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There is an odd serial number marking on this Speedmaster. What are your thoughts?

  1. Eph Apr 7, 2020

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    I'm eyeing a 1989 Speedmaster Reduced and I wanted proof that it was a 1989 since the serial number was not on the caseback, so the seller took this picture: https://i.gyazo.com/6adce8d143f266b1296759182e4ff74e.jpg. That serial number does indicate it was manufactured in 89, however it leaves me with a few thoughts:

    1) The seller says the serial number is a laser engraving/etching, but it looks to be ink dots to me (could just be the flash though). I'm wondering how and when this ended up there. And if the serial number is no longer present on the caseback (and paperwork is missing), how it was known that was the serial number. I just want to make sure this wasn't a random '89 serial number printed on it.
    2) The model numbers engraved (175.0033 and 175.0032) are that of different Speedmasters, which according to some people in this thread, is common for those casebacks: https://omegaforums.net/threads/franken-speedmaster-reduced.82521/. However, was the actual ref. number never printed on this case anywhere?
    3) The serial number isn't present on the back of the watch. Was it rubbed off after 3 years? Intentionally removed? Or simply never present on this specific model?
    4) The seller also shared this photo: https://i.gyazo.com/0f582fbd5b9efd1092a32d2bcd5e45a6.jpg
    I usually see a more silver movement than gold/copper color. I believe I see markings for this being a Caliber 1140 with an ETA 2890-2. My research indicates this is what would be expected in an 89 Speedmaster Reduced. Can someone confirm?

    Basically, I'm just trying to cover my bases before buying an expensive watch that's 30+ years old.

    Thanks so much! Excited to potentially get my first speedy!!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Edited Apr 7, 2020
  2. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Apr 7, 2020

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    Please post photos, not just the links.
     
  3. Eph Apr 7, 2020

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    Oops, first time posting here. Photos added!
     
  4. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    I think it might be a replacement caseback.

    What's the serial number of the movement?
     
  5. Eph Apr 7, 2020

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  6. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    After having read the thread you posted, it might possibly be an earlier example, though I didn't know about this before. One watch shown there has a 51.64X.XXX serial number printed inside the caseback, which is pretty close to your number.

    Do you have a picture of the outside of the caseback?
     
  7. Eph Apr 7, 2020

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    I do! https://i.gyazo.com/b5fcc474174eb9ab8708b9854652e2a3.jpg
    [​IMG]
     
  8. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    janice&fred likes this.
  9. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Apr 7, 2020

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    As @Vercingetorix said in the above thread, the serial number is inside the case back, not outside, on early Reduced models.
     
    janice&fred likes this.
  10. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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  11. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Apr 7, 2020

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    These movements don't have serial numbers. I thought most people knew that.
     
    Foo2rama likes this.
  12. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    I wrote it wrong. I meant if it is the serial number.

    It's always fun to see that trying to contribute can be dangerous with every single letter you type.
     
    timecube likes this.
  13. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Apr 7, 2020

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    Just don't try so hard to show what you know.
     
    timecube likes this.
  14. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Apr 7, 2020

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    I thought you'd be used to that by now.
     
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  15. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Apr 7, 2020

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    FIFY.
     
    timecube, janice&fred and Sidnos like this.
  16. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    I tried hard to answer the OPs question, without only telling him he should look at ebay's last sold items.
     
  17. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    I'd personally appreciate if you fixed much more than this, instead of only pointing out others mistakes.
     
  18. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Apr 7, 2020

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    Could you remind us which thread it was that you replied to less than two weeks ago admitting that you are "unfamiliar with Omega chronographs", or did you write that wrong?
     
  19. OMEGuy Apr 7, 2020

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    That was obviously not meant seriously. I had the the feeling that the OP didn't want to contribute all information.
     
  20. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Apr 7, 2020

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    Right.