Greetings speedy experts!

I recently inherited a 145.012 from my grandfather who passed. He always told me of a "watch that went to the moon" as I was growing up, and I'm excited to finally have it in my possession to find out more! I assumed prior to opening the watch that it was a transitional 145.022 because of the 1171 bracelet, which I read debuted with the 861 movement. I did notice however that the omega logo was metal and not painted, yet the bezel appears to be a DN90. I brought the watch to a vintage watch specialist in NYC http://www.mastersoftime.com/ , upon opening the watch I was surprised to see a 321 movement. Inside the case reads 145.012 without a year next to it just 145.012 - SP. He told me that it appeared the watch had never been opened let alone serviced. He also said that after demagnetizing the watch it was fairly accurate and needed little adjustment.

Here are the specs from what I know so far:
- 145.012
- Serial 27326449
- Bracelet 1171

I sincerely appreciate any feedback anyone has to offer.
Thank you!

- Simon

 

Congrats on your inherited speedy. A very nice watch. The bezel is not original, should be DON, but everything else looks to me correct and serial number also right for 145.012. The movement especially looks to be in great shape.

 

Is it possible the bezel is original? I was told today that the watch had never been opened. I don't see why he would've changed the bezel if the watch had never been serviced.

 

They started using that bezel on the 145.022. But you have a very late serial number for your speedy and to me very odd you don't have a number after 145.012 - Maybe others have seen this before.

 

Afraid not - that is a fairly modern replacement bezel. Probably under 25 years old, is my uneducated ballpark guess given the lack of the accent on the first E in "tachymetre" . Bezels were wear-items (ie. they were easily scratched / damaged) so chances are that's what happened sometime during your watch's very long life, and was replaced. Not an uncommon outcome

 

This looks like a strange one. Judging by the serial, it's very late 1968. If they switched to the new DN09 bezel in late 1968 along with the 861 movement, isn't it possible this was one of the last remaining 321 movements? Not sure what would account for the missing year in the case back. Is it at all possible this was actually produced in 69, again with a leftover 321 movement? Very interesting watch.

 

That is weird. My 145.022-68 has a 821 with a serial number 26557751.

 

The OP's serial # falls into the range of a 145.012-68. They had 2 serial # ranges, 2655xxxx and 2732xxxx. Mine falls into the first serial # range. There is another member here ( can't remember who at the moment) that has one in the 27mil range and I think there is a thread about it being one of the last cal 321's. The strangest thing about the OP's watch is the case back without a year following the 145.012. To the OP: I think your serial # is 27320449.

 

Thanks for the info on this! What is your thoughts on the bezel? I think you're correct about the serial having a 0 not a 6. Has anyone seen a speedy from this period without a date after the 145.012?

 

I think the bezel is a service replacement. By the way, can you take a picture of the back side of the case back and post it?

 

The watchmaker who opened it today said that it had never been serviced, not sure if he's correct in that but there were no markings showing a service.

Here is a photo of the back of the case.

 

OK. That looks right. It is possible that your grandfather had the bezel replaced at some point without having the movement serviced. I don't have an answer on why the year isn't after 145.012. I have seen service replacement case backs with just 145.012, but yours has a dash after it, where the replacements don't. Hopefully, someone can shed some light.

 

Thanks so much for the info!

 

On the basis of my experience, the watch has been serviced in the past. Have a close look at some screw heads, such has - for example - the one which holds the stem.

 

Still intrigued on this one... Has anyone else seen a case back with a dash and no year?

 

Nice watch.

The setting lever screw head is damaged, which means that someone has loosened it to remove the stem, and you only normally remove the stem if your doing work to the movement.

If servicing is done correctly (with care and with the proper sized screwdrivers) then there should never be any "evidence" of servicing, in other words the movement should look identical when it leaves the shop as when it arrived, i.e. no damage.

Sadly that isn't the case and many watchmakers cause a lot of damage, mostly to the set lever screw.

 

Is there a similar clear photo like this, of the serial number?


This would be a first or me, the serial # being obscured but you indicate its 27326449.

 

I agree. I already noticed that the movement had been serviced in my post above and some time ago I also pointed out the problem in this thread:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/salvation-army-speedie-for-sale-on-ebay-a-nice-donation.25815/page-4
Unfortunately, these details go beyond the knowledge of most collectors.