Thoughts on this 145.022?

J

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jmding

·Nov 11, 2024

Would love to get some expert thoughts on this 144.022. Seller is a wholesale Rolex, jewelry district type guy, not very knowledgeable on this stuff. I'm new to Speedmasters myself, mostly looking to pick up a graduation gift.

Something about the bezel looks a little off to me, maybe the text is too bold? Also, the hands are slightly more greenish than the dial line. Condition is good, but not great. But the 1450 bracelet has me interested, and the asking price of 4600 USD.

What do y'all think? Everything look correct?

 

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Dan S

·Nov 11, 2024

What is the serial?

 

J

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jmding

·Nov 11, 2024

Dan S

What is the serial?

I don't know, I'll try to get it

 

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ibis888

·Nov 11, 2024

The bezel and dial text (“long s”) point towards a late 80s Speedmaster. I personally like that particular bezel and dial text combo.

The fact that the text on the caseback still has the black ink intact is another positive sign that the watch hasn’t had a rough life.

Tough to tell from the photos if the case is unpolished or not.

While not a bargain, the price seems around fair market value. I would want to see the movement and serial though before buying. Assume it will need a service in the near future unless evidence of a recent service is provided.

Plenty of good examples out there in that price range.

 

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jmding

·Nov 12, 2024

Thanks for that. I've been hunting around for one on a 1450 but hadn't turned any up yet.

 

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jmding

·Nov 12, 2024

48238378

 

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befobe

·Nov 12, 2024

A very early 345.0022 👍with a tall&open S dial C3 (approx 1988)
Nice ref, and very very cool bracelet... if you can, check the quick bar spring of the 1450; very useful, but weak, mine is broken, and I look for one since years...

 

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jmding

·Nov 12, 2024

Serial number 48238378. Seems to date to 1990. Kind of later than I expected given the 1450.

The tool-less spring bar on the clasp is there on this one.

Is it just me, or is this a pretty good price for a 1450 speedmaster?

 

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Davidt

·Nov 12, 2024

Is the dial clean or are some of the marks on the dial and not the crystal. Don’t get blinded hy the bracelet, it should be a bonus to a nice watch. No point having a nice bracelet with an average dial and these 80’s Speedmasters aren’t in short supply in good condition.

 

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jmding

·Nov 12, 2024

some more pictures

 

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jmding

·Nov 12, 2024

the dial is nice, the crystal definitely needs a polish. The bezel is in good condition, but it looks like it came from a somewhat mediocre batch from Omega

 

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wagudc

·Wed. 9:19pm

J jmding

The bezel is in good condition, but it looks like it came from a somewhat mediocre batch from Omega

What do you mean be this?

Given the issues are with the crystal and not the dial, I think the watch presents quite nicely.

 

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ibis888

·Wed. 10:57pm

I’ll say it again, I like the bezel/dial combo on these late 80s models (B2 bezel/C3 dial).

Movement looks clean. If you can see in person and the dial is clean, seems like a strong watch at a reasonable price. What are you waiting for!

There’s a collector grade -71 for sale in the private sales section right now, you can get a sense for what the next “level” of Speedmaster would be.

Edited: Wed. 11:03pm

 

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jmding

·Wed. 11:03pm

Here's what I mean about the bezel text. The watch in question, and a random 3950.50 from Google. IMO, one of these looks much neater and higher quality than the other.