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1961 or 1962 speed master questions

A
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Hello,

my fiancé’s father recently passed. He had this vintage speed master in storage. Thinking it didn’t run because it needed a battery it was offered to me. Some internet research led me to believe it may be worth some money and that my fiancé’s mother should probably sell It to help with mounting expenses. If it’a only worth a bit I may offer her some money and keep it to restore. (It was given to me thinking it wasn’t worth more than a couple hundred bucks).

it is in pretty rough shape, but I suspect is all original, and now that it is wound appears to keep time well.

This is what I know (without having opened it up)

1) the bracelet is a 7912 stamped fourth quarter 1961 (I think anyway - it has a 4 centered above a 61)

2) the end links are number 6

3) alpha hands

4) says Swiss Made rather than T Swiss MadeT - indicating radium not tritium

5) it has a silver rehaut

I am still not certain if it is a 105002-62 (which would make sense given the date on the band clasp) or perhaps a 2998-61 and I have not attempted to open the back.

if it is not worth very much given the condition I would like to repair the band (several of the stretchy links appear blown out) and wear it. It has been sitting on a shelf for years if not decades - likely since the band loosened rendering it not wearable. I would be surprised if he ever serviced it (hence why I think it is all original.

so I guess my primary question is approximate worth given the worn bezel and scratches.

675E9CBD-8B9A-42D2-9DF7-C837B6D98DB8.jpeg
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B3E20D9E-87B3-4E17-AFBC-8FEF34BAB3CE.jpeg 4D82C5B4-D086-4733-B42C-D31A1E82A756.jpeg 1F6554BD-EB0F-4725-9DC2-2EFD2A29D225.jpeg 93735E7A-1D6D-45FF-A561-D6D21D3C04FA.jpeg B71BC2A0-EA9A-4E62-906B-C288A7E69233.jpeg 8AA6F97C-C540-4D2E-8710-FACD9D06AC12.jpeg 77053FAE-6903-4994-A37B-262EBAD6E18D.jpeg
DesignerV
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Condolences on your family's loss. This is an excellent find though, and kudos to you for having already done your homework.
 
kkt
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Don't worry about the wear on this. Sure, a completely pristine example would be worth more, but this will still be worth quite a bit more than a couple hundred $. I actually like to see them have some wear from honest use - these are tool watches, not going to the opera watches.

Have a watchmaker who works on vintage watches open the back so that you can take pictures of the movement and inside caseback. You could ask for a service estimate at the same time. (Not a watchmaker who replaces batteries at a mall kiosk!) If you don't know where to find such a watchmaker, post what city you're near and someone can probably help you.
 
A
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Thank you for this. I figured I shouldn’t try to open it myself. I live in Eugene, Oregon if anyone has a recommendation on who to bring it to.




kkt kkt
Don't worry about the wear on this. Sure, a completely pristine example would be worth more, but this will still be worth quite a bit more than a couple hundred $. I actually like to see them have some wear from honest use - these are tool watches, not going to the opera watches.

Have a watchmaker who works on vintage watches open the back so that you can take pictures of the movement and inside caseback. You could ask for a service estimate at the same time. (Not a watchmaker who replaces batteries at a mall kiosk!) If you don't know where to find such a watchmaker, post what city you're near and someone can probably help you.
 
watchyouwant
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Not worth much...... Serviced, running, crystal kept and polished only around $ 18000 plus..... Kind regards. Achim
 
Dan S
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It's worth quite a lot, despite some wear and tear.
 
arkman
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Do not under any circumstances take to a local watchmaker. Nesbit's in Seattle would probably be a good choice to have the watch evaluated.
 
Marsimaxam
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Sorry for the loss of your fiancee's father.

As others have mentioned, it will help , if you post an image of the movement and the inside of the caseback... that being said, you most likely have a 2998-x with a 7912/6 bracelet.

Being conservative in my estimate
Watch Head
Case fair 14K ( shows a lot of wear and tear, scratches, dings, etc)
bezel poor 8k (heavy wear )
dial good+ 25K ( hands look very nice as does the dial, polish the crystal, maybe a very good)

Average value of watch head = 15k - 15.5k
bracelet fair - 1.5k although stretched and worn, it is a rare bracelet and still worth substantial money

Total 16.5 -17K USD
 
kkt
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arkman arkman
Do not under any circumstances take to a local watchmaker. Nesbit's in Seattle would probably be a good choice to have the watch evaluated.

Nesbit's is good, but Eugene to Seattle is about 5 hours drive. Are there no good vintage watchmakers in Portland?
 
arkman
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kkt kkt
Nesbit's is good, but Eugene to Seattle is about 5 hours drive. Are there no good vintage watchmakers in Portland?

I have also heard very good things about Kelly Hunter at Art of the Watch in Portland.
 
A
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Marsimaxam Marsimaxam
Sorry for the loss of your fiancee's father.

As others have mentioned, it will help , if you post an image of the movement and the inside of the caseback... that being said, you most likely have a 2998-x with a 7912/6 bracelet.

