Thoughts on this Speedy 145.022-69 Straight Writing?

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VintageMasters

·Aug 3, 2020

Hey Guys,

I have the opportunity to buy this piece tomorrow. For my own comfort I wanted to ask your opinions on the following pictures.

What I found so far:

-Production year ~1973 (based on the DNN bezel, straight writing caseback and inscription on the soft iron cage that says something with 1973 (serial is vague during that period).
-Hands look a bit "off" not sure what it is
-Original step dial
-New (but signed) omega crystal

Do you see any other things that don't look right?

View attachment 1038420

Thank a lot!

Stan

Edited: Aug 4, 2020

 

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dennisthemenace

·Aug 3, 2020

It doesn't have a lot going for it so unless it's dirt cheap I would wait until a better one comes along. These aren't exactly rare.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 3, 2020

The dial and hands both have unattractive lume, and they are dramatically mismatched. The hour hand might be slightly bent, or it could be an artifact of the photo. If it's cheap enough, it could be a candidate for a re-lume. There's either some damage, or a foreign object. on the 11 o'clock lug.

 

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Davidt

·Aug 3, 2020

The pictures are zoomed too far in for my liking. With such closeups it’s hard to get an idea of the overall look but it certainly appears average at best.

 

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OmegaP99

·Aug 3, 2020

Dan S

The dial and hands both have unattractive lume

I just want to note that this is something I actually like about my MKII, the original, if dark, lume. I think it matches original dials with slight patina well. I get that some people want their lume to actually illuminate, but I personally prize patina over function when it comes to vintage watch lume.

To the OP, this would make a good daily piece if it's cheap enough, no worry about adding dings or scratches, but if buying more to add to a collection you might prefer to wait. I'm an outlier because I like watches like this, so there's something for everyone thankfully.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 3, 2020

OmegaP99

I just want to note that this is something I actually like about my MKII, the original, if dark, lume. I think it matches original dials with slight patina well. I get that some people want their lume to actually illuminate, but I personally prize patina over function when it comes to vintage watch lume.

To the OP, this would make a good daily piece if it's cheap enough, no worry about adding dings or scratches, but if buying more to add to a collection you might prefer to wait. I'm an outlier because I like watches like this, so there's something for everyone thankfully.

The lume is coming off the dial markers, that's what I was referring to. Especially three o'clock. And the lume in the hands looks like toothpaste.

 

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Davidt

·Aug 3, 2020

Also, it's not about function.

Nice yellow or orange lume looks extremely attractive on a vintage watch, whether it still glows or not. Markers that have degraded with mouldy looking green or black lume on the other hand just looks tired and worn imo.

 

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VintageMasters

·Aug 3, 2020

Davidt

The pictures are zoomed too far in for my liking. With such closeups it’s hard to get an idea of the overall look but it certainly appears average at best.

Some more pics

 

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airansun

·Aug 3, 2020

Oh! No one mentioned the hour reset doesn’t. Service please.

We all agree, don’t buy it unless it’s so cheap you have no choice.

 

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queriver

·Aug 3, 2020

The caseback between FLIGHT and the visible pusher looks pitted which is strange, and is that a crack running to the edge of the caseback in that area?

 

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OmegaP99

·Aug 3, 2020

Davidt

Also, it's not about function.

Nice yellow or orange lume looks extremely attractive on a vintage watch, whether it still glows or not. Markers that have degraded with mouldy looking green or black lume on the other hand just looks tired and worn imo.

I totally see the point you guys are making, and it reminds me of this article about two otherwise similar cars, one left alone and degraded while the other was subjected to a full restoration.
Unrestored or pristine? A tale of two Mercedes-Benz gullwings to play out at auction

Most would take the restored one, but the rat-eaten one speaks to me more. Spoiler alert, the tatty one sold for $400,000 more than the restored car.

 

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Davidt

·Aug 3, 2020

I'm not saying restored lume is nicer. There are a huge number of vintage watches with original lume that has aged to an attractive yellow shade.

The lume on the watch you're considering isn't terrible by any stretch but it's not hugely attractive either. There are plenty of examples of this reference out there with original and attractive lume.

 

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VintageMasters

·Aug 3, 2020

Alright thanks a lot guys!

Edited: Aug 4, 2020