Ebay 105.012

Tonyash · Sep 21, 2020

Forgive me if someone has already posted about this but there is a 105.012 on Ebay which the seller claims had the movement swapped with a 105.003, possibly by a watchmaker during service.
https://www.ebay.com.au/i/293703269030?ul_noapp=true
Does this sound likely?. I know in watchmakers workshops I frequent all the parts of one watch are kept together and then put back together. The idea of sending in your watch and receiving it back with a randomly selected movement does seem a very casual approach to watchmaking even for years ago.
It's a shame, 'cos to my eye at least, it is physically a nice watch and I would love to find a nice 105.012, any 321 Speedmaster actually.
Cheers.

Marsimaxam · Sep 22, 2020

I too saw this watch on eBay. The seller is upfront about the condition of the watch. Personally, I’d be surprised that the entire movement was swapped out by a watchmaker. I find this explanation bizarre, but, then again stranger things have happened. I’ve heard it wasn’t uncommon to swap CB and HF casebacks years ago as it wasn’t a big issue... both cases were 105.012-66.

It’s a good looking Speedy in great condition with some goodies and a big problem. I wonder why the seller doesn’t sell the watch for parts...sell the movement, case, caseback, hands, bezel, plexi etc all separately... might be worth more

watchyouwant · Sep 22, 2020

So, does Michael have the archive note, stating it is an Ed White movement ? If so, I'd get that and add to the sale. Kind regards. Achim

padders · Sep 22, 2020

Doesn’t sound all that bizarre to me, movements were swapped at service pretty commonly back when these were considered just another tool watch. The seller is a trusted regular contributor here by the way as alluded to above.

Davidt · Sep 22, 2020

I’m not sure I buy into the thinking that movements were swapped routinely during service back in the day.

A caseback? Sure I could see that from time to time. But a movement which has the unique serial number for the watch? I just think that sounds extremely careless.

With regard to this sale, does it really matter how it occurred? We’ll surely never know, but the key thing is the seller has been honest in saying the movement, while the correct type and age, did not start out in that watch. That is the bit an honest seller would disclose so the listing is perfectly fine in m view.

wristpirate · Sep 22, 2020

If the movement was knackered it may have been more economical for the watchmaker to swap it for a new movement rather than undertake a service. To me this does not sound like something crazy. You have to remember these were seen as tools and not collected and seen we do today

michael e · Sep 22, 2020

watchyouwant
So, does Michael have the archive note, stating it is an Ed White movement ? If so, I'd get that and add to the sale. Kind regards. Achim

Hi Achim.
Not yet but I will guarantee to anyone that what I say is true, and anyone can quote me on that in future 👍

Tonyash · Sep 22, 2020

michael e
Hi Achim.
Not yet but I will guarantee to anyone that what I say is true, and anyone can quote me on that in future 👍

Thanks for all the responses on this and the confirmation Michael. I guess this is one of those collector issues, numbers have to match even if it makes no difference to the look and operation of the watch.
I think the listing is a decent, honest description of a good looking watch, it caught my interest. I personally would have no problem with that piece on my wrist and frankly most people out there would not know what the movement is, let alone care where or when it was from.
Now if only I had a spare few thousand🙁

Ebay 105.012

Tonyash

Marsimaxam

watchyouwant

padders

Davidt

wristpirate

michael e

Tonyash

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