I'm new. Thinking of buying this watch. It's a 69 Speedmaster out of Germany. Has anyone seen this before? Thinking Military/Air force?
There was a time in the US (early 70's) when it was recommended to put your social security number on things of value, in case they were stolen. Looks to me that's what this is.
Engraving your SSN on something that you wear on your wrist and can be easily stolen seems like it would be a terrible idea...
Interesting, I guess I've just been trained to guard my SSN my whole life. How would having it on there help anyway? I guess you could use it to track the watch it someone tried to steal and flip it?
If it was found, ended up in a pawn shop, etc. the police would easily see it. As I said, it was way before Al Gore invented the internet. It certainly makes no sense these days.
I think it is a SS# the first 3 digits would be the area (in this case California). It would be interesting to get the Omega Museum search and see if it was shipped to the US. These watches move around. This watch will have cost more in duties and taxes than what it is worth!
Got to be a SS#. Funny that you reference California to that first set of numbers. They are very close to mine and I got my card in California.
When I was in the military, everything was tracked by social back then. Very common to see it every where. Even on this message board a former military member posted his watch with the original receipt and on the receipt was his social security number. I private message him to give him the heads up.
I can tell you for a fact that this has not changed... which boggles the mind frankly but I guess they have no other way of doing it.
It is interesting though that you don't see many examples of this on the internet. I looked before I posted this thread. I bet it was bought by a soldier stationed in Germany in the late 60's - probably never bought it home.