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To Wear or Not To Wear - 345.0808 Copper

Malthus101
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Hi folks, it's been a while...

So about 5 years ago I bought a Speedmaster 345.0808 - it has no B&P but does have the original bracelet and end links and is like pristine condition, all of it.

The serial in extremely low, under 50. They only made 1000 of these Copper movement ones, then did another 1000 with gold coloured movements.

These were the first clear caseback Speedies.

Anyway, in that time, it seems prices haven't moved much, and I'm thinking maybe I should stop babying this thing and just wear it! I need a "daily" Speedy and this one is great because it has clear caseback for staring at the movement and very nice Tritium markers without any flaking.

But it's condition is so good and such an early number, that I feel really bad making this decision!

Maybe I should get another Tritium speedy that isn't so "special" (in my eyes anyway) and beat that one up instead?

What would you guys do?

Thanks.

(and no I don't have any pics as it's in another country right now locked up! Sorry) - I have attached a pic of the movement taken from Moonwatch Only book I think.
 
02_back.jpg
High Hope
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A Speedy is first and foremost a tool. You’re asking, so let me be the first to say “ Wear it.” Then again, as my wife always asks about such dilemmas, “ Follow your heart.”
😉

PS wickedly good looking movement there!
 
MTROIS
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I must admit that I would TOTALLY WEAR this beautiful piece... but may be that's just me.
I don't get the point of garage/safe queens...
 
STANDY
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So you want to keep it pristine for the next guy that owns it.

154E85C3-46B6-4FAB-91F7-2EDEB1EFBAD3.jpeg
 
kov
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Not sure why you mention the "low" serial. Is it anything special? It's one of the thousand they made... And the serial is not related to the LE number so you could possibly have a super low serial and a high LE # - which one is better? 😉

I did the move in the opposite direction recently. Owned some full sets of the copper 345.0808, used to wear the watches. Until late 2020 when I finally could snag a pristine full set in an unworn condition. Red dot and some coating still on the watch. Can very certainly tell that I won't wear this one 😀
 
Risto
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Beautiful Speedy. Put it on your wrist, man!
I got my grail Zenith a year ago and although it's an expensive piece for me, I started to wear it from a second the bracelet was tuned in. Sure, it did get small marks on the body in no time and it probably loses value every time I wear it. But, you got to enjoy life now, not wait for tomorrow.
It's like having a hot girlfriend and keeping her for the next guy.
 
Malthus101
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kov kov
Not sure why you mention the "low" serial. Is it anything special? It's one of the thousand they made... And the serial is not related to the LE number so you could possibly have a super low serial and a high LE # - which one is better? 😉

I did the move in the opposite direction recently. Owned some full sets of the copper 345.0808, used to wear the watches. Until late 2020 when I finally could snag a pristine full set in an unworn condition. Red dot and some coating still on the watch. Can very certainly tell that I won't wear this one 😀

What is the LE number? (you mean Limited Edition number?)

I'm talking about the number between the lugs (if I remember correctly)

Thanks!
 
BlackTalon
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I seriously do not understand the whole idea behind a lower # being somehow more special than any other watch in the LE series.
 
MTROIS
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
I seriously do not understand the whole idea behind a lower # being somehow more special than any other watch in the LE series.

Apparently, some people, assuming that watches are made in increasing serial numbers, do feel that the lower the number, thus the earlier in the production run, are "purer", or more "original" vs. watches manufactured later.

I don't quite get it either... 👎
 
BlackTalon
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I dunno -- maybe they just like them 'younger'? 😁
 
MTROIS
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
I dunno -- maybe they just like them 'younger'? 😁
May be.

But as @kov noted, there even seems to be a confusion between serial number (the number between the lugs as it referred to above) and a true Limited Edition watch number. That latter one is especially tricky because is it not a given that watch LE #1 is actually manufactured before watch LE #2, etc.

No matter what: just wear the watch already!!!! Life is too short... and thinking of this, I will NEVER recup the time I just lost on this!!
Darn!! :whipped:
 
kov
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Malthus101 Malthus101
I'm talking about the number between the lugs (if I remember correctly)

If you can only find that number between the lugs, that means your case back is either incorrect or the number engraved on it was worn/polished out.

Wear it, there’s nothing to lose (anymore) 😉
 
Franco
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I think what most think is clear ... wear it, forget any considerations apart that when you look at it feels you of joy.
 
Wlcutter
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I think especially if it doesn't have B+P that you'd be hard pressed to keep it a safe queen and hope for an eventual premium. Wear it.
 
Kim
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I'd wear it. Maybe not when working on my bikes.
What’s the point in having a watch in a safe and never wearing it. This reflects of course my opinion.
 
Alex Cheers
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Wear it! You will love looking at it from all sides 😀

When I got into watches (= Speedmasters) last year I bought also MWO and thought oh yeah I gonna definitely buy this 345.0808 with the copper coloured caliber.
Then I learned about availability and prices ::facepalm1::

So I got me instead a Mark II from 1970 which has the copper 861 (near enough for me) and added a display back.
Just look how lovely it is! I often take it off and look at the back 😀
IMG_20210210_160911366~2.jpg


And I also got me after that a 345.0808 but with the 863 yellow, so all boxes are checked for me 😉

So I would say wear it and enjoy it 😀
 
ckamp
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Same dilemma, exact as OP.

2nd edition 345.0808 gets all the wrist time. 1st edition staying in the original box.. and I'm confused on why I do this.

I disagree on the price comment, from sales I have seen online over the past 3 years, they have gone up 3x to 4x.
 
Malthus101
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ckamp ckamp
Same dilemma, exact as OP.

2nd edition 345.0808 gets all the wrist time. 1st edition staying in the original box.. and I'm confused on why I do this.

I disagree on the price comment, from sales I have seen online over the past 3 years, they have gone up 3x to 4x.

Any chance you could upload a photo of the original box for the copper? I've always wondered what it looked like.
 
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