A "Hello" from a first-time poster and a "Thank You" for all the expertise being shared in this forum.

I've collected Omegas for the last 25 years or so. Around 1997 I purchased from the first owner an Omega Speedmaster Professional Serial #30,593,461 with original box & papers including 1039 bracelet + end-links. As a NASA enthusiast and watch-lover, had to scratch that "Moon Watch Itch" and still a favorite to this day.

While I was seeking an Apollo-era example at the time, I've only recently had the opportunity and found the resources (via this forum and others) to research my Speedy details further.

Would greatly appreciate the group's read on whether I've got my facts straight.

Conclusions:
- Model 145.022-69
- Produced 4Q1970 (or earlier) based on bracelet marking; likely 2H 1970?
- All-original except for post-1983 Medallion case back replacement (too bad!), and possible new service crown. No evidence to my eye of any polishing; very sharp edges all around.
- Hippocampus or Straight Writing both possibles for original case back; believe Hippocampus would be correct per links below in 3) given serial number.

It's a shame the original owner kept all the other elements of the watch intact but didn't save original case back. Don't know that it's worth replacing at this point but at least curious to know what folks think would be correct and whether worth a swap.

I'll let pictures do the talking but notes/sources included after the pictures in case others might find the summary helpful.

Thank you all very much.

(Spacefruit - if you are reading this, my apologies for bothering you privately on this watch earlier. I simply hadn't done as much homework as I should have nor opened up the case to get important info before asking)

-----
All the bits and pieces:

Front:

Back:

Bracelet:

Crown

Movement and serial # confirmation on the jeweler's bench:

ST 145.0022 marked case back inside (ADB hallmark)

With harsh lighting to show some of the minor crystal scratches and crystal logo

After a quick Q-tip & toothpick cleanup and with more gentle lighting (closer to appearance in person)

-----

References:

1) Dial: Step dial correct to 145-022-69
a) https://www.fratellowatches.com/spe...ter-professional-145-022-buyers-guide-part-2/
"The 145.022-69 and 145.022-71 dials have the step dial, easy to discover as it divides the main center part of the dial with the outer part where the minute track is printed."

2) Bezel: DON bezel seems correct:
a) https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-new-purchase-on-speedy-tuesday.26630/#post-296246
1. Embedded p292 Book Image: "From 30.594.xxx one should only find bezels without accents"
2. Speedy4Ever - "We are pretty sure that 30.586 should have a DON bezel. We are much less sure that 30.586 should be fitted with this caseback, although we have seen several examples combinig early s/n and straight writing caseback. Later replacement? Possibly AD offered the possibility to replace the pre-moon caseback with this more appealing Straight writing? We will probably never know."
b) https://omegaforums.net/threads/don-bezel-informations-69-and-69st.86581/
DON bezel "Until 30,596,xxx according to the latest version of MWO (page 123)."

3) Caseback: much later replacement:
Medallion case back for sure not original/correct to ca. 1970 watch manufacture. 145-0022 and ADonzeBaume hallmark mean case back swap was done 1983 or later:
a) https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-with-a-donze-baum-sa-caseback.47414/
Speedy4Ever - "From about 1983"
b) http://speedmaster101.com/145-022-69/
Indicates "145.022-69 Produced in 1968 to 1970.
This is the smooth backed, calibre 861, Speedmaster..."
c) http://speedmaster101.com/145-022-straight-writing
My serial number would seem a bit early for SW

4) Crystal: appears to be original:
Has the little Omega logo molded in to center of plastic
a) https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-logo-on-crystal.60579/

5) Crown: might be replacement:
Had crown gasket serviced some years back (winding felt 'gummy'); don't know if O-ring was or can be replaced separately. While I count 24 teeth consistent with original was unable to find if replacement would be same or have 32 teeth
a) https://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/s...n-vintage-new-stock-pushers-crown-881321.html
Suggests any crown seal fix means a replacement crown
b) https://omegaforums.net/threads/correct-crown-for-speedmaster-145-022-69-st.69565/
A bit ambiguous but my Omega logo looks more rounded than some claimed -69 crown versions shown

6) Pushers: appear original (or at least correct Service parts)
a) https://omegaforums.net/threads/145-022-69-how-did-i-do.80938/
b) https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145-022-69-x-2.31078/

 

[Fixed] Don't know why my images doubled-down. Sorry.

 

Nice watch. Should have the Hippo back.
Given the condition of the package, definitely worth finding a correct one and replacing.

