Need help evaluating a purchase (105.003 Speedmaster)

Spacefruit

A bit of advice, when dealing with these high value speedmasters....

Its ALL ABOUT THE DIAL !

Some will say its the case, some will say CONDTION CONDITION CONDITION, but frankly, I want to own a watch, not to endlessly critisise. In a way, that's easy. The trick is to buy a used watch that is attractive and valuable, in spite of any issues it has. That takes serious skill.

To own a straight lug, we have to buy one with problems.

For me, I don't want the dial to have the problems.

richardew

I think you made the right move turning this one down for $7500. The case is nice, but the bezel rough, and the dial just doesn't look good. It's hard to be patient, but it pays off. This one slipped under the radar. I picked it up 2 years ago for way less than $7500. It was from a zero feedback seller, so a bit of a risk. There was no serious bidding on it. The only problem I have with this one is that the case is too nice. I can't wear it to work for fear of nicking it up. For work I wear one of my 105.012-66's whose case has some Wabi Sabi.

S SAN79Y

Firstly, a lot of people love dirty lume as they think it makes the watch look more vintage. Personally, I prefer buying vintage watches that are original, yet look like they have just left the factory. It is the state of the bezel that I couldn't live with. I would find a better one of those and the correct chrono hand. If it keeps good time and the chronograph works, then why should it need a service.

I am assuming you guys are all American from all the dollar prices. Going on what I have seen sell at UK auctions recently, that is about right for the condition. Prices of straight lug watches over here have gone through the roof. I saw an Ed White like this one sell for just under £6000 at auction this week, which is close to $10000 I believe, and it didn't have a bracelet and required a service. The bezel was better than yours, dial had a similar issue with the plots, but the case hadn't been polished. Send it to me and I'll make you a profit selling it in an auction! Then buy a better example with a bigger budget!

S SAN79Y

Firstly, a lot of people love dirty lume as they think it makes the watch look more vintage. Personally, I prefer buying vintage watches that are original, yet look like they have just left the factory. It is the state of the bezel that I couldn't live with. I would find a better one of those and the correct chrono hand. If it keeps good time and the chronograph works, then why should it need a service.

I am assuming you guys are all American from all the dollar prices. Going on what I have seen sell at UK auctions recently, that is about right for the condition. Prices of straight lug watches over here have gone through the roof. I saw an Ed White like this one sell for just under £6000 at auction this week, which is close to $10000 I believe, and it didn't have a bracelet and required a service. The bezel was better than yours, dial had a similar issue with the plots, but the case hadn't been polished. Send it to me and I'll make you a profit selling it in an auction! Then buy a better example with a bigger budget!

Davidt3449

Getting back onto the watch in question, I'm in the UK and still think its a $5k watch, at the most.

True they're harder to find here and if you import for the US or elsewhere you get potentially get hot with high duties, but good ones can be found if you're patient.

These plots aren't really attractive, they're grubby and missing in places. A nice aged brown dial or evenly yellowed plots is one thing but it's not what I see here.

The bezel is probably original but it's knocked to hell. I actually don't mind this sometimes but it's certainly not adding to the value.

Then there's the case. It's got an engraving on the bad each again won't add value and the sides of the case look to have been polished significantly as the lugs have thinned.

Prices for these are moving but I still think it would go for around £3300. Incidentally, it's not an example that if be looking to buy.

Spacefruit

I agree. But the last statement is most telling: ".....it's not an example that if be looking to buy"

I think this watch might be bought by a less experienced person - who might go on to regret it the moment he puts next to, well , almost any other.

S SAN79Y

You guys is just an informal way of addressing the people that have commented. However, you can stay as you guys and not us guys, if you are into having a go at people trying to help the OP. The damage you are doing to your watch just by using it is to serviceable parts, so you should be prepared to have them changed as required. They aren't hard to get ahold of if you have a half decent watchmaker. My guy is an ex Omega employee of 20+ years from the 60s to 80s and he says providing a watch is well oiled you are better off keeping it moving rather than stopped in a drawer, and providing they are working well they do not need servicing. I am more inclined to listen to his advice rather than snobby collectors. You do a lot more damage stripping it down every couple of years or whatever you think the service interval is. I thought the whole point of the NASA selection shows that these aren't fragile pieces that need to be handled with kid gloves. Google 'vintage watch collecting' or have a look on Hodinkee and you will see the love for aged dials. It is also why those faded 'tropic' brown dial carry such a premium. People are not buying a manufacturer feature, they are after a 'fault'.

I find it funny how you can slam the auctions I mentioned with such little information and can't be bothered to ask for more. Auctions of any type show the 'market' value of whatever the item is ie what the market is willing to pay. I also saw 3 Omega 53 FAs in the same auction as well as individually and they still make about £1200 so I don't think that is really a factor. I think it is all about supply, which is low in the UK, that is why I was trying to differentiate the markets as I have no clue what it is like in the US. There are simply not enough of them to have 3 in the same auction so that is a pointless argument. I didn't really expect a complete stranger to send a watch half way round the world for me to enter. It was just a joke, I didn't think it was mandatory to put joke.... JOKE after for people to understand. I'll go back to reading and leave the contributing to you experts, and let you lay into these comments also. Ps who said anything about Rolex collectors, I thought this is supposed to be about Omegas, you don't need to have a go at them for the sake of it as well. No need for inferiority complexes.

Davidt3449

Getting back onto the watch in question, I'm in the UK and still think its a $5k watch, at the most.

True they're harder to find here and if you import from the US or elsewhere you potentially get hit with high duties, but good ones can be found if you're patient.

These plots aren't really attractive, they're grubby and missing in places. A nice aged brown dial or evenly yellowed plots is one thing but it's not what I see here.

The bezel is probably original but it's knocked to hell. I actually don't mind this sometimes but it's certainly not adding to the value.

Then there's the case. It's got an engraving on the back which again won't add value and the sides of the case look to have been polished significantly as the lugs have thinned.

Prices for these are moving but I still think it would go for around £3300. Incidentally, it's not an example that I'd be looking to buy.