Speedmaster, the hunt for my birth year watch (1985)

Martin_F · Sep 8, 2019

Hello everyone, I'd like to combine this thread as my introduction and also to scrutinize potential buys.

Growing up, Omega has been my favorite brand that I was hoping maybe one day I'd be able to own.
Omega and Breitling really due to my interest in flight...
The Speedmaster has always been on top of my list, and I've now finally made the decision to go for it.
So I'll be looking for a 1985 watch for my birth year. I've been doing quite a bit of research, that's also how a stumbled across this board and it's great community.

From what I've gathered I'll be looking for the following:
ST 145.0022 with s/n range from 46670719 to 47039451.
For September 1985 that would be 46916878 to 46946255, according to ilovemyspeedmaster.com, but I'm not dead set on getting that close.

Caliber B2. 861 Copper - Delrin Brake

Case B1. Asymmetrical - Twisted Lugs

Dial C3. Tall & Open S

Bezel B2. Dot Close To 70 - Narrow C

Screen Shot 2019-08-25 at 11.05.24 AM.png

Hands C2. Baton - Flat

Caseback C4. Q Horizontal Tail

Crown A3. 24 - Wide Ω

Pushers 4. Wide & Tall

Glass A. Hesalite

I'm currently living in the US, but I'm planning on moving back to Europe some time next year.
So I might end up purchasing the watch still in the US and then look for someone to service it in Austria or southern Germany, in case you could recommend someone to me.

After checking most of the buying guides, I noticed that most lists for recommended pricing stops with the 145.022, what would be the price range for me on a 1985 model? I'm not looking to buy the first one that comes around, or the cheapest out there. I got time, I want to start out with the best model I can afford and then go from there with service, etc.

Thanks in advance to everyone for your help and I'm looking forward to the hunt!

JwRosenthal · Sep 8, 2019

Welcome Martin,

Your lucky in that your birth year isn’t one of the pre-moon $$$ watches- yours is much lower on the totem pole for collectibility( much better prices), but all Speedmaster Pro’s regardless of year are fine watches. I lucked into my birth year watch (‘72) just by happenstance, the Speedy I bought from a collector just happened to be my birth year.

Good research so far and keep checking the classified’s here-they do pop up and I would much rather buy from a member here than take my chances out on eBay or Chrono24.
Join in on the conversations Omega or otherwise- lots of collective knowledge here, great wit and intellect and no pretense whatsoever.

And there are a quite a few of us professional photographers on this forum- so welcome home.

efauser · Sep 8, 2019

Set up a search on watchrecon.com. https://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/1...fessional-ref-145-0022-cal-861-a-4993821.html

harrymai86 · Sep 8, 2019

You can try to look for the original speedie moonphase if budget allow. I missed a chance to buy a moonphase with extract is my Birthday not (birthyear) and it still bugs me all the time.

Dan S · Sep 8, 2019

Welcome to OF, I'm sure you will find a good example from 1985 with some patience. They are not as heavily collected as earlier examples, so the price won't be as exorbitant. But many tritium watches from that era have developed attractive patina. Be sure to keep an eye open on the sales forums and send a private message to the seller if you find something of interest. Also, if you find examples elsewhere, you can post links and photos, and the members will help you evaluate the watches.

You may want to read the rules about want-to-buy posts in the dedicated sub-forum (they require 200 substantial posts, and backdoor WTB posts, like the last sentence of your post, are not allowed), and transmitting commercial content (i.e. via your avatar).

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ple...s-rules-for-all-listings-inc-parts-wtb.62372/
https://omegaforums.net/help/terms

Aludic · Sep 9, 2019

Hi @Martin_F,

Welcome to OF! Earlier I've been looking for an 1984 example and probably ended up with an 1985 one. I don't mind... Please also note that it will be very hard to pinpoint the 'year' of a watch, is that when it was made, delivered from the factory, sold to the first owner?

Recently I stumbled across one, which serial is very close to mine. Perhaps it is interesting to you: https://www.luxuwrist.com/store/p376/1985_Omega_Speedmaster_Professional_Ref._145.0022_Cal._861.html
(Note: I am not affiliated to the seller in any way)

And as this thread is desperately in need of pictures; here is mine:

Martin_F · Sep 9, 2019

Thanks everyone for the nice welcome!
It was my feeling as well that 1980s watches would be less thought after, which is fine by me. Glad to see that sentiment confirmed.

Thanks for the links to check out, I'll definitely be looking around a lot, and post the better options I found on here to evaluate.
Worst case, I really like the First Omega In Space as well, so that could be an alternative for me...

@Aludic fine example you got there. I'd be proud to wear that! Hopefully I'll find one as nice!

kov · Sep 9, 2019

Hi there and welcome.

1985 is also my birthyear and one important chapter of my personal collection. So far I’ve been able to gather 4 different Speedmasters from 1985 with boxes and papers :

- NOS Moonwatch 145.022
- « 20y of Flight qualified » LE 345.0808
- « Golden panda » DD 145.022
- « White German » DD 145.022

None made in September, can’t help with the serials...

