Possibly a Speedmaster 2915?

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bigsom

·Mar 23, 2019

I'll just echo everyone, don't let anyone touch this watch for now. Certainly not a "watchmaker with 70 years experience."

There are a handful of people in the world that you should trust this watch to and I don't think any of them are in Norway.

 

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sjg22

·Mar 23, 2019

Strope

Ok, thanks! I will instruct my dad to not have anyone touch the watch.


To be honest I never thought it could be worth anything. Mostly because the chain doesn't look right for it. My dad has had it since 1970 and he had no clue as to how much it could potentially be worth.

From the looks of the watch, my strong suspicion is that the serial number will check out so not crucial to open at this stage. It will eventually need to be opened and verified, but that should be under the care of someone who very much knows what they’re doing. A major auction house would be my first port of call for an appraisal.

I would contact Phillips or Bukowski’s and have them appraise the watch. Or sell it if that’s your plan for this. This is not a watch to be sold via private messages on a watch forum, particularly given your experience level in that regard. Giving this to an auction house to sell on your behalf will expose it to the greatest number of buyers and protect you from potential scams, etc. Do you really want to be having a stranger wire you $175,000??? Better to have an established auction house in your corner on this one, methinks.

Even if it the movement has been replaced for some odd reason, the parts value (dial, bezel, hands, case) is still astronomical.

 

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Varnado

·Mar 23, 2019

Let's all critique this one for a second: 😀

The hour hand has been relumed. The bracelet is incorrect. It appears there is a dent on the bezel at 9pm side and caseback appears to have a chunk missing from the outer edge near the crown, which also looks to have been replaced. . Other than that I love it!!

 

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ndgal

·Mar 23, 2019

Varnado

caseback appears to have a chunk missing from the outer edge.

Looks like a reflection of the crown (if that's what you're referring to).

 

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Varnado

·Mar 23, 2019

That is what I am referring to and thats no reflection, it has been ground down.

OP: Take a look at the caseback in this spot and see if its been ground away or a reflection.. THX

 

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Shabbaz

·Mar 23, 2019

Is'nt everybody doing a bit hysterical about opening the watch? A normal qualified watchmaker can open it surely without damaging it. Even I can open it and I'm a total fυck up. It's just a watch which is worth a nice Ferrari... hmmm... ok, leave it as is...

 

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Varnado

·Mar 23, 2019

Shabbaz: How many pristine Speedy case backs have you seen in your life without distorted/damaged square holes or scratches across them from some tool slipping? Most are F'ed up and were done by some "watchmaker" over the years.

On this watch just leave it be, The proper tool and proper person should be consulted to do this. This is a no joke piece..

 

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ndgal

·Mar 23, 2019

@Strope Congrats on amazing "Drawer find"
Looks like an honest 2915-1/2 that has lived a life.
Dial seems to be in beautiful condition.

Watch has a couple of minor issues that might detract the most pickiest of buyers (such as the dented bezel, & relumed hour hand). But overall it is in beautiful shape.
The replaced crown is an easy swap with an original.

I don't know if you're intending on keeping it in the family or selling it, as its value could be a life changing sum to many.
I would value this watch at about $150,000 - $175,000 on a private party sale. (Given that the original movement is inside of course...).

Should you decide to sell it and go via an auction rout, just keep in mind that auction houses charge commission fees and a rather long pay out process. (normally about 4-6 months from the moment the watch leaves your hands until money is in the bank).

Whatever you decide to do, good luck! And it is great to see these awesome pieces still surfacing from the depths of drawers all over the world.

Edited: Mar 23, 2019

 

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Kringkily

·Mar 23, 2019·Omega Collector / Hunter

Yes please don’t get undersold take it to an auction house and negotiate the fees down to nothing as you will be the feature piece of the whole auction.

The bezel can prob be fixed on the left side by heating and working it to a flat position.

Amazing find

 

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ndgal

·Mar 23, 2019

Varnado

That is what I am referring to and thats no reflection, it has been ground down.

No "Chunks" seem to be missing in the side view image.

 

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Davidt

·Mar 23, 2019

Varnado

That is what I am referring to and thats no reflection, it has been ground down.

OP: Take a look at the caseback in this spot and see if its been ground away or a reflection.. THX

Rubbish. That's the reflection of the crown.

 

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jeppehh

·Mar 23, 2019

Amazing story. It’s almost like reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 🍿
Looking forward hearing how it goes and congrats on the amazing piece.

 

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Davidt

·Mar 23, 2019

Before we get hysterical about selling it, the OP needs to decide/confirm whether they are keeping or selling.
If I had this I'd be keeping it.

 

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Baz9614

·Mar 23, 2019

Thats a very special piece! I’d have a really time letting that go!

 

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dscoogs

·Mar 23, 2019

What a drawer find! Anything else either in the drawer or around the house, like a bag of old watch parts - bracelet, crown etc.

 

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ndgal

·Mar 23, 2019

Davidt

Before we get hysterical about selling it, the OP needs to decide/confirm whether they are keeping or selling.
If I had this I'd be keeping it.

Don't forget that outside of this WIS bubble we all live in, the other 99.9% of the world's population could care less about an old beat up watch that was laying in a drawer for decades, and when presented with an amount (certainly a high six figure amount) the choice (for them) is clear.

Edited: Mar 23, 2019

 

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Davidt

·Mar 23, 2019

ndgal

Don't forget the outside of this WIS bubble we all live in, the other 99.9% of the world's population could care less about an old beat up watch that was laying in a drawer for decades, and when presented with an amount (certainly a high six figure amount) the choice (for them) is clear.

Indeed.

But the actual item aside, sentimental value cannot be understated and the OP should make their own mind up before we push them down the selling rabbit hole

 

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Strope

·Mar 23, 2019

There is no damage on the back. Just bad lighting. The watch has been in my dads possesion since 1970 and he says he has not had anything done to the watch. If something has been changed or recolored it must have been done before 1970.

 

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Davidt

·Mar 23, 2019

Don't worry. The watch is excellent and barring a few minor bits you're sat on a goldmine.

Just take your time, don't send it anywhere until you know what you want to do (it's been sat i a drawer and is going nowhere anytime soon).

 

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Strope

·Mar 23, 2019

dscoogs

What a drawer find! Anything else either in the drawer or around the house, like a bag of old watch parts - bracelet, crown etc.

I don't think i will ever find anything like this in a drawer ever again😀