Check out the bezel. F*&$ing unbelievable...... http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-RARE-1970...087319786?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item1e8569c2eaPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
…. and WTF is up with this: Seller Notes: “Great Condition ! Has Rolex Certificate” Buck wins this thread.
That would be such a nice watch if they hadn't ruined it with that tacky bezel! What were they thinking?!
Interesting, because everyone is focusing on the bezel. Forgive me now for being a little pedantic. While I do share the sentiment that its a waste of time and money, I am not sure I can agree that it is "ruined". Or that it could be "nice". The bezel is an easily available, if expensive replacement at around $1500. So it is a simple matter of knocking that off the price, and there you have your "nice" watch. As they are asking for a bid against $11,000 it probably be acquired for less than the 1969 BA 145.022 version that fetches 12,000-$18,000, including fitting a new bezel. Though this is an entirely different animal, with a solid gold case, in numbered edition, and solid gold dial. The thing is, as 18kt Speedmasters go, this is not a desirable one, really. Especially with the gold price dropping to $1200. As an aside. Diamond bezels are extremely difficult to make properly. They should be made from trapeze shape stones, cut in specially. They need to be set by an extremely skilled setter so that all the stones sit at the same level, and of course straight and true. Done well, it does NOT look tacky. Using rounds is a cheap and relatively inexpensive way of an inept jeweler adding bling. Look at the tables of the stones, they do not lie in the same plane. If I bought this watch my offer would be without the bezel at all. But as I said.....its not really a nice reference - neither one thing nor another. Unless cheap! It would be fascinating to see what an auction would bring. My guess would be $8000.
