hansaboy
·Errhh... And don't look blindly at the estimate price, that can go bananas...
So about $6000 plus logistics at high estimate, seems cheap.
The mid case has no CB facet lines, and so there is something going on there. I have a feeling it’s an HF mid case, but I don’t have access to my materials here, so someone will chime in and confirm. (Case profiles not my strong suite, I need comps, and I don’t have them here)
the bezel is one of those that will annoy me unless the watch is cheap. For me the watch is missing a $3,000 bezel. On second look, there is a chance that bezel can clean up, and the photos are harsh, - but it’s a gamble, and it’s never going to be a great bezel, just a slight improvement. I think it has dirt between the bezel and the watch that we could clean out by removing the bezel.
The dial is not one that immediately attracts me, but it could be the photos again - they are rather amateur and don’t help convey attraction. It has close space T marks, that make me like it more, and these are seen in 66’s. As the heart of the attraction and value is the dial, I don’t see enough in these photos to make me want to take it home. Unless of course it’s cheap
original pushers make many things on a 105012 forgivable!
bracelet may or may not be original to the watch, but we have to add in value.
the main thing to watch out for here, apart from the obvious case back miss match, is the attractiveness of the whole. I think it may look better in real life, but the mid case/case back situation is a worry.
Part of the attraction may end up being the price. At the low estimate it’s a steal, even with any issues.
at the high estimate, as long as it warrants an extract it’s still cheap - though it’s going to get into worrying territory if it goes to say $10,000 with the case back situation, and lack of extract.
Lastly, the break value of this watch is probably higher than the estimate. Especially if the movement gets the extract.
movement $2,000 - $3,000
Bezel $1,000 - $1500
Dial $1,500 - $2,500
Bracelet & Endlinks $1,250 - $2,00
Mid case with pushers $2,000 -$3,000
Case back $1,000 - $1,800
Handset $300
As the OP said, I think this will blow through the estimates as there is still a strong buy pressure for Speedmasters, especially if they look like they might go cheap.
I have been seeing a lot of low auction prices recently for watches that are just not quite collector quality. Good time to buy if that’s what you are looking for.