I'm new to watches, so I'd really appreciate y'alls opinion here. I was perusing my local watch shop, trying to learn about what I like. The shop only carries new watches, but I thought I'd ask if they had anything vintage in the back. The owner (45 years experience as a watch maker, rolex and omega certified) said that he had a Moonwatch in his personal collection that he'd be willing to sell. Now I don't know much about Moonwatches, but this looked one looked great. He said it was a 145.022 from the 70's (I wasn't able to get the serial). He also said that he recently gave it a full service and replaced: the caseback, the crystal, the bezel, the crown, and the pushers (all with correct, omega parts). He saved the original caseback and the original crystal, but trashed the rest. He does not have the box or any paperwork. He is asking $2,700 firm. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures, but to my untrained eye it looked to be in very good condition. Assuming everything he said is correct and the watch is genuine, would I be crazy to pass this watch up or is this about fair market? Thanks!! - Voss
So then basically the bezel is new and he trashed the old bezel? (a sad funeral to the lovely tall font DNN...) How is the condition on everything else? Hands? Dial? Does the serial number look good for reference? Does it look attractive?! Please post pics!!
No picture no info on price. But replacing an increasingly hard to find bezel with a modern replacement deters from the value about $500.
The dial and hands are in excellent (and untouched) condition as far as I could tell. The lume on the dial was starting to yellow. Didn't get a chance to open up the caseback or take down the serial number (definitely will do this before purchasing if I pull the trigger). I may have to go back on Monday and get pictures. I like the watch, however I wasn't planning on spending that much on a watch quiet yet. That said, if this is an incredible deal I may have to pull the trigger. If it's a deal that I'm likely to see again I'll wait. What do y'all think?
How do you know if they are even correct? It is not sounding like an incredible deal. A good and correct one can be found for that price if you hunt.
I appreciate this feedback. I haven't been hunting very long and hadn't seen anything at this price point (also, didn't really understand how replaced parts affect the value).
Collectors ie this forum want pieces with the correct parts. The 70’s had 3 dials, 2 bezels, 5 case-backs of which 3 are rare. Each model of 70’s 145.022 needs to have the correct parts for that reference, as well as a correct in range serial number. If you include the 145.022-69 available in 1970 you add 3 bezels and 2 more dials. 145.022-69 145.022-71 145.022-74 145.022-78 And after 1980 they are all marked 145.022 or 145.0022. You can check out speedmaster101.com
Thanks for the information. I'm clearly at the beginning of this journey and have very much to learn.
No worries. It’s not that hard once you look into it. “Watches are one of the last things you have to teach yourself. “- John Mayer yes that John Mayer. We are hear to help.
well, just for clarity, that pic isn't OP's watch.. i just couldn't see any other pics, so i had to add one. and funny enough, it's not a -74 or -76
I think I need some help hunting watches, too. I purchased a 71 recently and on my hunt I haven’t seen any vintage speedie at this price tag. Sure, the later ones still aren‘t that expensive but 2700$, even if you add about 500$ for a DNN Bezel, seems to be quite fair to me, depending on the watch. But photos are needed
I did this also on a road trip in Europe last year, and this is one example you can get when you ask “what’s behind the counter”. And if you’re not educated enough, then you might walk out with a Franken or a non-reference correct watch. They all glisten and shine in the lights over the glass counter (even Frankens) , and this is the time you need to stay vigilant and resist the urge of buying something on the spot if you see there’s something “off” with the watch. So educate yourself here in the forum, read thoroughly the MWO and all other useful links posted here. There is also a Moonwatch Only on the Apple book store you can get for your iphone, very useful as a quick reference and mobile tool. Ask the permission to take a few pictures of the watch, this way you can study it in peace or ask the helpful advice from the members here. In my case of “what do you have behind the counter”, this one only had the wrong hands on a otherwise correct Straight Writing, not impossible to replace if I would have ended up buying it.