I can't find any reference to this particular watch but it's vaguely familiar so apologies if it's already been discussed (please link if so...)

Up for auction today (18 April) is a Speedmaster 2998-61; I have no dog in this fight so am only an interested observer.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0014/lot-6c060868-f9ac-4355-99de-ab9301000db0








I can't help but think I've seen that clasp before but can't put my finger on it. Anyone else?

The watch has a variety of alarm bells, to my eye - overpolished to the point of looking like a bar of soap in some shots, I'm not sure about the sanctity of the hands, and I don't think those are original no 6 endlinks. And of course, there's the engraved clasp, no movement shots or serial number provided...

Opening price is £10k with a swingeing 32.4% buyer's commission, and shipping costs will probably add another couple of £100s unless the buyer wants to risk getting it shipped with only £2.5k insurance. Mind how you go

 

Damn I remember seeing that G.W engravings claps somewhere as well

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/2998-61-wrong-serial.112294/

This one has wrong serial

A very friendly member here checked the serial for me, 18046101 belongs to a Seamaster KO 14746

 

Opening price is £10k with a swingeing 32.4% buyer's commission, and shipping costs will probably add another couple of £100s unless the buyer wants to risk getting it shipped with only £2.5k insurance. Mind how you go [/QUOTE]



It begun lower. Current bid is 10.000 which is the low estimate

 

OK, well at the moment the auction will open it at 10K. It may have started lower previously.

 

Seamaster KO 14746 appears to be an automatic 503 movement? Whereas on ilovemyspeedmaster.com shows 18046101 as a 2988-4 from September 61 - just saying

 

Is that the serial no on the watch in auction? the description only lists it as 18xxxxxx - did you enquire directly to the auctioneers?

 

hammer price was £15000

 

Hammered at £15,000 on the auctioneers site so didn't get hit with the Saleroom premium. Only 26.4% commission, so total of nearly £19k...

 

That database just looks at the range of the serial # -- it does not check/ verify the serial number in the Omega archives to be sure it is from a Speedmaster. An extract is key.

 

Yes, I received that number and a picture of the number after inquirey

Serial number question was discussed here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/2998-61-wrong-serial.112294/

General consens seemed to be that the number is not in the correct range for a -61

 

I don't think 18,0xx,xxx serial is ever correct for ck2998. Besides the serial number issue, IMHO this is quite a lovely example with all other correct parts. While having the original #6 end links, the 7912 bracelet dated 3/61 that comes with the watch is a bit too early for the 2998-61 case back.

 

MWO says the 2998-4 ranges from 17762xxx - 18419xxx so it's possible that movement would be right for the -4 but -5, -6 and -6x all start at 18419xxx.

As to the lovely example with all correct parts, I'm not sure I agree. The pics aren't great but I don't think the 6 looks the right shape...






and the shape of the lugs looks more 1960s Datejust than 1960s Speedmaster...

 

That was also my impression when I saw it the first time! I had planned to make a large bid on it.

After I received the serial number my opinion started to change: I had discussions via PM about the watch and a very Speedmaster-experienced member said:

"This adds to my idea it was sent to a country auction to fool someone by a dealer." (I hope for the person who bought it that this isn't true)

So in the end I decided that I would never buy such an expensive watch when the serial number is to a very high probability wrong for that reference.

I'm not experienced enough to come to an conclusion if the end links and the hands are genuine.

So this was maybe a fake one or not - I will keep looking for another one!

 

True, but what I was saying was I never see a confirmed Extract for any 2998s that begins with 18,0xx,xxx serial. From my observation after 17,76x,xxx serial, it jumps to 18,4xx,xxx. Happy to be proved wrong.

I think you may be right.. The first picture of #6 isn't clear enough to indicate a correct 6, but the second one seems to show a correct one. Here're a couple more photos from the auction house showing dial, hands and bezel which made me say a lovely example from a quick glance. Once 18,0xx serial was confirmed, I just kinda lost my interest in it.

 

thanks - when I posted the pics of the 6 links, I did actually think the first one isn't right but the 2nd one could be. I suppose it's the kind of thing you'd really want to have in hand to decide what it's like. Someone took a bit of a punt on paying nearly £19K for this watch but when they have it in hand, they might be delighted