Newbie - seeking advice on originality of an Ed White 105.003

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Frontfloater

·Jul 24, 2022

Hello folks,

This is my first post here. I have a small collection of Heuer, Breitling and Seiko 60s/70s chronographs, but until now, never a Speedmaster. I've been looking for an Ed White 105.003 for a while, and finally took the plunge with this one today. It was listed on Ebay as being all original.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234624930151

I have little knowledge apart from what I've been able to find via Google, so I would welcome your expert advice on whether the watch appears to be correctly described. I also have this better-lit photo which I asked the vendor to send. I won't need to pay for a few days, as he needs a relative to bring it out of secure storage, so I have a little time to seek your opinions. Thanks for any help.

ROB

 

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jaegodylan

·Jul 25, 2022

The seller is a member here. @jolyon

It looks good to me.. the lume on the dial is unfortunate. Enjoy your trip to the Lake District.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 25, 2022

First things first. You shouldn’t bid, win then start doing research to decide whether you want to pay. There was info in the add and you have a week to do research. You won the auction and should complete the sale.

Onto the watch. I’d say it is as the seller describes. It’s not the best example of the reference but this is clearly reflected in the price as very good Ed Whites sell for £10k plus.

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

I have over 20 years experience on Ebay, and am fully aware of buying and selling protocols. I understand the point you make, but you should also be able to appreciate that there are many reasons why someone may not be able to spend lengthy time researching in advance ; or may not want to draw the whole collecting world's attention to a reasonably priced item on sale.

"There was info in the ad" is not really a valid point ; sellers can write anything, but it doesn't make it correct or true.

 

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padders

·Jul 25, 2022·Oooo subtitles!

But if it is correct and true you should go ahead with the purchase...

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

Yes, of course I will complete the sale if it's correct. One of the reasons for my delayed questions was the fact that I didn't expect to win, and expected the bids to go much higher in the final seconds. The fact that no-one out-bid me made me worry that the cognoscenti had seen something wrong with the watch. Hence my late questions here.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 25, 2022

F Frontfloater

Imbut you should also be able to appreciate that there are many reasons why someone may not be able to spend lengthy time researching in advance

Completely disagree. If you can’t adequately satisfy yourself as to the condition or correctness of the item before the end, you shouldn’t bid (or you should bid an amount that includes an element to cover your risk allowance).

 

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jaegodylan

·Jul 25, 2022

F Frontfloater

Yes, of course I will complete the sale if it's correct. One of the reasons for my delayed questions was the fact that I didn't expect to win, and expected the bids to go much higher in the final seconds. The fact that no-one out-bid me made me worry that the cognoscenti had seen something wrong with the watch. Hence my late questions here.

I was interested and did some research and asked the seller questions. The image of the dial and the face to face purchase requirement meant I didn’t bid.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the watch and certainly nothing that would negate the binding contract you entered into with your bid.

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

Thanks for that, and to those who have made constructive comments.

I realised after the auction that the scrawled retailer's name on the purchase paperwork says "Preston's Ltd, B-pool" (for Blackpool). It's a jewellers which used to be about 1 mile from my home, which is a strange coincidence. And while Googling their details, I found and bought this ad on Ebay. They were a bit cheaper then ... :

ROB

 

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padders

·Jul 25, 2022·Oooo subtitles!

Love the advert. It was meant to be!

 

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Olhenry56

·Jul 25, 2022

I think the seller's refusal to post the watch might have saved you a couple thousand pounds. That and the fact that people don't seem willing to pay as much right now.

For what it's worth, I agree with @Davidt. I almost commented as much last night, but I figured, correctly, that someone else would do a better job. Of course if you get it and see something that was not correctly described, then return it, but a bid is always a commitment to buy.

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

I don't intend to turn this thread into an argument about Ebay ethics or protocols ; but with the benefit of a law degree as well as 20+ years on Ebay, the statement "a bid is always a commitment to buy" is not correct. If a bidder discovers, after winning an item, that it is a forgery, or stolen, or misdescribed by the seller, or several other possible scenarios, the contract is void because of the seller's misrepresentation.

ROB

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

I put £54 / 1964 into the Bank of England's online inflation calculator, which says that today's equivalent price would be £772.

 

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BlackTalon

·Jul 25, 2022·This Space for Rent

There is some irony in that you did not want to come here and draw attention to the watch -- for fear of putting on the radar and getting outbid -- but now you want the same people you feared to look at it and tell you what they think about it/ how well you did. Honestly, I have no problem with that but it is why some replies may not be all pats on the back and atta-boys.

Congrats on landing the watch. This is a case where a relume by one of the experts would improve it aesthetically without destroying value. It's hard to comment any more than that since you did not post any images but the one. We appreciate images being posted vs links.

 

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Frontfloater

·Jul 25, 2022

Nothing in my posts says or implies that I was asking to be told "how well I did" or seeking pats on the back. Apposite to your avatar, that's hogwash. My question was simple - is the watch all original, as described by the seller. The reason - it's a big investment for me, and I know little about the model. No other motive stated or implied.

 

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jaegodylan

·Jul 25, 2022

Well I think everyone has informed you that you did well. Congrats.