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Omega Speedmaster 145.022 Rare Straight Writing "Moon Watch" Case Back, 1970 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Speedmaster 145.022 Rare Straight Writing "Moon Watch" Case Back, 1970

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1970
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
OMSPM69SRCB
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (OMSPM69SRCB)
Catalogue title (original)
1970 OMEGA Speedmaster 145.022 Rare Straight Writing "Moon Watch" Case Back (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number OMSPM69SRCB), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1970. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

(Alan Bean With An Omega Speedmaster Professional On Lunar Surface Of The Moon) The Omega Speedmaster Professional is by far one of our most favorite chronographs. The Speedmaster has an incredible history starting with automotive racing moving into flight and eventually to NASA and the U.S. Space Program. There are many subtle differences within the vintage Omega Speedmaster range of references that make them all slightly unique and different. This specific example is no exception as you will find that this 1974 Omega Speedmaster professional possesses the rare commemorative straight writing "moon watch" case back (145.022-69 inside) which was produced from late 1969 to roughly 1973. Based on the serial number this watch was produced in 1972 and is in fantastic condition.The straight writing case backs were Omega’s first commercial response to the Speedmaster’s involvement during the NASA 1969 Moon landings. There are actually three different variants of the straight writing case backs and these are quite rare due to the fact that they were only produced from 1970-1973 and were placed on a small number of actual production watches. (Buzz Aldrin Wearing His NASA Issued Omega Speedmaster Professional, Apollo 11) The step dial or "Pie Pan" Omega Speedmaster's possess a charm and feel that that the new modern equivalents don't seem to quite have. The Ref 145.022 with the workhorse Cal. 861 movement is clearly built to last. The Speedmaster looks great on the bracelet as well as a handcrafted leather strap. It is one of our favorite chronographs due to its timeless design and functionality. Its versatility to be paired with the most formal and the most casual of wardrobe also makes the Speedmaster a good choice for the first vintage timepiece and or a classic daily driver. SPECS Stock # OMSPM70SRCB Brand Omega Style Speedmaster Professional Model 145.022 Serial 29,XXX,XXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Black Millimeters 42 Bracelet Omega J/M Bracelet with 47 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The excellent thick case has very light patina from use but we believe the case remains in unpolished condition. The insert is free of any blemishing and remains in wonderful overall condition. The insert possesses a dot over 90 inserts that we believe was original to the watch as this is how we sourced the piece. The Omega J/M bracelet shows very minimal stretch and comes complete with 47 end links. DIAL & HANDS Amazing black matte "Step" dial is in immaculate vintage condition. The tritium markers on the dial and the tritium filled hands have achieved a wonderful creamy ivory like patina that matches perfectly. The dial and hands show no signs of lume degradation when inspected under U.V. Light ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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