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Omega Speedmaster ‘Pre-Moon’ Case Back 145.022-69ST, 1969 — view 1 of 6
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Omega Speedmaster ‘Pre-Moon’ Case Back 145.022-69ST, 1969

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1969
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
W-518
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-518)
Catalogue title (original)
Omega Speedmaster ‘Pre-Moon’ Case Back 145.022-69ST (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-518), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. 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 — Bulang & Sons

THE CLASSIC OMEGA SPEEDMASTER 145.022-69ST The Omega Speedmaster seems to be having its moment and we are delighted to be offering yet another beautiful example of this iconic chronograph. This particular version of the Speedy was produced for around two years and features the legendary caliber 861 movement. Our 145.022-69 houses a correct stepped dial with painted logo and ‘Professional’ third line of text. Dating to 1969, the actual year of the moonlanding , and might be a great gift to some one who turns 50 years old next year?! The bezel is the original and correct so-called ‘dot over 90’ version in outstanding condition. The stainless steel case is strong and the lugs remain sharp. The hands have taken on a slightly deeper patina to the hour markers. This Speedy comes on a reference 1171 steel bracelet, with reference 633 endlinks, in good used condition . The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and will come with a strap of your choice from our web shop*. - Reference 145.022-69st - Dating to 1969 - Movement Serial 2610xxx - Step dial - ‘Dot over 90’ bezel - Bracelet reference 1171 with 633 endlinks - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes one strap of your choice from our webshop*

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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