New purchase speedy 105.012 65

March is always a happy time.

For the forums review - my new ‘tropical’ Speedy 105.012.

To my eyes -
In pictures the dial looks shagged. On the wrist I find it a pleasing brown, with the plots equally distressed.
I’m calling unpolished
Crown too small - Flat foot looks original, Seamaster/Railmaster maybe?
Service chrono hand.
Original pushers and both reset to 12oclock.
2453xxx serial - outside of Sp101 range for 105.012 just.

Seems to hold time reasonably well - hoping to get it on a colleagues timegrapher soon which will no doubt tell me a service is due.

What say we all?

Hang on —- that case back says ‘63... hold fast folk - I’m going back to the seller...

wow 🍿

Yes it does look like a 3, but your picture gets a bit blurry when expanded. Could it be just a badly stamped 5??? The 5 on my 105.012-65 has a flat top, and the 3 on the 105.012-63 picture below has a definite rounded top???😕

Your movement is correct for a 105.012-65. I also have a 2453 range 321 in my watch which is correct for a 105.012-65 (according to Moonwatch Only). For a 105.012-63 you'd be down in the 2052 Range (according to Speedmaster101) We have to remember that @Spacefruit adds notes to his charts which need to be taken into consideration when using them.
(Here is a quote from the notes his serial reference page on Speedmaster101)
"These are based on known watches observed, and other sources including MWO. This source has confirmed some of my onservations and refines others, and they do quote more accurate figures. I urge you to buy the book."



Also you don't have a symmetrical clutch bridge on your 321 movement.
(Quote from SPEEDMASTER101) The -63 also carries the “symmetrical” clutch bridge, where as subsequent 105.012’s have the asymmetrical bridge that all later 321s carry.


Here is a shot of my case back (lower photo) and a 105.012-63 case back (upper photo) for comparison.

For me it also looks like a 65. Do you have a chance to take a better picture?

Fire drill averted. Had a closer look through the loupe.

Lume faded but still on plots.

@nonuffinkbloke thanks for digging that out of MWO. I’m really happy to hear it’s in the range. (My copy is in a packing box somewhere! )

I’d noticed the 63 ranges were way off and was thinking perhaps the case back had been switched. Pleased to see I was mistaken!

Yes I'm pleased for you that it's all turned out OK. Would have been unfortunate if you had a -63 case back.

The item in Speedmaster101 on reference 321 'clutch bridges' 105.012 is also interesting because it makes the distinction between symmetrical, on the -63 and asymmetrical, On the -64 -65 & -66. Your asymmetrical clutch bridge, plus the 2453 serial are all correct.
So... Thank Heaven!... panic over! 😀

Great call on the clutch - that’s about the only thing I know what to look for on a 321 movement.

Hypothetical if - presumably I wouldnt have had much trouble shifting a 63 case back. The pita would have been finding another 65 012.

is that really neil's speedy box?

Ahhh! Thankyou William.... I didn't see that???😟 I shall go to the pub, get on WiFi and investigate.👍 Just as a matter of interest... with the clutch bridge sitting, easily accessible, up on the top of the 321 movement, Isn't it an easy part to swap over without dismantling the movement? And if so, is there any reason to suspect that those asymmetric bridges you've seen on a -63 are not original? Or is it more likely to have been a parts overlap late in the serial range?

Yes I did have it in mind, thankyou. As soon as I've dropped Mrs Bloke off at her Spanish language church for a bit of Latina Holy fellowship. I shall go to my Appropriately named Local.😟