Hello everyone

So my grandfather left me a watch....only kidding.

I've been looking for an Ed White for a while, and unfortunately managed to miss a nice one on here a few weeks ago (not helped by not having enough posts to buy yet). I came across this Speedie last week which was described as a 105.003-65, and armed with the little knowledge I've gained from here, I took the plunge and bought it. Having got it and looked at it:
- It's a S 105.003-64, and the serial number is 22824..
- It came with a 7912 bracelet, with 6 end links, but its really short
- It came with a sales receipt, date of sale was 12th March 1966. It also came with what the seller described as a sales brochure (photos posted below)
- The lady who sold it to me said it was her late father's, she thought she had a "large red box" for it somewhere which she would send when she found it.

Here are the photos, apologies for the quality, I took them on my iPhone. Also the scratches are on the crystal not the dial.



Questions
1. I really want an Ed White, which I understand, perhaps mistakenly, to be a 105.003-65. If that's the case, should I sell/trade this, and what might the price difference be? I paid a tad over $7k for this. I can send it back until the end of next week..

2. Is the 7912 bracelet correct? If it is, the bracelet is really tight and it doesn't stretch - does anyone anywhere sell replica/replacement links, or should I keep trawling eBay for original ones (Ive seen one on eBay and it was $150 for a single link!)

3. Is there anything of concern or doubt that Ive missed?

Thank you in advance for your help and comments!

 

Nice watch. For future reference you can buy at any time from the forum. You only need 200 posts to sell.

Regarding what is a "true Ed white" I will leave it up to other experts. All I know is you have a superb example at a great deal.

And if you're REALLY unhappy with it . . . well I'm sure some forum members would be happy to take it off your hands. But you'll need 200 posts for that.

 

Thank you, and particularly for letting me know about the buying point (although I suspect my wife won't thank you....)

 

Looks like an all legit and original 105.003-64. A really nice catch! Especially at ~$7K... and double especially if that bracelet has legit #6 endlinks. Those alone are worth a >$2K.

I don't know your motivation for going after an "Ed White", but if I were in your shoes, I'd hang onto the -64. all 3 105.003 references are often collectively referred to as "Ed White", even if that's not 100% accurate. It's more rare than the -65's which were produced into the late '60ies. -64 was produced for a much shorter time.

The bracelet, well, yeah. watch ebay. You can buy partial bracelets or broken ones for relatively cheap (you just paid $7K for the watch, don't let another few hundred slow you down) - around $300-$400 for a parts bracelet. Stretch links are sometimes missing, but I've picked up a few spare bracelet parts this way.

http://speedmaster101.com/105-003/

get the movement serviced by a reputable watchmaker who knows vintage, and knows 321's, then wear the hell out of it.

 

Beautiful pickup. Congrats!

 

You paid about half of what it's worth (at least!) I echo oddboy's recommendations. Nice catch!

 

In my book, you have an Ed White, and as opposed to many others around, it is fairly unpolished. The bezel is in terrific shape.

It looks terrific to me (although I am far from an expert), and the booklet is a nice bonus.

You got a fantastic bargain, I think.

 

That is very nice! Congrats

 

Thank you to everyone who has commented, sent me messages and encouragement.

I'm going to claim victory in my quest for an Ed White I've ordered an Archive Extract, am keeing an eye out for links, and am off to get a sympathetic service -i.e nothing external done except the crystal scratches. I'll comment back if there's anything interesting from the Archives.

 

Congrats on your Ed White.....very nice watch and you did well. KEEP IT!!!

 

Congrats. Very nice watch. The bezel and the case seem indeed in very good conditions. Could you please post some detailed pics of the lugs? The case appears unpolished and I'd like to see the original shape. Not so common nowdays.

 

An E.W. like the one that you have at 7k? Best business that you will have it in your life!

Congrats!

 

Great watch and great price.Service it and then wear it.

 

All I can say is #jealous.

 

Thank you - here you go - some more photos of the lugs, end links, and also the bracelet - apologies, on an iPhone again...The lady I bought it from said it had been sat in a drawer for the last 24 years...

 

Great find, cheap too - congrats And make sure to get that box - who knows, if there's some papers in there too..

 

Very good deal, with the unpolished '64 case, good condition bezel and bracelet. No way should you be returning that.

 

Now you are just being mean!

https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-did-you-choose-wisely.56987/#post-704223

 

Been off the radar for quite some time with family, work and other things but hopped back on today and saw this post.

I watches this one carefully and IMHO you got a bloody bargain, so the following link might be useful

https://omegaforums.net/threads/spe...l-64-ed-white-owners.45695/page-2#post-542898

Your 64 has a one year only case design so if I where you I would hold on to it as its a Ed White in a one year only case and looks very nice and original. If you haven't got time to read the link then in short virtually of the 64's had non bevelled case edges, as yours does, I am wearing my own 64 today

As a summary appraisal of your watch:

Case: very clean, unlikely to have been refinished and showing very little sign of wear, under no circumstances allow anyone to refinish it.
Bezel: as above
Bracelet: as above
dial and hands: original and although the lume has gone a bit 'fluffy' I would advise you leave it untouched.

In short, get the case and bracelet cleaned and the movement serviced by an expert, put the papers in a sealed back and treasure them and enjoying wearing what is a very special watch and in superb condition.

And if you don't want it, just let me know and I will gladly call dibs on that beauty

Just my two penneth

 

And here is mine doing some serious desk 'timing' with me today

Add the box to you set and you are quids in! Assuming you are on the UK I strongly advise getting to sts to get it serviced