Speedmaster 69ST subdial stuck

Garp · Oct 14, 2022

I was fortunate enough to find this lovely 69ST whilst on business in Bangkok. I snapped it up based on the price and the lovely patina. Watch works and runs as it should bar one issue. The hour count subdial doesn’t move off 12, or if it does, it’s marginal. I want to get this sorted - is this a full service deal or can o get a watchmaker to just address this one thing ? thanks in advance.

Scarecrow Boat · Oct 14, 2022

I would go for a full service as it is likely overdue for it. Just curious, with a non stepped dial and a dnn, are you sure this is a -69 and not a -74/76?

perenowell · Oct 14, 2022

Full service indeed.
my friend here is right, a -69 should have a step dial. Do you have a picture of the caseback, the engraving inside and the movement serial?

Garp · Oct 15, 2022

Caseback says 145.022 69ST and the serial confirms it.
Perhaps the photo is unclear as it is a stepped dial.

befobe · Oct 15, 2022

Facts are cruel, think you have to trust these experts here... Your dial is not an original one, since there is obviously no step on it.
That doesn't mean it is a bad watch, that just means you will have some work and research to get it back to its normal configuration. And that is sometimes a great work when you fall into vintage...😉

Garp · Oct 18, 2022

befobe
Facts are cruel, think you have to trust these experts here... Your dial is not an original one, since there is obviously no step on it.
That doesn't mean it is a bad watch, that just means you will have some work and research to get it back to its normal configuration. And that is sometimes a great work when you fall into vintage...😉

I clearly have misunderstood the stepped connotations thinking they related to the subdials. I stand corrected. I am however mystified as to why a later dome dial would be showing this tropical patina when my 71 (stepped dial) Speedmaster shows no such patina ?
I have tried to research online about later issued dials going tropical but haven’t found anything. It can usually be traced to a batch, so I’d think it’d be easy for me to pinpoint the exact year of this dial.
Were there any earlier than 69 non-stepped dome dials about ? I just don’t want to mess with a watch that has honest patina, original crystal and hands, a relatively early serial and no signs of service on it.
With many thanks to you for helping me understand the dial differences
Kind regards
Garp

ext1 · Oct 18, 2022

G Garp
I am however mystified as to why a later dome dial would be showing this tropical patina when my 71 (stepped dial) Speedmaster shows no such patina ?

There's nothing to be mystified about because that's not tropical... that's just sunlight.

THAT.. is tropical.

Garp · Oct 18, 2022

ext1
There's nothing to be mystified about because that's not tropical... that's just sunlight.

THAT.. is tropical.

Ok. You win on that. I’ll take another photo next to my 71 where the tonal difference is more noticeable

SBund · Oct 18, 2022

As previously, some parts are definitely not correct. One could also argue that the DNN is not correct, but it depends on the serial. Also, it is definitely not within the ‘tropic’ range of dial colors, in my opinion.

However, it is still a very nice timepiece. Congratulations!

Edit: I am no expert, but I have researched tons and came close to a -69 purchase not too long ago. Sadly, I missed it.

Speedmaster 69ST subdial stuck

Garp

Scarecrow Boat

perenowell

Garp

befobe

Garp

ext1

Garp

SBund

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