Speedmaster 145.022-68, assessment questions (updated pictures!)?

hansaboy · Dec 12, 2022

Good evening Forum People from a cold and snowy Scandinavia!

I have been looking at a Speedmaster 145.022-68 and have attached som pictures (not so good quality...).
Is it possible for you nice and kind Folks 😀)) to help me out with a few questions that I have?

The dial is stepped, with long indices, and applied logo.
Bezel with DON.
I think that the pushers and crown are replacement.
And the movement is a 861, with serial nr 2655xxxx.
So this should be a transitional.
But the hands - don't they seem to "whitish" and the lume on the hands are very "off" compared to rest of the lumeplots?
Looking at other watches/pics with the same referens, they do also appear different, but these just don't feel correct?
And I have looked a lot at Speedmaster 101 since he has 2 videos with this ref, and they have been very helpful!

The bracelet that is with the watch is not correct...🙁

Looking forward to you honest answers!

Cheers!

140dave · Dec 12, 2022

Service hands, service crown, and one would assume from that pushers are service as well. Service pushers are not a big deal at all for this reference IMO, the hands would be the big issue for me.

Dan S · Dec 12, 2022

I really need better photos of the dial to decide whether it is appealing or not. I'm just finding it really hard to judge.

ATWG · Dec 12, 2022

I love transitional Speedmasters, it’s one my favorite references. Overall, the watch is in rough condition. Hands are obvious replacements which begs the question as to why they were replaced in the first place? Judging from the crystal, the watch has had a hard life. One could also infer that the watch is no longer sealed properly thus allowing moisture to seep into the watch. This would explain the dark spots on the tritium markers, which are remnants of mold. I would examine the movement carefully.

On a positive note, I do see a step dial with long markers, which is appropriate for a transitional. Also, as you stated correctly, the DON is correct.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if the watch sings to you, by all means go for it. I would count on a complete movement service.

Good luck.

hansaboy · Dec 13, 2022

Good morning!
Guys - thanks for the input, so my feeling about the hands were correct?
I have attached more pictures (still crapy...), sorry about that.

@140dave - do you think that the hands are tritium or luminova? The hands look so white/newish?
@Dan S - Maybe better pictures now 👎?
@ATWG - I do like the watch, even with the hands (that could be fixed in some way...), the case, caseback and bezel look quite fresh,
It would work as a day 2 day watch? And a service and clean up are really needed!

Azveld · Dec 17, 2022

hansaboy

wouldn't it be corrosion on the back of the lugs?
if so, it would scare me very far.

JanV · Dec 18, 2022

Greetings from a fellow neighbour.

Looking at your second set of pictures my own opinion would be that you have a nice original dial and hands underneath that scratched up dial.

Would love to see better pictures for example taken in daylight, with less glare and color saturation from the lights. (The greenish interior lights here give a greener appearance, and could be a reason why one thinks the hands could be luminova).

Shows how much a picture can tell about condition, or how wrong some pictures can give the perception of condition like on your first set of pictures where the dial and hans look way worse.

hansaboy · Dec 18, 2022

Azveld
wouldn't it be corrosion on the back of the lugs?
if so, it would scare me very far.

I have asked about these dark spots, they say that its dirt...🤔, but who can you trust these days??

hansaboy · Dec 18, 2022

@JanV : how nice with a Swede here on the forum (if I understood you correctly??)..!
South or North? 🙄
Pictures are sometimes a bit of a gambling, and regarding the ones on this watch, the quality of them are not the best...
I don't know if you follow Kaplans or Bukowskis auctions, but they have top notch pictures, and even take out the dial and show them from different angles.
I will try and get some more pictures - not the easiest.....
😀

TheGreatKat · Dec 18, 2022

Hands could be tritium as well. I saw brighter ones (from similar period) and they turned out to be tritium. Anyway quite a tired example but the movement looks not bad.

hansaboy · Dec 18, 2022

hansaboy
@JanV : how nice with a Swede here on the forum (if I understood you correctly??)..!
South or North? 🙄
Pictures are sometimes a bit of a gambling, and regarding the ones on this watch, the quality of them are not the best...
I don't know if you follow Kaplans or Bukowskis auctions, but they have top notch pictures, and even take out the dial and show them from different angles.
I will try and get some more pictures - not the easiest.....
😀

Or are you Dane/Norwegian??
😎

JanV · Dec 18, 2022

hansaboy
Or are you Dane/Norwegian??
😎

Finnish… 😎

Azveld · Dec 18, 2022

hansaboy
I have asked about these dark spots, they say that its dirt...🤔, but who can you trust these days??

I very much doubt it's just dirt, the lacy edge is characteristic of corrosion.
make sure of this, it is an essential point. when in doubt, run away!

hansaboy · Dec 18, 2022

Azveld
I very much doubt it's just dirt, the lacy edge is characteristic of corrosion.
make sure of this, it is an essential point. when in doubt, run away!

Point taken! 😉

Dan S · Dec 18, 2022

Based on the newer photos, I am virtually certain that the hands are not original. Also, the dial is very unappealing to me with the peeling lume plots; I would not be interested in this watch. BTW, I do not think there is any corrosion on the lugs.

Dash1 · Dec 18, 2022

I agree with @Dan S , very unlikely to be corrosion on the lugs, although I would want to see a photo that shows the whole of the case-back gasket lip as that is one area that can suffer corrosion.

pdxleaf · Dec 18, 2022

Hans, here's mine for comparison. Mine has a DNN but I'm fine with it as it was an original owner watch and the bezel fits the overal look and condition.

Even if the hands on your watch are original (I don't think they are), they jump out and appear awkward. Once you notice it, you will always see it. Don't get so caught up in the details that you miss the big picture.

You should be able to find a better one.

stonestone · Dec 19, 2022

Hi there, I bought a Transitional last year myself after seeking the advice of the great minds here on OF. Sharing the link in case you find this thread useful. Good luck!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/thoughts-on-this-145-022-68-speedy-transitional.136499/

hansaboy · Dec 19, 2022

@pdxleaf - That a really nice and clean watch you got there! And a keeper of course?

My hunt goes on, and we will see what happens about the one that I have posted...👍

Cheers!

hansaboy · Dec 19, 2022

stonestone
Hi there, I bought a Transitional last year myself after seeking the advice of the great minds here on OF. Sharing the link in case you find this thread useful. Good luck!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/thoughts-on-this-145-022-68-speedy-transitional.136499/

Hi @stonestone
What a nice post, and with a lucky ending!
You had the fortune to see the watch in person and also take pictures, and have this lovey forum to help you out with questions!

It couldn't be any better.😀
Have fun with your nice watch and take care!

Speedmaster 145.022-68, assessment questions (updated pictures!)?

hansaboy

140dave

Dan S

ATWG

hansaboy

Azveld

JanV

hansaboy

hansaboy

TheGreatKat

hansaboy

JanV

Azveld

hansaboy

Dan S

Dash1

pdxleaf

stonestone

hansaboy

hansaboy

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