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Minty vintage Speedmaster dilemma - wear or preserve?

  1. coronado Apr 19, 2017

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    I've been looking for a nice, vintage Speedmaster to wear and a non-Omega collector friend sent me this one (145.022-78) which he described as "looks nice, and comes with the box." So I bought it for a very reasonable sum.

    The watch looks completely unworn... other than a few tiny marks from rattling around in its plastic case for nearly 40 years.

    So... should I wear it? Or put it away and look for another vintage Speedmaster that has seen more use that I can wear daily without fear of damaging it?

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    Tubber, neilfrancis, Mad Dog and 3 others like this.
  2. abrod520 Apr 19, 2017

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    I say wear it. Watches, especially Speedmasters, are meant to be worn and it looks like this one was denied that life. Wear it carefully and enjoy it
     
  3. BlackTalon This Space for Rent Apr 19, 2017

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    Wear it.
     
  4. BenBagbag Apr 19, 2017

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    Beautiful. What year is it from?
     
  5. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Apr 19, 2017

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    It's a 145.022-78

    So 78 through about 80.
     
  6. BenBagbag Apr 19, 2017

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    Ahha, I'm totally illiterate in Speedy's. I'm trying hard not to fall for them till I can afford to :)
     
    nonuffinkbloke likes this.
  7. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Apr 19, 2017

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    Wear the crap out of it! It's lovely!
     
  8. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Apr 19, 2017

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    -78 was the last year they had the year.
    But they are marked 69,71,74,76 and 78. So watches could bleed a little into the next production so there are -69's with 70 and 71 production years. Speedies are notorious for not being able to be dated to a year for the above reasons as well as Omega did not release the watches with sequential serial numbers. So you could have a high serial number -76 that was one of the first -76 made.
     
  9. mrod3950 Apr 19, 2017

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    WEAR IT!!!!!!!!!!
     
  10. M'Bob Apr 19, 2017

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    Put it away!!! Never wear it!!! (come on, let's not make this too easy, eh?)
     
    watch3s and ahartfie like this.
  11. nixf6 Apr 19, 2017

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    Watches are made to be worn so we can all appreciate them.

    In looks real good .
     
  12. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Apr 19, 2017

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    "A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what it is designed for."
     
  13. WYO_Watch Apr 19, 2017

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    My fear exactly with buying an expensive non-dress piece :unsure: if I didn't slam my watch into everything all the time I might not have such a fear.

    Luckily I have no fear clumsily wearing the tar out of some of my daily beaters - and someday I hope to nab a Speedy someone already broke in ::psy:: and proceed to slam it into my car door, rocks, the counter, the grill, my desk, the coffee table, the pews at church etc.
     
    Etp095 likes this.
  14. MikiJ Likes songs about Purple spices Apr 19, 2017

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    Wear it :)
     
  15. coronado Apr 19, 2017

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    All right then, I'll wear it. I'm pretty careful with my watches. The last Speedmaster I had was the watch I used on my hiking trips. Probably won't do that with this one. Maybe I'll try this one with a strap... at least until I can find a decent pre-Moon to wear. Thanks for persuading me!
     
  16. Overgrower Apr 19, 2017

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    I would wear it more sparingly. It will be tough when you see the first scratch or dent. The mint condition and box and papers are very nice.
     
    Edward53 likes this.
  17. Jaacck Apr 19, 2017

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    I say wear it on sparingly and minimise the hiking/ using heavy machinery with it. Buy another for everyday use! my two cents
     
    Edward53 and nonuffinkbloke like this.
  18. Igora Apr 19, 2017

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    put it in safe and buy yourself another. you will hate yourself if you bump it somewhere!
     
    Etp095 and Jaacck like this.
  19. Markinrecess Apr 19, 2017

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    What a cool watch, wear it with pride
     
  20. tyrantlizardrex Apr 19, 2017

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    DO NOT WEAR THIS WATCH.

    Send it to me... and I'll wear it. ;)