yep that pre-moon is pretty much my grail. Hope to find one this year. Will probably have a bit more wear for my price range. You have some amazing watches Larry.
Grail implies one watch to end all watches, something that we hope to find but realize may never happen. This isn't it because I found it, and, well, there is no such thing as a grail. BUT, it comes pretty close. 145.022-68 has the face of an angel and the classic heart of a warrior. It's not so old that it's arthritic whose parts are failing and can't be replaced. It's a quest to locate, especially one in good condition, and once you see it, you're seduced into wanting no other. This one is wearing some new clothes (the bezel and crystal), but it doesn't take away from her grace. Probably as close to a true grail as i will ever come.
Right now, my Grail is that exact watch (pre-Moon 145.022-69), which I owned from 2006 to 2013: My goal is to re-acquire it, because its absence has been haunting me for the last 9 years.
The ultimate daily wearrer, correct and beautiful in all appearances but not a museum piece to be sequestered.
I have one of mine: But, I still have too many on a long list of desires. Hard to identify any one “grail.” Maybe a CK2913 and a sharp 145.012-67 would round me out.
I've got some(many) on the list still but it was great to find this one and check it off my list of grails. A case ref. 166.028 with the orange seconds hand, the black flat ended hour/minute hands and the concentric circles dial.
Is that a birth year, 1958? Here is a 59. 1959 Vintage Omega Seamaster Ranchero Reference 2990-1 Stainless Steel – Second Time Around Watch Company
Seamaster chrono 105.005 with the 321 movement (steel silver dial) on a beads of rice bracelet. Still looking for a good example.
I found my Ranchero a few months ago and, yes, it’s a birth year watch. Photo below. The Seachero that you linked to has a lot wrong with it. For starters, the dial is in terrible shape and the subsecond hand is an incorrect replacement.