I just had the pleasure of sitting next to an older gentleman on a plane who was wearing his original 105.003 that he purchased brand new in 1964. He said he bought it because he was beginning his private pilot training and he wanted a chronograph. It has been his almost daily wearer for over 50 years and he said he still loves it just as much now as the day he purchased it. Pretty amazing that it is still produced today in a very similar model and that his watch has endured over half a century of use and is still going strong. Also, he claimed to have no idea as to the current value of his watch so I pointed out that he might want to check out speedmaster101.com and maybe get it insured as well.

 

Where are the pics?

 

Yeah, I didn't know him before today and I didn't feel too comfortable asking if I could take a photo of his watch in the middle of a crowded plane. Sorry, I probably should have been a little more bold and asked, my bad.

 

He did give me his business card and asked me to email him so he could ask me any questions he comes up with about the watch, so maybe I can still get a picture.

 

All right, all right, I'll get your damn pictures. Just kidding, I knew in the moment I should have asked, but I chickened out like I was back in 8th grade or something.

 

I came in here hoping for photos. Neat story, but that was a bit of a letdown Comments on the condition?

 

Yeah. A description would be interesting. How did it look?

 

Cool story - thanks for sharing.

Tough crowd here, though!! ;-)

 

Oh, and hey, another Speedmaster thread? I'm pleased to imagine that.

 

I had a very similar experience. This is all original apparently.

 

Did you dare tell him it's fake?

 

Hey now, that's a rare Seamaster Professional that I know is APPROVED FOR ALL MISSONS (note the lack of the second I in MISSIONS) IN SPACE.

 

Only a alleged Speedmaster thread as no pictures.

 

But did you offer to buy it from him?????

Cool story and would have been enhanced if
1. You had pics
2. You bought it off of him


But totally understand why you didn't whip out the phone on a plane and ask some random fella can I take a wrist shot or 20.

 

You should have said "I'll give you 20 bucks for it bro! It's old and ugly, come on, hand it over.".

 

Thanks for a least a little support from some, this is more grief than posting without an avatar!! I should have known better, without the watch porn it's just a good story. He did let me hold the watch and from my limited experience and the fact that it was the first time I'd ever seen a straight lug Speedmaster in person I'd have these comments on its condition.

- original case
- original bezel
- original hands
- original dial
- dial and hands had lost most, if not all, lume
- crown is newer version
- pushers were correct smaller size
- not original bracelet as he said the original was at home due some of the links stretching out a lot
- excellent condition overall on the dial, may have been washed
- excellent bezel condition, barely even a scratch

Overall I thought it was an amazing piece, not perfect, but very appealing to look at in person. Plus he said he still has the box, the booklet, and the original sales receipt. He said he thought he paid somewhere around $100 for it.
I really will try to get some pics and appease you ravenous wolves, but unfortunately no promises.

 

100$ was a lot of money in those days. Well, they still are a lot of money today...

 

Man, I would have offered to buy it off of him, and help him find a modern replacement so he won't do without a Speedy.

I think that the approach makes sense, give your contact info, so if the day comes he wants to part with it, he will contact you.

I have had this happen on occasion.