If you were to only buy one speedmaster and wanted something with MOTM reverence, versatility and a bit of vintage (preferably tritium), but good value for money. Something with great future collectability. Right now - with prices how they are, what reference would be number one on the list? Thanks

 

It's a million dollar question!
People on this forum appreciate when you make an effort and do your own research and come back with results.

 

3592.50? Nice tritium patina with pleasing yellow 863 movement. Accessible pricing too and some still unpolished / comes with original papers.

 

Trust me I have spent literally hrs and hrs over a couple of months now on this very question....

 

My conclusion..? there are alot of 321's out there sitting at high prices that have been sitting there for months and months... with sellers apparently refusing to lower prices... when we get to the sub 10K USD price range (and sellers genuinely want to sell) ..I missed out recently on a '67 sub 10K that I was too slow to pull the trigger on(sold by bgrisso), things get more interesting...

 

There are still some nice 145.022 models to be had from the seventies. Takes a little work but good examples can be found in the 4-4.5k range USD.

 

I believe is have the perfect ‘vintage’ starter. It’s a very late (1997) tritium model 145.022. The dial patina is creamy and in my opinion was priced well. It feels modern and I have no fears wearing it daily but looks vintage.

 

The phrase "good value for the money" has absolutely no meaning in the context of an entire Speedmaster reference, IMO. Some references are more desirable and therefore more expensive. Some references are less desirable and less expensive. You just need to decide what matters to you personally. Pre-moon or moonwatch? 321 or 861? Step-dial or flat-dial? You also need to have a budget. None of that information was included in your post so we can't help you at all. Opinions will be all over the place.

 

Ok - 321, tritium dial, stepped dial, no swapped parts, partic no "service" or relumed or fake lumed hands, unpolished case, less than 10K...

 

It would be pretty easy to find a 145.022-69 that meets those criteria, even with a bracelet. So if you're impatient, that's what I'd suggest.

But based on some of your posts above it sounds like you really want a cal 321 model. If so, you need to be extremely patient and scour every possible location you can find, not just eBay, OF, Chrono24, and dealers. You need to be beating the bushes at estate sales, watch shows, and flea markets. Join local watch groups and let other members know what you are looking for. Network and make friends. With some effort, I bet you will find one within a year, although you may have to compromise a bit on some things. It's not the end of the world if you need to replace a crown or bezel, if the rest of the watch is what you want, and priced right.

 

Totally get this. Thanks for taking the time to reply...

 

I forgot to mention auctions, especially lower-profile auction houses.

 

If you use the phrase MOTM, many on here will wince and be reminded of that that clown Archie Luxury so I would avoid it personally.

Well you can find a combination of those terms but it will be very tricky to find all of them in the same piece at that price, as you have already found. You need to compromise. Either on some of those criteria or on your $10K budget. One easy compromise for instance would be to accept an early 861 movement model as mentioned above. The unpolished part will be very tricky in a 50+ year old watch, most have had some kind of case intevention

 

One of these

Applied logo, steep dial, DON and tritium look.

 

Very cool - what's the reference? Shoot me a PM if you want to sell !

 

Speedmaster Tuesday 2

And why would I sell the best value Speedmaster

 

I agree. Nice looking example!

 

Yup. Best overall bang for buck Speedmaster is a 145.022/3950 IMHO. Am biased ‘cos bought this ‘91 145.022 a few months back for a very reasonable outlay. Wanted a no fuss tritium daily wearer and this hits the spot.

 

None. Buy a Seamaster.

 

I’m more interested in what Speedmaster the first WOTM will wear. That reference is bound to be the ‘best value’ of all references that landed on the moon.