Hi
I am looking at a vintage Speedmaster - I am familiarising myself as best I can, but could some of you guys give me a bit of feedback please is there anything in the pics that would cause major concern.

I'm getting there, but not at the point where I can easily spot whether the pushers, hands, movement parts, etc... Have been changed.
Thanks
Nick

 

Hands and stopwatch hand look brand new almost. Nice watch.

 

Hands definitely new. Hard to tell about the pushers, is the reset one longer than the other. Crown probably replaced too... Note that crown and pushers are service items so not uncommon to see those replaced.

Dial looks pretty good. Bezel is ok, but obviously a bit worn.

Looks like 516 ends, so probably a 1035 or 1039 bracelet?

If you're using speedmaster101 price chart, remember that the price chart is for head only. Consider that when gauging the price.

 

Thanks guys
Oddboy - do you think the movement looks ok - I hadn't checked speedmaster101 until you mentioned it, but the price is pretty much bang on for a running 145.022-69

 

if the price is bang on for running, then you might be getting a good deal! the bracelet is probably worth $500+ (check ebay - some as high as $1200), so the price for the watch should discount the bracelet - confirm the bracelet reference too. In other words, if speedmaster101 says this watch is $1000 for running and you're paying $1500, then it's bang on (assuming you're pricing the bracelet at $500). If you're paying $1000, then you're actually getting the watch for $500 plus the bracelet for $500 and that would be an excellent price!

as for the movement, i'll admit that i'm not a watchmaker, but it looks ok to me. colouring is even, doesn't look like any parts have been transplanted. looks pretty clean. the screw heads look to be in pretty good condition too. As with any vintage watch, you should plan for a service - at a cost of at least a few hundred bucks, depending on where you go.

I'd probably buy it. I might look for a age-appropriate set of hands, or get these ones sympathetically aged to match the rest of the watch, but otherwise, it looks ok to me. the case is a bit polished, but if the price is right, i could live with it.

 

Great - thanks for your help Oddboy

 

Movement looks ok, hairspring looks fine, it's clean looking but I can't see any signs of lube on the chrono levers etc, so it's probably due for a service.

The depthing of the chrono drive wheel to the transfer wheel is too deep, it needs to be adjusted properly and the transfer to seconds wheel depthing needs to be checked.

 

Hands look ok with the appropriate aging colour. Crown and pushers look clean and new. Great deal for a good condition -69 with bracelet.

 

Thanks guys - I've put the order in now for the waiting game until it arrives!!

 

How do I go about getting the hands aged to match the watch? Is there anyone on the UK who can do this?
Cheers

 

On my screen the hands look quite age already, not as aged as the dial lumes, but not as white as new. If you like more matching, I'm sure quite a few watchmakers in the UK could do that for you.

 

STS - Swiss Time Services UK