Community Stories

'Straight Writing' Eye candy

kov
Posts
4,114
Likes
16,324
In this difficult times, where most of pictures we see are related to the epidemic, I thought nice to share some pictures of the best Straight Writing Speedy I've ever had in my possession.

Photo 09.03.20 15 02 37.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 10 00.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 04 15.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 06 17.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 08 18.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 07 36.jpg Photo 09.03.20 15 12 02.jpg


It is one of those Straight Writing Speedmasters that are correct for the 220 error bezel. Did it have it when it left the factory? We'll never know 😀

I am the third owner of the beauty. It's been only a couple of weeks in possession of the second owner, a swiss dealer, otherwise with the first owner for almost 50 years...

Is this what we can call a collector set? 😀
 
Dash1
Posts
1,887
Likes
3,829
That's a beauty! Definitely a collector set.
I don't usually stray too far into 861 territory but I had to buy this one. My extract shows a July 1971 delivery and bracelet as 1175/640.
DSCF5415.JPG
 
abrod520
Posts
12,124
Likes
40,343
Interesting, mine is a July 1, 1971 production but has the Apollo XI caseback. It's in the proper range (31.6m) for these so I don't think the back was added post-production.

AF9F70D4-46CB-450C-B287-EBDF95F68BE3.jpeg 51E5D69C-ECCF-4117-B894-EC8B694A806B.jpeg


I'd always thought that these were on the early end of SW production, but it seems the standard back was available at the same time or earlier?

Raises the question, what's the story behind these vs the regular one?
 
queriver
Posts
1,301
Likes
2,575
Another Apollo XI caseback SW produced July '71, 31.6xx range, delivered to Japan and comes with Japanese papers.

@abrod520 : According to MWO (3rd edn, p322) all observed Apollo XI SWs were delivered to Japan. Is your date from ilovemyspeedmaster or an Extract?

IMG_0282 - Copy.JPG IMG_0285 - Copy.JPG
 
machamp6650
Posts
393
Likes
679
Wow these are some amazing pieces - and the condition after 50 years! I'd have trouble owning one of these as I appreciate the 'collector's condition' factor but would also want to wear it 24/7!

Pretty noob question but there appears to be at least 2 different versions of the straight writing caseback, which is interesting over such a limited timeframe. Do we know anything about which came first and date / production numbers of the different versions?
 
K
Posts
1,443
Likes
3,810
machamp6650 machamp6650
Wow these are some amazing pieces - and the condition after 50 years! I'd have trouble owning one of these as I appreciate the 'collector's condition' factor but would also want to wear it 24/7!

Pretty noob question but there appears to be at least 2 different versions of the straight writing caseback, which is interesting over such a limited timeframe. Do we know anything about which came first and date / production numbers of the different versions?

Would be a serial range of 31xx xxx - 32xx xxx and I believe the 2 casebacks were released concurrently
Edited:
 
queriver
Posts
1,301
Likes
2,575
machamp6650 machamp6650
Pretty noob question but there appears to be at least 2 different versions of the straight writing caseback, which is interesting over such a limited timeframe. Do we know anything about which came first and date / production numbers of the different versions?
Quoting from the book "Moonwatch Only", the SWs were in range 31.00x.xxx - 32.857.xxx with production 1971-74. Production numbers aren't given and the book doesn't give a split between the 2 versions except to say the version with "Apollo XI 1969" was an "extremely rare" caseback. As mentioned above, the book says all observed examples of that version were delivered solely to Japan in 1972.
 
kov
Posts
4,114
Likes
16,324
queriver queriver
Another Apollo XI caseback SW produced July '71, 31.6xx range, delivered to Japan and comes with Japanese papers

😲 Wow, you said condition? 🥰
 
n-theory
Posts
277
Likes
602
I absolutely love these and these are the best condition ones I've ever seen (owned a couple). But I too would want to wear it all the time 😁
 
abrod520
Posts
12,124
Likes
40,343
queriver queriver
@abrod520 : According to MWO (3rd edn, p322) all observed Apollo XI SWs were delivered to Japan. Is your date from ilovemyspeedmaster or an Extract?

Date from Extract (I only have the digital copy so far as I am in the US), and delivery to.... Japan 😀 (where I bought it from, actually).

Interesting!
 
Dash1
Posts
1,887
Likes
3,829
Mine is the 'standard' back but also a 3161xxxx serial showing delivery to the UK in July 1971.
DSCF5405.JPG DSCF5409.JPG
 
SpeedyPhill
Posts
6,872
Likes
12,626
queriver queriver
Quoting from the book "Moonwatch Only", the SWs were in range 31.00x.xxx - 32.857.xxx with production 1971-74. Production numbers aren't given and the book doesn't give a split between the 2 versions except to say the version with "Apollo XI 1969" was an "extremely rare" caseback. As mentioned above, the book says all observed examples of that version were delivered solely to Japan in 1972.
Interesting fact... hoping for something subtle like this for the 50 years Apollo 13 Speedmaster ... coming soon !
 
Speedmasterfan88
Posts
1,303
Likes
4,389
Very nice set @kov and as usual the term „kovquality“ applies here. Nice to see the first variant of the 1171 bracelet with the applied logo clasp.
Awesome examples posted, I’ll play along 😀.

B3FC95AC-F9A0-4954-8132-EDADB089F603.jpeg 93C4CEBB-5F2F-444E-B9A4-3930CA084BA4.jpeg 4C663D8F-8275-461D-9874-FF815D82E0D2.jpeg




Extract states production date of July 8 1971,
Delivered to Switzerland 😉
Ser: 31617xxx

@Dash1 I think we are not far apart!

Cheers,

Max
 
Dash1
Posts
1,887
Likes
3,829
Speedmasterfan88 Speedmasterfan88
Awesome examples posted, I’ll play along 😀.

Extract states production date of July 8 1971,
Delivered to Switzerland 😉
Ser: 31617xxx

@Dash1 I think we are not far apart!

Cheers,

Max

Ha. I just checked and mine is also July 8th! Delivered to UK and the extract states Bracelet as 1175/640. I'll PM you my full serial.
 
sjg22
Posts
886
Likes
2,975
Wow! Incredible condition on these.... my first Speedy was a SW and I'll always have a soft spot for them! Great pics guys, keep them coming!
 
Speedmasterfan88
Posts
1,303
Likes
4,389
Dash1 Dash1
Ha. I just checked and mine is also July 8th! Delivered to UK and the extract states Bracelet as 1175/640. I'll PM you my full serial.


Thanks for the kind words @kov.

You got a PM @Dash1
Turns out our Speedys are only 300 numbers apart! That’s pretty close!

We see a pattern here with the Apollo XI caseback delivered to japan! Interesting!

Cheers,

Max
 
34 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Nono01

Vintage Omega Constellation LCD Eye Candy

Nono01 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Nono01
Nono01
Posts
0
Views
87
Nono01

Vacheron Constantin 222 Steel Eye Candy

Nono01 High-end Watches
Nono01
Nono01
Posts
2
Views
279
trash_gordon

Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 Straight Writing

trash_gordon Private Watch Sales
trash_gordon
trash_gordon
Posts
1
Views
500
G-Web

Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 Apollo XI Straight Writing

G-Web Private Watch Sales
G-Web
G-Web
Posts
1
Views
387
Nono01

Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project Eye Candy

Nono01 Modern Omega Watches
A
asteroidwave
Posts
18
Views
2K
M

Speedmaster Apollo Straight Writing Advertisements

MJR Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
M
mountainunder
Posts
19
Views
873