Hello all. I’m new to the group and happy to be here.
I’ve been looking around the net the last couple months for a 145.022 made specifically in 1969.
My understanding of the Speedmaster, is that only movement numbers of 27mil are correct to ‘69. The inside of the case back may say ‘69, but that only applies to the case and not the rest of the watch.
I’m just getting started in my search as I just turned 50.
Yay.
Any knowledge from this group is highly valued to me.
Thanks again.

 

Welcome. I'd suggest you start here : http://speedmaster101.com/
Concerning the serial: between 28xxx and 31xxx can be correct for a 145022-69

 

It's going to be a lot harder than you think I am afraid. If you need a watch that would return an extract date as having been produced in 1969 then there are actually 3 reference you need to consider, the 145.012-68, the 145.022-68 and I think maybe a few 145.012-69s, though the first and last are more commonly seen in other years. The most numerous from that year will be the 145.022-68, known as the Transitional, these were made for the bulk of that year. Unfortunately both these (which use the 861 movement) and the earlier 321 movement 145.012-68 are rather more expensive than the later iterations like the -69 or -71. A 27m serial will certainly be thereabouts but doesn't guarantee 1969 production either.

It will be a lot easier and cheaper to buy a 145.022-69, but that will most likely have been made 1970-71 so you may have to decide what is most important, the extract date or the case iteration.

As noted above, Take a look at the excellent website, Ilovemyspeedmaster.com which has a reverse search allowing you to work out models and serial for a given date. The picture is a little confusing the years either side of the moon landing with lots of seemingly overlapping iterations.

 

Both of the above are great suggestions. For an opinion; especially if cost is any sort of concern, but also personally; I'd look for a 145.022-69 given its markings. That being said, if you enjoy the significance of the watch itself and feel this could become a hobby for you, the transitionals are definitely worth seeking out.

Either way good luck and happy 50th!

 

Much easier to buy a birth year Seiko.