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Barn find 2998-2

eugeneandresson
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Dream come true...lucky you! Well done. Please Sir, can we have some more?

Edit : IMHO this is the Speedmaster to top any Rolex.
Edited:
 
Tempus
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Superb....what a rarity to find something so special, in that fashion, these days.
 
boogedyboo
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That's an amazing find, congrats! Where can I find these "barns" that you speak of? 😉
 
Spacefruit
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Artx Artx
Right now this is all I can say. It was a true blue barn find. If and when more of the story comes out it will sound so far fetched that it is tough to believe. I took many pics but didn't want to bombard the thread. I am a Rolex guy so this watch is waaaaay out of my element. Most of the time if a guy posts a Rolex there are 50 people saying what's wrong with it. I was expecting the same thing with this watch. Had no idea it was even a 2998-2 until it was told to me yesterday via FB

We are much more polite than the Rolex-Boys. For a start we dont needlessly diss watches - unless poster is dishonest or not open with the facts.

But we can asses it a little deeper than simple adulation/friendly envy.😀 (If you want)

This watch looks lovely, the dial especially. The watch has some issues that might be looked at more closely if it were offered for sale, but nothing that would stop it being fought over at auction. The hands are very white and the lume is in lovely condition compared to the rest of the watch, especially the bezel. So we have differing conditions of parts compared to each other, and this needs to be explained so it can be understood and accepted as potentially original.

To this end I would cast a UV light and a Geiger counter over the watch.

As others have said, this watch is something I like, and would like to own, and the issues I highlight will affect only the value, not how easy it would be to sell.
 
Artx
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Spacefruit Spacefruit
We are much more polite than the Rolex-Boys. For a start we dont needlessly diss watches - unless poster is dishonest or not open with the facts.

But we can asses it a little deeper than simple adulation/friendly envy.😀 (If you want)

This watch looks lovely, the dial especially. The watch has some issues that might be looked at more closely if it were offered for sale, but nothing that would stop it being fought over at auction. The hands are very white and the lume is in lovely condition compared to the rest of the watch, especially the bezel. So we have differing conditions of parts compared to each other, and this needs to be explained so it can be understood and accepted as potentially original.

To this end I would cast a UV light and a Geiger counter over the watch.

As others have said, this watch is something I like, and would like to own, and the issues I highlight will affect only the value, not how easy it would be to sell.
I appreciate the responses from everyone . As a hunter of just about everything unique this was a shock,horror,joy to have stumbled across to say the least. I have dreamed of a find like this since I was a kid. When I first saw this watch it was on the wrist of a man I know. He is a Rolex guy and a pawnshop,Goodwill,estate/garage sale hound like me. This watch has sat unmolested for who knows how long in a desk until it was discovered. I know nothing about Omega but have owned several cheap ended models over the yrs. I begged him to let me take pics and see what people say and maybe get him am offer and he declined. He said prices on them range from 3-7k so he isn't worried as he gave pennies for the watch. Still he didn't want any pics or offers on the watch since it was not for sale. I figured the watch was worth $2500 but my Rolex instincts told me the patina/tropical features was a plus. He also told me he didn't realize it was a manual wind. He had wondered why it didn't keep time after awhile and die. Once he found out it was a manual wind then he knew it had to be wound.First man I spoke to said it was a nice watch and that the Valjoux movt in these watches were really good. I keep saying this because it is true,all of this is a stunning surprise. All of this now known knowledge takes time to digest. Some of yall have even recieved messages from me,I appreciate any and all input. First thought after reading comments was wow grails are still out there and can be found. There is no telling how many yts this watch rode the desk drawer being that the original owner has been dead for who knows how long. Thanks again,more to come...stay tuned
 
mozambique
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I was going to opine that yes, beautiful barn find, depending on the price paid. The seller figured 3-7k?? Have they not heard of that new fangled interweb thing. I hear its very useful for silly stuff such as due diligence??
Remarkable watch......well done!
 
Artx
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113
I found out that there are more people going by the looks of an old item and trying to price them as new. I have seen it happen time and time again. This one came at a massive surprise believe you me. I had a very nice Breitling still in the box with all paperwork etc. I walked into a pawnshop and tried to ask them if they would make a trade an an Airking Rolex. The broker said no way this is Rolex country. Wouldn't even consider it.
 
smitty190373
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I figured the watch was worth $2500 but my Rolex instincts told me the patina/tropical features was a plus.

So just to be clear...you and your buddy are Rolex guys ? and you thought this vintage Speedmaster was probably worth $2500, and him slightly more?

I'm an Omega guy.. and my Omega instincts tell me double red Seadwellers and early Daytonas aren't trading at $2.5k.
 
Artx
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113
One of the reasons why I am not coming out with the full story is because it does sound crazy/outlandish to the point of non believable but it is 100% true. Being a Rolex guy and having an appreciation for watches is what the attraction was on this watch. I have several watches but by no means am I an expert on even what I own. Speedmasters are beyond my knowledge realm
 
smitty190373
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One of the reasons why I am not coming out with the full story is because it does sound crazy/outlandish to the point of non believable but it is 100% true. Being a Rolex guy and having an appreciation for watches is what the attraction was on this watch. I have several watches but by no means am I an expert on even what I own. Speedmasters are beyond my knowledge realm

Well if it's not BS and you've actually landed that for anywhere near those numbers, congrats, you've just hit the jackpot.
 
southtexas
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Artx Artx
One of the reasons why I am not coming out with the full story is because it does sound crazy/outlandish to the point of non believable but it is 100% true. Being a Rolex guy and having an appreciation for watches is what the attraction was on this watch. I have several watches but by no means am I an expert on even what I own. Speedmasters are beyond my knowledge realm

I, too, am a Rolex guy. Out of curiosity- are you “just” a Rolex guy, or are you a Vintage Rolex guy?
 
southtexas
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Spacefruit Spacefruit
We are much more polite than the Rolex-Boys. For a start we dont needlessly diss watches - unless poster is dishonest or not open with the facts.

Good one!
 
Artx
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113
southtexas southtexas
I, too, am a Rolex guy. Out of curiosity- are you “just” a Rolex guy, or are you a Vintage Rolex guy?
I had several vintage at one time just because they were cheap. I do have 70s-80s sport models and a handfull of 90s era sport modela
 
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