Dear forum members,
after reading through some posts on the several versions of the Moonwatch, I started to look for a watch made in 1983 (my birth year) so if I'm correct it should be a 145.0022.

I expected it would take ages before finding one but I may have met one just yesterday night.
Here we go with some pics and details:






The watch has been fully serviced this last January by Omega and these were the parts replaced:


The owner showed me the purchasing receipt dated March 1983, however the serial number is 4558XXXX which I understand from tables online that refers to 1984.
Movement is confirmed to be the 1861.
Price Tag is of eur 4,000.

Two questions if I may ask your advice:
1. When it comes to the production date, is this as close as I can get to a 1983 speedmaster? Can you ever be 100% sure of the production date without having an extract from the archive?
2. Do you think it is worth the money considering the degree of authenticity and condition or I should steer clear from this generation and look instead for a 145.022 or a completely new one (of course it would mean to forget about the birth year thing)?

Thank you and kind regards
Elias

 

If you have the entire serial number, you can enter it on ilovemyspeedmaster.com for an estimated production date. If it is really an 1861 movement, I think 1983 is too early. Should be an 861.

 

Thank you. The website says it was produced in 1981 and that the movement is a 861. The owner didn't open the case and there is no mention of the caliber on the service papers. It has however this:


Thank you for the advice, I'll steer clear then and will look at one of my age

 

The issue is that card doesn't go with that watch. The watch may be fine. I would check the serial number you have against the Ilovemyspeedmaster.com database.

 

Hi,

Looks like a very nice 145.0022
It would be nicer to have better quality photos.

Bezel looks correct to me.
Dial as well.
Caseback too.

I would not bet on the result of Ilovemyspeedmaster table. It is not 100% accurate.

I would take it to a shop, Open it, take the serial number and wait around 2-3 weeks for the extract of archives form Omega. It cost 120 Euros if im not mistaken.

The only big doubt for me is that the seller is showing you this Pictogram card which did not exist back in 1983. So as mentioned above the watch might be correct in all aspects but 100% sure that Card does not belong to the watch unless the movement was replaced.

From the quality of the photos the case seems good and some nice patina in one of the angle photos.

I have an 1985 serial 4687xxx if that helps.

 

Unless you're willing to spend about $150.00 for an extract, Ilovemeyspeedmaster is going to be more accurate than any of the other tables out there.

 

He is looking for a Birthyear watch, so I would rather spend 150$ and get what I or he is looking for and not a watch that maybe without a bracelet nor papers can get for much less. My opinion of course.

 

This is what I get from ilovespeedmaster.com:

Production Estimate
1981 November
Moonwatch Only Tables
ST145.0022 80s (Caliber 861)

@Pilot85 thank you for the comments on the condition. I will check with the seller regarding the card+movement combination.

 

I'll bet money, ILMS isn't 2 years off. What you need to figure out is the serial number range for 1983. I would think @eugeneandresson might be able to help with that, since ILMS is his baby.

 

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/speedmaster-professional-moonwatch-tropical-index--id9986602.htm

That will solve it is not your birthyear watch. continue with your search

 

If I run a "Birthday Query" on ilovemyspeedmaster.com for the year 1983 the result is a quite broad range of serials

Production Reverse Estimate
For February 1983, 43800860 to 43866200
For 1983, 43725840 to 46298948

If I use the "Production Query" mode I get a much narrower gap for 1983 (46122571 to 46358898).
I guess it will be a looooong search!

 

I was initially also seeking a birth year piece close to yours... but ultimately decided they're so similar, a current piece with full current moonwatch presentation box/papers was close enough and better financially. I still have my eyes open for something from my specific year, but for all intents & purposes, I already have something that's basically the same as it was available during that time.

 

Unfortunately the reality of the data is that there is one linear quantity (time) and another quantity that has multiple correct answers at certain points of time (serial number). And then, at this period in time (1978 -> 1980) the serial numbers also made a jump from 39million to 44million...So, it is not an easy thing to do in the reverse direction, especially seeing as there is quite a hole in the data (very low density of extracts over this period, unlike the 60s). To give you an example, the extracts that are used on the website for this period are :


1980 : 2
1981 : 5
1982 : 4
1983 : 1
1984 : 1
1985 : 1
1986 : 3

but...

1966 : 25
1967 : 47
1968 : 40
1969 : 17
1970 : 40

And here one can see the fun in sequential order of serial number (see how it jump wildly around?)...

39926XXX 1978/9
44123XXX 1983/06
44819XXX 1980/4 ***
44819XXX 1979/2 ***
44821XXX 1980/12
45249XXX 1982/3
45250XXX 1982/04
45581XXX 1981/03 ***
45582XXX 1981/7
45582XXX 1981/7
45582XXX 1981/9
45583XXX 1981/11
45585XXX 1982/1
45585XXX 1982/1
47132XXX 1986/4
47132XXX 1984/3 ***
47133XXX 1986/6
47133XXX 1985/4 ***

Why? I really don't know, only thing which makes sense to me is a combination of the random-bin-theory amplified by the quartz-crisis. The most common speedmaster that one sees for sale are 145.022-69's...and I guess at the time after the moon landing, these sold like hot-cakes, and production ramped up at the point where the quartz crisis kicked in, thus leaving a lot of movements on the shelf to be sold over the next decade...or something to that effect.

I hope that helps you on your hunt, however, truth be told, I can't say it helps me...I can't tell you what would be a good SN to look at based on 1 extract. I would guess you should look for a late 45.5 mil (even though the only extract from 1983 is a 44.1mil)...and try and get an extract of any watch that tickles your fancy (and please send it along!) although that will become costly at $125 a pop.

 

Maybe I should just give up and buy a Rolex LOL

Thank you, in a strange way it really helps.
If when researching ads I bump into any picture of extract from the archives of the 80s should I share them with you?

 

wasn't going that far! just saying you should be able to get a solid deal on a new or lightly used piece with the full kit, which I think adds a lot to the overall experience. obviously not jumping into the kit daily, but it is a nice set.

 

Yes please. But all/any extracts (of regular moonwatches) welcome.

 

Thank you everybody for the support!!!