Hi guys, long time collector and lurker here! I want to start a debate of a watch I just bought... I really would appreciate everyones opinion. I bought this watch, knowing what it is, so don't spare me . I want to say sorry beforehand for my English, it's not the best.

So I bought this interesting Speedmaster from a guy who buys the complete interiors of real estate properties (furniture, electric appliances,... Everything that's moveable). He was about to make firewood of an old closet when he heard a rattling noise in a drawer. He found three watches : a 1950's Omega white gold ladies watch with diamonds, a late 60's Tissot Chronograph and this one. He sold me the watch as he found it, the original owner passed away some time ago.



So the facts as I see them:

- A 105.012-66 CB case that's very thick with the original finish.
- A t swiss made t Pre Professional dial from 63-66 - hands match the patina pretty well
- A Service (145.022?) bezel

What we don't see on the picture:

- A 145.012-68 (!) caseback
- A near perfect 1039 bracelet with 516 endlinks from 1972
- A 321 movement with 245x serial.

What do you guys make of this?

My guess: the watch was born a 105.012-66 (CB case and movement are correct for this), it had a service in the 1970's where the bracelet and bezel were changed. Maybe also the caseback was swapped/switched here? Mistake easily made because of the 1 step caseback.
Then we have the dial... Swapped most probably? Although I have seen more than a couple of 105.012-66's with this dial. And I think most (all?) had CB cases. Again, this watch was found as is, no dealer or collector touched it.

Finding a 66 CB caseback is pretty much impossible I think. So I will keep it like this, knowing that the parts seperately are probably worth more (4-5k usd all together including the bracelet?) than the watch as a whole.

Interested to hear any comments!

 

an attractive watch, pieced together or not!

 

Here wa have a really rare 220 Brezel on it!
Luckily this watch has a service Bezel ... it is better than the original DON Bezel, only from the money side!
All in all - a very very nice watch, i wish i would have one like these congratulations is all i can say

 

Parts watch.

 

In your position I would probably think the same... Thing is that I bought the watch relatively cheap and picked it up personally. I could not imagine going through so much trouble and then act like you know nothing and ask little money for it.

 

Interestingly it combines many elements which are unique and in most cases considered desirable... CB case, short pushers, spear chrono hand, transitional caseback, 220 bezel, applique logo dial...

Whomever it was who put this together years ago, certainly had some damned good foresight!

 

How do you know it had a service in the 70's?

 

I am just guessing, sorry if I wasn't clear about that. 72 bracelet/1969 bezel/68 caseback...

 

Sounds like a plan... And indeed, the person/watchmaker that put this together really had a great stock of parts. Here's another pic with the 1039 bracelet. Just love the patina on the dial.

 

Can you take a clearer in focus picture of the dial straight on?

Some of those chrono markers look a bit thick in the above photo

 

I would keep it as-is. It seems to be a true vintage frankenwatch, one that was put together a long time ago not with the intent to fool but with what was available. The desirable parts give the watch an intrinsic value but the way it seems to have come together and how long ago that may have happened has value on its own.

 

Clear daylight pic.

 

Or not

 

Do I smell some chocolate in the dial too?

 

One of the nicest made Franken I´ve seen....

 

Hey it's from Belgium... So odds are high ;-).

Thanks by the way everyone! Although I do love the dial dial and super nice case I think I am going to sell the watch in pieces and buy a nice correct 321 Speedy.