The ‘donor’ watch arrived today. It’s always interesting to see what a watch you’ve bought actually looks like when you unbox it.
In person, the hands look much better than even my photos show. But they clearly have been ‘touched up’. If you compare with my 145.022-74, below, you can see that, apart from the touch up, they are the correct hands. (On closer examination with a loop, it appears somebody tried to ‘seal’ in the lume by applying something like clear nail polish in the channel, particularly to the hour hand.)
Case has been lightly polished in the past, I’m gathering, but the lugs are still well defined.
But it’s not too bad at all. Only one service mark on the inside of the back cover.
Another watch that looks like it’s had few trips for service.
The serial number puts it near the start of the -69 run.
It started easily as I wound it and appears to keep good time. The chronograph functions properly and resets cleanly and smoothly with good alignment.
So far, I’m reasonably pleased. Of course, as has been established, it’s got a replacement bezel, a B2. The crystal has no Omega symbol, so that’s not right either.
The new to me 145.022-69 pre moon (on the right) with my long time 145.022-74 (left).
I’ll have it serviced and then see where I am.
I do admit that I’m less desperate to build an Italian military dialed watch as, due to knappo1307’s offer and my acceptance, I already have one now.
Of course, I’m looking forward to feed back and reactions.