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New Speedmaster find in the wild... curious of thoughts?

  1. watchandkey Jun 12, 2018

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    I am fairly new to Omega after a dabble into some Hamilton and automatic Seikos. My grail has been a Speedy and I picked this one up at a local pawn shop. They had it for sale for $1800 because "the crystal had minor scratches and it was a little beat up". They also had it listed as a Seamaster. I immediately recognized it as a vintage Speedmaster and tried to stop my drooling long enough to talk them down to $1300.

    So, here she is, patina and all. My best guesses are either a 105.112 or a 145.012-68 or 69. I ordered a caseback tool so I'll know more about the movement tomorrow. The dial looks to be in overall great shape and based on online research I did before the sale (I was nervous), appears to my untrained eye to be correct and not a redial based on the lack of lume and some slight fading. The pictures are just from my phone but the dial is fairly crisp, even with a loupe. The hands, especially the chrono second hand, do not look good but am hoping it's just some corrosion that would clean.

    It actually keeps great time and all the functions work. I do believe the bezel is a 90s service part (thanks to a helpful reddit friend) and the caseback is not time correct either. The bracelet is 1171 with 633 endlinks. It is the square logo so not sure if it's original. The case measures 38-39mm so that leads me to believe it's a pre-moon but the caseback is interesting. I'm hoping the movement is the revered 321 but I'd be happy with a 861 just as well.

    Open to some help or new clues! I've tried to do some diligence and know I got a good deal regardless. I will either restore it and keep this one or sell it and fund my new grail, a broad arrow Speedy with silver bezel and maybe something else. Any advice on whether I should source the time correct bezel and caseback is appreciated as well.
     
    Edited Jun 12, 2018
  2. gemini4 Hoarder Of Speed et alia Jun 12, 2018

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    It appears to be a Franken but certainly a parts bargain at the price you paid.

    Please copy the pics directly to your post as the link will eventually disappear.
     
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  3. gdupree Jun 12, 2018

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    Can’t wait to see the inside! there are many possibilities as to what it is, all depending on what’s inside. No matter what, there are some parts that are not correct.... No matter what, that is amazing and you got a steal. We’ll have to see just how cool it is in time. Keep us posted!
     
  4. BenBagbag Jun 12, 2018

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    Yeah, get it opened to see how frankened it is. But at 1300 you did really well. Bracelet with square logo is correct on very late 70's through 80's speedmasters.

    Can anyone here pin down what kind of dial that is?
     
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  5. gemini4 Hoarder Of Speed et alia Jun 12, 2018

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    My guess is a 145.022-68 dial
     
  6. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Jun 12, 2018

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    Wrong case back and bezel. Assuming the dial is correct. But that’s a great buy at that price.

    It’s either a 321 or maybe a -68
     
  7. Dan S Jun 12, 2018

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    I don't see why you say it's a service dial.
     
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  8. watchandkey Jun 12, 2018

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    Whoops, meant service bezel. I think the dial is original.
     
  9. Dan S Jun 12, 2018

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    Correct, bezel is a late service part, and looking back, I missed the confused wording of that fist post, "bezel ... dial".

    Dial looks legit.

    You're going to be fine on the price and with any luck, it will be a worthwhile project you can bring back with correct parts once you know what it actually is.
     
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  10. BatDad Jun 12, 2018

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    At $1300 that's a bargain
     
  11. cvera Jun 12, 2018

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    Nice find. I stop by the pawn shops maybe twice a year, but haven't found any worthwhile watches.
     
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  12. Etp095 Jun 13, 2018

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    Imagine what the poor smuck that sold it to the pawn shop got for it, $300-$400 bucks. It’s a great deal, Congratulations!
     
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  13. chipsotoole Jun 13, 2018

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    Great score! well done!
     
  14. Exiztence Jun 13, 2018

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    Seems like a great deal, whichever is inside, you got hella lucky
     
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  15. tikkathree Jun 13, 2018

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    Or even keep it like this? The OP liked it enough to buy it and maybe he'll be content knowing that in its franken-ness it is possibly er... unique?
     
  16. MaiLollo Jun 13, 2018

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    Nice score for 1300$, the kind of watch that looks nice enough and would be perfect to have serviced & wear daily.
    I would bet on a 67/68 as well, the only way you'll know what it originally was is to order an extract based on the movement number. It could also be a later watch that was fitted an older dial...
     
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  17. JimJupiter Jun 13, 2018

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    My bet is -67/68 too. We will see what the SN says. Keep us updated, nice find! Congrats!

    Nico
     
  18. dan7800 Jun 13, 2018

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    A) Good negotiating kills
    B) Very nice find. You could always obviously part it out. Personally, I'd consider a service and wearing it as is (cool story behind everything that at least to me is worth having a mismatched watch)
     
  19. BenBagbag Jun 13, 2018

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    Cost to restore will really depend on what's under the hood. Wearing as is would be kind of cool but if you have your eyes set on something else maybe find a way to sell this to help you get there.

    IMO a "barn find" watch is okay with a replacement part because it tells the story of how you got it. Once a bunch of parts have been replaced I feel like it loses its allure. That would just be me.
     
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  20. gdupree Jun 13, 2018

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    After looking at it more, here's my guess...

    I think the caseback is a 145.022-78. Because it has the horizontal tail on the Q, which they switched to the "short tail" Q by the early 80's, but it has larger notches for caseback openers. the 1171/633 fits this time period... See the comparison between the notches on the -74 (left), and -78 (right).

    9A2384BC-E15B-4276-A9C5-66C8D69B2E6B.jpeg

    But, does anyone else see what looks like "22655" scratched into the lug? Could that be 22655XXX?? Probably not. That would put it around 1965... ::popcorn::. Still I'm going to guess 145.022-78, with a -68 dial and modern service bezel.