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. 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?
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.
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. 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?
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?
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
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.
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
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!
Interesting fact... hoping for something subtle like this for the 50 years Apollo 13 Speedmaster ... coming soon !
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 . 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.
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!
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
