Introduction
The purpose of the website is to assist the avid collector in finding, what the author will argue, is the “correct” original first Speedmaster to be produced with an automatic movement in a Moonwatch case.
This was model no. 376.0822 nicknamed The Holy Grail by the venerable Chuck Maddox.
Despite the limited production run of allegedly 2000 watches (200 on straps) over a two year period, a significant proportion of the watches in circulation today vary considerably from the original.
This guide is an attempt to navigate through the myriad of service parts, fakes, redials and inappropriate replacement parts, with which this iconic watch is beset.
The watch has been commonly seen with the following components –
- 3 bezel types
- 3 bracelets
- 4 end links
- 2 claimed case differences
- 2 crystal types
- crown and pushers
- 5 dial types
- 2 sets of minute and hour hands
- 3 types of chrono hands
- Thankfully only 1 movement
It needs to be appreciated that the study of vintage watches is always the study of probability as today’s accurate production methods were not those used 30 years ago.
Additionally, prior to the advent of the computers, record keeping was subject to its own idiosyncrasies and variabilities.
What the author has tried to do in establishing the true heritage of this watch, is to sift through many many hundreds of documents, archives, explanations, descriptions, commentaries, images, movement numbers and actual watches to come to what is effectively a consensus and thus this study should never be used dogmatically.
Latest Price News
Since the publication of this site the price of the watch has increased by over 50%. The latest price being £24,750 for a watch on a nato strap at a Christies auction in Hong Kong.
It is gratifying to see that collectors are now appreciating the qualities of this very rare watch.