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Bing813
·I know everyone loves pictures…….
Need help on a 145.022. Any red flags on this Speedy?
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Bing813
·Even comes with a few dead fire ants under the end links
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Bing813
·It was an honest mistake about what exactly was the step and I payed him $2000 for the less desirable year because I think it will cleanup nicely after I got my hands on it today.
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Bing813
·Did I do ok gentleman? This is my first speedy.
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ibis888
·$2,000 seems like a really good price. The movement looks clean, the case looks unpolished, and the watch looks honest. Do you have more pictures of the dial? The lume color/consistency is the one thing not totally clear (it didn't look great from the original photos).
You will need a full service/cleaning asap... as I'm sure you know, do not have the case polished under any circumstances and leave all original exterior parts - I suspect it will clean up very nicely.
You will need a full service/cleaning asap... as I'm sure you know, do not have the case polished under any circumstances and leave all original exterior parts - I suspect it will clean up very nicely.
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JwRosenthal
·It was an honest mistake about what exactly was the step and I payed him $2000 for the less desirable year because I think it will cleanup nicely after I got my hands on it today.
Did your post above suggest he had another one?
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Bing813
·For $2k I would have broken my fingers getting my wallet out.
Did your post above suggest he had another one?
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Bing813
·Agreed- we all dream of the diamond in the rough- looked horrible but we knew better. Got it for a steal while everyone turned their nose up. Scrubbed it in the sink with a toothbrush, a little polywatch and voila! - a stunning gem that runs perfectly and gleams like a new penny….but that is usually very far from reality.
Most of the people who have been at this a while have a deep stash of parts, skills to do much of the work themselves (if not all but the full movement service) and the fortitude to take a gamble and lose- but parlay that loss into another project.
Most importantly they know how to identity when it’s worth it and when it’s not.
If you see the watch in the metal tomorrow, it speaks to you and the seller is willing to negotiate (cash is king, have a wad with $2k in one pocket and the other $1k in another pocket so you aren’t removing money from the pot but adding) then enjoy your prize and think about next steps after enjoying it for a few weeks. But if you are already thinking of the “project”, then it may end up being more than care to deal with.
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Bing813
·I will post dial pics after the hurricane and unfortunately I’m getting recalled into the firehouse for the next few days since apparently the storm is dead set for Tampa Bay. Thanks as always for the veteran opinions. -Scott
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Davidt
·$2k is an absolute no brainer. Congrats.
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JwRosenthal
·I will post dial pics after the hurricane and unfortunately I’m getting recalled into the firehouse for the next few days since apparently the storm is dead set for Tampa Bay. Thanks as always for the veteran opinions. -Scott
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ibis888
·Congratulations and best wishes as you ride out another hurricane.
Also, DIBS.
Also, DIBS.
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Bing813
·Thanks guys. It looked rough in the pictures and It’s a good thing I followed through with it and met the guy.
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JwRosenthal
·Thanks guys. It looked rough in the pictures and It’s a good thing I followed through with it and met the guy.
Scrub bracelet in the sink = good
Scrub watch head in the sink before new seals and pressure test =bad
I know it’s hard to resist the urge.
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Foo2rama
··Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...Curious to hear your impressions after seeing the watch in real life. It's definitely not a -71 with a step dial... I do like the bezel and dial font from the late 70s/early 80s though, step dial or not.
There is a similar watch for sale in the private sales section right now that you can use as a point of comparison.
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Bing813
·Dial is only from 1974 through Sept of 1977 on 145.022-74 and -76. That is not a late 70's dial as shown by the "Short S" where the "S" in Speedmaster does not drop down to the bottom of the "p." Late 70's through the 80's had the "Tall S" where the S dropped down to the bottom of the p.
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Foo2rama
··Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...Also note this is appears to be one of the 74's with a 71 serial number and a metal brake... Hmm makes me wonder what the extract states.
There is a chance this left the factory as a -69 or -71 and sat unsold until 74 due to the caseback not being the certified for space caseback.
I have a theory that alot of these 71's sat unsold and then the dealers purchased replacement casebacks which would be marked -74 to help them sell. If this was -69 the hands lume would be expected to go brown, and the the later dial would be expected to go mossy or green, which might explain everything on this watch. The dial would have been losing brightness from the Tritium 1/2 life and would have been in spec for a change at 5 years.
::edit with that bezel though odds are it is a 74 and not modified in period earlier reference::
There is a chance this left the factory as a -69 or -71 and sat unsold until 74 due to the caseback not being the certified for space caseback.
I have a theory that alot of these 71's sat unsold and then the dealers purchased replacement casebacks which would be marked -74 to help them sell. If this was -69 the hands lume would be expected to go brown, and the the later dial would be expected to go mossy or green, which might explain everything on this watch. The dial would have been losing brightness from the Tritium 1/2 life and would have been in spec for a change at 5 years.
::edit with that bezel though odds are it is a 74 and not modified in period earlier reference::
Edited:
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SOG53
·Good work. The movement serial number and all other aspects of the watch are correct according to MWO. Be sure to have it serviced with pressure test if youre wearing it daily, esp around water
Enjoy it and send some photos after the service!
Enjoy it and send some photos after the service!
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Bing813
·The spring bars were rusted in. Took me forever to free the bracelet. How does the dial look?
