Did anyone else notice this? Help me out here. What exactly did I buy. Is it a keeper or did I waste $20 in round trip mail? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=291501756318&globalID=EBAY-USPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network At first glance, it's a 145.022-69 pre moon with a so so DON bezel. Perhaps the hands aren't original. The movement is a bit dirty but it's an 861 so easy to service and, just in case, its returnable for 2 weeks. Now for the peculiar parts, which is why I took a chance on it. 1) I've never seen this dial before. It appears to be a painted logo, raised Professional dial, without "t"s, it's not found in MWO. All normal145.022-69 dials has a different SWISS MADE configuration and have "t"s. 2) The movement only has 7 digits. I don't think (hope) that an eighth digit is photo shopped out. The movement number is 2943096. In comparing the movement number placement on the bridge the 7 digits appear to line up with digits 2 thru 8 of a normal 861 movement number. 29,430,96x is a correct movement number for this reference. But there is no 8th digit. I don't recall a seller hiding only the last digit?. Also, The streched lozenge adjustment index is a 321 part in an 861 movement. So, I bought it( for now) but I'm confused. Is this something special ....... A prototype? A seldom seen service dial? A photoshopped 8th digit? Or is this watch a Franken with phony parts?? Is it a redial? Opinions Please!! Naturally, I will post better pics when I get the watch. Happy 4th of July Weekend to all Yanks, Commonwealth Cousins and everyone in between.
Fine. I'll consider changing the title of my thread to "I promised to pay more than anyone else in the world and this is what I got".
I don't know what to make of the dial either. Should have T's and short markers. But I keep looking at the sub-dial numerals. Not sharp and the 6's, for example, seem rounder than they should.
I think you've answered your own question, OP... Not sure I like the look of the bezel either; the font on TACHYMETRE just doesn't look right. Compare the R to the Rs on http://speedmaster101.com/145-022-69/
The DON fuzzy bezel is common and was recently addressed by @Spacefruit. Search (sorry I'm can't seem to provide links from my iPad. Don't know which question that I've answered because I'm still bewildered by this dial. DO90 Bezel Comparison on 2998's
The dial could be a service dial, I think someone should be able to post a pic on this forum. The random 321 part may be explained by it having serviced ( in the 70's?) The lugs on the case is what ruined it for me, they are just way too polished for my taste but I am going to take the piss and say that you got it for a reasonable price. Please keep us posted.
The dial bothered me also. However you may have a watch the the sum of it's parts may be worth the sum of it's total Then, again, it may not be worth the return postage
In contrary to what most people think , the DON bezel are Easy to recognize by looking at the 70 and not the 90.
To be fair, no. I ever seen applied logo with short marker, applied logo with long marker non T dial, tritium dial with non T (ACP) but paint logo with long marker and non T dial ...never...
I have never seen a similar dial before... Hands seems to be luminova. I agree with Fost, this is not a DON bezel.
This one is a modern replacement certainly artificially aged. ( some 69 speedy on spacefruit website have the modern replacement too..)
Hmm I see what you mean. The dot is directly below the '0' in 70 rather than diagonally below the '0' lume on most DoN bezels.