Following on from the thread about Speedmasters recently featured on Antiques Roadshow - two have been featured recently including the previously mentioned 'Ultraman' - which, perhaps unsurprisingly, has just popped up at auction: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...aign=auction-alert&utm_content=lot-image-link Guide price (as per the AR expert's valuation) £30-40k. As the auction description says, full provenance and papers so an interesting piece. Also, on another recent show (29th Sept) was a less rare Speedy. The owner said her husband bought it from a jeweller's shop (it was displayed in a glass of water??) in 1970/71. The expert dated it to 'mid-70s' and used the bracelet reference number to date it - pointing to the 1175 as far as I could tell. This is a new one for me - I wasn't aware that bracelet reference numbers were related to year numbers (I have a 1171 bracelet on my '76 speedy). Perhaps he opened the caseback off camera? No long 'S' on the Speedmaster type and it appears to have a stepped dial, so you experts out there might be able to shed some more light on this. Also, the valuation of £5-6k seems toppy if this was a 'mid-70s piece. That would be 1974 reference?? Sorry of the screen grabs are blurry. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0008ztn/antiques-roadshow-series-42-lytham-hall-1
The ‘expert’ make a complete and utter balls up on identifying and valuing the second one. The bracelet code 1175 has nothing to do with the year ‘75. They actually date from 1970 to the late 70’s, with the JB Champion version continuing into the early 80’s. The lady was right about the watch, it’s probably a straight writing -69, bought as she says around 70/71.
I watched that episode as well. (the one where the 'expert' claimed the 1175 was the year. I don't know much about these things but I kind of sided with the owner who claimed her husband had bought the watch in 1971 If the watch was indeed displayed in a glass of water then I'd say it was a pre-owned one. (Would AD 'de-box' a brand new one and display in a glass of water?) One thing I thought strange was that the camera never gave us a 'back shot'. If "Flight qualified etc" was written on the back then I kind of feel the expert would have made a point of showing that to the camera to give him more to sound knowledgeable about. So, (I don't know much about 'long S' and different fonts etc but is it maybe a late 'pre' moon? (no engraving hence no back shot)
Regarding the Ultraman - is this the one that one OF member recently postet here on OF? It looks familiar. But wow what a wonderful watch in a great condition. But the price range on the auction is also wow
Antiques Roadshow expert By his own admission I don't think he is qualified to give expert assessment of a Speedmaster. "Strangely I see a lot of omega watches, but I rarely see the model of the speedmaster"
