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I'm considering purchasing my first "vintage" Speedmaster, need some advice please.

  1. Wesley80 Sep 10, 2017

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    So, I'm on the fence about purchasing a 1991 Omega Speedmaster 145.0022 from eBay. Everything looks good on the watch. It doesn't come with any paperwork or box. Seller stated that it had recently been serviced but he has no paperwork from the service. He stated that his local watch maker serviced it and charged him $450.
    Overall, I like the watch and the story. I'm concerned about paying $2600 for this watch. Is that a decent price? From what I've seen it's below market. Any suggestions for avoiding making a $2600 mistake?


    Thanks in advance.


    -Wes
     
  2. Euxinus Sep 10, 2017

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    Hard to give advice without pictures! I'm sure more members would chime in if you could post some.
     
    Foo2rama likes this.
  3. Wesley80 Sep 10, 2017

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    I tried. It the system isn't allowing pictures right now
     
  4. BenBagbag Sep 10, 2017

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    +1 on pictures. All about quality. Does it come with the correct bracelet?
     
  5. Davidt Sep 11, 2017

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    No one can tell you anything until we know what you're looking at buying.
     
  6. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Sep 11, 2017

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    Dating it to 1991 is also an issue if you don't have the serial number or the cards.
     
  7. Wesley80 Sep 11, 2017

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    Finally figured it out
     
    IMG_0924.PNG IMG_0925.PNG IMG_0930.PNG IMG_0931.PNG
  8. tyrantlizardrex Sep 11, 2017

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    Wes, welcome.

    A few things to think on:

    1) without proof of service/paperwork to back up a service having happened, you have to treat this as a watch in need of a service.

    2) without some high resolution shots of all the angles, it's hard to make a good judgement call on this (or any other) watch. You want square on shots of dialsods, case back side, sides, lugs, bracelet. The arty Instagram shots are what they are, they make the watch look pretty... but you don't want to see the watch looking pretty, you want to see any imperfections or issues.

    3) if you're unsure after doing your due diligence, walk away, there's always another watch.


    As to your request for help:

    1) ask the seller for pictures that show the watch as it is.

    2) take a look at that bracelet, it looks like one from a later Speedmaster to me, but a little research will show you whether it's right or not for 1991.

    3) take a look at the hands, it could be the lighting and filter, but that looks more like superluminova than tritium in those shots, and this watch should have tritium hands and dial if it's from 1991.


    Good luck.
     
  9. Wesley80 Sep 11, 2017

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    Awesome advice. Thank you!
     
  10. Seaborg Sep 12, 2017

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  11. Shailor Sep 12, 2017

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    Clasp isn't original to the piece
     
  12. tyrantlizardrex Sep 12, 2017

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    @Spacefruit's wonderful site goes up to the 145.022-78, I'd take a guess on @Wesley80 looking for something a little more... budget friendly/newer (old rather than vintage?). ;)
     
  13. Wesley80 Sep 13, 2017

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    IMG_0949.JPG IMG_0948.JPG IMG_0947.JPG IMG_0945.JPG IMG_0944.JPG IMG_0943.JPG IMG_0942.JPG IMG_0941.JPG IMG_0940.JPG IMG_0939.JPG
     
    mikechi22 likes this.
  14. Wesley80 Sep 13, 2017

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    Incorrect bracelet. Everything else looks appropriate based on my Moon Watch book
     
  15. Wesley80 Sep 16, 2017

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    IMG_0973.JPG

    Loving my new Speedmaster!
     
  16. Don Bocadillo Sep 16, 2017

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    welcome to the club!!
     
  17. SeanO Sep 17, 2017

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    nice Tritium dial.