Hope you find the right one. Be careful of all C24 offers with 48M serials listed as 1985 because the sellers have no clue and check wrong serials ref table (Maddox).

Martin_F · Sep 9, 2019

kov
Hi there and welcome.

1985 is also my birthyear and one important chapter of my personal collection. So far I’ve been able to gather 4 different Speedmasters from 1985 with boxes and papers :

- NOS Moonwatch 145.022
- « 20y of Flight qualified » LE 345.0808
- « Golden panda » DD 145.022
- « White German » DD 145.022

None made in September, can’t help with the serials...

Hope you find the right one. Be careful of all C24 offers with 48M serials listed as 1985 because the sellers have no clue and check wrong serials ref table (Maddox).

Wow, that's a great collection you got there. And they all seem to be in immaculate condition.
The first one is the one I'm after. Hope to find one as pretty as yours.
I'll have to look into that Maddox list your talking about. Or are you suggesting the one I noted above is incorrect?

kov · Sep 9, 2019

Martin_F
I'll have to look into that Maddox list your talking about. Or are you suggesting the one I noted above is incorrect?

The Maddox’s table isn’t relevant to the Moonwatches, hence wrong. But most C24 sellers seem to still ignore it. You don’t need it 😉

Matth84 · Sep 15, 2019

Hi,

What do you think of this Speedmaster from 1985 for sale in Amsterdam? Including a service, warranty for 2 years and a 1171-bracelet. Watch is unpolished. Price is: 4.950 euro or approximately 5.585 USD.

See: https://www.spiegelgrachtjuweliers.nl/product/omega-speedmaster-ref-145-022/

Best, Matth

vienna · Sep 15, 2019

Still a little high on price for my taste.
Did you check the sales forum here?

Kind regards Max

TimtimeIntl · Sep 15, 2019

85's should be readily available. Something to consider is a display back because in 1985 it is the detailed rose plated movement (863 vs, 861) instead of the newer nickel plated. I really like those early display backs. I'm not sure which will be more valuable as time passes but the early display backs are still affordable but rising in value!

kov · Sep 16, 2019

TimtimeIntl
85's should be readily available. Something to consider is a display back because in 1985 it is the detailed rose plated movement (863 vs, 861) instead of the newer nickel plated. I really like those early display backs. I'm not sure which will be more valuable as time passes but the early display backs are still affordable but rising in value!

That’s the 345.0808 I showed above. Only 1000 pces were made in 1985-6.

It was followed by a 863 with golden plating before it comes to nickel (?) (( Edit : rhodium, obviously ! ))

Solid gold watches aside, this is the most difficult Moonwatch from the 80s to catch nowadays I would say.

VetPsychWars · Sep 16, 2019

I’m pretty sure I read rhodium plating, not nickel.

Tom

TimtimeIntl · Sep 16, 2019

I knew it rhodiumawhile after posted but was away from computer. Either way I like the old fashioned "Omega plating" 😀 I'm pretty sure the only display back I had was an 85. Nice with original bracelet. Maybe in my notes and I can check. I know I have no pics. I sold it along with a pre moon 69 with DON bezel and 1116 bracelet same day. Had to educate most buyers looking at the 69 that the 1116 was correct for that year as all were interested in 1039 bracelets. All I can remember is one sold for 1900 and other sold for 2000 but which was which I can't remember. Wish I even just had the bezel back! so darn if it is true that a display back for your year has become hard to get. I just know I like the early ones. Happy searching!

raison_ · Sep 20, 2019

kov
Hi there and welcome.

1985 is also my birthyear and one important chapter of my personal collection. So far I’ve been able to gather 4 different Speedmasters from 1985 with boxes and papers :

- NOS Moonwatch 145.022
- « 20y of Flight qualified » LE 345.0808
- « Golden panda » DD 145.022
- « White German » DD 145.022

None made in September, can’t help with the serials...

Hope you find the right one. Be careful of all C24 offers with 48M serials listed as 1985 because the sellers have no clue and check wrong serials ref table (Maddox).

i am in the market to find a 1985 birth year omega too. I am so envious of your collection! could i ask what does C24 refer to?

Nathan1967 · Sep 20, 2019

raison_
i am in the market to find a 1985 birth year omega too. I am so envious of your collection! could i ask what does C24 refer to?

Chrono 24

raison_ · Sep 20, 2019

Nathan1967
Chrono 24

thank you for the clarification!

GMTspeedmaster · Sep 20, 2019

kov
That’s the 345.0808 I showed above. Only 1000 pces were made in 1985-6.

It was followed by a 863 with golden plating before it comes to nickel (?) (( Edit : rhodium, obviously ! ))

Solid gold watches aside, this is the most difficult Moonwatch from the 80s to catch nowadays I would say.

such a beautiful piece, ia this a 3592?

Speedmaster, the hunt for my birth year watch (1985)

Martin_F

JwRosenthal

efauser

harrymai86

Dan S

Aludic

Martin_F

kov

Martin_F

kov

Matth84

vienna

TimtimeIntl

kov

VetPsychWars

TimtimeIntl

raison_

Nathan1967

raison_

GMTspeedmaster

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