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Toishome
·Very nice 👍
Speedmaster 145.022 - 69 barn find
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daderaz
·Really nice Speed.
I wonder how the bezel can be so damaged while the case and plexy are so well preserved.
I mean, the case hasn't been polished, it’s celar, I'm just curious about its history.
I wonder how the bezel can be so damaged while the case and plexy are so well preserved.
I mean, the case hasn't been polished, it’s celar, I'm just curious about its history.
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Walrus
·A great find, one that most people would have jumped on.
As an aside, it always fascinates me when I see bezels like this. WTF did people do to get all those chips?! I'm not questioning your bezel, just amazed at how banged up they get. People must have walked into more doors in the old days.
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Dan S
·I am getting to the point where I ask my watchmaker to stabilize the hands most of the time. He doesn't charge me very much to do it, and I can't see any cosmetic change from the front. After having some lume crack and fall out in other watches, it seems wise to stabilize the lume before it is damaged.
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JayBe
·You shouldn't send watches to watchmakers you don't trust...
I just want to be extra cautious with this one. The hands are like new and my heart would sink, should a watchmaker chip them or disturb the lume. Same goes for the dial.
I will not rush it and get a strong recommendation locally. My go to watchmaker has never done any damage to any of my watches, but I will at least plead him to be extra careful and mindful with this one.
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JayBe
·I am getting to the point where I ask my watchmaker to stabilize the hands most of the time. He doesn't charge me very much to do it, and I can't see any cosmetic change from the front. After having some lume crack and fall out in other watches, it seems wise to stabilize the lume before it is damaged.
That was my thinking, thanks Dan. I just need to make sure that the guy knows what he's doing and doesn't change the appearance.
Unfortunately, I have never asked my go-to watchmaker to do this before, so I am hesitant to start with this one.
I am leaning more and more towards the local certified Omega watchmaker (not sending it to Omega). I have heard only good things about him. Expect for the price point, but that is not a factor for me in this case.
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JayBe
·Really nice Speed.
I wonder how the bezel can be so damaged while the case and plexy are so well preserved.
I mean, the case hasn't been polished, it’s celar, I'm just curious about its history.
Thank you, the only thing I have been told is that the owner most probably put it away after returning from exile in Italy to his home country in the nineties.
My thinking is, that, since the watch spend its life in a salty environment, it might have been put away with residues, which could have caused this corrosion underneath.
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Britinus
·I probably had a lucky day and wanted to confirm with the community. While picking up some watches from service at my watchmaker yesterday, he told me that some person had just come by that day and brought him some watches with the intent to sell. Apparently, some grandfather died and when they opened his safe, they found watches that nobody was aware of, so they must have been lying there for 30 years or so. Amongst them was this Speedmaster 145.022-69 that I immediately jumped upon. I love the story and looks, so I immediately made a fair offer (-service cost) that the seller accepted.
To my eyes, the watch is all original and unmolested. It is well worn, with most of the wear on the bezel. The dial and hands are at least “good”, the case is sharp and quite certainly unpolished and in good nick too. The movement is working, even with decent amplitude and all chrono functions. The serial number of the movement seems to be in the right range (264 or 284… I believe. I only made a bad photo and now cannot get the dust cap off) and the movement is visually in very good condition. A service is scheduled, before I am going to wear it. The end links are 633 and the bracelet is 1171, as I am sure you can tell.
Overall, I am quite pleased with the purchase and would love to hear some comments on how you think I did. I was looking for an affordable example for quite some time and it almost seemed like I was priced out of the market a year ago, so I am very happy.
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JayBe
·Yes, I don't mind the bezel as well. I'm just a bit worried to break out even more of the paint when wearing it. Well, I guess I'll have to find out.
I'll also abstain from touching the hands for now and rather keep an eye on it. It's been in a steady state for probably decades, so I'm just worried that stuff comes off while bumping on the wrist. But it's probably unwarranted.
I took the bracelet off today and gave the case a light cleaning. I can't wear them on the original bracelet, since it's too long for me (even at minimum) and tapers too much to be further microadjusted.
