Hi All,

First post on any watch forum ever, my apologies if I'm not following directions correctly! Over the past year and a half I've fallen in love with vintage Speedmasters and would like my first purchase to be a 145.012-67 with a counter weight chrono seconds hand. I found this post on ebay recently and I am intrigued. However, given that the bezel is not the right period (although a fascinating 220) and the caseback is also not correct, I am slightly hesitant to seriously consider it. To my novice eyes, everything else seems period correct and original (although maybe the dial and markers tritium seems in too good of a condition, except for the hands)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...ning-Exhibition-Back-No-Reserve-/151943303966Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

Any thoughts/guidance much appreciated! Thank you for the great website and lively discussions!

aorco

 

Later bezel ( even if 220 ) ...... transparent caseback ...... mhhhh

 

Dial is perfect, but hands are a not (silver, chronosecond seems to be an replacement).

Seems to be a 145.012-67. Used matching casebacks were sometimes sold on eBay.

Bezel is nice but not correct for this ref (but is more valueable than a later, "normal" replacement).

Crown is replaced too.

 

The seller 'used' to be a member here .

 

145.012 caseback (not modern replacement) - 205 GBP with 3 days to go : http://www.ebay.ca/itm/252243806478?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:ITPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

i believe the seller is still a member here, no? I don't think that's the infamous Alex.

hands are odd, all the paint is gone, so they've probably been relumed.

 

I think you will find it is, but that doesn't mean there is anything suspicious about the listing.
I just wanted to point it out to new members.

 

Boy, I've got a lot to learn! any particular giveaway as to why the crown and chronoseconds might be replaced? Also (and I apologize for the questions!) should there be cause for concern that the ebay lister is a former omegaforum member?

 

ah, you are correct. I was looking at a different listing. it IS the infamous Alex.

 

You know the old saying, buy the seller first, that is something I like to do, others are free to follow follow their own path.

 

In the description "The 321 movement has just been fully serviced at a cost of £250 by my watch guy and has been oiled including all the jewels etc and stripped down fully, ultrasonic cleaned. Timekeeping is perfect, note that whilst running, occasionally the Chrono runs well, but it can sometimes stop intermittently."

So after a full servicing, it doesn't work. nice.

 

Noticed that as well, but on the bright side, it does include a "hand written" receipt...

 

I see no photos with chrono hand dead center, that concerns me. Also some chrono creep at hour subdial, again, after a service!
Personally I would pass on this one, too much baggage.

 

Look for another one.....to many parts are wrong.

And if you are reallly interested in Speedy's buy this book.

http://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j...nwatch&usg=AFQjCNEc928Q6fguT0VHwl2YDVl02xPp_A

 

It's been "Oiled & Regulated!"

 

These are the flat feet logo-crowns, which are correct for the most Speedmasters with cal. 321.
Someone is offering one for 400EUR...

 

This is an period-correct 321-chronosecond-hand. It reaches the outer scale, replacement hands are shorter...

 

No, this is the wrong chronosecond -hand. Yours is the small one....

 

To be fair, the watchmaker that this seller uses is a member here who is a specialist in complications for a well known watch company and services other peoples watches as a side-line.

 

Cheaper through Book Depository UK with free delivery anywhere in the world.

 

Thank you all so much for the very helpful input and suggestions. I think after all it may be too modified...The search continues!