Hello Everyone... Just a FYI . this is still a work in progress..... The Things With Springs Clubhouse room is meant for a Live watch forum experience with a small GTG. We are striving for a collector to collector conversations.. having collectors either email me photo of there watch ( or they can join the forum and reply to this thread ) so we can " chat" about in real time... Just to be clear we dont have to talk about a posted watch ... this is a free flowing room on topics on vintage watches and things around watch collecting ... And at the end of the GTG when everyone leaves the CH room... and the room no longer exist ... This thread will remain as a quasi record of the event and we can later go back and refer to.... Remember the CH room is only as good as the collectors that join in.... please post a watch you want to chat about. Be Safe Good Hunting Bill Sohne
I discovered this week that of all my watches, this is my wife's favorite. Grand Seiko 43999 SD (early 57GS) from 1964.
hi all something we might chat about today ! https://www.acollectedman.com/blogs/journal/early-days-wristwatch-collecting?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-a_collected_man&utm_content=later-17567820&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio
Not sure who “A collected man” is IRL, but I VERY much enjoy reading these articles!! Well researched and so rich in content...
gold speedy article https://revolutionwatch.com/confessions-speedmaster-addict-1969-tribute-apollo-xi-ref-145-022/
From Hodinkee site: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:5kBKcIn-TwwJ:https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/2677-omega-18k-speedmaster-pro &cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari
Hi txt from H site 1969 Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI Ref. 145.022-69 In 18k Yellow Gold Regular price $49,000 Why This Watch Matters The first numbered Speedmaster, this all gold ref. 145.022-69 was built "to mark man's conquest of space with time, through time, on time." The Full Story As you may have read over the years on HODINKEE, the Omega Speedmaster went to the moon on the wrists of Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. The pick of NASA years earlier during the Gemini program, Omega's Speedmaster became the Moonwatch after the historical achievement of the Apollo 11 mission and the brand was really forever changed. To celebrate the momentous achievement of mankind, NASA, and Omega, the Swiss watch brand came out with a special Speedmaster Professional. This was a very celebratory special edition as the case, bracelet, and dial were all made out of 18k yellow gold. The series was numbered with 1014 examples coming out of the Omega factory doors making this solid gold Speedy the first of the model to be individually numbered. The first 32 watches were engraved with the phrase "to mark man's conquest of space with time, through time, on time" on the caseback as well as the original recipient's name. Number 1 and number 2 were offered as gifts to the President and Vice President of the United States, Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew, respectively, but were turned down as the watches were too valuable and now sit in the Omega museum. While they showed diplomacy and incredible restraint in declining, it would be pretty great to see a POTUS or VP wearing a solid gold Speedy. Watches numbered 3 to 28 were presented to NASA astronauts who accomplished a space mission at an Astronaut Appreciation Dinner in Houston on November 25, 1969. 29 to 32 were given to Swiss politicians and watch-industry leaders. The remaining yellow gold Speedmasters were offered to the public from Omega and feature a different caseback engraving. Seen on our example the caseback reads, "OMEGA SPEEDMASTER, APOLLO XI 1969, THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON." Lastly, the individual edition number is stamped, ours being number 851. We recently saw number 883 sell at Phillips and, although they are close in number, the two feature different style casebacks. Omega made these with different style caseback engravings. They had unpainted and painted versions. After examining many different caseback engravings on these 18k Speedy's we noticed this engraving was a bit different than the others. It does bear the same hallmarks and case makers marks on the inside, we believe it must have been engraved by a different case engraver. We confirmed that the numbers are matching in Omega's archive. According to Omega's archives, this watch was made on December 9, 1969 and sent to Germany on December 10, 1969. Our example, no. 851, also features the earlier dial type for these watches with the same typography as the type A2 ref. CK 2915 dial. The ovular "O" in "OMEGA" is the tell here and stands out once you notice it adding charm to this already striking watch. The wine colored bezel on these watches is simply stunning in person, adding a layer of intrigue to the otherwise all gold look of the watch. Further breaking up the golden nugget look are the painted black hands and hour markers. These little details turn this limited edition into an entirely new thing rather than just a Speedmaster made in all gold, all the details were considered here and that intention shows through. Finding an example of this watch has truly been a pleasure. Even more so due to the original solid gold Omega bracelet which undoubtedly completes the look. Maybe you want to mix it up a bit? We thought a dark brown Sedona would be a good option to break up the gold and play off of that wine bezel so we included one with the watch. Source: Moonwatch Only by Grégoire Rossier and Anthony Marquié The Fine Print Maker: Omega Model: Speedmaster Professional Reference: 145.022-69 Year: Circa 1969 Case No: 851 of 1014 Movement No: 28420019 Material: 18k yellow gold Dimensions: 42mm diameter; 13mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: No Caliber: Omega, manually-wound, caliber 861 Bracelet/Strap: Omega, 18k yellow gold, bracelet and HODINKEE The Sedona Watch Strap In Dark Brown Lug Width: 20mm Box/Papers: No; The extract from the archives has been ordered and a PDF will be sent to the new owner What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Oval "O" dial variation - Limited edition of 1014 examples - Crisp overall condition - Non-lume dial and hands Things To Know: - Scratches on case and bracelet - Inside of bracelet clasp has scratches This Speedmaster is in overall great condition. The case is strong with nice thick lugs; it has scratches and some small nicks along the edges. The engraving is clearly visible on the caseback. The caseback also has scratches from opening and some marks. The rear of the lugs show some patina. The hallmark between the six o'clock lugs remains crisp and visible. The case has developed patina along some of the edges. The dial is in overall excellent condition with light patina. The handset and hour markers are in great condition with only a light patina to the black surfaces. The crown and pushers are of the correct style for this limited edition and appear to be original. The wine colored bezel is in great condition with some scratches and a few nicks around the edge. The Omega bracelet is in good condition with scratches and has some light stretch. The bracelet may have been polished. The inside of the clasp has scratches throughout over the stampings. The crystal has some light scratches. The dial, crown, case, movement, crystal and bracelet are all signed by Omega. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
hi everyone At the Museum catalog #340 as listed below ... 340. Gold Speedmaster commemorating the 1st Moon landing, 1972: 18 k gold case and burgundy bezel, the exact replica of the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional worn by the American Apollo 11 astronauts on July 21, 1969, the first watch worn on the Moon. Back engraved "OMEGA Speedmaster - Apollo XI 1969 - The first watch worn on the moon - No 851". Gold on leather model. (BA 145.022) best bill