THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: OMEGA
MODEL: 145.022-69
YEAR: 1969
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 42mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

The last pre-Moon model in the Speedmaster range is  the 145.022-69 with the caseback that makes no reference to the Moon landing. The model was indeed conceived before the lunar landing, but it only went on sale months afterwards, in December 1969. Given its high production run, it is today the pre-Moon model most commonly seen in the pre-owned market.

The chocolate dials are most commonly seen in this reference, from 29.11xxxx serials up to 31.00xxxx, this one being 305xxxx. Singer who produced the dials kindly provided the reason why this happened to these dials in particular. The brass dials were coated in a nickel zinc alloy which had to be coated in a thin layer of nitro cellulose varnish in order to stop the nickel oxidising. The issue was the varnish was porous and not that great in quality, Singer actually replaced the varnish with a synthetic version a little later which was much more resistant to degradation. 

The brown hue that forms on the dial is actually the nickel plating oxidising. This is different to the milk chocolate dials you see on the earlier 321's (we also have one in stock) which was due to  UV, radiation, humidity etc. Either way, whether its milk or dark chocolate in colour, the effect is beautiful and highly collectible. 

The example we have here still retains its original form from the 60's, it also has the desirable 220 error bezel thats is most commonly seen on this model as Omega rectified the mistake around 1970. The case looks unpolished and shows signs of wear as you would expect. The hands still retain some of their original lume but have lume loss. 

The movement has been serviced in the last few months and is running at a superb  +4 s/d, 290 amps with a beat error of 0.0.