Speedmasters are contagious... Everyone knows. I did manage to contaminate a friend of mine into owning multiple Speedmasters and originally sourced this one for him. He did not bond with this piece as much as with the birth year Speedmaster I got him too, so I've bought it back. After long consideration, I'm now listing it for sale as I have another, cleaner, example of the same reference. If you're looking for perfection, this watch is probably not for you... However, when you're looking for a charming and rather rare Transitional 145.022-68 with high wearability; please do read on! Please find an assessment of the watch below. I have attempted to be as brutally honest as can be. Also note that I am certainly not the first owner of this watch. So, I will err on the side of caution in my description. Dial: The original dial with the characteristic applied logo. Dial body colour is very pleasing, homogeneously black with a hint of brown. The printing is perfectly intact. There is a very, very faint drag mark on the left subdial, close to the tip of the 40 and only visible under magnification. The lume has a pleasing hue and has lost most of its luminous properties. After exposure to UV, it fades within a minute. The application of the lume is a little blotchy and a bit greenish, more so than I have seen on other 145.022-68's and 145.012's, making me unsure to state it is original. Please consider it an (old) relume, with upward potential. Happy to provide a video through for instance WhatsApp so you can make up your mind about it yourself. Hands: Likely repainted and as the dial, containing lume that has lost most of its luminous properties. Case: The typical Transitional case, with the slightly banana-shaped curve. Unique to this particular reference. The brushing has been re-applied expertly during the last service, undoing an earlier jeweller polish. The caseback is slightly polished too, but still retains the Seamonster engraving in good order. Bezel: Original DON bezel in with some light chips and fading, complementing the dial nicely. The edge of the bezel is smooth, except for two minor dents around the Tachymètre script. Movement and Serial: A trusty 861 manual wound movement with a serial in correct the 26559xxx range. Serviced in september 2022 by an independent Omega specialist. A service invoice is present. Runs and winds smoothly with all functions working properly. I have omitted taking a movement shot prior to the service and would prefer to keep it closed to preserve the seal as much as possible. At this last service, the third wheel, mainspring, crown and pushers have been replaced. Keeping the original flat foot crown was deemed unsafe as it does not properly seal the case. It will be included in the package (picture included below) and could be reinstalled should you wish to do so. Waterproofness has also been tested, but not passed, likely due to some minor pitting in the case edge holding the caseback seal. Bracelet: This watch comes head-only. Optionally, I can include the 1171/1 service bracelet, likely made in the 80s or early 90s with the matching 633 end links. It fits up to 19cm wrist circumference. The bracelet is in very good condition. Obviously younger than the watch, hence not necessarily part of the package. Shipped worldwide at buyers expense, although I would strongly prefer a F2F deal in the Netherlands given the value of this piece and the added benefit of meeting a fellow OF-member in person. No returns, please ask questions and extra pictures in advance. I am not making a habit out of selling, but I do have quite some - exclusively positive - references as a seller and buyer on this forum and could share more. References and Linkedin profile available upon request. I am pricing this watch in line with the Speedmaster101 price chart and would consider it slightly below 'Good' for the questionable lume. On the other hand, it does come with a very pleasing dial colour, a documented service and optionally with a matching bracelet at a low premium. Price: EUR 6250 excluding bracelet, or EUR 6500 including the 1171/1 (OBRO, net to me, excluding shipping) On to the pictures: Some more shots in daylight: And the crown, which will be included separately (unless explicitly requested otherwise): Thank you for looking and a great thanks to OF for this space.
Lovely reference and watch! GLWS! And...erhhh..Dibs for the flatfoot crown if buyer doesn't want it...
Open for offers. Fun fact: did you know that dragonflies have microscopic raisers on their wings, cutting bacteria to remain clean? (If you like this; No Such Thing As a Fish is something for you!)
Almost forgot that I have this one listed too... Bump with another fun fact. Language is a funny thing. Did you know that 'calque' in the English language is actually a loanword whereas the word 'loanword' is a calque? (Background: A calque (otherwise known as a loan translation): is a word or phrase taken from one language and translated literally, word-for-word, into another language. Whereas a loanword is a foreign word or expression maintained in its original form in the target language.)
Some more nibbles, but this lovely beater is still there. Last bump before it’s getting withdrawn and going back on the wrist.