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Spacefruit
··Prolific Speedmaster HoarderThis watch was just passed by Sterling Vault in an open auction:
It is an Ed White estimated £5500 to 6500, which at the top end is equivalent to USD 10,780 with fees.
Lets look at the dial:
This shot is better focused than many watches I have bought at auction. (!). As we can see, the dial is an absolute text book toothpaste lume example. These are completely original, looking like old toothpaste and a little wobbly. I don't like them, but they are original, in spite of it looking like a bad re lume. At least the markers are covered, but its very hard to justify a $10k Ed White with a dial looking like this.
The bezel is an original DO90, but it is damaged and faded.
We can see an original 24 tooth crown, and the pushers are I think replacements. Open to discussion on that one.
The back is pretty good, indicating the whole case is not bad.
Overall, the watch was a fairly original, possibly rewarding watch at the right price. I had a bid in for £4300 which was promptly ignored, even though the total price would have been equivalent to $7132 with fees - which I thought that it was strong enough to buy, however the lot was passed without sale.
I have seen an increase of transactions of speedmasters, in the form of review request on new purchases. However, I have seen lower prices for "wearable" or patinated watches. I am also seeing increasing interest in fine watches at strong prices.
What is sticking is some of the middle ground, which essentially is any speedmaster $15,000 plus that is not an original, or attractive watch. I get offered a lot of these watches. Often from people who "invested" in a speedmaster, buying using the tick box method, while failing to recognise the watch is not actually attractive.
Sometimes, a large part of the attraction has to be the fact it is cheap. In today's market, that can mean very cheap, and so this has widened the gap between a Fair watch with faults and a Very Good / Excellent example that makes your heart sing when you look at it.
For reference, here is one of mine, which I call Very Good
Lets look at the dial:
This shot is better focused than many watches I have bought at auction. (!). As we can see, the dial is an absolute text book toothpaste lume example. These are completely original, looking like old toothpaste and a little wobbly. I don't like them, but they are original, in spite of it looking like a bad re lume. At least the markers are covered, but its very hard to justify a $10k Ed White with a dial looking like this.
The bezel is an original DO90, but it is damaged and faded.
We can see an original 24 tooth crown, and the pushers are I think replacements. Open to discussion on that one.
The back is pretty good, indicating the whole case is not bad.
Overall, the watch was a fairly original, possibly rewarding watch at the right price. I had a bid in for £4300 which was promptly ignored, even though the total price would have been equivalent to $7132 with fees - which I thought that it was strong enough to buy, however the lot was passed without sale.
I have seen an increase of transactions of speedmasters, in the form of review request on new purchases. However, I have seen lower prices for "wearable" or patinated watches. I am also seeing increasing interest in fine watches at strong prices.
What is sticking is some of the middle ground, which essentially is any speedmaster $15,000 plus that is not an original, or attractive watch. I get offered a lot of these watches. Often from people who "invested" in a speedmaster, buying using the tick box method, while failing to recognise the watch is not actually attractive.
Sometimes, a large part of the attraction has to be the fact it is cheap. In today's market, that can mean very cheap, and so this has widened the gap between a Fair watch with faults and a Very Good / Excellent example that makes your heart sing when you look at it.
For reference, here is one of mine, which I call Very Good
