Speedmaster Bezel Details by Gino Balbi: Speedmaster
Bezel Details by Gino Balbi: First Model:
First model 1957 Speedmaster has a satin finish
metal bezel with engraved tachymeter scale. Word
letters and numbers black painted originally, the
word TACHIMÈTRE is continued with the BASE
1000 and has '-' on 'E' after 'M' of
'TACHYMÈTRE' . This bezel is present on Ref. CK2915 -1, -2
(1957 &endash; 1958) Diameter of 39mm. Second
Model: The second model is a black metal bezel with the
same script 'TACHYMÈTRE BASE 1000' . Word
letters and numbers are silver painted. The letter 'C' of 'TACHYMÈTRE' is open
and the '70' marker dot is positioned in low
position (70.). Third
Model: The third model come around the end of 1959,
from CK2998 &endash; 3 on. Is the same black bezel
but the script has lost the 'BASE 1000' and there
is only 'TACHYMÈTRE'. The letter 'C' of 'TACHYMÈTRE' is more
closed and narrow and the '70' marker has the same
writing as previous model (70.). This bezel is present from Ref. CK2998 -3 and
goes through all 105.xxx series, untill 145.012
(1959 &endash; 1968). Diameter of 40mm. Fourth Model:
From middle 1968 the new ref. ST145.022 (c.861)
featured a new bezel. There is no '-' on 'E' after 'M' of 'TACHYMETRE'
and the '70' marker dot is positioned on side
(70·). This bezel is present on Ref 145.022 (c.861)
(1968 &endash; 1990). Diameter of 40mm. Fifth Model:
At the beginning of the nineties the bezel
featured a larger 'C', there is no '-' on 'E' after
'M' of 'TACHYMETRE' and the '70' marker dot is
positioned on side as previous model
(70·). This bezel is present on Ref 145.022 (c.861)
(1990 &endash; 1995). Diameter of 40mm. Sixth Model:
From middle 1995 the bezel change again,
reappear '-' on 'E' after 'M' of 'TACHYMETRE' and
the ' 70' marker dot is positioned lower than
second and third model (70.). This bezel is present on Ref 145.022 (c.861)
(1995 >>>). Diameter of 40mm.