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1961 or 1962 speed master questions

STANDY
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Marsimaxam Marsimaxam
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 seller can negotiate a sellers premium and if a Auction wants significant pieces the sellers premium can be as low as zero.
EBay is not the place to sell goods worth $20k


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-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!

With provenance this could fetch a few more dollars. Don’t sell to any offers is my advice. Auction with time taken to get provenance
Edited:
 
kkt
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Knowing the provenance will increase the value to some buyers. See if you can find an auction house that knows how to market to his fans.
 
Seaborg
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It seems the dial and hands are very good and the patina is really lovely.
As already highlighted, this is a rare watch (not prepared by a dealer). This will sell easily at about 20-25k€.

Cheers.
 
Shabbaz
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Is it me or does it feel like a bunch of sharks the people who were pm'ing while it was'nt certain yet if the OP is selling? 🤮For now advice will do and after the OP is ready make a fair offer.
 
Wlcutter
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A aholmes
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!

That's *extremely* rad that it's Barry Lopez's watch; I don't imagine it causes a market increase (I don't know many modern writers whose watches would be more valuable because they belonged to them), but still. Extremely cool.
 
Larry S
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Is it me or does it feel like a bunch of sharks the people who were pm'ing while it was'nt certain yet if the OP is selling? 🤮For now advice will do and after the OP is ready make a fair offer.
Special :whipped: to the guy who offered 11k. A guy comes to this forum for advice and the sharks move right in.
 
gemini4
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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

plus a pair of original #6 end links. +$2k
 
rbob99
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arkman arkman
I have also heard very good things about Kelly Hunter at Art of the Watch in Portland.

Kelly is an excellent watchmaker who has serviced many of my watches including vintage Speedmasters.
@artofthewatch.com
 
eugeneandresson
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Great looking piece. Pity about the missing paint from the hands, and that oil-circle in the hours subregister (those two things are what’s ‘holding it back’ imho...the scratches are fine). Regardless, it should be worth quite a lot more than the initial purchase price. Death and taxes are the only guarantees when we are born...my condolences.
 
A
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45712D10-F849-4222-B75E-54F7F09DCD72.jpeg C3FE41C9-5243-49F1-8C48-2ED0062809BF.jpeg


For those that are following along I have some updates. I took it to a watchmaker here in town to open it up and take some pictures. A few notes:

1) the reference is 2998-5, and the serial number suggests early 1962

2) the movement is in “pretty good shape” but there are a few marks from a watchmaker and one screw that is slightly stripped. Some numbering on bridges.

3) it’s been repaired three times including twice in 1971 (other was not intelligible)

4) the 12-hour hand (in the sub-dial) looks like it has been changed/replaced

5) a little damage on second hand

6) hands have been re-lumed, but the #1 to 11 indices look original

7) Omega crystal

8 pusher buttons and crown are original

9) bezel is dented in several places

10) case and lugs are worn (over polished)
Edited:
 
Larry S
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An honest workin stiff watch with a provenance. SN is within range. Yea that oil stain is gonna hurt a bit. No beauty queen. Still great.
 
pdxleaf
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A aholmes
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.
I live in Portland. I will send you information on a contact here in PDX. I had a 145.012 serviced here. They know vintage.

Dave

Edit: just saw you found a watchmaker so are good to go.

If you want another contact you can pm me. Otherwise you have what you need.

Good to take care of family. No sudden moves. You did great research, much better than most. You made your finance's Dad proud.

Dave

Edit2: You may not want to service it. If you are selling it (per recommendations above), people may prefer the watch as is. Many people prefer to see the pre-serviced state and get it serviced themselves with their own watchmaker.) It could save you a few bucks and may improve your final price.

Others may disagree but I think this is true for quite a few collectors.
Edited:
 
Rumar89
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As has been previously recommended, Kelly Hunter (@art_of_the_watch on Instagram) is who I would go to locally. He’s serviced several of my pieces and the work has always been top notch.
 
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