I haven't decided on what to put them yet. For my wrist, speedmaster professional were always on the large side and watches this size wear most comfortably on a nato for me.
I thought, I'd like them on a brown nato, but was disappointed, so I'll have to seek some inspiration. Ultimately, I think I'd like them best on a flatlink bracelet and would bear the discomfort for that, but original ones are scarse.
Grabbed the next best nato today and took them out (unwound). I'll have to give them away for a few months for service soon, so I'll have time to worry about the strap / bracket options.
I'll also abstain from touching the hands for now and rather keep an eye on it. It's been in a steady state for probably decades, so I'm just worried that stuff comes off while bumping on the wrist. But it's probably unwarranted.
I took the bracelet off today and gave the case a light cleaning. I can't wear them on the original bracelet, since it's too long for me (even at minimum) and tapers too much to be further microadjusted.
I haven't decided on what to put them yet. For my wrist, speedmaster professional were always on the large side and watches this size wear most comfortably on a nato for me.
I thought, I'd like them on a brown nato, but was disappointed, so I'll have to seek some inspiration. Ultimately, I think I'd like them best on a flatlink bracelet and would bear the discomfort for that, but original ones are scarse.
Grabbed the next best nato today and took them out (unwound). I'll have to give them away for a few months for service soon, so I'll have time to worry about the strap / bracket options.
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Anthony Lane
·The hands and dial are better than "good". Nice score.
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JayBe
·So, just to give an update on this. I had the watch in the safe, unsure of what to do with it. I wanted to wear it, but the bezel was disintegrating further with even light abrasion. Finally, this spring, I decided to give them to an authorized and well respected local Omega service that I have been familiar with for some time. I asked them to not touch the case, dial and hands and pleaded them to be extremely careful with it. Further, I asked to have a service bezel installed, so that I could wear the watch before stumbling upon an OK priced DON bezel. I have to admit that at this moment, I am simply not prepared to pay the equivalent of something like a used Tudor or a vintage El Primero for a bezel.
I only asked to have the gaskets changed. What I did not know is that they would change the crown and pushers. The explanation provided is, that it was absolutely necessary to ensure water resistance. Indeed, the watch passed 4ATM.
Of course, I got all original parts in a bag, so I can go back anytime and it does not worry me too much.
The main thing for me are that dial, hands and case and I absolutely adore it. I never thought that I would be lucky enough to find such a perfect (to me) vintage speedy. In fact, I am coming around to appreciate the pushers and crown replacement, as it ensures the preservation of the dial and I can wear the watch without much worries. The parts that are usually on the line, like bezel, crystal, crown, pushers (could theoretically fall off) are safe as well.
Should I stumble upon a DON bezel that would match the condition of the watch at a decent price (unlikely at this point), I might put them back in original condition. Otherwise, I will keep all parts together for the next steward.
Here it is. Never mind the strap, as I picked the watch up and went straight on a business trip the same day, so I simply bought the only nato strap they had in the shop to be able to put them on the wrist. It's a work in progress.
I only asked to have the gaskets changed. What I did not know is that they would change the crown and pushers. The explanation provided is, that it was absolutely necessary to ensure water resistance. Indeed, the watch passed 4ATM.
Of course, I got all original parts in a bag, so I can go back anytime and it does not worry me too much.
The main thing for me are that dial, hands and case and I absolutely adore it. I never thought that I would be lucky enough to find such a perfect (to me) vintage speedy. In fact, I am coming around to appreciate the pushers and crown replacement, as it ensures the preservation of the dial and I can wear the watch without much worries. The parts that are usually on the line, like bezel, crystal, crown, pushers (could theoretically fall off) are safe as well.
Should I stumble upon a DON bezel that would match the condition of the watch at a decent price (unlikely at this point), I might put them back in original condition. Otherwise, I will keep all parts together for the next steward.
Here it is. Never mind the strap, as I picked the watch up and went straight on a business trip the same day, so I simply bought the only nato strap they had in the shop to be able to put them on the wrist. It's a work in progress.
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Dan S
·I don't know what represents a "decent" price for you, but the prices for vintage DON bezels are way down compared to years ago. That new service bezel wouldn't give me any joy. And neither would the service pushers. But that's just me.
