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Need help with 145.022 with transitional dial...from 1971

D
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So I’m a little confused about a 145.022 that has every indication of being a 145.022-71, but has the applied logo and step dial like a 145.022-68 transition model.

Serial number is 3162XXXX, dating to 1971.
Has the 2nd gen post-moon caseback that debuted in 1971 (not straight writing).
1171 bracelet.
DNN bezel.

So I am just confused as to why it has this older dial even though the serial and other parts point to 1971. The watch is from a reputable jeweler who claims they serviced the watch without replacing any of the original parts, and guaranteed authenticity. They just listed it as a 145.022 without noting any abnormalities.

Any explanations?
 
F758A55E-8E5D-489E-8964-DCBF781C5EF3.jpeg 6897C621-3B67-4DEB-9531-AAC66F94D987.jpeg 9F2A2BA6-B025-4018-8799-94CFE8F989F5.jpeg
Davidt
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The simplest answer is usually the correct one.
It's had the dial swapped at some point.

Interestingly the end links are 47's as well which match the 1175 not the 1171 so not all of the bracelet is original either.

On the plus the dial it has is more valuable than the dial it needs so if the price is right it may still be viable depending on your appetite for work.
 
Badwolf
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You definitely want to see the inside of the case back, looks hardly worn which is questionable. Just need to check it hasn’t been replaced. You’ll need higher quality photos if you want the experts here (and they are proper experts) to give you more detail.
 
D
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Yeah I was a little concerned about the sticker still being on the caseback and the possibility of it being a recent addition. I don't actually know when they started putting those stickers on there now that I think about it. I can definitely post some additional pictures though and work on checking the inside of the caseback.

Honestly, the price is pretty good and the dial is the biggest draw for me so I wouldn't be too upset if there are a few frankenwatch elements going on as long as everything is at least genuine and functioning correctly. This is why I was so confused though! I feel like the issue usually is that these dials get replaced by newer service dials, not that a newer dial would be replaced with this older one.
 
airansun
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A heresy:

I actually like it as is and wouldn’t change the dial. It’s a unique piece.

I sometimes wonder where my watches have been and who wore them, but the watches are silent witnesses.

Who knows? Perhaps an original owner wanted the old fashioned dial on his new watch and a watchmaker facilitated that. Could have happened at any time in the past.

I think it goes together well and I’ve always preferred the AML dials anyway.
 
john_coburg
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D drpopilopidus
Yeah I was a little concerned about the sticker still being on the caseback and the possibility of it being a recent addition. I don't actually know when they started putting those stickers on there now that I think about it. I can definitely post some additional pictures though and work on checking the inside of the caseback.

Honestly, the price is pretty good and the dial is the biggest draw for me so I wouldn't be too upset if there are a few frankenwatch elements going on as long as everything is at least genuine and functioning correctly. This is why I was so confused though! I feel like the issue usually is that these dials get replaced by newer service dials, not that a newer dial would be replaced with this older one.

The sticker won't mean much, they're generally put there by watchmakers post-service.... or by someone who didn't service it wanting people to think that it had been.
My -71 serial is 3161XXXX which is v close to this one, but i'd have expected some loss to the black paint on the writing on the back, unless it has been touched up. The 'wide Ω logo' crown is obviously a later replacement, too.
 
D
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airansun airansun
I actually like it as is and wouldn’t change the dial. It’s a unique piece.

I agree. I wasn't planning on changing the dial original or not! Although I admittedly was hoping that Omega occasionally put a few of these leftover AML dials on the 145.022-71, making it possible that this was all original. But having a previous owner who was passionate enough to source this dial and get it switched adds some additional uniqueness, and a cool story.

john_coburg john_coburg
The sticker won't mean much, they're generally put there by watchmakers post-service.... or by someone who didn't service it wanting people to think that it had been.

It recently had a service so I'm wondering if that's when the sticker was slapped on there.
 
Davidt
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D drpopilopidus
Oh and the bracelet actually is 1175, not 1171. Good catch.

does it have an 1175 clasp?

unfortunately it’s not an 1175. Although the end links (and clasp?) correspond to that bracelet ref, the oval links are 1171 type
 
D
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D6AD1147-E6C7-448F-A5CA-0B2C751106DC.jpeg


In other news, I walked into a dark room and was surprised by some lume....

Not sure what to make of that. Maybe a recent tritium relume by somebody?
Edited:
 
Davidt
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If a tritium dial is in good condition, a feint glow in a darkened room can often still be seen, especially if the dial has recently been exposed to a bright light such as a camera flash or sunlight.
 
abrod520
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D drpopilopidus
D6AD1147-E6C7-448F-A5CA-0B2C751106DC.jpeg


In other news, I walked into a dark room and was surprised by some lume....

Not sure what to make of that. Maybe a recent tritium relume by somebody?

Nah sometimes lume will still glow, especially from 1970s onwards
 
Badwolf
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D drpopilopidus
Yeah I was a little concerned about the sticker still being on the caseback and the possibility of it being a recent addition. I don't actually know when they started putting those stickers on there now that I think about it. I can definitely post some additional pictures though and work on checking the inside of the caseback.

Honestly, the price is pretty good and the dial is the biggest draw for me so I wouldn't be too upset if there are a few frankenwatch elements going on as long as everything is at least genuine and functioning correctly. This is why I was so confused though! I feel like the issue usually is that these dials get replaced by newer service dials, not that a newer dial would be replaced with this older one.
I get what you’re saying but beware of service case backs as that would seriously devalue the watch.

The bracelet is bits put together, part 18mm 1171 which is incorrect for a speedy. You can see how thin it is compared to the lug width. Personally I’d only value that bracelet as parts.
 
BatDad
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Question for folks on this clasp - I see the No 12, that I normally use to indicate a 1175 clasp.

But is the stamping of 11 75 completely coincidental. I seem the think the clasps are marked with the month/yr of manufacture? I’d like to check my understanding?
 
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BatDad BatDad
But is the stamping of 11 75 completely coincidental. I seem the think the clasps are marked with the month/yr of manufacture? I’d like to check my understanding?

omega-speedmaster-145022-4836.jpg

I don't have a conclusive answer for you, but I did notice 1175 is also stamped on this clasp from a 1175 bracelet from this story: https://www.fratellowatches.com/omega-speedmaster-professional-145-022-69/

Albeit in a completely different location than mine...
 
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