Value of DON bezels after the new 2021 Speedy release

The value of a vintage Speedy is in part detemined by its DON bezel. Speedmaster101 describes this in detail and I hope William doesn't mind me posting this bit here:

"Its getting hard to sensibly price watches with good DO90 bezels - I am sure you can see anomalies that this might through up in the calibre 861 speedmasters.

Recent prices for DO90 bezels have peaked at $5000, but now I detect no recent sales at that level and so $4,000 seems a better estimate. Therefore 145.022-69’s need to valued higher if they carry a DO90.

I have separated the 145.022-69 with a DO90 bezel, or 145.022 with a DN90.

I am not sure how to deal with bezel madness - the bezels are selling for more than they increase the value of a watch without one. My figures for REPLACING a missing bezel are:

• Rough on “POOR” +450
• Passable on “FAIR” +500- 800
• Good on “GOOD” +800- 1700
• Very Good on “VERY GOOD” +1700 - 2500
• Top on “EXCELLENT” +2500- 4000 (Very, very few are 4000)"

What do you guys and gals think the impact of the new DON bezel of the 2021 Speedmasters will be on vintage Speedys? Maybe there are minute differences in the new bezel vs the old DON bezels? Has anybody studied this more closely?

Noy yet, but from my casual review of photos, I think, under close examination, it will be easy to distinguish between the two. Once the market sees this, the really nice old DONs will start to increase in price again.

I think the reproduction market is a much greater threat.

I posted this photo on the other thread but it makes sense to post it here too (left new, right vintage). The easiest way to tell is the location of the dots in this area especially the 225.



Concerning the value it's an interesting question and I'd like to hear what people think. I own 1 perfect DON that took a long time to find. I'd say that the value of the bezel and the watch are linked to the historical importance of the watches use in the moon missions. As with anything vintage "all original" will always be more valuable than anything with replacement parts.

However, I think this part could significantly improve the look of many pre moon speedmasters. When they are listed for sale we'll know what's what and value accordingly.

...which would still be cheap compared to vintage bezels.

Possibly the vintage DONs in bad shape might be less attractive as the new one is close. But as most of us strive for how they came from the factory I can’t see this new bezel affect the price of vintage DON bezels.