Hi all, I recently bought a Speedmaster and would like your opinions on it. If my homework is correct, it seems to be a 145.022 with a cal 861 movement. Circa 1985? I believe the cal 861 along with the case is original (Delryn brake + 17 jewel count?). However, it worries me that there is no S/N at the back of 7 o'clock lug. Also, the engraving on the inside of the case back cover also seems to look different from some of the other 145.022 case back inner engravings that I have seen on the internet. Unfortunately, I am almost certain that the dial/hands (non-Tritium, no "T Swiss Made T" subscript) and Tachymeter have all been replaced (dot not over 90?) (accent over e?). My conclusion: I suspect that I have a circa 1985 145.022 with an original cal 861/case/caseback but with replaced dial/hands/tachymeter. Can anyone confirm my suspicions and perhaps tell me what I have exactly? Thanks in advance.
1985 seems ok. Tables are an appriximation/guideline i use - http://www.chronomaddox.com/romans.html think yours looks very nice. And DON bezel are for earlier Speedies, I think. more comment should appear in short order. Just getting off a fast note (I'm in a meeting) LoL Enjoy!!
Trituim was used up to 1990 or so, which means either the watch or dial are later than that. Don't worry about the s/n not being on the lug, that wasn't done until some time after this serial no.
A few quick comments: Serial number on lugs were introduced much later. So not a problem here. DON bezel were much earlier, so this would not be expected on your watch. Your dial is likely a service replacement and not the original.
The 1980's did not have the accent on the E so that is a replacement and so is the dial which was introduced around 97/98 transition to superluminova. The serializing came around 1991. Serial looks fine and the rest of the watch looks okay just probably been serviced and updated with newer parts.