Autheticity Check Omega Speedmaster

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What did they pay the poor bastard who sold it to them!?
 
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That’s unreal. You have to wonder what price they paid for it! Also, their usual “wholesaler” seems to have a good thing going!
 
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Very good buy, and kind of weird given that google is at everyone's fingertips.
 
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I showed ChatGPT the photo and asked for value.

The watch in the image is an Omega Speedmaster Professional, commonly referred to as the "Moonwatch." Based on visible characteristics—like the stepped dial, applied logo, and general wear—it appears to be a vintage model, possibly from the 1960s or early 1970s. These details significantly affect its value.

Factors Influencing the Value:​

  1. Model Reference and Movement:
    • If it's a Ref. 145.012 or Ref. 105.012, which were used during NASA's Apollo missions, it could fetch $7,000 to $12,000+, depending on condition and originality.
    • A 321 movement (pre-1969) would greatly increase its value compared to the later 861 movements.
  2. Condition:
    • The watch shows heavy wear and a scratched crystal, which will detract from value unless left intentionally for vintage appeal.
    • Original tritium lume (with patina) and don bezel (dot over 90) can add significant value if intact.
  3. Bracelet:
    • The bracelet appears vintage and original, possibly a 1039 or 1171—these can be worth $500–$2,000 alone depending on reference and condition.
  4. Papers/Box/Service History:
    • Complete sets or watches with documented service history command higher prices.

Estimated Value Range (as shown):​

  • Low end (heavily worn, needs service): $4,500–6,000
  • Mid-range (clean, mostly original): $7,000–9,000
  • High end (well-preserved, rare ref., 321 movement, original parts): $10,000–15,000+

If you'd like help narrowing it down, I can assist if you can provide:

  • The reference number (on caseback or between lugs)
  • The serial number (on movement)
  • A photo of the movement
  • Caseback interior photo if possible
These details will make it much easier to provide a precise valuation.
 
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As noted above, it outwardly appears to be a 105.012-66 CB, and at first glance it looks quite original, in fair-to-good condition for its age.
 
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Yeah, ChatGPT says that most pawn shops don't use ChatGPT. But if you can find one that does, maybe they will pay you more for the watch.
 
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I showed ChatGPT the photo and asked for value.

The watch in the image is an Omega Speedmaster Professional, commonly referred to as the "Moonwatch." Based on visible characteristics—like the stepped dial, applied logo, and general wear—it appears to be a vintage model, possibly from the 1960s or early 1970s. These details significantly affect its value.

Factors Influencing the Value:​

  1. Model Reference and Movement:
    • If it's a Ref. 145.012 or Ref. 105.012, which were used during NASA's Apollo missions, it could fetch $7,000 to $12,000+, depending on condition and originality.
    • A 321 movement (pre-1969) would greatly increase its value compared to the later 861 movements.
  2. Condition:
    • The watch shows heavy wear and a scratched crystal, which will detract from value unless left intentionally for vintage appeal.
    • Original tritium lume (with patina) and don bezel (dot over 90) can add significant value if intact.
  3. Bracelet:
    • The bracelet appears vintage and original, possibly a 1039 or 1171—these can be worth $500–$2,000 alone depending on reference and condition.
  4. Papers/Box/Service History:
    • Complete sets or watches with documented service history command higher prices.

Estimated Value Range (as shown):​

  • Low end (heavily worn, needs service): $4,500–6,000
  • Mid-range (clean, mostly original): $7,000–9,000
  • High end (well-preserved, rare ref., 321 movement, original parts): $10,000–15,000+

If you'd like help narrowing it down, I can assist if you can provide:

  • The reference number (on caseback or between lugs)
  • The serial number (on movement)
  • A photo of the movement
  • Caseback interior photo if possible
These details will make it much easier to provide a precise valuation.

Super interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
 
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Super interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
It's pretty on target. Although, given all the nuanced observations it made, I don't know why it even considered that the bracelet might be a 1039.
 
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Well here it is folks, I ended up going back to the pawnshop and offering them $500. They came back and said they have a wholesaler who buys all their watches but they want to make another relationship with a buyer and said if I could match his price of $900 it was mine. I bought it for $900 + taxes. What are you're thoughts? Where should I start with this assuming its worth a lot.

Wow. And I thought I got the deal of a lifetime when I bought a Speedy similar to this for $1000 … 20 years ago!

You should buy a lottery ticket today, too.
 
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Thanks all....now how should I go about selling this? I'm ordering a tool to take off the bracelet and take the back off to confirm all that it has.
 
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Thanks all....now how should I go about selling this?
Probably the same way you usually sell things.
 
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I’m surprised there is usually one guy in a pawnshop who knows watches. The fact they let this happen seems so strange. Good on you though. That is a crazy score
 
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Thanks all....now how should I go about selling this? I'm ordering a tool to take off the bracelet and take the back off to confirm all that it has.
I would take it to watchmaker for that if you scratch it or bugger it up it will lower value.
Take good quality photos of movement with serial number and inside Caseback
 
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Thanks all....now how should I go about selling this? I'm ordering a tool to take off the bracelet and take the back off to confirm all that it has.
Aren’t you keeping it?

If you’re happy to take a small loss you could always sell it back to the pawn shop. Alternatively, stick it on eBay.
 
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WOW!
First - huge congrats to the Speedy deal of the decade!
All of us here envy you!
👍👍👍

But I am trying to sort/straighten out everything here…

The OP posts a picture of a Speedy, ask some questions (value to purchase the watch),
and the Forum starts giving helpful advise, which we always do!
A few hours later, the OP buys the watch for an amazing price!
Since the amount is in $, the deal went down in the US and A.

And looking at the linked pictures, the watch looks very promising.

All this happened in a day!!!!


Pweeewwww…And I thought that I am good at scoring watches….😒


A few questions:
How can the pawnshop not be aware of the value?
They make their living buying and selling stuff, and one quick glance on the net shows the base value of a Speedmaster,
not talking about a vintage Speedy!
Or are they living without computers and information…?

And the OP could have done some easy research as well? It takes 5 sec to find Speedys…
And now the OP wants to sell/flip the watch…?
The purchase price...900 $ (plus tax..), never read/heard about this amount for a Speedy!

I am of course jealous, and had this happened 20 years ago, I would not wonder, but this is 2025!

My 5 öre….
 
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WOW!
First - huge congrats to the Speedy deal of the decade!
All of us here envy you!
👍👍👍

But I am trying to sort/straighten out everything here…

The OP posts a picture of a Speedy, ask some questions (value to purchase the watch),
and the Forum starts giving helpful advise, which we always do!
A few hours later, the OP buys the watch for an amazing price!
Since the amount is in $, the deal went down in the US and A.

And looking at the linked pictures, the watch looks very promising.

All this happened in a day!!!!


Pweeewwww…And I thought that I am good at scoring watches….😒


A few questions:
How can the pawnshop not be aware of the value?
They make their living buying and selling stuff, and one quick glance on the net shows the base value of a Speedmaster,
not talking about a vintage Speedy!
Or are they living without computers and information…?

And the OP could have done some easy research as well? It takes 5 sec to find Speedys…
And now the OP wants to sell/flip the watch…?
The purchase price...900 $ (plus tax..), never read/heard about this amount for a Speedy!

I am of course jealous, and had this happened 20 years ago, I would not wonder, but this is 2025!

My 5 öre….
🤔