http://whitelabel.globalauctionplat...a4f300e8d504?clienturl=watchesofknightsbridge Looks in pretty good shape, but as always little detail in the pictures. Lume is nicely patina'd. Bezel is in good shape. Hard to tell re: case or movement. Estimate is 6k-8k gbp. What do we think it will ACTUALLY go for?
Lets put a picture from the site: Wrong bezel, otherwise correctly appointed. Triangle lume on the hour hand - i prefer this style, obviously contemporary. Correct hand layout, with stick subdials and spear chrono. cant see case condition. Cant quite see what the pushers are, they may be originals that I am not familiar with - I have learned that pushers changed over the years. No movement number It is a -62, so least desirable of the 2998's Dial is potentially poor. The body colour looks "dry", slightly grey, and damaged. It shows some marks on the subdials, including a hand scratch. The lume looks in very good condition, strange given the condition of the dial. The dial itself would need careful inspection in hand to establish that it is the correct contemporary dial, not altered in any way. There are so few of these on the market I suspect competition for this might be strong, perhaps up to £10,000 plus the (almost usurious) commission of 21% if you use the Internet. It would not be crazy money for a watch that apart from the bezel, (and pending a correct movement) is pretty much correctly appointed. Buying a 2998 is, because of the extreme shortage on the market, a compromise. There are not many 100% correct examples in people's collections, and on the market there are even less. It is all about compromise and making a value judgment and seeing what you can live with, or think you can improve. In the example above, it will be a simple matter to source a new bezel, as long as you have the money. About $1500 ought to do it. Here is a 2998-62: It has the wrong sub dial hands (Pretty common to see this actually) and the bezel is tired. This just shows that you have to make allowances if you want to own one. It is unlikely a perfect one will present itself. This one is pretty good. Bezel has some marks, but just look at that dial! The hands are correct, and although it is fantastic, there is one issue, the lack of a silver rehaut. This is not a big deal, but underlines, yet again, that nothing is perfect. So it will be interesting to see what this sells for. More on 2998's here: http://speedmaster101.com/2998-3/
Bezel is actually a service replacement. Chrono hand too I think. Not totally sure about the lume. Looks nice. Too nice? Edit: what spacefruit said!
I don't think the dial, which unfortunately in scatched, is relumed. We see many late model 2998s and 105.002 with very nice orange, firm plots. This dial is similar. I really like the hour and minute hands on this watch. They are the correct, impossible to find, triangular lume hands in great condition. I think the chrono hand, which lume matches the dial, is ok too.
My concern with the dial is that the condition of the plots does not match the condition of the body of the dial. Whatever caused the dial to degrade, appears not to have affected the plots. As I don't know enough about reluming and degradation, this fact would make me want to examine them first hand to eliminate the admittedly small chance there is some alteration on the dial.
Well they all are really disirable at the present time. As the 2998-62 is the last 2998, it might be considered less in demand than the earlier references. The 62 lacks some of the vintage parts of the earlier 2998s, ie flat dial, base 1000 bezel, leaf sub hands, straight and lollipop chrono hand. But then again, so does the 2998-6 and 2998-61. The 62 also seem to be more plentiful although I have no idea if that is confirmed by the production numbers. In MWO, the 2998-6, 61 and 62 are lumped together on the same pages so I don't think Omega knows either.
Couple of days ago I asked for more pictures because the dial looks in potentially poor condition as @Spacefruit mentioned. They claim it's in excellent condition. Guess I was hoping the scratches are just on the crystal. Will share the response if I get one. Will be one of the few WoK watches I will follow.
If WoK (and Philips) are anything to go by, this one could be in the upper 20's.. a few key questions notwithstanding..
Upper 20"s ??? As in over $25,000 ??? with the wrong bezel and a scratched dial? Would like to see it but I don't think so. Are you referring to those Neighbor to the North Loonie dollars?
in Loonies, it'll cost like $50K~! remember these? http://www.phillips.com/detail/OMEGA/CH080215/217 http://speedmaster101.com/blog/auction-results-geneva-may-2015/ (bargain for the 105.002 imho)
It's funny, because for a while the 105.003's were the "least desirable" straight lugs and since late last year, they've been on a tear (for correct/original pieces). Fact is, all of the straight lug Speedies are immensely popular and have risen in value quite a bit over the last two years. 2998's are going to carry a hefty premium, regardless of the year (IMO).
Here are some pics. In addition to everyone's observations, the crown looks like a service replacement. "There is small amount of dirt on the dial in the sub dial at 6 o’clock. There is also some slight hand drag in the continuous seconds and hours sub dials." I'm curious what it will sell for. Won't fetch $20k+ from anyone here.
nice clear pictures though. at least you have a better idea what you're bidding on, if you're bidding.