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Newly Acquired Speedmaster 105.003-64 - Evaluation and Thoughts?

Barking mad
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It is a 52 year old tool watch and deserves the odd bump and scrape. Unless I knew the history, it would worry me more if it looked like new.馃槈

Here's mine馃榾

DSC_0081.jpg
 
Faz
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Hi and welcome!

Firstly, the important part is that you enjoy your watch regardless.

But since you've asked, I can't say I share the same enthusiasm for this watch that some of the other members have.

For me the main issue is that case. In my opinion the polishing job was horribly overdone. The case back in particular. The lugs are practically "square" and way too sharp (at least the 5 o'clock lug). There center chrono hand show evidence of a relume attempt? (luminous material smudge?). And yes, no lume in the hands is an issue considering finding a proper set of matching hands is extremely difficult.

All in all not a bad watch but certainly not a great one either. I think it is a high price to pay for a very average example. Just my opinion. I would have put this watch under the scrutiny of the members here before laying down my money for it. Food for thought in the future.

In the end, what really matters is that you enjoy it.

Cheers,
 
Faz
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Barking mad Barking mad
It is a 52 year old tool watch and deserves the odd bump and scrape. Unless I knew the history, it would worry me more if it looked like new.馃槈

Here's mine馃榾

DSC_0081.jpg

I agree 100%.
If you compare with the OP's watch, , your watch still has the meat in the lugs and the lines can be clearly seen. That combined with a great bezel and solid hands. 馃憤
 
Optimizer13
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Faz Faz
Hi and welcome!

Firstly, the important part is that you enjoy your watch regardless.

But since you've asked, I can't say I share the same enthusiasm for this watch that some of the other members have.

For me the main issue is that case. In my opinion the polishing job was horribly overdone. The case back in particular. The lugs are practically "square" and way too sharp (at least the 5 o'clock lug). There center chrono hand show evidence of a relume attempt? (luminous material smudge?). And yes, no lume in the hands is an issue considering finding a proper set of matching hands is extremely difficult.

All in all not a bad watch but certainly not a great one either. I think it is a high price to pay for a very average example. Just my opinion. I would have put this watch under the scrutiny of the members here before laying down my money for it. Food for thought in the future.

In the end, what really matters is that you enjoy it.

Cheers,

At $6,100 IMHO its a good deal though
 
Faz
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Absolutely.. I do not disagree with the money paid for this watch in relation to today's market. For my part I would spend more for a "non issue" watch. The point I'm trying to make is that regardless of if it's a good deal or not, it's still a lot of money for a watch with those kinds of issues.

Cheers,
 
gminnj
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Welcome to the 'Ed White' club. Based on what the market has been doing for Speedys - esp straight lug - I think you got a terrific deal.

Enjoy!
 
Davidt
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Congrats.

The case has seen a good old polish (many of these straight lugs have) but the fact that the hands are missing some lume suggests that there hasn't been an effort to tart it up.

The dial has a nice appearance and I wouldnt be overly concerned about the crown.

It looks like a nice honest watch, that has probably been polished gradually over the years, rather than recently.

In this market I doubt you'd have trouble reselling it for the price you paid.
 
C
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Thanks guys for all your feedback. This is the first time I ventured into the vintage watch market and I honestly believe I did as much checking as I could (I guess aside from forum opinion before buying) because I wanted to see how I faired on my own assessment.

It's a big lesson learned from you guys, and I really appreciate all the feedback.

Anyhow, please continue to share your thoughts and observations. I really enjoy reading all your comments. 馃榾
Edited:
 
AAAKK
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Considering the very strong Speedy market, I agree with the general consensus that at the very least, you did not overpay. The dial is very good with very strong lume plots; very little lume loss and a pleasing colour. Bezel and insert have certainly lead an honest life, but to my eye, they haven't been battered so as to become unpleasant looking. Obvious weak point is the case polishing, but as previously noted, the case was probably degraded by repeated polishing over the years. That it doesn't have the sheen of a recently polished case is the saving grace that makes it a decent buy in my opinion.
 
P
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Barking mad Barking mad
It is a 52 year old tool watch and deserves the odd bump and scrape. Unless I knew the history, it would worry me more if it looked like new.馃槈

Here's mine馃榾

DSC_0081.jpg
This watch looks amazing! All of those scratches and dings make for a awesome piece. That's the type of watch I expect to see some old service man purchase during serving in military and worn everyday since. Very nice.
 
mozambique
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Javi22 Javi22
Not a bad watch and not a good one to my opinion . Crown is a replacement , Bezel has 4 Dengs, CB has many deep scratches , Lume has gone on the hands , the Dial is ok , but not perfect and the case is polished .

Welcome to the Forum.
Ooooh do I hear a bit of jealousy there?
Seriously, the dial looks awesome. Haven't seen lume as good as that in ages. Missing lume on hands, no big deal, easily rectified. Replacement crown?, you do know they are service replacement items, right?
Wish I had found it for $6,100. Great deal and many congrats
 
Kazyole
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It's certainly not a perfect example, but those go for crazy money these days. Crown is a replacement, as has been covered. Those don't come up too often, but aren't THAT expensive when they do. Dial looks great and I quite like the wear on the bezel. Looks like someone may have tried to touch up the chrono hand and you're missing some lume in the hour/minute hands, but that's at least visually fixable if you're willing to go that road. The case has obviously been polished quite a bit, but (imo at least) it's not bad looking. At least you still have sharp, albeit non-original, angles on the lugs, and at least it's not a recent polish.

To me, since this isn't a perfect condition collectors piece, I'd have the hands re-lumed to match the dial patina, replace the crown with the correct one at the first opportunity, and then wear the hell out of it. I think you did pretty well for the money. Certainly worse examples have sold for more.
 
Javi22
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mozambique mozambique
Ooooh do I hear a bit of jealousy there?
Seriously, the dial looks awesome. Haven't seen lume as good as that in ages. Missing lume on hands, no big deal, easily rectified. Replacement crown?, you do know they are service replacement items, right?
Wish I had found it for $6,100. Great deal and many congrats


No, i'm no Jealous Guy馃榾 he asked and i told him what i think about, that's all.馃槦
 
watchyouwant
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Faz, you will have a hard time finding a better one for $ 6000. after the recent auction results, the vintage speedmaster train has left the station. and he is picking up speed in 2016, as you will see with the upcoming auctions. many cashed up collectors have just discovered straight lugs speedies. and they are still cheap....... kind regards. achim
 
michaelmc
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A fine daily wear watch and is not over market imho at todays prices. If you love it wear it and enjoy.
 
Faz
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watchyouwant watchyouwant
Faz, you will have a hard time finding a better one for $ 6000. after the recent auction results, the vintage speedmaster train has left the station. and he is picking up speed in 2016, as you will see with the upcoming auctions. many cashed up collectors have just discovered straight lugs speedies. and they are still cheap....... kind regards. achim

Hello Achim!
I agree whole heartedly with you on that count. No doubt. On one count the money paid by the OP for that example accurately reflects today's Speedmaster market, so yes, the money for that watch is justified but for my money, regardless of the market, it's too much if you go by "condition". Vintage Rolex suffers from the same problem where really trashy watches command huge money but it's accepted because prime examples command ridiculous huge money. That's why I no longer dabble in either.
Cheers,
 
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