Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and just wanted some help. I was thinking of purchasing this 105.003-65 speedmaster and just wanted some other advice and a second set of eyes before making one of my most substantial watch purchases ever! I have done a lot of my own checking, against the speedmaster101 site and the plethora of forum posts I could find on these vintage beauties and from what I can tell it seems legit. It has the DON bezel, some ageing, correct case back and doesn't seem too beat up. Not 100% what bracelet it comes on, waiting back for some more information. Any advice would be awesome!
Another Aussie, the main thing is factor in a service that won't be cheap in Aus or anywhere for that matter (Will leave the eagle eye to the knowledgable speedie boys here )
Let me try here and I am looking forward to be corrected by a more knowledgeable member: -Case : looks not so polished but difficult to see imho with the pics. -Caseback: double beveled case back is correct for this reference, with appropriate 105.003-65 marking. It does not looks overpolished as the seehorse is still well-defined eventhough few scratches are present -Pushers : Tall and short are correct for this reference -Crown : difficult to see but it looks like a service replacement to me. -Bezel: Correct DO90 bezel with a fair amount of corrosion -Dial : Correct and clean stepped pre-pro dial with shrunken tritium indexes. -Hands: Correct with tritium that matches nicely the dials indexes. Sub dial hands may be repainted as they look very white to me Movement looks clean. I could not see the serial precisely. According to speedmaster101.com, serial reference should be between 2282 7xxx and 2544 6xxx. I could not see it on your movement pic. The Oring looks quite recent so I would say that the watch has been serviced in the last years (+ caseback engravings), which would confirm the hypothetical crown swap. Please pardon me for any wrong/approximative statements I could have made on this one, just trying to practice a bit. Cheers !
Well the crown and pushers may have been swapped at a previous service, but this looks like a nice, honest watch to me. The grime around the bezel is a good sign and I doubt its been serviced for a while. It should clean up nicely after a basic service. If the price is right go for it.
I hope this watch is not expensive ...... cosmetically it looks very beat up. You see patina, I see old and damaged !
This IMO is a decent Ed and at a good price would be a reasonable play. Pushers seem wrong and can't tell about crown. Case looks sharp and dial and bezel original but worn for sure. Maybe a 5k watch assuming serial correct.
As long as the price isnt stupid, that could be a very good buy. It's one of those watches that has lots of potential and could look stunning after a responsible service. I'll wager a lot of the 'corrosion' is actually crusty mucky crap, that will come off, leaving a lovely watch. What's the ball park price?
The kind of watch to go for - has that "barnfind" type of feel. $5k is a no-brainer and the way things are going it's closer to a $10k watch.
I bet its an auction sale. In which case I would agree with MSNWatch in it reaches $10K. Just a hunch.......not my watch btw
Watch looks pretty worn. In addition to what has been said, it looks like the watch has chrono-creep. I would want to know the service history.
Thanks for all the pointers and thoughts guys, Taddyangle is correct in saying it is an auction so no idea on the price. But I think I will put a conservative bid in and hope it doesn't skyrocket (if only the AUD was stronger!) STANDY, any suggestions of a good antique service centre I Australia? Where could I find information about the correct pushers?
