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Omega Speedmaster Professional “Straight Writing”, Sold in 1975 — view 1 of 6
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Omega Speedmaster Professional “Straight Writing”, Sold in 1975

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
Sold in 1975
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
Stainless Steel
Dimensions
Diameter 42 mm
Stock no.
CUR54
Credit line
Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (CUR54)
Catalogue title (original)
Omega Speedmaster Professional “Straight Writing” (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number CUR54), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated Sold in 1975. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: Stainless Steel. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 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 — Watches of Knightsbridge

Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 145.022-69 with “Straight Writing” Nasa moon landing tribute case back, circa early 1970s (sold in 1975). This watch features its original stepped dial, bezel and 1175 Speedmaster bracelet. The original calibre 861 manual wind chronograph movement has the serial number 31,6xx,xxx which is within the correct range for this reference.

Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge

Reference: 145.022-69; Metal: Stainless Steel; Movement: Cal. 861, Manual Wind, Serial No. 31,6xxx,xxx; Case diameter: 42mm; Bracelet/strap: Original Omega Speedmaster 1175 Bracelet w/ 640 End Links

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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