That's not charcoal lume, that's dark chocolate - complements the milk chocolate dial and tin foil case nicely
This went for just over 25% of the minimum estimate today: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...mega-5849937-details.aspx?intobjectid=5849937 Was about to hit the button, but I know nothing about Speedmasters....
Just saw this post in a separate thread and merged it... Bottom line: Pre-Auction estimate: ($11,000 - $15,000) Sale price: ($3,238) I'll chalk that up as a victory for common sense.
Over $4k with buyer's premium movement condition unknown with the owner's name engraved on the bracelet clasp and a pretty ordinary looking bezel though, once you factor that in its on the high side for what it is.
Hhhmmmm..........disappointed seller I would imagine. At least with the $3k he/she can afford a new stove with an oven thermostat that works correctly
Auctioneers make their prices deliberately obtuse. Low for estimates and then high for prices achieved. To show just how clever they are
Well It might not have achieved what they wanted that's true. I think they simply did not realize, and saw a brown dial and thats it. Quite often the reserve will be set low, so that when an interesting lot goes way over reserve, they can clap their hands and tell everyone how clever they are. When they have something dubious, with no reserve, they set a reserve like this, way up high, to catch a private. After all, this is a watch which even if genuine, has a very thin market compared to a similar Rolex. If the Auctioneers have the expertise they claim to (they refer to their staff as "experts") then they are frauds. If they are not frauds they are incompetent. They cannot have it both ways - except of course they do - they charge both the buyer, and the seller a commission. So who, in fact, do they work for? Themselves. And who, if you actually read the fine print, is responsible for the veracity of what they sell? Not the auctioneers.
Very nice rigged system to stick it to you know who. It is a bit alarming that they accept no responsibility for the originality of an item they are selling.
Taking out the turkey from the oven and sticking my speedies in the there as I type. Gonna be a good black speedy friday sale tomorrow!