Hi all, Just curious what is the production year/ shipment year of Speedmaster Professional 145.022-69 ST with S/N 316XXXXX ? I try to check with several Serial number reference sources and resulted from 1969,1970,1971,1972 and 1973 for the 31XXXXXX serial number. I understand those reference is only approximation with +/- 2 years variance. Probably some of you have Speedmaster Pro watch with S/N 31XXXXXX and have check with Bienne before, would you mind to share?
Movements weren't used in the strict sequence of the serial numbers, so people come up with different tables. There is a table in AJTT that lists the earliest date for use of serial numbers & it gives 1969 as the first year that 31M numbers were used. I've seen quite a few 1969 Speedies with 31M numbers.
So 31XXXXX movement production start at 1969 and it is used throughout until 1973? The speedmaster serial number list from Chuck Maddox refer 31XXXXXX to 1972 and 1973. I heard that Omega did not use S/N really in order during those time. Probably the best is inquiries to Bienne....but not yet in the mood for coughing up CHF 75 just for that paper .
It seems so If I had to choose I'd rely on the official table rather than Chuck for this sort of thing. Don't forget that Speedmasters weren't produced or delivered exactly in accordance with the dates on the case backs.
Interestingly Omega produce 28XXXX-31XXXX all in 1969 !!!!! It seems Moon landing makes them very busy in preparing production in anticipation of demand explosion. It may partially explain why they still have 1969 production movement in 1973 watch.