Possible Speedmaster Frankenstien Bargain?

Here is an interesting one - It is on a BIN and been up a while, I don't think my review will interfere with any buyers.



First site is a brown looking dial, with probably applied plots, described as a 2998-2 with a DO90 bezel. Not a valuable one.



Alpha hands are short, thin square slots and probably from a seamaster.



The dial has T marks, so is from a later watch, probably the 105003. While I find the colour interesting, I also note it is out of the ordinary and I don't really trust it, especially with the redone markers.

And yes, an odd subdial hand



Inner case back shows 2998-2



Now let's see the movement - that's a 1599 serial, usually seen on 2915s! Before I get too exited, it's also known on Seamasters.



The price is too high to gamble, but it's a fun thing to see.

For me, it was the kind of think I liked to buy cheap, but this isnt cheap. Also nowadays people can find out ahead of time if the movement came from a 2915, and mind you, what would you do with it - not that many 2915 cases around.

I do seem to remember some very early 2998's with low serials, but I doubt this is an original pairing here.


What do we think?

I think your assessment is right on the money. Some people just shy away from these as a matter of course; for me (as you note), if the price were right, I would take a flyer on it, as I could possibly use parts from it one day, or, wear it just for fun with no concerns about dings or scratches.

Well different folks have different ideas. Someone might have an Ed white needing a cheap and interesting dial.
Someone might confirm with the museum it is a 2915 movement
Someone might need a case

Chances of one person needing everything, at once, are very small.

So I would think it would sell quickly at $2,000. Anyone would have it for that

After that, you can go up from there until failure,

SO $3000 I might if I had a good month. Personally I would not go to 4, but imagine someone who needs two parts of it, and over values the bezel, they might go to 5 and be happy.

Where do we all think it might end up on an ebay auction? My guess would be $4500 - but not from me

Dial is either completely bogus or a service dial that has been (badly) "Back-dated".
Basically 13.9K buys you a butchered case+caseback, a bezel, a chrono hand, and a movement.
All other parts are worthless.

This will most unlikely ever happen for obvious reasons.