Omega Speedmaster 105.003-65 on an auction (A dirty one!)

I too have not been able to have a rotation- I just end up wearing a few modern watches and randomly wear vintage pieces as the mood strikes. When I tried a rotation every time it was a watches turn, I preferred another..... If anyone can unravel the rotation concept please do!

Although it’s possible an uninformed bidder (or several) bud this up, its also possible a dealer saw this in the flesh and satisfied themselves that the dial was a slight brown colour, was in good condition with some debris that would clean off and the bezel was closer to ‘good’ under the gunk. The dirt will clean off no problem.

It was a strong price though and the makers will hold it back unless they’re going to be touched up.

Despite what I’ve said above, my gut feeling is this was bought by a collector who saw ‘barn find’, ‘original box’ and ‘Ed White’ and got slightly caught up in the moment. I personally don’t see the dial having any tropical colour and think this one went a couple of grand too high.

Here is a video done by our own @Spacefruit !
And there are very interesting points here....
Part evaluations, box and papers (possible one owner watch), getting some light auction fever etc etc!

It’s not the same watch. At least not that I could see. Williams is a rather better buy.

Erhhh..never wrote that William was the buyer of this watch (the Dirty EW)!
😉

But the video is very interesting to look at!
Always new stuff to learn!

👍👍👍

Here is a "classic" auction battle....two bidders who both like the watch, and do not know when to stop....

Fun to follow!
😁

£6200 + 27% = £7874
or around $10,631

Is i justifiable? This is a strong price, one that I used to see a lot three years ago, but if I was asked to place a probate value on this I would have said $6,000.

While I usually look at the dial and bezel first, I glanced at it and I know what it is, and first I want to concentrate on the circumstantial evidence as i think this might be a genuine barn find one owner.

I like the papers. Sure we can pick holes in the date, and the serial, or lack of. For me, it adds weight to the idea this might be a one owner watch. It does not look added in. There are numerous documented cases of Ed Whites selling well into the 1970s. (an extract would help, but we cant get them)

If we look at the crown and pushers, these are obviously original. Now look at the case back - strong lines there, on the bevel. (Good).

Now look at the top of the lugs. The bevel there is almost never seen in well-worn watches. This is special.Very unusual.

The bracelet is probably a 7912, with No 6 Endlinks.

So before we have looked at the dial and bezel, we have a very good case, a rare and valuable bracelet, and original pushers, crown, and possibly papers. (as well as a decent looking movement)

Now the dial. It has a hint of brown. The markers are quite degraded, but the body of the dial is good. The print is intact. There may be damage we can't see, or even damage from loose hand lume, but I think its ok. The markers let it down, but otherwise I think its good. And we have seen far less attractive markers on watches being offered for more. Also once the crystal is polished or changed, it will look much better.

Don't be fooled by the bezel. It's pretty good under that dirt - not excellent, but correct, original and acceptable.

In my opinion, when cleaned up this will be a surprise to all. Its a good watch. (Better than the one in my video)

I think the end result will be a watch that will be worth at least $10,000, and probably $14,000. It is not going to make the buyer a fortune, but I do think it is a rare opportunity to buy a watch that you can restore and be the only one that has worked on it.

That case condition sets it apart.

All good points above for sure but an Ed sold in 1978? Is it not way more likely the papers were erroneously or cynically added?

This is an auction...by an old and well known auction house!

So no!