I have a Speedmaster "Ed White" 105.003-63, where I just received the Extract of Archives today.

And there is something I dont understand

How is it possible, that the watch has been made/produced in 1965, when the model number is 105.003-63?

I thought that the last two digits was refering to the year of production??

And - does it make any difference in the price valuation of the watch, that the watch has been delivered to the "US Army"? and not to a "country".

I really appreciate all you inputs.

Thanks OF.

 

Simple. -63 is the year of conception...which...like a baby, takes X months to develop...and are thus born X months later.
No (or hardly any) of these watches were produced in the year stamped in the caseback...always a year+ later, depending on how long they were produced for...so if a watch conceived in year -XX was produced (and not changed) for Y years, there will be Y years worth of watches produced, with -XX stamped in the back.

Horrible looking thing that, there might be something else wrong with it...perhaps you should send it to me for inspection...

 

Thanks so much. Your explanation makes totally sence.

And I do agree - the watch looks horrible - like somebody has been peeing on it

But do you know if it makes any difference in the price valuation that the watch has been delivered to the US Navy?

 

I mean the US Army - and not delivered to a "country"

 

I don't think so. It was just a store somewhere run by the navy/army etc. It was not an issued watch.

 

It does add interest and probably a little value as any extra comments on an extract are welcome* but as Eugene says, it certainly doesn't mean it was issued to or even purchased by a soldier, it was sold by a base px or bx or whatever they call them which are basically supermarkets with subsidised prices, access to which is limited to serving or retired personal and families. The UK equivalent is the NAAFI organisation. I have a -65 Ed White, made in April 1966 which was sold via a NAAFI. I purchased it from the original owner who was a serving solider at the time. 1965 is late for delivery of a -63, I would have expected a -64 model but perhaps the channel of sale via the military complex added a delay? That is a very nice watch and anyone here would love to own it I am sure.

*but then I would say that if you read on...

 

It is also entirely possible the case back is not the case back the watch left the factory with...However I think its original.

The OP extract is very early 1965, so almost 1964.

All my -63's have extracts for 1964, one of them 16 December 1964, so just a few weeks younger.

As others have said, the designation number -63 is like a car model year. Except it is in arrears, unlike cars where you buy a 2020 model in advance, in 2019.

 

PS: I was being sarcastic. Its lovely, you should be glad to own such a fine specimen.

 

Thanks for making that clear, I was a bit confused...

May ask here if the dial has been relumed?

Thank you very much

 

...hence ...

To my eyes, looks fabulously original.

 

Thank you padders. I bought in on an auction where the first owner sold it. And I think you are right - it could be an added delay because of a complex military sales channel

 

I know you where being sarcasticUs Danes are specialists in sarcasm. I was also being sarcastic when I said the patina looked like pee

 

Passover - you can not write that kind of stuff when I’m drinking my hot coffee. I was about to choke and burn my self on the coffe - when I read “has the dial been relumed”?

I hope not - it should be all original

 

According to seller you should be right spacefruit. Also the case back is original.

 

Sorry for your coffee accident - Lume looked so good that I was wondering...

I'm still quite a novice on Speedmasters...

Great watch, ENJOY!

 

Lovely example.

 

Thanks - yes it’s a keeper.

 

The Army....

I’d call and get clarification. Normally if they where to be sold at the PX it’s listed as that. I’ve never seen US Army in that field.

 

I have, and 'US Marine Corps' too. I've not seen any mention of PX, BX, NEX or MCX, just the service branch.

Perhaps since, ignoring NASA, there were never any US issued Speedmasters (were there any GI Omegas at all?), they don’t differentiate like they do with the UK ones where delivered to Navy or Army means something very different from NAAFI.

 

Looks like a very nice example you have there. I believe most have been said. Regarding the Army text I believe that it adds value but not a clue on how much.