I won this minutes ago for less than I expected. $4656 at the hammer. Badly in need of service as the seller and the movement photo attest to. https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/371575811191Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network The Good: Appears to be a complete, but neglected, 2nd generation Seamaster 300, 14755-61, complete with correct movement 18xxxx, original flat foot crown, dial, hands and original 7912 bracelet and (real I hope) # 6 end links. It appears that the 7912 might have the older 7077 transitional single springy links. Different from the later kind used on the 7912 thru 1039. The Bad: It doesn't work. Seller says it starts up when the rotor turns but can't be wound from the crown. One look at the movement yields the answer. It's all mucked up. Water perhaps? Good news is that there are plenty of donor 550 or 552 movements parts available, if needed, for this caliber 550 (USA movement with 17 Jewels). Perhaps a cleaning will do. The dial and hands are devoid of its original lume. As far as I know, there is only one place for this watch to go and that is the Ugly: Only Aldo in Italy can do the proper job of restoring the dial, servicing the movment and perhaps restoring the bezel. The bezel should ( considering the watch condition) be original but I am not so sure. HERE I NEED HELP FROM THE SEAMASTER BOSSES. The bezel numbers look very milky. Touched up. They should be much more precise in their font. If the bezel is not altered, it stays as is, chipped and all. If it's been touched up then Aldo has to restore the entire bezel. As luck would have it, I recently purchased as similar 14755-61 from a seller who had the watch restored, i.e. bezel, dial and serviced at Aldo. Cost 770€, time 2 YEARS . Financial Summary Purchase $4660. Less value of bracelet and end links: $(2000). A conservative number as these are both in great demand. 7912 bracelets have been sold for over $1000 and #6 end links for over $1500. The bracelet is rough so $2000 is a fair number. These will of course find a nice home NOW on a, period correct, Speedie 2998, 105.002-62 or the other 14755-61. Service. I'm estimating $1000, all in, if the bezel needs restoration. Less if not. So final cost of a hard to source Seamaster 300 14755-61, original but restored, will be $3660. Delivery in 2018 A very low price in today's market. Opinions
I was watching this but didn't even throw in a bid as I thought it would go to the moon. Nice grab, I can't comment on your already inciteful observations but Good Luck!
Nice pickup gemini4! I agree that the bezel numbers look a little fuzzy, but I can't tell if that's just pixelation.. I'm sure the Bosses will be here before morning. 2 years wait though, man.. that'll be tough.
excellent buy...count yourself lucky, I meant to bid but got on and extended conference call and missed out. I was bummed when I saw the final price. I think this will restore very nicely. Just the parts alone are worth what you paid. The bracelet and end links + Bezel alone are worth nearly what you paid. CONGRATS!!
honestly if the bezel is original, I would leave it alone. Its complete enough. edit: Ok I read your full post and see you agree...I think its original, but impossible to tell from photos. Only with a loupe. Glad this stayed in the family, you did well.
Glad you got it @gemini4, I was expecting it to go for much, much more. Will we interesting to see it once serviced and cleaned up. If the bezel is original, I would be tempted to leave it be.
Not sure why you think Aldo is the only one who can restore the movement and relume the dial/ hands, although I do agree he is the go to guy for the bezel. I think the price paid reflects condition and wouldn't describe it as great deal. You'll only really know whether it was a good price after ( a successful ) restoration is complete and has also been paid for.
CONGRATS on a nice pickup Pretty good analysis too, though It seems, other than bezel, that you have options to work on it (or as to who can work on it) Nicely done!
Hi Interesting buy....dial markers have been discoloured presumably due to the presence of moisture and will need some work , along with that movement !....I note the stem is not showing corrosion (which I would have expected). Case appears to be in good shape. Looking at the insert and the ' 4 ' in particular , I would say non original. Personally , I would have Aldo recreate the insert and use my own Watchmaker for the dial & movement work. Should look good by the end of 2017 Best - Neil