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  1. Baz9614 Jun 21, 2016

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    Back in mid December 2015 I acquired my first SM300 165024, which also happens to be the even more rare Big Triangle variation. The seller was a gentleman in Durban South Africa, described the watch as a one owner, with original box, 1506 bracelet, and #16 endlinks. Peter said he was selling the watch for an elderly lady in her 80's that he met in a retirement home while visiting a family member. Her husband, Erhard Niebuhr, is described as a simple, hard working man, that enjoyed boating, fishing and other water sports, and had purchased the watch new in his 30's and had unfortunately passed away earlier in 2015.
    As with any vintage purchase, you don't really know with 100% certainly that the story is accurate, however, after having the movement overhauled this past May, I requested an Extract of the Archives that arrived today! I am happy to say, this SM300 BT165024 was in deed delivered to South Africa in August of 1966, which, at the very least, supports the story, and satisfies me of its originality.
    image.jpg

    Took this pic the moment it arrived and I had unwrapped it.
    image.jpg

    Taken at some point during overhaul
    image.jpg
    Before service with non signed crystal, but one of my favourite pics! Honest and a little wrinkly
    image.jpg
     
    bbdjohnny, Eddy C., Pahawi and 21 others like this.
  2. pitpro Likes the game. Jun 21, 2016

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    Way to go!
     
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  3. Dgercp Jun 21, 2016

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    A gem !!!
    Thanks for sharing.
     
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  4. gemini4 Hoarder Of Speed et alia Jun 21, 2016

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    Sweet!
     
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  5. rollingrevolver Jun 22, 2016

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    Love it! The big triangle variants are something special imho, and with a story like that it's even better. :thumbsup:
     
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  6. RCAFBuster Jun 22, 2016

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    Cracking wonderful SM.
     
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  7. kox Jun 22, 2016

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    Congrats...and very interesting.
    This is one of the earliest 165.024 BT's I've ever seen. "Normally" in this serial range/production months (2379x / summer 66), we see a 12 o'clock marker dial, stick hands and type 2 bezel, but also yours type 3.
    And subreference 165.024-64.
    Just like my serial 2379x, 165.024-64 below left (with type 1 bezel right now, but did came to me with the type 2). Mine also with a 1506/16 bracelet.

    Anyway, "normal" assumption on the BT dial, is that it was introduced along with/after the W10 military version in 1967 and finally with the RN300 official MoD specs in 67/68 and then in the same year (late 67, early 68) introduced into the civilian versions.

    So, perhaps yours was a pre-run, or parts were exchanged at service... or the above "normal" assumptions are just wrong in this case /the transitional period started earlier and lasted longer ;-)

    Would be interesting to know if the caseback on your's is a straight 165.024 without subreference or a 165.024-64??


    20150301_165205.jpg
     
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  8. Baz9614 Jun 22, 2016

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    Thank you for this info Kox, I welcome all the input I can get! The case back shows 165024-64 with no dot. See below image.jpg
     
  9. JohnSteed Jun 22, 2016

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    Congrats!!
     
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  10. kox Jun 22, 2016

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    You're welcome.
    Ok, then I don't believe the watch left the factory with the BT dial per my reasoning above. Sorry ... just my opinion of course.
     
  11. Baz9614 Jun 22, 2016

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    No apologies required Kox. It's a 50 year old watch, that sounds like it was used as intended throughout its life, so very possibly had some parts replaced! The details and timelines you have provided are the valuable bits of knowledge I'm looking for here. Thanks again!
     
    Edited Jun 22, 2016
    OMGRLX likes this.
  12. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Jun 22, 2016

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    Great story and great watch, congrats. Those one owners are always the best.
     
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  13. Eddy C. Jun 22, 2016

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    Oh man, I'm really jealous. Great job on acquiring this.

    Typical vintage SM300 with the lume in the hands partly gone. Please keep it that way :thumbsup:
     
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