2998-1 - Just acquired one- I know there are some more rare than others- how can I tell?

 

Post pictures to start.

 

Need pic

 

here are some photos- any help & info would be great!

 

I'll take a stab at the value
but there are others here that would
give a better idea. If movement is correct,
if the bracelet is correct, caseback correct and nice,
and the box and papers are correct for
the 2998-1, I would say $20k ballpark.
Is it for sale?

 

From my experience $20,000 is asked by European dealers for brown dials. Or perfect examples in Burlington Arcade in London. I have never met anyone who paid that for a black dial 2998-1. Or met a seller who sold one. They may exist, I just don't know them.

This is watch needs investigation, though from what we see it is interesting. It does look well used. The crystal is broken, the bezel on crooked, the bracelet is stretched. It does not look cared for.

We need to check the movement, both for condition and the number.

The box and papers are fun to look at, and while initially exiting, I don't see anything with a number on it to show it is in fact this watch's box and paperwork, so I would like to see that.

I would want to put a loupe on those dial plots. I want to make sure they are 100% original and not re painted.

In summary, it's a great project, especially if you have a good watchmaker who has parts, and is extremely familiar with 321's.

For value, I see $6000-8000 - there are a couple of things that will increase my figure:
If the papers are shown to match
If the movement is complete and correct serial, not requiring major restoration
If the dial has not been relumed
The bracelet is 7912 with correct date stamps and endpieces
The base 1000 bezel is better than it looks.

In my experience a good 2998-1 with a base 1000 bezel without bracelet and recently serviced sells for about USD10,000 between collectors. So if all it needs is a service and bracelet restoration, it doesn't take a mathematician to come to a figure.

Lovely watch by the way, in case that wasn't clear!

 

Is that the same watch?

 

Here's my dilemma: This is the kind of Speedmaster I'd like to own, including the entire package, and in the same condition. The problem is there are dozens of watches I'd rather have instead for the kind of money I'd have to shell out for something like that. What would it cost to grab something like that - $14,000? Maybe more? And to be honest, I think I'd rather have a new kitchen or man cave instead because I know that Speedmasters don't sit well on my wrist. This is why I don't own a Speedmaster of any kind.

Don't get offended if you're a Speed Freak. To each his own.

 

New kitchen? Man cave? Definitely should be first.
But here's the thing-
IMHO, owning one of these is like owning a 6263 Daytona before
they went crazy. You will be better off owning one of these than
3 or 4 constellation's(5513 Submariner's). Supply extremely
limited, high cross generational desirability, intrinsic beauty,
and the selection for Moon mission use because of it's superior
performance, make this watch the perfect investment and as
good as it gets as far as a rewarding collector experience.

 

I know you understand all this Dennis, you're a savy collector for sure.
Just reminding you and maybe helping you to take the plunge.

 

so what happen to this nice set shown on top? I do not understand why people especially have hurt those old BAS1000 bezels
They are almost always of that condition though there are many nice dot-over-90 bezels out there
It looks like it was a working horse. And somebody even put the bezel upside down ...

 

Is there a story about where the watch came from? Not something you see pop up every day. Just wondering...

 

If those plots are original, then that dial is stunning. Radium has a much nicer tone than tritium.

I think we'd all be interested to see what you do with this...