 

Fabulous watch + accessories! A correct caseback would not be cheap, but in my opinion well worth getting. Here's an example on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CIRCA-1960...=item468195e139:g:C1cAAOSw1CRbW1fN:rk:64:pf:0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Nice one! @Texas Toast you should buy this ^ right now

 

Looks good (except for the case back as already mentioned)! One additional observation, the bridge has rounded corners, correct for a -69.

 

looks a nice watch

 

Great watch, I echo what the others say.

And well done for being a new member who has done his homework and has all the facts straight. Greatly appreciated, and welcome.

Only 'conclusion' worth adding to :

4Q70 is when the bracelet was produced, but not necessarily the watch (it could be however!). Seeing as these can be put on any watch, and didn't necessarily come shipped that way from the factory apparently, the ultimate way to know when the watch was produced would be via the serial number on the movement. I am willing to guess your watch was produced in 2H70 however

 

+1 for finding a correct case back.

...and nice work on the referencing

I love my Speedmaster predicts a production date of September 1970 for your watch based on its serial number.

 

Great catch and very good research, congrats

 

Thank you all. Thanks also for the eBay pointer but yikes on $$ - probably more than I paid for the whole watch 20 years ago.

I'd only be adding the correct case back for my own purposes (no plans to sell) so might put a changeout on the back burner. That said, if anyone would be willing to part with a 145.022-69 ST Hippo case back in condition commensurate to rest of watch I'd be all ears. If only the original owner had hung on to the old case back!

In any case, nice to know the research on this watch was correct and your inputs are very much appreciated.

 

I say if you are thinking of waiting in hopes of getting one cheaper, it is not likely to happen.
It's not like these are going to be selling for $500 anytime soon. Maybe you'll get lucky and find one for $1,300, or one not as nice as the one in the eBay link but then it won't be coherent with the condition of the rest of the watch.

If you paid nothing for the watch, this is a total no brainer purchase to make the whole thing correct again.

In a world where you only live once, don't think twice...

 

Kudos to you on the amount of research you have done before coming here!

Crown is not a deal-breaker but the correct caseback would definitely add to the value of the watch. The value of an all-original and complete set with box and papers goes off the scale for serious collectors.

 

It’s not all original if you’ve swapped in another case back. Correct back just not original to the watch.

 

Totally agree. "Correct" is necessary but not sufficient for "Original". This is the reason for much of my ambivalence about a swap.

Problem is, the engineer in me likes "Correct" better than "Incorrect" so I've not totally ruled out changing yet. Plus research=fun.

The next conundrum would be whether the Huguenin Freres (HF) hippo case back used for this serial number would have had internal perlage or been smooth as covered in this thread from 2016:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/case-back-research-69-speedmasters.39671/

Poster's findings/conclusions are consistent with what I saw looking at a number of 145.022-69 listings shown below (an admittedly informal survey!). Both finishes seen in watches before my serial number up to 30582747, then perlage for 30584xxx and later. HF seems to have supplied all of the 145.022-69 ST hippo case backs. SW backs take over in the 31xxxxxx+ range, apparently all with perlage.

Is there any definitive info on dates/serial#s associated with Omega's use of perlage v. smooth-finish inside 145.022-69 pre-moon case backs?

From what I've found, a perlage case back finish (TypeA) would be correct for my 2H70 30593xxx watch, but perhaps others have contradicting data.


-----
26xxxxxx: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
28425xxx: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
28425837: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
29xxxxxx: Hippo Back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
29112207: Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
29113231 Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
29114918: Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
29119xxx: Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
29609xxx: Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
30582747: Hippo back, HF hallmark, smooth (TypeB)
30584386: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
30565408: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage( TypeA)
30586515: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
30589960: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
3058xxxx: Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)
---- 30593461: subject watch -----
31008929 - Hippo back, HF hallmark, perlage (TypeA)

 

My 145.022-69, serial number 28428149, has no perlage, interestingly enough.


I have, since these pictures were taken, replaced the bezel with a proper DON.

 

Yes, “correct” is always desirable just disclose it if a sale occurs. Me? I wouldn’t change it. Mine has the straight writing back, and a DNN.

Welcome, enjoy, and keep posting great information, culled by candlelight in the dead of night with bleary eyes.

 

Six months later, and all is good.

Through patient hunting and some sleuthing on eBay and OF, the correct internally perlaged case back has landed. Source -69 watch differs by just 13 in (movement) serial number so that's about as close as you can hope for. Might have been a watch made same day but need to get my Extract to learn more.

Condition is crisp and a fine match to the rest of the watch, now back from a service. Feels good to be back to Pre Moon.

Thanks again to OF for teaching what to hunt and how to find it. Thanks also to the OF members involved in our win-win-win.