The case is either a replacement case (the caseback though is original) or a nice refinish. Nevertheless, looks like a nice example - decent dial, nice original bezel and clean movement. It comes down to price and that would be the final determinant but not a bad one to pursue.

 

I've seen some truly mint '67 examples sell for 4-4.5k with the correct bracelet

 

Hmm not sure but I always thought '67 was one of the most common years, because after it became the "professional" it had become known as the NASA watch (even though not yet the moon watch) so I believe production spiked in '67-68

I meant the CK2915 and CK2998 were made for many more years than the later ones but there are dramatically less available of those

 

In my personal observation, ref. 105.012 has the most examples for sale followed by 145.012. The straight lug speedmasters are less plentiful though there are many 105.003 examples available at any given time. Then of course the 2998 and the 2915 are harder to locate. The 105.002 is less frequently seen than the 2998 and almost as difficult to buy as the 2915 though it is of course worth considerably less. I would also note that the -1 and -2 references for the 2998 especially when equipped with the correct dome (non-step original dial) are much less frequently seen than the other later 2998 case references.

 

Watches of Switzerland in Bond Street are selling a "circa 1967" Speedy for £4,400. It's in ok condition, but nothing special. I had a look at it & it's on an 1171 bracelet & they have no idea if it is cal 321 or 861. With what they knew about it, it might be a '68 biut it looked way overpriced for what it was.

Mind you, up the road the Omega flagship store has a '66 Speedy on a leather bracelet, great condition... but £8,500 !

 

Really, if you're spending that kind of money for a 1960s era Speedmaster, you want the Cal 321, as good as Cal 861 is its not the one you want, its like when you see a bloke driving a V12 Jaguar XKE and you think well, yeap, you got yourself an E-Type but you wanted the Straight 6, the V12 was the cheaper plan-B option.

 

Thing is they have to price it at a premium over the new, full price 3570.50 on the shelf, otherwise nobody would buy the new model if they can have a '67 for less than a new one

 

The mark up of a dealer is typically 100-200% of the typical auction price. I remember when I was into oriental antiques, I would note that pieces that sold at Sothebys and Christies would then appear at the top Manhattan antiques dealers for 3-4x the price it fetched at auction (and these were already the high end auction houses) so this kind of mark-up is typical. The best and most economical path is still learning what you can and then buying online on ebay or negotiating a reasonable price for a watch put up for sale in one of the watch forums. Don't forget also that if you intend to wear the watch you will need to factor in the cost of a full service (around $400-500 done properly by a good local watchmaker).

 

I agree. The odd thing is that particular store gave up its Omega concession because Omega opened a store just up the street from them. So they aren't selling any other Omega's and have nothing to say to purchasers about it other than "it's old and really cool"

They could be stuck with it for a while unless they move it on within the trade, as I just can't see them selling a watch in that condition instead of a Rolex or any of the other top end brands they carry.

 

I've always thought cal. 321 speedmaster are not just enjoyable and historic watches but are investments. When purchased wisely I am confident they will easily beat fixed income returns and possibly even stock market returns. The fact that prices continue to rise despite the weak global economy makes me suspect when economic conditions improve the increase in price will be more substantive.

 

Well given the interest rates available over the last few years, if you had your money in Cal 321 Speedmasters and premium Constellations you'd be way ahead of the game

 

I think the 105.012 is the moonwatch of consequence having been the reference on the wrist of Armstrong and Aldrin and thus is worth more than the later 145.012. I have not kept a count of the case references on sale so there may have been in fact more of the 145.012 available. I do have a number of cal. 321 speedmasters and I do have more of the 105.012 than the 145.012 in my collection - take that one data point for whatever it is worth.