On a recent trip to Europe, my wife and I were wandering down a small side street on our last night in Copenhagen and saw a store that sold "luxury vintage" items. The store was closing up and appeared to have women's coats/purses mainly, but I dragged her in there anyways (hope springs eternal, right?). Under the counter were four somewhat unremarkable vintage/antique pieces and...a '65 Ed White Speedmaster on its original bracelet. It was the owner's that he had purchased from an auction some years back, but had offered up for sale since he had opened the shop just a few months prior to that. Since we were leaving first thing the next morning, I knew there was no way to get money out in time. Instead, I settled on taking his business card, armed with the knowledge that they didn't have a website yet and weren't a place where Omega collectors would most likely poke their heads in. Over the next three weeks or so, we traded emails, pictures, and price negotiation emails until he finally accepted my price target (plus shipping costs). Then came an agonizing two week wait with four missed delivery attempts (all to my prior address, without my knowledge), before I finally picked it up this afternoon. To say I'm "over the moon" with it wouldn't be much of an exaggeration (but it would be a pun). If it's even possible to re-paint the minute and chrono hands, I may try to have someone do that during it's service in a few years. Until then though, I'll enjoy staring at Mr. Ed on my wrist. Glad to finally be a part of the club!
Could easily fit in, in my unexpected thread! Welcome to the forum, and a big congrats to a truly terrific specimen! IMO that one is in the same range as that chocolate 8k$ Ed White we saw on eBay. I bet our danish friends on the forum are especially envious!
Thanks for all the nice comments, guys. I've been a long-time lurker, so glad to have something to actually post about now. This find will probably result in me walking into a lot of dead-end vintage stores in the future, but hey, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Stay tuned for the update that'll come after I find a UG Nina Rindt in a women's vintage store.
Hi CF Welcome to the forum....great looking Speedy ! Dial looks to be fantastic condition....and the handset should probably be left well alone (if safe to do so)....I'm a big fan of original handset's....there is something just so 'right' about them: Best - Neil
Looks great on the wrist with bracelet. Beware, next time she'll be dragging you into a watch store looking for a very fine coat.
Hey, in that case we both win. I'm lucky to have a wife that understands the vintage watch addiction, since this addition was definitely not something that had been planned/sought out.
My B&S strap just arrived yesterday, so figured I'd post a few more pictures without the original bracelet. This is probably how I'll wear it most of the time.
