Vintage Omega Speedmaster Transitional 861 ref 145.022-68

SOLD 
£ 2995
Posts
13,224
Likes
22,993
Offering for sale a ‘68 transitional Speedmaster 145.022-68.
If you’re looking for a collector grade 60’s Speedmaster well, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a nice wearable Transitional, with solid bones and scope to improve at a great price, it may well be. A good relume and a DON bezel would improve this watch dramatically and if it doesn’t sell relatively quickly I’ll withdraw it and send it off to Mr Hyman and keep it for a daily.

Pros:
Original asymmetric 145.022-68 case.
Correct 145.022-68 caseback (watch came to me with a straight writing caseback so I sourced this correct caseback separately).
Original applied logo dial in good condition (but no lume)
Original 861 transitional movement. Believed to be one of the earliest 861’s known with serial 26,555,579 (a thread a few years ago revealed no 861’s with an earlier serial).
Full working order, serviced by STS in 2015.

Cons:
Service bezel, crown, pushers and hands.
Lume has been removed from dial.

Terms:
Price: £2995 net to me.
Watch is in UK.
UK delivery included. Rest of World via DHL at £75.
No returns.

Details
Dial:
Original applied logo dial, T Swiss Made T, with step. Dial body is very good and attractive. No scrapes, damage, bubbling or stains and not ‘dry’ looking. Slight loss of print at Swiss Made, but good everywhere else. Lume has been removed.
Service luminova hands.

Case:
Original case, correct caseback and dust cover. Has been polished but still nice and thick with polished/brushed areas evident. No damage or corrosion. Passed waterproof test in 2015. Omega signed crystal, service crown, pushers and bezel (installed in 2015).

Movement:
Original 861 movement in very good condition. All functions work as they should, serviced by STS in 2015. Very early 861 movement with serial 26,555,579 (I’ve haven’t ever seen an earlier serial in an 861 Speedmaster).

Bracelet/Strap:
Sold head only. I can install a generic leather strap if required.

Edited:
 
Posts
2,541
Likes
5,625
This one feels like a fun project, with resonable costs!
GLWS!

And a fun fact...I have a 68 also, and it is 66 nr´s younger than yours David!
 
Posts
2,184
Likes
2,397
This one feels like a fun project, with resonable costs!
GLWS!

And a fun fact...I have a 68 also, and it is 66 nr´s younger than yours David!
NOT sure I'd call this a project, this seems like a 'take out of the box and wear' watch, right? I'm glad someone is picking this up, it is a beautiful watch that deserves tons of wrist time.
 
Posts
9,842
Likes
55,435
I was pretty sure that this was going go fast. And it was! Congrats on the seller and buyer.
 
Posts
13,224
Likes
22,993
Now sold. I could’ve sold this several times but it went to the first member to reach out.
Many thanks to OF