opinions on 1971 Speedmaster Ref. 145.022 - st71

[impaw]

Hello,I am in negotiations to buy a 1971 Speedmaster, Ref. 145.022 - st71 calibre 861.
The price is around 5000€
There are some blemishes on the watch (especially on the bezel) , but I really like the patina.
It has an unknown service history, but runs well, with the chronometer resetting accurately.
The 1039 bracelet looks very nice.

Does this watch look "right" to you? Are there things to look out for?

There are cheaper Speedmasters available internationally, but they would be subject to a 25% tax when imported to Norway.

 

[Davidt]

The pictures aren’t great for assessing the dial (are all the blemishes and dust on the crystal) and case (the case sides seem to have lost all the brushed finished) but my gut feeling is it’s too expensive. At that price all or most of the main components should be ‘good’.
From your pictures everything seems ‘fair-good’.

However, better photos would give more certainty.

 

[befobe]

Fair price to me, especially with a 1039 with its x2x8 flat links.
Like the patina too. The case seems correct too...

 

[Ron_W]

The 12 hour counter hand is not on zero in the pictures ?
It means reset does not work correctly, or more likely that hand is slipping - a common issue with cal 861 which means it has wear for lack of service or dry oil. So add immidiate service costs +/- € 1000,-
The dial should be really good for this price, i dont mind the äge" marks on the bezel and the hands seem a good match with the dial.

 

[impaw]

Thank you for all your replies! Very helpful.

the 12hour counter hand does indeed seem to not be on zero. I will ask about this.


The price seems a bit high then, I will try to work it down - the immediate service cost should be a weighty argument.
I will try to get some better pictures as well, to assess the dial better

 

[ibis888]

If you can make a day trip to London, there is a fantastic -71 for sale (I think) by the forum’s very own Speedmaster101. Single owner and serviced, not that much more than the watch you are currently looking at:

https://speedmastersales.com/

 

[impaw]

ibis888

If you can make a day trip to London, there is a fantastic -71 for sale (I think) by the forum’s very own Speedmaster101. Single owner and serviced, not that much more than the watch you are currently looking at:

https://speedmastersales.com/

That is a beauty!

 

[zedlebowski]

impaw

That is a beauty!

Second the recommendation for buying from speedmastersales.com

Very fair pricing and probably the best source to buy a speedy without worrying about the originality of the watch.

 

[impaw]

zedlebowski

Second the recommendation for buying from speedmastersales.com

Very fair pricing and probably the best source to buy a speedy without worrying about the originality of the watch.

Very tempting!

 

[NotJackson]

Maybe it’s just my aging eyes, but the 20/40/60 hand doesn’t look to be the same color as the other two sub dial hands.

 

[SOG53]

Ron_W

The 12 hour counter hand is not on zero in the pictures ?
It means reset does not work correctly, or more likely that hand is slipping - a common issue with cal 861 which means it has wear for lack of service or dry oil. So add immidiate service costs +/- € 1000,-
The dial should be really good for this price, i dont mind the äge" marks on the bezel and the hands seem a good match with the dial.

The sweep seems to be moving so you need to see photo after it is reset to see where the 12 hour hand is when reset. It could just be running normally based on photos

 

[impaw]

NotJackson

Maybe it’s just my aging eyes, but the 20/40/60 hand doesn’t look to be the same color as the other two sub dial hands.

I belive you are right, it must have been replaced at some point.

 

[impaw]

SOG53

The sweep seems to be moving so you need to see photo after it is reset to see where the 12 hour hand is when reset. It could just be running normally based on photos

ah, that is a good point.
I have asked for more photos, and asked about the 12h hand, hoping to get some answers today

 

[impaw]

I have received some answers from the seller.

The sweep is running on the picture. When reset, the dial points perfectly at 12.
The 20/40/60 hand has been replaced at some point, this was actually pointed out in the sales listing, but I didn't catch it.
The dial is very nice, the blemishes on the photos are dust on the crystal.

We are negotiation the price now, but nothing is settled.

Although the London watch is amazing, It will be almost 2000€ more expensive than the Norwegian watch, and that is before I add the costs of a day trip to London.
AND customs fees when I get back, 25%(!)

and the flatlink bracelet on the Norwegian watch is so cool

I´ll keep you updated, I will not rush this

 

[SOG53]

Do you like the watch? Find it attractive? If yes then 5K euro - 1k value of 1039 puts head only cost 4K euro or $4400.
Speedmaster sales chart has Fair $3000 and good $4500
If you got it for 4500 euro -1k bracelet = 3500 euro head = $3850 that puts you in fair-good range so I don’t think that would be overpaying.
But don’t talk yourself into it. Buy it if you like it.
Almost any Speedmaster needs service that’s a given.
Good luck let us know how it turns out.

 

[zedlebowski]

SOG53

Do you like the watch? Find it attractive? If yes then 5K euro - 1k value of 1039 puts head only cost 4K euro or $4400.
Speedmaster sales chart has Fair $3000 and good $4500
If you got it for 4500 euro -1k bracelet = 3500 euro head = $3850 that puts you in fair-good range so I don’t think that would be overpaying.
But don’t talk yourself into it. Buy it if you like it.
Almost any Speedmaster needs service that’s a given.
Good luck let us know how it turns out.

OP - this is excellent advice!

 

[Ron_W]

SOG53

The sweep seems to be moving so you need to see photo after it is reset to see where the 12 hour hand is when reset. It could just be running normally based on photos

As the minute counter has not moved in the picture, the second hand must have just been started and in it`s first minute. If it had been running for 30 minutes the minute hand would also be on zero again but then the hour hand would have moved to half way 1.

impaw

We are negotiation the price now, but nothing is settled.

Make the seller aware his market outside of Norway is very small as EU and a lot of other countries will charge potential buyers import charges of 21% or more .

 

[impaw]

SOG53

Do you like the watch? Find it attractive? If yes then 5K euro - 1k value of 1039 puts head only cost 4K euro or $4400.
Speedmaster sales chart has Fair $3000 and good $4500
If you got it for 4500 euro -1k bracelet = 3500 euro head = $3850 that puts you in fair-good range so I don’t think that would be overpaying.
But don’t talk yourself into it. Buy it if you like it.
Almost any Speedmaster needs service that’s a given.
Good luck let us know how it turns out.

Thank you for the advice!
We settled for 4500€.
I will meet the seller this week, and I´ll get to see the watch in person.
But most likely, I´m about to purchase my first Speedmaster, so I am very excited about that!

I´ll keep you posted and let you know how it turns out!

Thank you all for all your advice

 

[ibis888]

Congratulations! The watches always look so much more wonderful in real life than in photos.

Once you get it serviced, you’ll have a fantastic and very desirable vintage watch that will last you for decades to come. Love the step dial on the -71s.

 

[impaw]

Thank you!
Will most likely meet with the seller tomorrow!