This has been on my mind for a while and a search didn’t uncover the topic.

My question - is there any recognized differences in step dial depth.

Are some Speedmaster references more pronounced?

If you have any better pics than the following - I’d love to see them. To my eyes - the Ed White and Transitionals have the most pronounced - but is that just these examples?

Is there a general view on this?

 

Now I just want to own all of those watches. Great photos!

 

Great question, I have been wondering the same thing. My -71 seems like a shorter step than my other step dials.

 

I’we noticed that the steps on some Straight Writings are not that clear and evident, and with way less pronounciation than it’s older piers.

 

It can't comment on your question but those watches are sooooo nice!!

 

It varies. Some steps are obvious, some less so, I don’t know of any analysis suggesting it is model specific, it may just be random. I have noticed, however that many step dial service dials seem to have a less pronounced step than the factory fit originals, this might just be the sample I have seen but there is my only data point.

ps the last pic you show Looks like a dome dial. The earliest Speedies has no step, perhaps you are including those in your thinking? The step wasn’t seen AFAIK until part way into the CK2998 models. The earliest and the CK2915s have no step.

 

Great question.
As enthusiast we should try and analyse any variances (increase in proof points) .This could lead to picking subtle differences between service dials vs original or within the same series eg.105.012 -64 to 66 .
We need to go microscopic on our analyses to help us pinpoint originality.

 

Here's a 105.003-64 Ed White, a 145.012-68 and a 145.022-71 ... I like this photo as a nice way of showcasing how supposedly similar watches are actually quite different when your examine then closely.

To me, though, the step depth looks very similar...

(the differences, as every skoolboy kno...)
-64 has no Professional, straight lugs, teardrop chrono hand, service crown, 7912 bracelet
-68 has flat chrono, PRO dial, twisted lugs, fat pushers, crown guards 1039 bracelet
-71 has 1171 bracelet, no AML, 861 movement, short indices, DNN bezel

 

Some sixty-niners also have a great step.



This particular one has the best step I ever had on a 145.022-69. It’s a Premoon.

 

Thanks @padders. So there are examples of step service dials? I was under the impression service dials were generally domed? But it sounds that that may not be the case for AML service?

Good point on the 2915s, I’ve never held one, and unlikely to be a buyer, ever. . My thinking was more in general. Do the steps have differing characteristics.


On my last pic - I think the angle wasn’t great - two more pics below - I see a shallow step. Nowhere as pronounced as the examples above from others.

 

To me, they all seem to have the same pronounced "depth" to it. Certain lighting conditions can make it seem more pronounced than others.