Hey guys, I think that I may have found a relative bargain in this '69. First of all, before it's pointed out, he's put a modern bracelet on it so don't stress about that detail. So I'm going through the speedmaster101 checklist for this reference which says: "Dial Stepped Painted logo Professional text Short hour indices Wide spaced SWISS MADE T’s Case Asymmetric case, 20 mm lugs Caseback- single step with speedmaster engraved on rear Hands Hour/minute – baton Subdial – Stick, painted Chrono – square end spear Bezel Black BASE 500 bezel with dot over 90 (DO90)" What concerns me is that the Dot Over 90 is not present on this dial. Does anyone know whether 145.022 69s had non-DO90 bezels at all? Also, the hands look relatively new to me and I'm worried that they aren't original. Price is USD6000.
Given that DON bezels can go for $3k just by themselves, it wouldn't surprise me if the seller had sold it separately at some point. But DON wasn't on every -69 that came out of the factory anyway so I'd call that a yellow flag rather than red
Look from page 292 in MWO- any chance of better pics of the dial? Hands look serviced - but need better pics of the lume...does it look to have the accent over the E?
Couple of points. 1. It looks quite polished. 2. That's a modern DNN bezel so certainly not correct. I don't think we're yet at the point where 6k US for a polished -69 with a service bezel and incorrect bracelet is a bargain.
Thanks guys, Interestingly a new 69 just dropped on the for sale forum: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-145-022-69.76502/ This one is DNN rather than DO90... thoughts?
The one linked to on OF's above looks a far more honest piece than the first one you show. The change over to DNN from DON was by all accounts some time during 1969, and with anything Omega (or Rolex for that matter) from that period, there is a good degree of ambiguity each way. I'm sure during the transition period there are various genuine DNN equipped pieces that marginally post-date some DON equipped examples. Also, as said above, the DNN on the OF watch looks to be a genuine large Tachy/no accent item, whereas the one on the bracelet watch is a 90's service replacement. I prefer the dial on the OF watch, and the case looks slightly nicer too, and its 1000usd cheaper...
This watch is worth FAR more than the original one you posted. It has the original hands, and it has a period correct bezel. It's a bit polished, but not as bad as the first one. The first one is a $3500 watch at best being sold as if it were collector grade. The second, as @skipper mentioned seems to be all original, and is a much better value.
The OP watch clearly has service hands and bezel, but - and it might just be the photography or the fact I've only just gotten into the office this morning - the dial looks a tiny bit brown
Hands down a way better watch. If you were thinking on buying the OP one at 6K, this one at 5K is a no brainer!
Re bezels. This could have a DNN or DON. This is neither while it has dot next to 90 it’s not called a DNN. That description is for 69- early 80’s bezels. This is a modern 1. http://speedmaster101.com/base500-bezel-identification/ This should help.
The vast majority of 145.022-69 were actually made in 1970. The DONs went away during the last quarter of 1970 and were replaced by the 220 DNNs which ran into early 1971 (first quarter) and then replaced with the corrected 200 DNNs around the 2nd quarter of 1971.
Here’s the text from MWO, which articulates the serial number transition for -69’s regarding DON to DNN bezels:
Seriously considering the second option. How much more would a DO90 cost in the same condition? And the bracelet: would prefer the original. How much more do they go for?
If you’re asking questions about the price/value if vintage Speedmaster bracelets and bezels I’d suggest you need to do more research before committing to a purchase.