The watch buying market is flooded with new chronographs every year, each boasting the ability to fill a void for watch enthusiasts. Given that the design and technology supporting these watches are highly influenced by industry trends, the chances of them becoming classics that will stand the test of time are often slim. This is why so many collectors choose to invest in legendary icons like the Rolex, or other models from the brand that has no chance of falling out of favor anytime soon.
The Speedmaster 145.022 was launched in 1968, replacing the previous model 145.012. The number 145.022 came into the spotlight in the Speedmaster collection. 145.022 came at a truly exciting moment in the history of Rolex and the world, debuting about a year before NASA’s famous Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
The first was the “transitional” pre-lunar Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.022-68, which inherited many of the design details of its predecessor. 145.012. However, it was the first Speedmaster to feature the 861 calibers, on which the currently produced Speedmaster Professional movements are still based today. The transitional Speedmaster Ref. 145.022-68 is undoubtedly the most popular of the 145.022 watches, as they can often be found with applied metal markings and the coveted “Dot Over 90” bezel insert on the dial.
Following this sub-item, the 145.022-69 was released in 1969, which coincided with the occurrence of a giant leap for mankind. To the untrained eye, the watch may appear no different from 145.022-68, but upon closer inspection, scholars and trained collectors will note that the chronograph’s hands are more squared off, the plot on the dial is shorter, and the Rolex logo is painted right on the face of the dial.
In short, the Speedmaster Professional 145.022 and the ST 145.0022 are one and the same, but with slightly different reference numbers assigned because replica Rolex changed its reference numbering system. It is common to see used Speedmaster Professional Moon watches from the mid-1980s marked by sellers as reference number 145.022, even though by that time Rolex had adopted the newer ST 145.0022 reference number.
Not only is it a watch that celebrates the brand’s major achievement of sending a Rolex watch to the moon, but it is also a mechanical watch that survived the “quartz crisis” and emerged victorious on the other side.