All four of vintage speedmasters at last AQ auction did not reach reserve price. I guess it shows where we are with a market. Condition and originality are more important than ever. And it's not so much about a price as they were not estimateted high.
To compare I enclose all 4 watches pictures and a 2998 which was sold at Sothebys for $12,500 3 years ago. Really bad condition and ugly 2998. Price was quite low but still I guess it would not sell nowadays. What do you think?

BTW Ultraman looks fine for me. Serial number correct, orange hand looks legit. But no extract is no go I guess, right?

 

All of them are tired examples. No extract for the ultraman, but it’s not attractive anyway.
I’m sure you’re right, the 2998 wouldn’t sell today for $12500.

 

And some more pictures of Ultraman to judge:

 

Exactly! They're all tired ones. But I can imagine they would have been sold two years ago.

 

All watches in question (except Ultraman), had a starting bid EUR 10.000 (add 30% buyer premium). So a starting price of least13k.
The EdWhite (Lot 60) and 105.012 (Lot 61) look very tired. Although i would have liked to see the EdWhite in person, it might look not too bad life.

The 105.012 (Lot 62) has wrong bezel and Serial number out of range.

I am not surprised these didnt sell.

 

I think I know who the previous owner was...



(some bloke who shagged the life out of them )

 

I am no expert but the auction is local to me and I have never seen so many lots passed. Check out the Daytonas… ambitious estimates (or from a few months ago…) in a weak market?

 

You guys are wrong ;-)