Vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-69 Pre-Moon w/ 1039 Bracelet - SOLD
History was made on July 20th, 1969 when NASA astronauts first stepped foot on the moon. And strapped to the outside of their space suits was the Omega Speedmaster, a watch synonymous with the moon landing and arguably one of the most important watches ever made.
Shown here is the last of the Speedmaster references lacking a reference to the Apollo missions, the 145.022-69 "pre moon". This watch shows all of the key features of this reference, like the stepped dial, dot over ninety "DON" bezel, and the original 1039 flat-link bracelet.
This example was owned since new by a man named RS Bray, a US Navy pilot, veteran of the Korean war, and 32nd degree Freemason. He chose to have his USN engraved on the caseback along with his initials, with the latter also on the clasp. Mr. Bray passed away in 2013, and his Speedmaster was left in the care of his decades long business partner, who was the watch's custodian until we acquired it.
The watch has remained in excellent condition and retains all of its key original components, with the only replacement parts being service pushers and crystal. The original tritium stepped dial is in excellent condition with even lume and no discoloration or marks. The original tritium hands are also matching with intact lume and paint. The original dot over 90 bezel is also still present and in outstanding condition as pictured.
This is a very well preserved example of a pre-moon Speedmaster with provenance from new and essentially one owner for the 50 years since its production, an incredibly rare trait making this watch a very special piece.
Take a look at the photos and our condition description below:
Case: 42mm stainless steel case in excellent condition. The case shows minimal signs of wear and retains very crisp edges as shown. Pushers appear to be service replacements.
Bezel: Original dot over 90 "DON" bezel in excellent condition with minimal wear as pictured.
Dial/Hands: Dial is original matte black tritium in excellent condition and free of any staining, scratching, or damage with intact lume plots and an excellent even patina on the hour markers. Hands are also original tritium with matching patina and intact paint.
Caseback: Original pre-moon Hippocampus engraved caseback in excellent condition as shown with deep, crisp engravings. The caseback also has the original owner's name "RS Bray" and US Navy number engraved as pictured.
Crystal: Original Omega hesalite crystal free of any major scratching, chips, or cracking.
Movement: Caliber 861 manual wound chronograph movement. 30.58 million serial number dates production to circa mid-1970. The watch runs great, with all movement functions working as intended, including chronograph start, stop, and return to zero. Service history is unknown.
Bracelet/Strap: Original reference 1039 flat link stretch bracelet with 516 end links. The bracelet is in excellent condition with only minor surface wear on the links. There are many stretch links, all of which are tight. Bracelet is currently sized for a ~7.75" wrist with three extensions left on the clasp. The clasp has the original owner's initials "RSB" engraved on the clasp as pictured.
Accessories: None, sold as watch only.