I’m on the hunt for a 1978 Speedmaster, ideally with original band but found this one without band that seems reasonable: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/122626058524 Any thoughts from the group?
The seller is a member of the forum. This watch is also listed here for sale: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-145-022-78.61478/
That’s was on offer on this forum also. https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-145-022-78.61478/ @Drawarms is the seller Here are my notes... I am trying to be fair and this is my opinion, and I do not think the seller is misrepresenting this watch in any way shape or form. I would not hesitate to buy a watch from him that I am interested in. Replacement modern bezel - Dot is under 70 not next to 70. Dial is for a 145.022-74/76 through 8/77 production. (this date is via my collection of -76 serial numbers sorted by dial type with extracts) Serial appears to me as 33922154 which dates the watch to a Dec 1974 production. Claimed to be 39922154 which would put it just into the early dial 145.022-76 production June 77. The picture provided makes it hard to tell which it is. I trust the ilovemyspeedmaster.com dating system, but there is some argument on this which I respect both sides. My guess is that the caseback at some point was swapped with another piece and the watch is a 74 or 76 as denoted by the dial and serial numbers, additionally a new bezel has been put on it at some point. The watch looks great, with a good case, and a wonderful set of dial and hands which exactly match mine, and I love the way mine looks. Warm with a hint of green which you see in the 74/early76 dials. I am not calling out the seller as his description is 100% correct with no misstatements, as you can argue the production dates depending on whose charts you use. The dial though would be pretty hard to find on a -78 IMHO, and you cannot argue the bezel.
Great write-up @Foo2rama . I've just bought a different Speedmaster from @Drawarms, he's great to deal with. Very quick to respond to PM, his pics and description were very accurate on my watch. Fast shipping too. Ask him any questions you may have, I'm sure you can work out something nice if you like the watch enough. Tim
I think the dial is ok for that serial number (if confirmed to be 39MLN) and even for that caseback..But effectively something seems to be mismatching. Cheers
To add to @Foo2rama's analysis -- I would say that the price being asked is far too steep in my opinion, which is why this hasn't sold even though it's been up for months. Right off the bat $3600 is a little bit pricey for a 145.022-78. One might argue that the excellent dial takes it closer to collector grade, but I don't think the case is that good. The real kicker though is the service bezel. If you pick this up you will have to budget around $1000 for the correct DNN bezel, and those honestly don't come up for sale that often. Plus $500 for a service at some point. Now you're in for over $5k. So unless you just have to have it with that dial, I would personally pass on this one. Or maybe try making an offer. Can't hurt.
Thank you all for the very excellent analysis, looking for my first Speedmaster and wanted to get one from my birthyear for sentimental reasons. But don’t know if my OCD can tolerate the mismatch, so maybe I should be patient.
Is your birthyear 1978? Keep in mind that a -78 might not necessarily have been produced in 1978! You would have to get an extract of the archives to prove that.
@Foo2rama and @Kmart have given you some pretty good advice. My 5c addition to that: only problem with the reference change from -76 to -78 is the following jump in SN from 39mil to 44mil: 1976-1978/79 : ST145.022-76, 37870xxx to 39946xxx 1979-1982 : ST145.022-78, 44818xxx to 44822xxx And then, up until 3 weeks ago, there were 0 extracts in the ilovemyspeedmaster data for the year 1978 -> there is now one, dated mid-september '78, with a very high 39mil SN (close to 40mil), reference 145.022-76, which has made some improvement to the accuracy this high in this decade, but still could be better with more extracts submitted. So in summary, to be safe (and keeping in mind that only an extract can guarantee anything) you should most probably look for a high SN (399xxxxx) 145.022-76 to be as certain as possible for a 78 birthyear watch. And please submit the extract once you have found one! Good hunting.
thanks for all the love and discussion on this great speedmaster. I think this watch is all original (minus the replacement bezel). On the serial number - I always look and compare MWO Speedmaster101 & Roman Hartmann's guide given the serial - 3992xxx - MWO places it from 1976-1978/79 (probably 78/79), Speedmaster101 places it in 74 or 76 range and Roman Hartmann places it 1979. Use this info as you guys wish! I'm just trying to give proper guidance as I think these later speedmasters have been less studied than their 321 brethren. Given that, I appreciate everyones input so far and love the open discussion on these later models. On pricing, I think it is a fare asking price. Anyone who has dealt with me knows I'm always open to offers. I can have it serviced for $350 if the buyer wants. oh and case is unpolished!