I don't think many here will disagree that the Speedmaster 145.022-68 is one of the most desirable and nicest references out there today. They are becoming extremely difficult to find in good condition and at a reasonable price these days.

I had been watching this ebayPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network auction and was surprised, and not so surprised, by the strong price it commanded in the end. I do hope it was someone here that picked up what appears to be a very nice example.

I'm thankful that a little over 4 years ago I jumped on my 1968 Transitional for a cool $2100 because those days are long gone.



So, anyone here join the ranks of the "Consider Yourself Extremely Lucky" Club since we last had a nice Transitional thread?

 

The '68 really is a bit special. Recent price rises seem to reflect this too. I do "Consider Myself Extremely Lucky."

 

I just opened that link to the EBay auction. Final bid US$9,369.99 .
The watch in question.

 

And on that strap I would consider this price to be for the head only.

 

2010 - US$1,685.00
Considered myself lucky even back then. And not just because the 1/69 1039 was a perfect fit.

Pictures from when it arrived.




Unfortunately out of rotation at the moment due to some paint falling off of one of the hands.

Guess with current prices I should be getting that fixed and the main chronograph hand replaced.
However increased value without increased income doesn't make that so simple for the time being.

 

Prices aside, I consider myself lucky that I've been able to buy many honestly described watches, often in excellent condition, from fellow forum members over the past 5 years.

 

My wife hasn't noticed or at least hasn't felt the need to comment on the rather large number of watches acquired over the past decade....

I'd say that makes me damn lucky.

Mind you... I did buy her that rototiller for our 25th.

 

Feelin' happy being in the "lucky club"

 

A new acquisition, but I still consider myself very lucky indeed!

 

OK, I'll go with this ...


I still haven't got the bezel that I want for her and that means she's not been serviced yet, so I'm not wearing her. I paid more than the going rate for a "running" example but less than a "good" one as it was bought unopened. A week after I bought it, I spoke to the seller who told me he would have happily sold for half what I actually offered and paid ... I'm not sure how I feel about that. If I'd paid what he wanted, I might have felt like I robbed him. All told, I think I have to be happy with the price. In fact, more than happy.

 

My luck comes through my sainted mother; she found my -68 as a head only in the mid '70s lost on the running/walking track behind her house. After searching for the owner she gave it to me. I wore it, had a parachute maker I know make a velcro @Mad Dog special band for it. But I felt it was too big and it languished in several drawers from then until 2014 when I re-discovered it. The added piece of Luck was during my research about it I stumbled upon these EXCELLENT forums! Learning about this watch lead to my fascination with mechanical time pieces - whether this was good or bad Luck is debatable.

As found with replacement bezel the cost to me is $0. Cost after researching watch for a complete service, bracelets, other watches, other services on those watches, ultrasonic cleaner, timegrapher and other tools, display boxes, etc. is not something I really want to calculate. However the enjoyment I've had while doing this is priceless...

 

Walked into a watch store on my lunch break two years ago and walked out with this -68 for the princely sum of $3,200. Definitely part of the "consider myself lucky" crowd. Nearly perfect example.

 

And there was the one that you snagged with the 220...that one still gets me...back before I knew to buy first and second guess later!

 

True! That one stayed here on the forums, as well.

 

I feel extremely fortunate as well to have landed this safe queen from the original owner a few years ago. If the OP watch on eBay went for $9K+, that blows the lid on Speedmaster 101 price chart.

Here is mine with a refinished 1039. Puts a smile on my face every time I wear it, truly a special reference.

 

I was lucky enough to pick mine up back in early 2016. My first speedy. Armed with zero knowledge and a lot of luck. This first purchase helped me to only then understand and learn. Thankfully it proved to be a wise purchase and the price was awesome. Has given me great pleasure. Seller didn't appreciate the importance of the piece thankfully. Albeit neither did I at the time of purchase. Lucky and happy to be in the club.

 

My eBay find 11 years ago for $1000. I thought I would never sell it but might be on the block soon.

 

I am extremely lucky that I found the bulk of my collection before @watchknut figured out what he was doing.

 

My membership application seems to have got lost in the post.....

 

While not nearly as lucky as some here, I still very lucky and fortunate to be a member with a really clean 68'... minus the DO90, which I will most likely be soon looking for a cleaner example to fit.