 bezel.

As far as I can tell, the 1479 bracelet only appeared in 1989-90 on the last 145.022s - I do not know anything about later bracelets though. I think that the 1171/1 was available as a replacement for vintage watches, but have never heard of it being offered as original on '90s or later Speedmasters.

 

Does this help with the bracelet?

 

I think they're in the mid $3k range.

 

Hmm, combining some of the information above, it appears that:

1. This is almost certainly a 3590.50
2. It would have likely come on a 1479 bracelet.

So this 1171/1/633 was probably not original to the watch, as @abrod520 already implied. The seller is actually offering to sell the watch head-only at a nice discount, as he has a buyer lined up for the bracelet. That might be an option...

 

What is the ask for head only?

 

It converts to $2420 USD.

 

Polished out like that it looks a little gross, but if you could nudge him down further it'd make a nice beater. Still I would hold out for a nicer example, with a little patience and legwork you could find one for about the same price.

 

Squirrels don't concern themselves either way with questions on Speedmaster valuation if the thread has the necessary pictures and information.