Hi all,

yesterday I found a Speedmaster that I really liked the look of and received hi-res photos this morning from the vendor. Problem is, I'm not sure now of the dial and hands ... would you cast your expert's eye across this and let me have your unfiltered and unbiased opinions? Though I've not been here very long, I do respect the opinions of a great number of members here.

The serial number isn't very easy to make out, it's 2911xxxx. I can forgive the handset but the dial would be a deal killer at the price.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Many thanks.

 

Hi, what is the asking price?

 

It's just below the guide price for a "good" example currently being quoted on speedmaster101 ... although by the time you've factored in the drop in the £ and FX fees, it's going to be on the button.

 

wish i see a partner bracelet too

 

No bracelet ... but I have one the right age.

 

Well it appears all correct. The 29xxxxxx should come with DoN, which it does, and I'd wager the hands are original. Dial is also correct and the case looks decent.

However, this is a pretty common reference and IMO you should be much more picky with this ref, than say a 2998. There is damage to the bezel in one place and the lume is absent/smudged in places. The hands are also the mouldy green colour rather than yellow/orange. It is a nice watch and I'm being picky, but the minor issues highlighted above would prevent me paying the 'good' price on it.

 

Thank you, David ... I'm with you on almost everything you've said. The only place we differ is that I think this dial should have an applied logo, not painted? Am I mistaken?

Frankly, if the dial is right, I'm ready to make an offer on it that won't be to far short of the asking price.

 

Nope -69 are all painted logo, only the transitional 145022-68 had an applied logo

 

No, painted logo is correct from -69 onwards. Applied logo stopped at -68.

 

As others have said, dial is correct and also has a nice colour to it as some 2911**** do.

Be mindful of potential import taxes if you get tagged on the way in from the U.S though.

 

That's a nice piece. It has an "honest" case with a bit of wabi sabi. The dial has a nice patina. A better photo would really make it pop! It has a DON bezel in decent shape. The movement is clean. The hands aren't terrible and may look better in person. The only parts I'd think about replacing are the hands. That shouldn't be all that hard or expensive.

 

Very nice IMO. All correct and solidly in the "good" category. Case looks very nice, as does dial.

 

As detailed above:
Flaked lume
"Ok" DON
"Meh" hands
Case is decent
Replaced crown

No bracelet, not serviced recently.

I'd be a buyer at the 4k mark, don't get caught up in the speed of the buy, if you can resist, wait for something to pop up here.

Once you buy a watch from OF you'll never want to buy anywhere else....trust me.

 

+1
Potential 20% VAT on value+postage

 

It could be worse than that! I just tried one of the online import calculators and it said an assumed value of $8250 would be placed on the watch meaning import duties of £1900!!!!!!!!!

I've asked the vendor to hold it for me until close of business Tuesday so that I can check with one of the importers and forex dealers I use at work.

 

It's one of the first places I look each day! No-one's offered one yet

 

The imports calculators are very confusing
I don't think the UK has 'import duties' on certain goods
I think it is only VAT that is levied on second hand watches
Which would be £1650 if £8250 is declared
But there may be other customs and Royal Mail charges on top (RM get to hold the 'import' and charge if it comes via them)
Hence buying from EU is a better bet (while we're still in it) no VAT charges

 

The import duty is Euro 0.80 (80 cents). The VAT is the killer along with the fact that they seem to work on an assumed value, not the amount paid. That assumed value (I've closed the window, but I'm sure) was $8250. There is also a "handling charge".

 

Ah ! You're not in the UK then?
The UK works on declared value on the export mailing sticker(plus the postage)
This leads to some declaring a lower value but it is risky if you get caught as it's an offence leading to a large fine

 

That's what's got me confused and why I was going to check with the people we use at work - I am in the UK but still got these high numbers doing an online check.