What a day this was! Here's the cliff notes version:

• Traded in my Blancpain Villeret for an IWC Portofino - and walked out with a check for $1550 plus the IWC.
• Got in the car to see a voicemail from a gold scrapper who wanted to sell me a vintage Omega - the guy is only a few miles from where the dealer who I just left is.
• Cashed the check, drove through heavy traffic.
• Bought myself a SWEET 1946 Centenary caliber 30.10 bumper reference 2500 in 18ct.
• Still had a good chunk of change left over to put towards a nice vintage Genève caliber 267 next week.

Yes, I know - pics or it didn't happen so here they are:






I'm putting today in the "win" column.

 

Thanks guys! The Centenary crystal is too far gone for polywatch, it needs to be replaced. The dial looks to be in very good shape, with only one area around the 9:00 marker that might need some help - but that's for my watchmaker to take care of. It'll go to him as soon as he finishes up the current batch of 3 Longines and 3 Omegas. As for my plans, it's the same old same old: wear it 'til I tire of it, then flip it for something different. That could be 6 months or 3 years.

 

Ashley, I gave my business card with my personal cell number on the back to most of the We Buy Gold and other scrappers in my area. No good watch should be cremated! My first vintage JLC was bought for a few bucks above scrap value and restored at Le Sentier. The seller said if he didn't get $350 for it he was going to melt it. SOLD!

In case you were wondering, here's what a mint ref 2500 looks like:




The owner gave me permission to use this photo and I have to share it. He has some STUNNING vintage Omegas.

 

This piece of thread-necromancy is for the benefit of the new members here - you should REALLY have a go at looking through the immense archive here.

Well, did the owner ever find his way here???





Although the odd 2012-estimate on Speedmasters may make you weep a little, there are no end to the number of cool threads to read! It's summer, what else have you got to do??

 

If you like to read about 2500s on a slow summer day, this thread is an interesting read:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/centenary-2500-jub-serial-numbers.12752/

 

Indeed - your style of photography lets the game away easily, as does the quality of the subjects!

 

I can't believe this happened 5 years ago. 5 years. 5 f-ing years!!!!