Community Stories

Remember when Speedmasters were Cheap?

cwindham
Posts
456
Likes
278
Bought this gem for 800$ earlier this year. Came on the original 1171 bracelet, DON bezel and original hands. 146.022-69ST
image.jpeg

Had it serviced and now it looks like this.
image.jpeg

I am happy with the look, most of my buddies are like "That's a beat up watch". I just smile and say I bet you can't find one of these under 3k
 
Nactex
Posts
338
Likes
265
This is my 145.022-69 purchased new in 1970. I still have the original box and 1039 bracelet.
photo 2.JPG
 
cwindham
Posts
456
Likes
278
Nactex Nactex
This is my 145.022-69 purchased new in 1970. I still have the original box and 1039 bracelet.
photo 2.JPG

There is that photo i wanted to see, beauty!!
 
Nactex
Posts
338
Likes
265
Thanks, it is hard to believe I have kept this all these years, through good times and bad, but I am very happy I did.
 
rcs914
Posts
2,510
Likes
3,732
cwindham cwindham
Bought this gem for 800$ earlier this year. Came on the original 1171 bracelet, DON bezel and original hands. 146.022-69ST
image.jpeg

Had it serviced and now it looks like this.
image.jpeg

I am happy with the look, most of my buddies are like "That's a beat up watch". I just smile and say I bet you can't find one of these under 3k

Pretty sure you could say $4k and still be right.
 
ewand
Posts
1,316
Likes
6,009
cwindham cwindham
Bought this gem for 800$ earlier this year. Came on the original 1171 bracelet, DON bezel and original hands. 146.022-69ST
Where did you find a bargain like that? Happen upon it in a junk shop or flea market? That's amazing.

One of the big downsides (from a buyer's perspective) of the information age is that anyone with something to sell can fairly quickly figure out what it is, and if enough people who are in the know find out, they'll soon realise what they have.

Like the Gumtree seller last year who had inherited an "Omega gent's watch" which "needs a new battery". And listed her Ed White for £250 or whatever ;-)
 
Pahawi
Posts
1,182
Likes
3,510
Pahawi Pahawi
Found a one owner 145.012 w/ DO90 and a 1171/1 bracelet for $1200 a year ago. Case and dial in average cond., nice movement, hands painted, lume gone and the dust cover is the newer style (anyone have a spare of the old style?), but still ok for the money....

Forgot a pic ::facepalm1::

IMG_2141.JPG
 
dc_in_sf
Posts
99
Likes
114
Almost exactly two years ago I was looking for a "birth year" cal 321 speedy, so while getting my (now sadly lost at the bottom of the sea) 2254.50 serviced asked the watchmaker if he knew of anyone dealing in vintage watches. He sent me down a couple of flights of stairs to a gentleman in the same building who mostly dealt in vintage jewelry, but when I told him what I was looking for he pulled out a lovely AML, stepped dial, DON curved lug speedy, which we took back upstairs to the watchmaker to pop the back and take a look at it.

Turns out it was high serial number 145.012-67 i.e. likely 1968 manufacture which is my birth year and hence fit my criteria perfectly, so went back downstairs to find out the damage.

Without even haggling I was offered the watch for.....

$1800USD!!!! 😁

I never ran so fast to the bank in my life 😀

And this watch came with a perfectly good 1039 bracelet!!! Crazy to think that just the bezel and bracelet alone are probably worth more than what I paid for the watch.

Unfortunately I think this has spoilt me, I'll never get a deal like this on any other speedy.
 
IMG_0401.JPG
cristos71
Posts
7,793
Likes
35,392
dc_in_sf dc_in_sf
Almost exactly two years ago I was looking for a "birth year" cal 321 speedy, so while getting my (now sadly lost at the bottom of the sea) 2254.50 serviced asked the watchmaker if he knew of anyone dealing in vintage watches. He sent me down a couple of flights of stairs to a gentleman in the same building who mostly dealt in vintage jewelry, but when I told him what I was looking for he pulled out a lovely AML, stepped dial, DON curved lug speedy, which we took back upstairs to the watchmaker to pop the back and take a look at it.

Turns out it was high serial number 145.012-67 i.e. likely 1968 manufacture which is my birth year and hence fit my criteria perfectly, so went back downstairs to find out the damage.

Without even haggling I was offered the watch for.....

$1800USD!!!! 😁

I never ran so fast to the bank in my life 😀

And this watch came with a perfectly good 1039 bracelet!!! Crazy to think that just the bezel and bracelet alone are probably worth more than what I paid for the watch.

Unfortunately I think this has spoilt me, I'll never get a deal like this on any other speedy.
I think I can safely say that your bezel alone would probably bring in somewhere around $1800, so actually even better than you thought!
 
Kringkily
Posts
5,505
Likes
4,787
About 3-4 years ago dealers were offering me old Speedies for cheap and I couldn't be bothered...now they can't be bothered by me
 
imajedi
Posts
140
Likes
434
cristos71 cristos71
I think I can safely say that your bezel alone would probably bring in somewhere around $1800, so actually even better than you thought!
That is one of the best DON bezels I've seen. Easily bring $1800.
 
imajedi
Posts
140
Likes
434
Pianist Pianist
145012-67 in exceptional condition : € 1700 in 2009.

That really is exceptional. Amazing
 
Kringkily
Posts
5,505
Likes
4,787
Pre 2000's no one cared for old speedmasters really. I mean I was pre high school so I would have spent my money on candy and gap carpenter jeans with mushroom bowl cut hair before looking at a premoon speedy.

I did meet a man in Europe who has been hoarding 2915 and 2998 as his past time hobby during the 80's and 90's. Saw a box full of them.... He won't think of selling till he fully retires....as in never...
 
rcs914
Posts
2,510
Likes
3,732
Kringkily Kringkily
Pre 2000's no one cared for old speedmasters really. I mean I was pre high school so I would have spent my money on candy and gap carpenter jeans with mushroom bowl cut hair before looking at a premoon speedy.

I did meet a man in Europe who has been hoarding 2915 and 2998 as his past time hobby during the 80's and 90's. Saw a box full of them.... He won't think of selling till he fully retires....as in never...

I'm sure that @Spacefruit doesn't just store them in a box 😉
 
CrisROSE
Posts
110
Likes
308
I guess I'm late to the Speedmaster party. Couldn't afford one 10 years ago at uni, find myself 10 years later still not able to afford one!

However, i could afford a Speedmaster MkII, and got one. I wonder if in 10 years time I'll be looking back and wishing they were still the price they are now!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Duracuir1

Remember That Denis Leary Song?

Duracuir1 Open Discussion
Emeister
Emeister
Posts
3
Views
912
S

Did omega make a 38mm speedmaster with a moonphase up until recently ? I feel like I am losing my mind trying to look for one as I remember seeing it.

sundar_mg Modern Omega Watches
Donn Chambers
Donn Chambers
Posts
1
Views
1K
Walrus

I went with a new “cheap” Rolex.

Walrus Rolex Watches
samarofficial777
samarofficial777
Posts
12
Views
916
Horologist

noticed something odd when servicing cal 552

Horologist Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Horologist
Horologist
Posts
4
Views
856
englandmj7

105.012-65 Correct Dial - Wide T?

englandmj7 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
skand
skand
Posts
12
Views
330
Spacefruit

Speedmasters in AQ November 2025

Spacefruit Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Spacefruit
Spacefruit
Posts
4
Views
730