The serial number, found on the movement (but not to be confused with the caliber number of the movement), is the most helpful thing when it comes to determining the year of production. Although the -xx iterations give a good indication of the production year, that is not always the case. Speedmaster 145.022-69 with straight writing The famous “Dot Over Ninety” bezel was used for a while on the 145.022-69, but definitely not on all watches with this reference. As if that’s not enough confusion or possibilities, there are also different bezels and dials. Then, there was a very short moment in 1971 when the case backs had just the Speedmaster wording and the hippocampus medallion with no additional engraving at all. Later on, they featured the circular engraving as we still know it today. At first, these featured a straight script in two different versions - the rarer of the two with a mention of “APOLLO XI – 1969”. In 1971, Omega started to use case backs with an inscription to commemorate the moon landing. The first models of the 145.022 basically had the same case backs as the previous Speedmasters, with a large hippocampus engraved in the center accompanied by the word “Speedmaster”. The fun thing about the 145.022 references is that there are some very nice variations. It had a printed Omega logo on the dial, and aside from some of the special/limited editions and today’s Moonwatch with sapphire crystals, it stayed that way. Although you could say that its successor, reference 3590.50, could also be considered vintage by now, I want to stay with the 145.022 for this article (and choice). This means that there are quite a few small updates and iterations of the Speedmaster Professional 145.022. Together with the later 3570.50 (in production from 1997 to 2020), the reference 145.022 was used for an incredibly long time. The rare radial dial Speedmaster from 1978įrom that moment on, the number 145.022 was still used, but as a reference or part number for the case of the watch. But if you are just browsing Chrono24, auction sites, and forums, for example, the condition should always rule. Was it owned or worn by a loved one or a special person in your life? If so, the condition is not necessarily a decisive factor. When there’s a special connection or association with the watch of your choice, the condition may be less important. There might be an exception to all of this, though. Take this with a grain of salt, but you know what I mean, I guess. I have written it before, and I will write it again: I would rather buy a mint-condition, caliber 861 Speedmaster Professional than a caliber 321 Speedmaster Pre-Moon that looks like it has been run over by a train. Rather, the one that is in the best condition for your budget. Not the box and papers, not a caliber 321, and not even a DON bezel. What exactly does “best” mean when it comes to a vintage Speedmaster? Is it the price, the condition, the best bang-per-buck, or the oldest Speedmaster you can find? I would say it is a combination of these factors, but that the condition is the most important one for me. But I will explain why later.īuying the best vintage Omega Speedmaster Would I buy the 145.012 again if I were new to vintage Speedmasters? Probably not. When I bought my first Speedmaster, a reference 145.012-67 with caliber 321, it was about 50% of the price of a new Moonwatch at retail, and even cheaper than a pre-owned example with caliber (1円1. They certainly were very different when I started collecting vintage Omega Speedmasters. Things might be completely different in a few years from now. But at least I can give you a rundown of some of the options and tell you my preferences when it comes to buying a vintage Omega Speedmaster. I might like and buy a watch for a completely different reason than you do. It’s very difficult to advise you what to buy, as it’s an incredibly personal decision. But it is a very personal question, which applies not only to vintage Omega Speedmasters but also to watches in general. Especially with today’s prices on these watches, you need to be careful. It is also a very valid question, as it can be quite a minefield out there. And a lot doesn’t mean once per week, but at least a dozen times per week. “Which vintage Omega Speedmaster should I buy today?” We get this question a lot.
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