This flightmaster seems to be listed really cheap, wonder what’s wrong with it? 183379897525 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/183379897525
It just seems like a very low buy it now price, I see these sell for mid $2k and up. Figured There’s something wrong with it, other than the missing lume on the blue hand. There’s no movement photos.
By caseback photo I meant the inside face of the caseback. And with no movement photos it is a gamble. And the lume is not missing -- it is on the dial down at the '5' I would, at a minimum, contact the seller and ask for a photo with the chrono reset, so the subdial hands are in the '0' position. If nothing else, figure in the cost of a full service.
And what does 'keeps time' mean? As Archer has pointed out on a number of occasions, a watch can keep good time even when parts are worn out, damaged, etc. With no movement pics, and no pics of chrono hands at '0', I would be mentally adding full movement servicing into me total cost.
I would says its worth the risk and take the chance, you will need to figure in a full service and with this age of watch that would be normal imo. The watch looks mostly original, although the sub dial hands look too new. The dial looks nice. And obliviously the worry is the movement condition, would be nice to get a picture of the movement. With a full service you'll get all of those damaged parts replaced anyway so at that price it would seem a reasonable risk although sellers feedback isnt very recent
The case has been refinished incorrectly in the past. It should be sunburst, and not horizontal as it currently is. Personally I would avoid and pay more for a better example.
Hi @Mods I remember reading in the Flightmaster Only book that circular brushing of the case (in the late production) as well as the sunburst was available on the 145.036 reference and the sunburst finish only on previous references.
Thanks for correcting me @omegaswisst. For a second there I thought how many gems have I dismissed! But my flightmaster interest has only been the been the earlier ref. Thanks again
My flightmaster is almost identical to the one for sale, with the same finish on the case. My earlier flightmaster though has the sunburst finish, although its almost invisible now
I just bought this one, I thought it looked cheap too but as noted it could have problems. I will let you know, if it arrives that is. Cheers, Michael
Congrats, hopefully it will turn out good, although I'd plan on a full service Mine also has the circular brushing on the case, compared to my 145.026 which has sunburst finish
I want to put this dial on it because I like the look. I have old stock tritium hands somewhere and most parts for the movement so hopefully it wil be OK. I will keep the original dial with the watch of course.
That is a great example of a 145.036. Original strong case finish, crowns and pushers. I doubt it has had a service in many years due to original pushers and crowns. They won’t be water proof any more but look so much better than the new service parts. I think it would be a travesty to put that dial on it. Why mess with an original vintage item that has survived so well? A NOS Tritium GMT hand, crystal and a service is all it needs. Congratulations on snagging a bargain!!!
You are probably right regarding the dial but I do want to fit that dial to a watch, maybe a Watch that has a terrible dial would be better. It ain’t a bargain until it arrives, I know that from many past experiences
A gamble - but one I would certainly have taken if I didn't already own two 911's. Dial looks great. Hands you could leave or replace. And unless the movement is totally wrecked, the buyer comes out ahead. Enjoy it, @michael e . These are fantastic watches.