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Omega Speedmaster Ed White Garage Sale Find: ID Help

1035 105.003 bezel cal. 105.003 or crown ed white omega speedmaster vintage
Davidt
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Your going to get no where near $10k for it in barn find condition, without a bezel, selling direct to a dealer.

In a private sale I think you’d get $5-6k. Maybe slightly more if the dial is good and you can take better photos.

Obviously a dealer will pay less so it depends if the extra grand or two is worth the hassle to you of listing it, dealing with tyre kickers and arranging safe shipping.
 
Rolvin
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Davidt Davidt
Your going to get no where near $10k for it in barn find condition, without a bezel, selling direct to a dealer.

In a private sale I think you’d get $5-6k. Maybe slightly more if the dial is good and you can take better photos.

Obviously a dealer will pay less so it depends if the extra grand or two is worth the hassle to you of listing it, dealing with tyre kickers and arranging safe shipping.
Thank you very much; you’ve raised a very important point. The fact is, since I am from Guatemala, it is difficult for me to take it abroad, and I think shipping it via a courier service would be risky. I really appreciate your comment.
 
Rolvin
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chrisinohio chrisinohio
So of course, now you get into whether or to put money into it to get it right or to sell it as is. That's totally up to you, but consider what you have in it and whether you think a few thousand dollars profit would be good for something that you didn't pay much for.

I don't know what one in this condition would go for, but I would imagine you could probably manage to get between 5 and $10,000 for it judging by what ones in nice condition are going for. This is all speculation on my part and I'm sure people with more insight will weigh in shortly.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you are careful and use services that are protected for payment, etc.
Thank you very much for your comment; it’s helpful. I would really like to sell it exactly as it is, since I can't invest any money into it, so I’ll try selling it that way.
 
chrisinohio
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Rolvin Rolvin
Thank you very much for your comment; it’s helpful. I would really like to sell it exactly as it is, since I can't invest any money into it, so I’ll try selling it that way.
If you're OK with paying the fees, eBay would be the way to reach the largest audience of potential buyers.

I imagine that if this was listed on eBay with good pictures, you might be surprised how much it would bring.

Whatever you decide to do, please keep us posted and let us know if and when it is listed for sale. Not that I would be a buyer, but I am most definitely interested to see what the sale might bring.

Good luck!
 
Rolvin
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Good afternoon, community.

I want to thank everyone who offered me advice, information, and good wishes. I’ve had a busy few days with work, but I’m happy to report that I managed to sell the watch; the watch shop that handled the opening process took an interest in it and made me a reasonable offer.

While the price might have been a bit lower than what I had been offered previously, it was enough to pay off my remaining debts and invest a little in my home. I am about to launch a new business venture and have decided to name it "Lunario" in honor of the watch that made this opportunity possible.

I am truly grateful to the community—you have all been so welcoming to a stranger like me—and I wish you all many blessings.
 
chrisinohio
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Well, that is good to hear. I'm so glad you were able to maximize the benefit, pay off debts, and invest in your business. All the best of luck!
Rolvin Rolvin
Good afternoon, community.

I want to thank everyone who offered me advice, information, and good wishes. I’ve had a busy few days with work, but I’m happy to report that I managed to sell the watch; the watch shop that handled the opening process took an interest in it and made me a reasonable offer.

While the price might have been a bit lower than what I had been offered previously, it was enough to pay off my remaining debts and invest a little in my home. I am about to launch a new business venture and have decided to name it "Lunario" in honor of the watch that made this opportunity possible.

I am truly grateful to the community—you have all been so welcoming to a stranger like me—and I wish you all many blessings.
 
pdxleaf
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Rolvin Rolvin
Good afternoon, community.

I want to thank everyone who offered me advice, information, and good wishes. I’ve had a busy few days with work, but I’m happy to report that I managed to sell the watch; the watch shop that handled the opening process took an interest in it and made me a reasonable offer.

While the price might have been a bit lower than what I had been offered previously, it was enough to pay off my remaining debts and invest a little in my home. I am about to launch a new business venture and have decided to name it "Lunario" in honor of the watch that made this opportunity possible.

