Asian Finds

Spacefruit · Oct 19, 2023

After a long trip working in Asia, I am back in Fruit Towers with spoils. It is unusual to be able to find interesting and buyable Speedmasters, but this time was good.

1-2023-10-19 12-37-39 (B,Radius8,Smoothing4).jpg

The left is a 2998-5. It's in terrible shape, but each part appears original to the other, it has a triangle lume hour hand, and should clean up. It needs a crown. Of course, it was cheap. (to me)

On the right is a lovely 69; The dial is slightly brown, and it came on a later 1171.

I have to decide what to do to each.

omegastar · Oct 19, 2023

Sometimes, I wonder how you decide which Speedmaster you will wear for the day !

Spacefruit · Oct 19, 2023

Here is a closer look at the 2998. I don’t think it would look right if I re lume it.

1-2023-10-18%2017-38-09%20(B%2CRadius8%2CSmoothing4).jpeg

The triangle hand

Greenish bezel?

joe band · Oct 19, 2023

it has survived.

however, that '69 is quite lovely

watchyouwant · Oct 19, 2023

Spacefruit
Here is a closer look at the 2998. I don’t think it would look right if I re lume it.

The triangle hand

Greenish bezel?

Greenish/blueish bezels fine for that ref. Don't relume. Paint the counter hands and second center hand in a very dark egg shell/very light brownish colour and leave it at that.

pdxleaf · Oct 19, 2023

Interesting tire track pattern.

What do you think caused this? Are the dark spots paint remnants or metal decay? Did it deteriorate this way on its own or did someone previously try to address the hand condition?

Regardless, it's an interesting pattern that in my limited experience I have not seen.

cristos71 · Oct 19, 2023

pdxleaf
Interesting tire track pattern.

What do you think caused this? Are the dark spots paint remnants or metal decay? Did it deteriorate this way on its own or did someone previously try to address the hand condition?

Regardless, it's an interesting pattern that in my limited experience I have not seen.

Ah, the lesser spotted Zebra chrono seconds hand ( see what I did there? 🤦 ), very rare and only seen on the 2998-5 😉

SpdMastr · Oct 19, 2023

Spacefruit
Here is a closer look at the 2998. I don’t think it would look right if I re lume it.

The triangle hand

Greenish bezel?

So ugly that it’s beautiful!

Risto · Oct 19, 2023

Would not do much to 69 - looks great!
But, that 2998 is indeed a difficult case. After relume that dial still doesn't fit. When leaving as it is - that decay gets even worse over time, which is also a bit sad.

VonBenson · Oct 19, 2023

cristos71
Ah, the lesser spotted Zebra chrono seconds hand ( see what I did there? 🤦 ), very rare and only seen on the 2998-5 😉

ahead of its time?

joe band · Oct 20, 2023

VonBenson
ahead of its time?

aahgg. i just threw up a little bit in my mouth. seriously swatch?

Makesbelieve · Oct 20, 2023

I'm wondering @Spacefruit how you would rate both these watches on your scale. Does "terrible" = "poor" or is it a step below?

VonBenson · Oct 20, 2023

J joe band
aahgg. i just threw up a little bit in my mouth. seriously swatch?

Apologies - was supposed to be a little joke poking fun at where the moonswatch designers may have got inspiration for their 'interesting' limited edition chrono hands from.

It was not intended to make anyone physically ill and certainly not an attempt to cause offence towards William's lovely (to me) 2998 that has clearly led a life.

Probably seemed more amusing to me last night than it has come across - so sorry about that

VB

Spacefruit · Oct 20, 2023

Makesbelieve
I'm wondering @Spacefruit how you would rate both these watches on your scale. Does "terrible" = "poor" or is it a step below?

There are much worse examples to go into the poor category. It has some attributes that save this watch from POOR.

1. It has Alpha hands with triangle lume - this is very desirable.
2. It appears to be largely original, crown notwithstanding.
3. All the parts appear to have been together and aged alongside each other, giving the appearance of a genuine watch with parts that have been with it since new.

hansaboy · Oct 20, 2023

Spacefruit
There are much worse examples to go into the poor category. It has some attributes that save this watch from POOR.

1. It has Alpha hands with triangle lume - this is very desirable.
2. It appears to be largely original, crown notwithstanding.
3. All the parts appear to have been together and aged alongside each other, giving the appearance of a genuine watch with parts that have been with it since new.

Finally a new Video!

Thanks William - it has been s long wait...

👍

snunez · Oct 20, 2023

Spacefruit
After a long trip working in Asia, I am back in Fruit Towers with spoils. It is unusual to be able to find interesting and buyable Speedmasters, but this time was good.

So which country did you get these from? I often travel and work in Asia, but never thought to try my luck finding Speedmasters. It would make an interesting weekend diversion.

Davidt · Oct 20, 2023

I’m go against the grain here and say I would consider a relume on the 2998.

Does the current lume increase the attractiveness of the watch? Not for me.
Could a relume improve the watch? For me yes. I agree a poorly chosen relume would look jarring and out of place, but the right relume could lift the overall look while still being in keeping with the condition and finish of the dial body.

I also think a relume is a no regret option as for me, the current lume adds no value over a washed dial. Utterly subjective and I understand others may disagree, a relume would make this into a great daily wear 2998

pdxleaf · Oct 20, 2023

Davidt
I’m go against the grain here and say I would consider a relume on the 2998.

Does the current lume increase the attractiveness of the watch? Not for me.
Could a relume improve the watch? For me yes. I agree a poorly chosen relume would look jarring and out of place, but the right relume could lift the overall look while still being in keeping with the condition and finish of the dial body.

I also think a relume is a no regret option as for me, the current lume adds no value over a washed dial. Utterly subjective and I understand others may disagree, a relume would make this into a great daily wear 2998

When "fuzzy cat poop" can be a used to describe the lume, it's probably appropriate to consider a relume 😁

Spacefruit · Oct 22, 2023

Here is a close up of the 2911 serial, slight brown:

1-2023-10-22 07-11-29 (B,Radius8,Smoothing4).jpg

joe band · Oct 22, 2023

VonBenson
Apologies - was supposed to be a little joke poking fun at where the moonswatch designers may have got inspiration for their 'interesting' limited edition chrono hands from.

It was not intended to make anyone physically ill and certainly not an attempt to cause offence towards William's lovely (to me) 2998 that has clearly led a life.

Probably seemed more amusing to me last night than it has come across - so sorry about that

VB

it was more tongue-in-cheek than serious, however a moonwatch with a strawberry shortcake hand is a bit jarring...

Asian Finds

Spacefruit

omegastar

Spacefruit

joe band

watchyouwant

pdxleaf

cristos71

SpdMastr

Risto

VonBenson

joe band

Makesbelieve

VonBenson

Spacefruit

hansaboy

snunez

Davidt

pdxleaf

Spacefruit

joe band

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