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JayBe
·I don't know what represents a "decent" price for you, but the prices for vintage DON bezels are way down compared to years ago. That new service bezel wouldn't give me any joy. And neither would the service pushers. But that's just me.
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Harbormaster
·I think it looks great!! Enjoy it and if you want to change something down the road then awesome!!
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Dan S
·I hear you, but this is the point where obsession does get in the way of enjoyment. I don't think that it bothers me at the level of 2000+ USD at this point. Or do you know some secret place where that is different?
And after reading that post, I doubt I’ll be selling you anything or helping you find parts. You’re on your own.
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JayBe
·Call me names if it makes you feel better, but to a collector, the watch just looks glaringly wrong with that bezel.
And after reading that post, I doubt I’ll be selling you anything or helping you find parts. You’re on your own.
If you noticed, it has been almost 1,5 years from my purchase to the first time i took it out, because I was struggling a long time with exactly these collector considerations of options. Then at some point I told my self "eff it, I just want to finally wear it and not worry". If you would have sincerely wanted to help, there was a long time period where you had the chance to offer your help / mention that you would be able to help. I would have appreciated it.
Edited:
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hansaboy
·Nice that you finally got it serviced, and it looks lovely!
A bit of a bummer that they changed the pushers and crown,
but you have the old parts, and hopefully they are in the same condition as when you got the watch?
And regarding the bezel - TBH, I have Speedys with both minty bezels,
replaced (not period correct) and also trashed ones…(the trashed ones do get some comments...😉).
And it is only us collectors who care, no body else would see if it is a DON, DNN or a brand new service bezel.
Enjoy your watch!
A bit of a bummer that they changed the pushers and crown,
but you have the old parts, and hopefully they are in the same condition as when you got the watch?
And regarding the bezel - TBH, I have Speedys with both minty bezels,
replaced (not period correct) and also trashed ones…(the trashed ones do get some comments...😉).
And it is only us collectors who care, no body else would see if it is a DON, DNN or a brand new service bezel.
Enjoy your watch!
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Spacefruit
··Prolific Speedmaster HoarderI believe that a mint, thin font bezel is still worth top money.
Don't believe me? Well, sell me one and find out. 😀
It is the medium to good bezels that are worth much less now - and $1500 gets you something that does not please the eye, so why bother. Hence the drop in anything other than mint.
Don't believe me? Well, sell me one and find out. 😀
It is the medium to good bezels that are worth much less now - and $1500 gets you something that does not please the eye, so why bother. Hence the drop in anything other than mint.
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JayBe
·Nice that you finally got it serviced, and it looks lovely!
A bit of a bummer that they changed the pushers and crown,
but you have the old parts, and hopefully they are in the same condition as when you got the watch?
And regarding the bezel - TBH, I have Speedys with both minty bezels,
replaced (not period correct) and also trashed ones…(the trashed ones do get some comments...😉).
And it is only us collectors who care, no body else would see if it is a DON, DNN or a brand new service bezel.
Enjoy your watch!
I was assuming that if I know the rules, I could break them. As you said, 99.9% of people will find the watch more attractive with the wrong bezel than with the original one. The remaining 0.1% are members here and there is nothing wrong about that. I have learned a lot over the years and I am grateful that this community exists.
I had three options with this watch:
- wear it with the original bezel and damage the bezel further in the process
- let my self get blackmailed into buying a bezel that simply does not have the same value to me as demanded by the market
- put a service bezel on it, wear it and see what the future brings
It is a shame that some people can not get over it and I feel like the prices of the DON bezels are driven by exactly these reactions to the watch here. Spend 2000USD or more on a printed 10g piece of aluminum of you get shamed.
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JayBe
·I believe that a mint, thin font bezel is still worth top money.
Don't believe me? Well, sell me one and find out. 😀
It is the medium to good bezels that are worth much less now - and $1500 gets you something that does not please the eye, so why bother. Hence the drop in anything other than mint.
There is always a premium to be paid if you want something easily and now, so I just try and wait it out and see what comes my way. I have been lucky, so maybe it comes my way eventually.
