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  1. Pedmunds7 Feb 17, 2016

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    Hi all

    I was wondering, do all (without exception) omega speedmaster professional moon watches made in the 70s have the year of manufacture marked at the end of the ref number that you find on the inside of the case back? Or does this depend on who omega was having make the case backs at the time. I'm looking at a speedmaster and the serial number on movement dates it to early 70's but no date ref on the case back. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks
     
  2. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 17, 2016

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    Speedmasters had a date stamp of either:

    -71, -74, -76, -78

    After that they are without date.

    If the movement number falls into the -70's range then I would expect to see a 70's date mark, or I would think the back does not match the movement.
     
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  3. Pedmunds7 Feb 18, 2016

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    Thanks for the response, if not a 'dash 70' (-70) etc where would I find the date stamp ? Also did omega date case backs in the late 60s?
     
  4. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 18, 2016

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    Www.speedmaster101.com

    All the background is here

    And now here:

    Here we shall concern ourselves with watches manufactured before 1978, which was the last year Omega stamped the year of manufacture inside the caseback. It is also the period that produces the most interesting and attractive looking pieces, along with the widest variation in values. Post 78 watches are perfectly good watches but unlikely to vary in value or appearance, for the near future.
     
    Edited Feb 18, 2016
  5. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 18, 2016

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    Are you sure about that? :coffee:
     
  6. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 18, 2016

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    Ok most. I'm still working on it
     
  7. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 18, 2016

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    Check the link lol
     
  8. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Feb 18, 2016

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    D'OH!
     
  9. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 18, 2016

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    Oh my

    I am an idiot.

    Fixed
     
  10. Pedmunds7 Feb 18, 2016

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    Thanks guys. The link is super useful but I have another question I don't think it answers. If you ignore the case back, bezel, dial etc is there any other way to date the rest of the case?

    Thanks again
     
  11. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 18, 2016

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    Well first, even the date in the back is really a "model year"type of label, and they used the case backs later than the year thats in the back. Notably the 105.003-65 that has an extract showing a factory release date from 1969.

    Serials will enable you to estimate the year of production to about +/- 2 years - sometimes closer depending on which reference.

    Dating a case back without a date stamp is really a question of guess work based on experience. I assume you are refereing to what MWO calls the "Case Band" ie the metal ring into which the movement, case back and crystal all fit.

    I dont think I could date that, sorry.