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Omega Speedmaster Professional 345.808 rare Copper movement with, mid 1980s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Speedmaster Professional 345.808 rare Copper movement with, mid 1980s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
mid 1980s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
W-2482
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2482)
Catalogue title (original)
Omega Speedmaster Professional 345.808 rare Copper movement with box and papers (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2482), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated mid 1980s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. 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

This is a very rare Speedmaster that was the first steel model to feature a display case back , at that time that this was for certain not common for brands even Patek did only have these on very specific models and /or costumers wish .. Making the view that extra bit special, the manual wind calibre 863 movements were all copper coloured. A limited edition of 1000 pieces, this is number 02xx. These watches were also fitted with reference 1447 bracelets, that were similar to Rolex President bands: watch comes on an Omega reference 1447 with 805 endlinks, with a quick release function inside the clasp... If you’re looking for something that extra special, this Speedy is exactly what you need! The case of this Speedmaster is strong all round, the lugs remain crisp and the special case back engravings still very clear. We believe that this is the only Speedy to have the reference between the lugs too! So quite some unique features for this watch .. The watch comes with the inner and numbered outer boxes and the guarantee papers. The calibre 863 movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. This is a very important Speedmaster and a trophy for 1980s Speedmasters collectors. We would be delighted to discuss it more with you – get in touch! Specifications: - Reference 345.808 - 42 mm steel case - Limited Edition case back engraving - limited no 02xx - Dating to mid 1980s - Cal 863 movement “Copper” - Movement Serial 4816xxxx - Guarantee papers, inner and outer boxes - Omega steel bracelet reference 1447 - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch

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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