Looking to buy my first vintage Speedmaster

Posts
9
Likes
1
Hello,
I've been lurking on this forum for quite a while now and decided it is time to start posting.
I've a tiny watch collection, nothing to write home about: a quartz, an Orient Mako, a Laco Paderburn and a new Speedy Pro.
I've always wanted a vintage Speedy but can't really make up my mind.
Now this is what I found:
145.012 with original case, dial and 321 movement. Comes with service hands, service DON bezel, service crown, service pushers and service cristal. It also has the box and archive extract. Bracelet is a Forstner. It almost looks brand new.
The catch is that all the original parts are included: bezel (really bad shape), hands (lume has burned through the hands), crown, pushers, bracelet, cristal.
Should I pull the trigger on something like this? I do like the price. Is the price low because the original parts are in bad shape?
Thanks!
 
Posts
538
Likes
2,523
No pictures no answers my friend. How can we give you advice about a watch we've never seen?
 
Posts
7,913
Likes
35,894
I'm no expert, but is that not a relumed service dial as it has the short indices?
 
Posts
825
Likes
1,804
The original parts don't look too bad and I would prefer the hands over the service hands. Hard to tell much though without better pictures and an idea of the pricing.
 
Posts
13,209
Likes
22,973
And when you say 'service DON bezel' you mean fake?

The dial looks like a 70's service dial as it has 'T marks'. Then again, so does the dial that's on the watch.

More investigation/info needed here.
 
Posts
9
Likes
1
I don't have better pictures.
Price is 8000$.
Hadn't realised the dial was not original.
 
Posts
9
Likes
1
And when you say 'service DON bezel' you mean fake?

The dial looks like a 70's service dial as it has 'T marks'. Then again, so does the dial that's on the watch.

More investigation/info needed here.

Are you saying there are no DON service bezels?
 
Posts
13,209
Likes
22,973
That's the one!
Let me guess: there is no laser technique

laser welding is a genuine method of repairing watch cases. If a case has needed laser welding, the dial, hands and bezel have been replaced and the movement looks like that, It’s easy to to conclude the watch was an absolute wreck before it was restored.

Buying a fully restored watch is fine if we’re talking about a rare model, but this kind of heavy restoration on a vintage speedmaster, which are quite plentiful? I’d rather wait for an original one.
 
Posts
278
Likes
356
If someone one day ask me for a definition of frankenwatch could show him this watch? 😲

To be honest there is nothing I like about it... It is priced (according to speedmaster101) as it was in good condition... Couldn't be farther from the truth.

I'm a newbie as well but I already learned that if you take a look at the OF's sales threads every now and again it will be just a matter of time until you find the watch for you (price and condition wise)... Take a look at speedmaster101 website and you will everything you need to answer most of your questions.

Well done you to have asked before buying 👍
 
Posts
7,913
Likes
35,894
The dial looks like a 70's service dial as it has 'T marks'. Then again, so does the dial that's on the watch.

There's only one dial but it's pictured both in and out of the case
 
Posts
13,209
Likes
22,973
There's only one dial but it's pictured both in and out of the case

Ah - that makes more sense.

It's clearly just a well used Speedmaster that's been restored using various methods and parts.