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Navigating mine fields and seeds of doubt - Pre-moon DON 145.022 - 68 ST

  1. Syzygy Mar 17, 2019

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    Hello all,

    I'm a noobie, but trying to learn every day by reading as many posts on OF as possible. I've been very interested in purchasing a Pre-moon, but I don't feel I have enough knowledge about them to trust what I'm seeing, nor the guts to jump into a purchase of this caliber.

    I just watched this watch sell for ~$8,600 (+9% to auction house). When I saw it, I thought "wow, I don't see these for sale very often, and when I do, they are going for much more...what's wrong with this watch?". I searched for other examples and compared the best I could, but would be interested to hear what the knowledge bank of OF thinks. Did someone just make one hell of a purchase, or are there red flags that I'm just not seeing?

    The first thing that jumped out was the short 1 at the 100 mark. I can't tell by the photos if it's just a poor 'repair' to the bezel, or if this is not a correct DON. As I've noted above, I'm a rookie when it comes to all the nuances, so I absolutely did not have the guts to pull out my wallet and bid! Photos below aren't excellent quality, and they are from the auction posting.

    Thank you all for the schooling you've already provided, and I'd be honored to learn a bit more, specifically about this example. 4dcf6f61-c6e8-4642-bc0a-834c50eb1dd3.jpg 996d29b1-77a8-456a-b719-e48fef81d94e.jpg a3ab1ec9-8eff-46d8-8f4a-6f246a0ea133.jpg bdaf5cd5-917c-4f11-9cb2-b28ec164a4ed.jpg ce118107-7ab8-461a-8faa-651e3b573406.jpg

    My "collection" if you will, consists of a 1950 Cal. 265 (a bit roached, but I like it - strap is obviously being replaced!), 1960-ish ('59-'64) Tissot Automatic Seastar T-12 (inherited from original owner), and my baby...3592.50 Apollo XI. Hoping one day to add a Pre-moon...once I gather enough knowledge (and nerve!) to ensure I don't step on one of those mines!
    45b5ab3c-fe25-4cd1-8b66-a1da97864d10.jpg 9710ceb8-a764-4c02-81ec-4955a1678b33.jpg Tissot Automatic Seastar T-12.jpeg Speedy Tuesday - 3592.50.jpeg

    Thank you all!
     
  2. Aludic @SpeedyBirthYear Mar 17, 2019

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    Hi @Syzygy,

    Thanks for bringing this one up! I have also been watching this auction, with a similar interest but a few different conclusions and am, like you are, keen on learning more about this one. My observations:

    - Price realised (approximately 8300k Euro after costs) is not too exceptional. A little on the lower side given the 1039 bracelet which is also part of the deal;
    - That said, the picture quality is quite poor, which makes assessing this watch and the valuable details really difficult, potentially pushing the price down;
    - Bezel: Indeed the 100 in the bezel looks a little off, other than that, the bezel appears to be a correct DON;
    - Dial: I find it much harder to judge the quality of the dial due to the poor pictures and the clearly quite scratched hesalite. It could be a rather good dial with fairly attractive lume. I have some doubts about the scratches on the running seconds subdial, possibly it has been scratched by a bent hand;
    - Case: Appears rather sharp considering its age;
    - Bracelet: It is quite impossible to judge the quality (specifically stretch) of the 1039 bracelet, which could be a serious contributor to the value;
    - Crown: A bit less important; the original flat-foot crown seems to show a serious dent in it.

    All in all; I would say the price realised is relatively fair. But I am curious what others think about it!

    Cheers,

    Sander


    NB: Nice collection! Luckily you already own a nice Speedy too!
     
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  3. marturx Mar 17, 2019

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    Someone made a good buy there, IMO. Seems like a very nice transitional -68 with all the right details, unpolished case and an accompanying 1039 bracelet.

    Will take awhile I think, before a similar opportunity presents itself :)
     
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  4. Syzygy Mar 17, 2019

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    That 1 at 100 is what gave me so much doubt that I wasn't willing to be a player...I didn't notice the sub-second scratch around the step though. Nice catch @Aludic!

    @marturx, if that bezel is correct, I feel you are spot on...might be some time before another opportunity such as this presents itself.

    Thanks all!
     
  5. marturx Mar 20, 2019

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    -1 on a scratched sub sec dial. Not a catch, just a guess. My guess is that is nothing wrong with that dial