2998-6 with FAP provenance just went on the bay

dootcho · May 4, 2023

So I just followed this auction,

I have limited knowledge on speedies, even less on special editions so I looked at it as if it was a normal 2996, I then added my risk weighting for expensive purchases from overseas sellers on the bay even though the seller looked reputable (but I am quite risk averse).

I’m sure I was not the only one following, it just went for 14k which I feel like is a very good price, i could see that the midcase condition was poor, maybe some light marks on the deal, and due to unclear movement picture I couldn’t quite read movement serial and the extract was mostly covered which is unfortunate, the rest seemed definitely worth 14k or more and there is a great story and some extra swag (the pilot’s helmet) that just adds to the background of this 2998

Happy to hear anyone’s thought and see if I should have bid higher

thanks
Duccio

kpaxsg · May 4, 2023

I thought he would have ship both together with the helmet giving the watch plenty of protection, that is if he knows how to pack it 😀

pdxleaf · May 4, 2023

The bits looked correct, it had a bracelet. The bezel wasn't terrible and had a ding in it that looked like it came with the watch originally. The dial wasn't a nice even color but I couldn't see sratches or stains. Zooming on the serial number, it was correct. The case had that rust, and the lume was pretty deteriorated. Still, I'd have worn it at 10k. When it jumped to 14k in the last 30 seconds or so, it was completing against nicer condition watches. No thanks.

I don't get the helmut. Why would a Spanish speaking pilot have English words on his helmet? Also, why would an air force pilot have 'Navy' on his helmet? The helmet was more off-putting than helpful.

watchyouwant · May 4, 2023

Cheap , if the movement number is the same on the EoA. Case condition a bit puzzling, but with micro welding an easy fix. Yes, you should have bid higher. Not many around...

Dan S · May 4, 2023

I think it really depends on how much the FAP connection means to you, for me, it's not compelling. And I didn't really like the condition of case, bezel, dial, and hands. Personally, I'd rather have one without the provenance in better condition. So I didn't bid on it at all.

That said, it's possible that the market value might be higher ... it just wasn't appealing to me.

dootcho · May 4, 2023

pdxleaf
Why would a Spanish speaking pilot have English words on his helmet? Also, why would an air force pilot have 'Navy' on his helmet?

No idea about that, have to make a note to visit a FAP museum when I am in Lima 😁. Another bit I didn’t like was that it would be shipped separately and it would cost $250..

Arancio601 · May 4, 2023

so the mid case damage, is that corrosion?

watchyouwant · May 4, 2023

dootcho · May 4, 2023

watchyouwant
Cheap , if the movement number is the same on the EoA. Case condition a bit puzzling, but with micro welding an easy fix. Yes, you should have bid higher. Not many around...

Dan S
I think it really depends on how much the FAP connection means to you, for me, it's not compelling. And I didn't really like the condition of case, bezel, dial, and hands. Personally, I'd rather have one without the provenance in better condition. So I didn't bid on it at all.

Thanks for your input, different views both with their own fair rationale. To me the connection with the Peruvian Air Force has a cool factor to it, on the other side the watch needed some additional work which would have added to the cost but looking at current s101 price list it could have stayed below the budget for a ”good” piece..

Aludic · May 5, 2023

pdxleaf
I don't get the helmut. Why would a Spanish speaking pilot have English words on his helmet? Also, why would an air force pilot have 'Navy' on his helmet? The helmet was more off-putting than helpful.

Agree, this is a bit strange. At the same time, up to the coup d’etat in 1968, Peru and the U.S. were ally’s. Moreover, the FAP planes in the early 60s were all US or UK made. So, a Peruvian pilot having had quite some exposure to the English language, possibly during their training, is a possibility.

What surprised me more about this listing us the very good state if the flat link and EL’s, compared to the rest of the watch…

Either way, I think this watch went at the lower end of its estimated value. Not a real bargain, certainly not very expensive either.

BLOW UP · May 5, 2023

At that price, worth a punt, I only do it with with PayPal protection 😉

daderaz · May 5, 2023

For what it takes, and for smaller amounts, I've bought from that seller before and he is reliable.

PlainVanilla · May 5, 2023

*Insert random bad taste joke about FAP*

watchyouwant · May 5, 2023

PlainVanilla
*Insert random bad taste joke about FAP*

That Joke will fizzle out when you have one of the Military issued FAP Rolex Chronograph's .... Then we talk about real money.

Mods · May 6, 2023

Dan S
I think it really depends on how much the FAP connection means to you, for me, it's not compelling. And I didn't really like the condition of case, bezel, dial, and hands. Personally, I'd rather have one without the provenance in better condition. So I didn't bid on it at all.

That said, it's possible that the market value might be higher ... it just wasn't appealing to me.

yeah I 100% agree

eugeneandresson · May 6, 2023

PlainVanilla
*Insert random bad taste joke about FAP*

…FAP FAP FAP…

watchyouwant
That Joke will fizzle out when you have one of the Military issued FAP Rolex Chronograph's .... Then we talk about real money.

…FAP FAP FAP FAP FAP…

😀

</Bad Taste>

PlainVanilla · May 6, 2023

Dan S
the FAP connection

😎