Moon watch straight writing case

jimik42 · May 6, 2016

sky21
It depends a lot on if it has the Apollo XI inscription on the caseback or not. The recent examples with this inscription have sold for a lot higher than the prices on that chart.

Thank you for that clarification. I wasn't sure where to look up those prices.

Is there anywhere you can suggest that will show variations like this?

sgoody1 · Jul 4, 2016

Well, I have finally bought one.
Not quite the one I was looking for, but a 1971, (so still Apollo era) not straight writing, but very happy with the watch and the price I paid.
The bracelet looks really good too, the dial is stepped, but I think the hands may have been replaced at some stage.
I do need to clean it, and may eventually get it cleaned (not polished!), by a dealer. However, in the meantime, I have been told I can use a toothbrush on it. Is that right? Do I need any soap etc? Advice appreciated.

Spacefruit · Jul 4, 2016

Lovely looking watch.
Do not clean it.
If you are asking questions with the word "tooth brush" in it then its best you do not clean it. It is clear your enthusiasm is greater than your experience and cleaning a speedmaster with nothing but naivety and a toothbrush is a recipe for disaster....(I identify with your enthusiasm BTW).

And to be pedantic, going to a "Dealer" for a cleaning would not be my choice. If you are in UK send it to STS for a service, where they will clean the watch and bracelet and replace those hands - or at least age them.

Good luck. Welcome to Speedmasters.

Lets see if you can stop at one....

Bill Sohne · Jul 4, 2016

Shazmak
+1 for straight writing! Love mine. I think it's the 861 to have otherwise go for a 145.022-68 transitional 😉

Agree...

I had one and sold it years ago was basically NOS

sgoody1 · Jul 4, 2016

Thanks. Have put the toothbrush back in the drawer!
The bracelet has the number has the number 1175 stamped on it, and "No. 12" in an oval. Is that the correct bracelet for that year?
The serial number starts 32198.... at least thats what I have been told - is that the right number for a 1971? On a chart I looked at, that seems to correspond with 1971? Why would they then have said its 1971?
Anything else I should consider? Does the bezel look original from the picture?
Thanks again.

TomGW · Jul 6, 2016

sgoody1
Thanks. Have put the toothbrush back in the drawer!
The bracelet has the number has the number 1175 stamped on it, and "No. 12" in an oval. Is that the correct bracelet for that year?
The serial number starts 32198.... at least thats what I have been told - is that the right number for a 1971? On a chart I looked at, that seems to correspond with 1971? Why would they then have said its 1971?
Anything else I should consider? Does the bezel look original from the picture?
Thanks again.

Both the bezel and bracelet are correct for the 'straight writing' Speedmaster. Apart from the replacement hands it appears to be 100% original. Very nice watch.

abrod520 · Jul 6, 2016

sgoody1
Thanks. Have put the toothbrush back in the drawer!
The bracelet has the number has the number 1175 stamped on it, and "No. 12" in an oval. Is that the correct bracelet for that year?
The serial number starts 32198.... at least thats what I have been told - is that the right number for a 1971? On a chart I looked at, that seems to correspond with 1971? Why would they then have said its 1971?
Anything else I should consider? Does the bezel look original from the picture?
Thanks again.

Can you photograph the caseback for us? It may be that your watch is a model reference 145.022-71, not necessarily a 1971 production. (Most likely from 1972-74)

Everything on your watch, from the bracelet to the bezel to the movement serial number, lines up with a 145.022-71 too.

DLT222 · Jul 6, 2016

+1 for STS ask for Simon. Great guy

sgoody1 · Jul 6, 2016

Thanks.
The reference is 145.022-71 ST.
The back is NOT straight writing. Although that was what I was after, this one seemed quite early, was a fair price, looked to be in good condition, and so I went for it.
The bracelet actually has a small mark 2.71 on it - is that the date?
As the watch is not straight writing - I am going to start some of these details, and my quest to find out more about the watch, as a new thread.
I will probably have to buy myself a straight writing version as well, at some point!!

repoman · Jul 6, 2016

sgoody1
The bracelet actually has a small mark 2.71 on it - is that the date?

Yes, it means 2nd quarter, 1971.

abrod520 · Jul 6, 2016

sgoody1
Thanks.
The reference is 145.022-71 ST.
The back is NOT straight writing. Although that was what I was after, this one seemed quite early, was a fair price, looked to be in good condition, and so I went for it.
The bracelet actually has a small mark 2.71 on it - is that the date?
As the watch is not straight writing - I am going to start some of these details, and my quest to find out more about the watch, as a new thread.
I will probably have to buy myself a straight writing version as well, at some point!!

Right - the 145.022-71 was the first reference to carry what is now the modern caseback, with the full medallion. However, it was also the last reference to carry a stepped dial, giving it the same appearance on the wrist as a later pre-moon or straight-writing model.

Because of the medallion caseback - which nobody will ever see while it's on your wrist anyway - these are currently one of the better bargains in all watch collecting IMO, so it was a good move if you ask me 👍

Yes, the 2.71 mark on the bracelet indicates the quarter the bracelet was produced, and can provide a clue as to when the watch was produced / sold, assuming the bracelet is original. However, the only true way to know when the watch was produced is to order an Extract of the Archives from Omega.

Kwijibo · Jul 6, 2016

Spacefruit
Welcome!

You have good aspirational tastes, but the watches you show have problems.

absolutly right. The caseback looks really weird. Moreover they can't be on a 71 or 72. As for the SN it's easy to fond a database on the net.

zimmerit5 · Jul 7, 2016

Hi Sgoody1,
An Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 - Straight line case back Apollo XI 1969 was sold on OF just last month albeit at a higher price. With reference to Speedmaster101, the Apollo XI caseback is the rarest of the straight writing casebacks. In time, there will be other speedmasters with straight writing caseback appearing on the forum's watches for sale section. It is also prudent to also buy the seller and not just the watch.

sgoody1 · Jul 7, 2016

Maybe I should have waited for what I really wanted. I did get offered the straight writing version with Apollo XI 1969, at also quite a fair price, but before I had the chance to get a response on a few questions I had about it, it had sold. Potentially if the right watch, from a good seller, at the right price does emerge, I could buy that as well, and sell this one on (or keep it).

davy26 · Jul 7, 2016

sgoody1
Maybe I should have waited for what I really wanted. I did get offered the straight writing version with Apollo XI 1969, at also quite a fair price, but before I had the chance to get a response on a few questions I had about it, it had sold. Potentially if the right watch, from a good seller, at the right price does emerge, I could buy that as well, and sell this one on (or keep it).

This is the trouble with this hobby: you've satisfied your lust and then straight away you're thinking about the next one! All I can say is that the one you've just acquired looks very good to me and I'd be extremely happy with it.

oddboy · Jul 7, 2016

sgoody1
(or keep it).

Yes

sgoody1 · Jul 7, 2016

davy26
This is the trouble with this hobby: you've satisfied your lust and then straight away you're thinking about the next one! All I can say is that the one you've just acquired looks very good to me and I'd be extremely happy with it.

Thanks for saying that and giving me that assurance. I am really pleased with this purchase, and like so many other things I could drive myself mad with this whole thing.
Nevertheless I am keen to learn more about what I have bought and look after it correctly.

Moon watch straight writing case

jimik42

sgoody1

Spacefruit

Bill Sohne

sgoody1

TomGW

abrod520

DLT222

sgoody1

repoman

abrod520

Kwijibo

zimmerit5

sgoody1

davy26

oddboy

sgoody1

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