Extract, Speedmaster model and year of production

eugeneandresson

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...😗

Bille

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?

Bille

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

Bille

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

eugeneandresson

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

Passover

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

Passover

May ask here if the dial has been relumed?

padders

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...

eugeneandresson

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

Passover

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

May ask here if the dial has been relumed?

Thank you very much

Spacefruit

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.

Bille

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

Dan S

Lovely example.