Seeking advice on this Vintage Speedy 145022-69 ST please

Greetings guys.

I need some help for what might possibly be my first Omega. I always wanted to own a Speedmaster since long, drawn by its history and great design, regard it as one of the best looking watch ever produced.

Recently an opportunity comes to get a vintage 145022-69ST from a friend. The cal.816 movement's serial number is 31,31X,XXX. Its not in the best of conditions, with some rusting on the case and the discolored hands (is it possible because of the tropical condition we live in? South East Asia), but the raised dial heavily attracted me.

I literally know almost nothing about Omegas and the vintages, so what I did are mostly web-based research. With respect with the seller, I'm quite aware there are many put-together Omegas out there.

Based on my web findings and close inspection, my conclusion is that the hands might have been changed (paints chipping near the middle pinion part? Or is it natural?), and the bracelet is not correct for the model. Biggest question is regarding the authenticity of the dial, since I haven't found that type of cal.321 era dial without the applied Omega logo, but printed instead - might it possibly be a "transitional" dial? Looking it through a loupe, the logo seems crisp and consistent with other parts of the dial - looks genuine to me. Anything else is quite vague to me. I would very much value your opinions please.

Here are some pictures I took with the kind permission of the seller:

One more thing: is it possible to have the watch taken to Omega and restore it with its original parts? i.e.: tritium hands, replace midcase, etc -- or just to leave it as it is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Arif

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I would leave it as it is.

By: grumio : May 6th, 2008-02:24

The bezel ring on yours is a little beaten up, but if it is still the original, I would leave it. I think the watch looks quite good otherwise. I have almost the exact same watch - a 'pre-moon' Speedmaster 145.022-69, cal 861. Serial number in the 29,XXX,...

Thanks. Yes, that fading bezel insert is

By: arif : May 6th, 2008-18:05

Nice example of a Classic watch...

By: Bill Sohne : May 6th, 2008-04:36

HI arif That is a nice example that shows it was used and not abused. The chipping of the paint could be just from a typical service ( paint scratched off when the hands were removed, it happends sometimes). The "black" fill of the hands is the luminous o...

I agree!

By: vernon : May 6th, 2008-14:20

I'm with Bill - I think it looks just great as it is and that it would be a shame to change anything. I have a '66 cal 321 and what attracted me is that (I think) it's pretty original and shows it's age and patina. In my opinion the Speedy is one watch wh...

The one I have is from the same year as yours, approx 1970 and is in the 29,6xx,xxx serial range and it looks pretty much exactly as yours does except the bracelet. If your hands have some paint chipped it could have been from being removed for a cleaning...