Ebay 145.012 - A case Study

This watch was offered on ebay, and it was bid from a start of £910 up to £5600, before being withdrawn about two days before the close:




The seller was open about the re lume, the replaced bezel, and the added bracelet.


We can see above the five and seven plots are a different colour to the six. The seller declared that some plots were adjusted and others left alone, with a water based reversible paint.

We can also see above the 50 on the bezel, which is one of the tells for differentiating this service bezel from an original 60s version.

This is one of those watches that initially strikes the eye as attractive, then as my eye becomes accustomed to it, I see the numerous colours in the lume plots and hands, and they become less and less attractive the more I look at it.


Note also the flawless carrier ring for the bezel - no damage at all. I would not expect that in an original bezel.


The seller has declared the movement lubricated, and I can't paraphrase his description of what he did to the movement, so here it is:

Watch has been lubricated, regulated & set up to run perfectly, keep's better time than a new one, no Chrono creep here, and the chronograph hands reset to vertical as they should (some are out of line, especialy when they get serviced badly) I didn't want a un-wanted and un-needed full strip down service as it was working as it should, just needed some love

Anyone who can translate that, other than I did nothing much, let me know.


From what I see, and I am no watchmaker but I do have eyes, is a dirty movement.


Also I note a little corrosion on the gasket lip.

I was following this as I was very interested to see where this was going to end up, as at £5,600 it was quite strong.

This watch is typical of an ebay watch, with lots of issues a novice buyer might either ignore or overlook, only to be disappointed later as all the flaws float into awareness. (Or they join this forum!)

Ebay in August is a funny place, sometimes there is not the competition for things as in other months. This watch was bid by 13 bidders to just under £3000, and then suddenly a big bid of £5,400 came, then it was withdrawn.

I dont know what to make of that.

At £5,600 you have a case, a re lumed dial, a service bezel, an extracted movement that needs a £500 service, no bracelet.

I suspect this deal did not complete.

“Anyone who can translate that, other than I did nothing much, let me know”

I was waiting for that one....😀

And just FYI - any reputable watchmaker would not agree to do such a thing.

Good to see you here 👍

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