I am truly grateful to the community—you have all been so welcoming to a stranger like me—and I wish you all many blessings.
Given the amount of advice and feedback, it'd be nice to know what you sold it for.
 
Duracuir1
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Rolvin Rolvin
Good afternoon, community.

I want to thank everyone who offered me advice, information, and good wishes. I’ve had a busy few days with work, but I’m happy to report that I managed to sell the watch; the watch shop that handled the opening process took an interest in it and made me a reasonable offer.

While the price might have been a bit lower than what I had been offered previously, it was enough to pay off my remaining debts and invest a little in my home. I am about to launch a new business venture and have decided to name it "Lunario" in honor of the watch that made this opportunity possible.

I am truly grateful to the community—you have all been so welcoming to a stranger like me—and I wish you all many blessings.

Very nice of you to report back on your sale.

Best of luck with Lunario.
 
Spacefruit
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So what you have here is a typical South American watch - that is one that has been subjected to vigorous use, exposure to the elements, and to inexperienced watchmakers.

Therefore the components are all aged, some worn, and many damaged.

What gets me excited is a movement that has no evidence of intervention. This movement is at the opposite end of the spectrum and will prevent the watch ever being better than "Good". It might also produce some challenging watchmaking adjustments. The movement number is interesting - 25447xxxx is just outside my previous observed high of 25446xxx, but that doesn't worry me in the slightest.

The case has more than dirt, I think. I'm fairly sure that is corrosion on the lugs and near the lip of the case. That will also prevent it being more than Good.

Missing bezel. That's expensive.

The dial and hands will probably look OK - but again, OK means Good or perhaps slightly better.

Missing crown.

So as a profit venture I would steer clear, as it will require a minimum of $2,000 in parts (crown and bezel). Then you just have to hope the movement doesn't need parts. Budget $500-$1,000 to service that movement. If someone offers to do it for $350, just keep an eye on them that they don't make it worse. (Ask me how I know.)

Then you have to consider the bracelet, which needs some TLC and may or may not improve from it. Personally, I would also have to find the correct end links. If we were sitting in an auction, and you asked me what to budget to make it correct, I would say $3,000-$4,000.

Since this watch currently has no acquisition cost, it makes sense to take a punt and restore it.

However, at the end of the day, it's still a corroded-case, poor-movement, added-bezel watch that might be worth $6,000-$10,000 (depending on the bezel).

It will always be a restored watch - and collectors always notice. An Ed White in this condition is attractive to some, mainly those seeking to spend under $10k on a wearable and not too valuable watch - and I think they're making a good choice.

The point is that this watch can never become a $12,000-$15,000 watch, no matter what you do to it. It is a rescue case.

A watch always needs one major attraction to sell. It could be the dial, the fresh case, the perfect bezel, or, as in this watch, simply the cheap price for what it is.

Ironically, I think it will sell for more right now as it is than after restoration once those costs are taken into consideration.
 
Spacefruit
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EDIT: I see you sold it - well done! I think its the sensible thing to do in your position
 
Rolvin
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Since I truly appreciate the advice, comments, and information you’ve shared, I’ll give you the full details regarding the costs.

As I mentioned, I found it at a garage sale; I recall paying around $25 for it at the time.

The final sale price was approximately $2,400 in my local currency—Guatemalan Quetzales—which was a huge profit.

Initially, I thought I might turn that $25 investment into maybe $40 or $50 by selling it for parts or as a curiosity; I didn't recognize the brand, but the watch's weight is what convinced me to take it home. AI helped me realize I might have a unique piece, which is how I ended up here.

Although the final sale price was lower than what I had been offered previously, the staff at the watch shop were very kind and professional—in addition to offering an immediate direct purchase. I didn't have a secure way to transport it abroad; a friend had mentioned someone who could take it, but I didn't feel confident enough in that option, so I decided to sell it to the watch shop instead.
 
drh_
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Many people will never attain ~100X in their lifetime. Congratulations with this great find 👍
 
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