Hi Everyone, I've decided I want one of the Speedmaster Missions watches and I've found a couple without the white "Missions" box. How can I tell if this is an original watch or one where someone just switched out the dial? I see patch dials for sale on eBay, so I'm worried I may get a frankenwatch. Anyway, from what I can tell, there is no limited edition numbering on the case back, and just the patch on the dial. What else can I look for to authenticate a watch if it doesn't come with the right box and papers? Here is an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1997-O...istwatches&hash=item41706b53f7#ht_4035wt_1071Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network The box is not original and the watch looks like any other Speedmaster except for the patch on the dial. Real or not?
Hi, now that is a very interesting Question! Have you got some information somewhere else and can now tell us something to that topic? Or maybe someone else ?!? Cheers Hans
I don't think there is anything that the average guy can do to check this, but if I had the full serial number, I could look it up on the Omega Extranet to see if the watch case as an LE or not. Cheers, Al
Interesting thread... I have just bought the Apollo 11 Mission patch from George. There are only a few of the missions watches that are desirable, the Gemini and Skylab piece's have been on ebay for ages. There are no 'official' numbers for each piece but Omega says between 100 and 150 of each piece were made with exception of the Apollo 13 (999 Pieces made) this was due to the significant role the Speedmaster played on that mission, enabling the astronauts to time the critical boost to put the module on to its re-entry path. I can tell you that every one came in a white 'Missions' case with a book describing each mission. Apollo 11 Missions Watch Apollo 13 Missions watch (999 pcs) Photo credit to Kringkily.
Only the Missions Cases (40 pcs) are numbered xx/40. (Photo Cred RJ @ Fratellowatches.com) Consequently there were 10 other sets made - 5 marked "Hors Commerce' (not for sale) and 5 marked 'Epreuves d'artiste' (Competitions Artist) these are not numbered either. From Chuck Maddox Site Case # Mission Year 3597.02 Apollo-Soyuz 1975 3597.03 Gemini V 1965 3597.04 Gemini VI 1965 3597.05 Gemini VII 1965 3597.06 Gemini VIII 1966 3597.07 Gemini IX 1966 3597.08 Gemini X 1966 3597.09 Gemini XI 1966 3597.10 Gemini XII 1966 3597.11 Apollo VII 1968 3597.12 Apollo VIII 1968 3597.13 Apollo IX 1968 3597.14 Apollo X 1969 3597.15 Apollo XI 1969 3597.16 Apollo XII 1969 3597.17 Apollo XIV 1971 3597.18 Apollo XV 1971 3597.19 Apollo XVI 1972 3597.20 Apollo XVII 1972 3597.21 Skylab I 1973 3597.22 Skylab II 1973 3597.23 Skylab III 1974 SS 345.0022 ST 345.0022 Same as above but "Epreuves d'artiste": 5 cases (PIC 3599.98) with same 23 watches, back engraved E.A., mission name and numbered 1/5 to 5/5 5 pieces only SS 345.0022 ST 345.0022 Same as above but "Hors commerce" (not for sale) : 5 cases (PIC 3599.97)) with same 23 watches, back engraved H.C., mission name and numbered I/V to V/V 5 pieces only ST 345.0022 Same as above but individual pieces (without box), back engraved with mission name and non numbered but edited to 150 pieces only (at the exception of the « replica » and the « apollo XIII ») (PIC 3597.03, 3597.23) 150 pieces only.
Here are two for sale at the moment. Both have wrong boxes though. The Apollo 7 - only one I have ever seen for sale. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281059185311Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Skylab III http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=271530063012Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
I'm actually a fan of Pete Conrad and Al Bean and considered getting the Skylab 1&2 and Apollo 12 eventually as a result but Skylab 3 has one of the coolest mission patches
Hello it is not necessary the "wring" box, for example here in Spain all the Missios were delivered with the black box instead of the white one. So the Apollo may have the right box, never the Skylab.
No, in Italy and Japan (at least) they were delivered with a lovely white astronaut's suit cloth box Like the X-33 one
Warren, I think the Apollo 13 was the only one to come in a black box due to the production numbers (999pcs)
You are right, the Apollo 13 was not included in "the missions 150 pieces series", even though it was in the Big Box, but the black box was different from the standard ones: