NOOB searching for 1980 Speedmaster...

Hey guys! As the title states... I'm new to Speedmasters and have recently started down the rabbit hole of trying to find a Speedmaster from my birth year and possibly from my birth year/month.

I've been looking for a 1980 Speedy and it doesn't look like there are many available on the usual sites and some are listed as 1980 but the listed movement numbers don't really line up with all the sites I've been checking so far.

I did find this one in Italy (https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omega-speedmaster-professional--id17026732.htm) and it seems to check out on https://www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com/productiondateprediction/ but wanted to see what you guys thought of the watch in the listing on C24?

Worth the price or wait it out till I can find a better one? This one's listed as Sept 1980 which is close to my Dec birth month.

Thanks!

As always, it depends on what you're aiming on :

- find your birthyear (month? day?) watch as fast as possible and move on to the next goal
- or hunt for the one, doesn't matter how long it takes

The first might be more expensive and - honestly - less rewarding as once you have it, check, what's next.
The latter will be more exciting and potentially cheaper. You will learn more about the watch you're looking for and once you spot the one, you won't necessarily need the community to approve your purchase. The fun is in the hunt.

Made in 1980 would be preferable and I do completely agree with the above comments. For me finding a good copy is more important than just getting one. I'm still learning about these watches but it was already pointed out to me tonight that the watch I linked above probably has been polished (which I thought I spotted but wasn't sure). In any case, I think I'm gonna wait it out to see if I can find a better alternative. Either way it seems like I'm in the right place!

In my opinion, Chrono24 is overpriced by 20% in most cases. I would keep a look out on the Private Watch Sales section on this very forum as nice examples pop up from time to time.

The watch from Chrono24 isn't very attractive to my eyes. The case is polished slightly too much for my liking (as you mentioned). The lume is a bit all over the place - seems like someone has tried to touch up the 3 o'clock marker the 5 o'clock marker has a red texta mark(?).

There are plenty of Speedmasters from this period with custardy patina, perhaps not in 1980 which a previous poster mentioned. I'm a hypocrite but I wouldn't be too fussed about the birth year thing. You never know when the watch was manufactured until you have an extract. Most watches from this period will not have an extract from my experience.

Keep hunting and good luck!

Thanks guys! I'm gonna keep hunting... not in any particular hurry so I'll wait it out till I find a good copy! and those pics above help! Especially good to know that some nice examples of vintage speedy's are out there!

You probably are going to be looking for a 145.022-78, just as an FYI, as those were carried over till '81 if I recall. Which pretty much leaves it to checking serial numbers on any of those you see against Ilovemyspeedmaster.com to get a ballpark month of manufacture.

I lucked out on my own speedmaster I got off of Ebay being a -76 and serial puts it around July of '77 which is a couple months before I was born.

Awesome! Thanks so much for that info... very helpful for my searches!