Being conservative in my estimate
Watch Head
Case fair 14K ( shows a lot of wear and tear, scratches, dings, etc)
bezel poor 8k (heavy wear )
dial good+ 25K ( hands look very nice as does the dial, polish the crystal, maybe a very good)

Average value of watch head = 15k - 15.5k
bracelet fair - 1.5k although stretched and worn, it is a rare bracelet and still worth substantial money

Total 16.5 -17K USD


Thank you for this reply - I appreciate it. I will try to get a picture of the movement and case back soon and update here. With the numbers being thrown around I figure it will get sold rather than kept (unfortunately). Those that have made contact - I will respond before we put it out publicly.
 
BlackTalon
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A aholmes
Those that have made contact - I will respond before we put it out publicly.
Shoulda seen that one coming..

You can probably sell it for more than people are offering you via DMs.
 
kkt
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Sorry you won't be keeping it, but understandable. Have you seen if it runs? Just one turn of the crown should be enough to start it ticking if all is well. However, don't keep it running longer than for that one turn to wind down - the oil will be dry so it should be serviced before it's worn again. And if you're selling it, you should not have it serviced. Buyers will usually be happier getting a watchmaker they know to do the service than take the word of a buyer and watchmaker who they don't know. Same with any attempt to polish it or make it look better - it's worth more as a vintage watch with honest wear than it would be polished.

These are for you to put in your forsale ad when you decide to sell - I won't be bidding! I have a Speedy already and I'm happy with it, even though it's not as vintage as this one.
 
dsio
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That’s a pretty special piece, you’ll probably receive a pile of private messages from collectors, dealers and flippers alike, take your time before agreeing to anything and be careful to ensure any transaction is completed as safely and securely as possible.
 
A
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kkt kkt
Sorry you won't be keeping it, but understandable. Have you seen if it runs? Just one turn of the crown should be enough to start it ticking if all is well. However, don't keep it running longer than for that one turn to wind down - the oil will be dry so it should be serviced before it's worn again. And if you're selling it, you should not have it serviced. Buyers will usually be happier getting a watchmaker they know to do the service than take the word of a buyer and watchmaker who they don't know. Same with any attempt to polish it or make it look better - it's worth more as a vintage watch with honest wear than it would be polished.

These are for you to put in your forsale ad when you decide to sell - I won't be bidding! I have a Speedy already and I'm happy with it, even though it's not as vintage as this one.


Thanks for this bit of wisdom. I did wind it this morning and after 10 hours it is keeping true time. I will stop it now though....didn’t think at all about needing to be oiled.
 
STANDY
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This is a Auction piece to let people bid on.
It will take longer. But my advice is this is the way to go.
Sell as is don’t do a thing to it.
Don’t let someone buy it for 18k and sell it for 25k a few weeks later 😉

Auction will get you the best price........
 
Marsimaxam
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STANDY STANDY
This is a Auction piece to let people bid on.
It will take longer. But my advice is this is the way to go.
Sell as is don’t do a thing to it.
Don’t let someone buy it for 18k and sell it for 25k a few weeks later 😉

Auction will get you the best price........

Putting the watch for sale in an auction may get the seller more money, it may not, as, remember, auction houses charge a seller's premium which can range from 15% to 25%. Ebay charges 10% plus paypal charges 3%... all factors which must be taken into consideration.
I definitely hope the owner can get the most money for the watch, and the more educated the seller, the better the sell.
 
A
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STANDY STANDY
This is a Auction piece to let people bid on.
It will take longer. But my advice is this is the way to go.
Sell as is don’t do a thing to it.
Don’t let someone buy it for 18k and sell it for 25k a few weeks later 😉

Auction will get you the best price........
I think it will go to auction (but so far I like you all...rather than eBay. One of your members dm’d me basically offering 11k saying that it was a service (replacement?) crystal, that the chronograph hand had been re-lumed, and that the second and minute subdial hands were not original. I will seek more info since it wasn’t offered what drew him to those conclusions. I’ll keep digging. I’m not a watch guy, much less an Omega guy. I think our goal will be to get a fair price (maximizing what we can get without being greedy) and hopefully it ends up in the hands of someone who will treasure it rather than resell it.

I don’t know if it matters much to collectors, but it might matter to some.... this was Barry Lopez’s watch - he likely wore it in the arcttic while researching/living/writing his well loved books “Arctic Dreams”, and l Of Wolves and Men”, and the wear the watch shows represents travel to 30 or 40 countries. I’m glad it will bring some money in to his widow but also sad I cannot in good conscience keep it for myself!
Edited:
 
dsio
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A aholmes
I think it will go to auction (but so far I like you all...rather than eBay. One of your members dm’d me basically offering 11k saying that it was a service (replacement?) crystal, that the chronograph hand had been re-lined and that the second and minute sundial hands were not original. I’ll keep digging.

I don’t know if it matters much to collectors, but it might matter to some.... this was Barry Lopez’ watch - he likely wore it in the art tic while researching/living/writing Arctic Dreams, and Of Wolves and Men, and the wear represents travel to 30 or 40 countries. I’m glad it will bring some money in to his widow but also sad I cannot in good conscience keep it for myself!

Dealers will offer a lower amount yea, I would place it in an auction somewhere if I were in your position
 
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