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Here we look at all the limited production run watches up to 1978 and these can be listed as follows:
- Metallic dials on 1960’s watches, Grey or Blue
- Matt grey dials seen on 105003
- Black Racing Dials on 145.012’s in two executions
- Orange Hand on the 145.012 known as the Ultraman
- Grey Racing Dial fitted to the 145.022
- BA145022-69 in 18kt Yellow Gold
- 1975 145.022 Apollo – Soyuz
- Alaska III – a 145.022 produced in 1978 for NASA complying with “Buy American” legislation
Blue Metallic Dials
These appear in several executions, and not all are illustrated here. They have been see in long indices and short indices, (seen here). The are also seen with both professional and non professional markings.
The metallic dial has been seen in the following references:
- 2998
- 105002
- 105003 (The most commonly observed)
- 105012
- 145022
The sample size is too small to define which dial is seen in which reference.
There is also two different colours mentioned in extracts, a grey and blue.
Matt Grey Dial
This is different in that the finish is matt, and seems to degrade very easily. The dials often shows crumbling at the step, and sub dial junctions.
This watch was sold at Sothebys in July 2019, and is actually one of the best examples of this very rare dial I have seen – most are much more degraded than this.
All the examples I have examined are in poor condition.
Numbers known are so low that I cannot even guess accurately, and my wild guess is less than 10 seen.
Black Racing Dials
These are seen in Professional and non Professional versions. Unlike the standard dial, the Professional Black Racing has smaller subdials, and consequently shorter subdial hands. The central Chrono seconds is seen in several executions.
Unusually, the professional version is more sought after by collectors.
Values range from $40,000 to $100,000 and entirely depend on quality.
So far, the consensus between people who might know is that no more than 10 of each are known. However we all know that consensus is not the best foundation for any conclusion.
The Ultraman
is a 145.012 with an orange hand. This example was sold at Sothebys in July 2019 for
The length of the hour hand is particular to this reference and is often replaced with a shorter easily obtainable service item.
BA145.022-69 18kt
Initially there was a small run of 100 watches and this was increased to 1014 watches. The first were presented by Omega to the President, Vice President of USA, and then all NASA flown astronauts at the time of November 25, 1969.
The dials are marked OM and are 18kt gold.
The best article on these Gold Speedmasters is here written by Bradley Jacobs.
Grey Racing Dial
Seen in 145.022-69. Numbers are very limited, and some sources quote 50 pieces.
Note the centers of the hour and minute hands, these are painted black, and original.
Prices have risen strongly in the last four years, and now $40,000 to $75,000 depending on condition.
The Apollo Soyuz
This is one of the most desirable of these specials. It has a unique dial and case, with 5.5mm pushers and an oyster style bracelet. Prices are ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 and I detect a very strong demand for them.
They have a numbered case back, a modified mid-case and 5.5mm pushers.
They very rarely come onto the market and when they do, even watches with problems get sold.
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