I have seen ads from this seller (Horlogerie Alex) before and he always states original top condition. However all of his watches contain service of aftermarket parts. At least hands on this one have been replaced.. The speedmaster pro's could probably tell me more about the dial? Shouldn't it be without "t"s?
There are some collectors who avoid him. I think he's fairly well known in Holland. The difficulty is that's it's really hard to tell if a watch has been put together or is "original", unless there are tell tale signs due to the design of parts changing over time.
The hands look like ones from the newer Broad Arrow, while the dial appears to be from a 105.003. Is there an original case back and movement no? If it has a correct case back and serial no. it could be a genuine watch with a replacement dial and hands. If not, it's a pure-bred franken. Either way, it's nothing to get excited about, as the dial is a huge part of the watch. The additional items such as box, papers, buckle etc and just add ons to beef up the sale and make it a more desirable looking package, but don't add any real value as they propbably aren't original. I'd just add that my comments are based purely on the picures above. I assume this is on Chrono24 but I haven't looked at the full listing.
I think that's a put-together. The watch doesn't come with an original caseback, just the see through one (I asked). It's also referred to as a -62 in the pic, and a -6 in the description. Plus the details already mentioned - hands, dial. That watch has been listed for many months and hasn't moved. Wait for a better one.
thanks for the info! - - a "put together" watch or car is O.K. at a reduced price,but -- how much reduced?
basically, parts value. and without a caseback - good luck finding a 2998-6 caseback! - it will probably never be whole. parts value, roughly: case: ~$1000 (no caseback) dial: ~$1000 (maybe less for this one) bezel: ~$600-$800 (for this one, in this condition) movement: ~$1500 (lacking details like movement # and good pictures) hands: $0 so maybe $4K or so.
Alex has been trying to sell this 2998 for many months. It is what it is. His pictures tell the story and he will answer any questions you might have. When I started collecting Speedies, I purchased a couple of watches from him. They were properly serviced and original parts were sent to the buyer as well. I found him to be very easy to do business with. Great communication and he is up front about his watches. Just ask him if you have any questions. If you like it make a deal, if not he will wait until someone does.
I disagree with you gemini.. He states "extreme rare in original top condition". That is total bogus.. It is a sh*t franken watch..
I have inquired on an original Speedmaster 125 a while back from this seller, he was able to provide a movement pic upon request. However, the movement was clearly a transplant. Not sure what happend there, perhaps he doesn't know the model very well....but I digress.
I see your point.. His descriptions certainly aren't accurate. I think he has (or had) some 105.012 Meister for $20,000 which is somewhat rediculous also. Anyone buying from him needs to know what they are buying, from his pictures, and disregard his descriptions. But seriously, what do you expect to get for a 2998 for 5950 Euro, from a dealer??. The fact that it is incorrect shouldn't be surprising. A correct 2998-6 would run more than double this price. IMHO, the way that prices are going, this will probably sell soon for parts value. The straight lug case, the Ed White dial, the 2998 movement are all in big demand today. Don't know the movement number but it appears to have a symetrical bridge so it could be a 2998t movement. Again, I can only say that I have had a good exerience with this shop in the past. In fact, the shop owner Mark (not sure why it's named Alex) was able to source me an, impossible to find and correct, 145.012-68. I haven't seen one available since. Would I buy this watch, no. Should his discriptions be cleaned up, yes. Is this a Franken, for sure. But then I think that anyone looking to invest in a 2998, at this price, should already know that.