price check, 321 dial and movement

Spacefruit · Sep 26, 2015

I completely understand a watchmakers view, that a dial has a cost. I also see why it might be incomprehensible to some that a dial that originally cost a few hundred new, will be fought over in aged condition.

I like the illustration of 1861 dial to movement price ratio. It clearly demonstrates the relative cost and manufacturing challenge. If we look at the dial as the end product of a manufacturing process that makes sense. Indeed the concept is still is valid when we compare the price of the new service 321 dial to a movement.

However when I buy a 321 speedmaster I am valuing the dial by it's attraction- it's patina, not its cost of replacement. This patina is only aquired by the dial's existence over time and it's very gentle aging that only time seems to produce. So far when man tries to reproduce it it does not show the same way, but that is a whole new subject, and one that inspires me to constant vigilance.

Picasso drew squiggles on napkins that sell for way more than the price of the paper and ink. Some people do not understand that - all I know is that I cannot do it!

For me, passing time is the Picasso.

Because I want to look at an aged dial, not a perfect new one. And for that I will pay.

Spacefruit · Sep 26, 2015

Of course I must stress the dial has to be attractive to be valuable. Not just shagged out after a long sqwawk.

So for every 1000 dials put into watches in the 1960's I would guess maybe one will be attractive to be valuable.

That rarity may be another explanation to the values seen.

watchtinker · Sep 26, 2015

Spacefruit
I completely understand a watchmakers view, that a dial has a cost. I also see why it might be incomprehensible to some that a dial that originally cost a few hundred new, will be fought over in aged condition.

I like the illustration of 1861 dial to movement price ratio. It clearly demonstrates the relative cost and manufacturing challenge. If we look at the dial as the end product of a manufacturing process that makes sense. Indeed the concept is still is valid when we compare the price of the new service 321 dial to a movement.

However when I buy a 321 speedmaster I am valuing the dial by it's attraction- it's patina, not its cost of replacement. This patina is only aquired by the dial's existence over time and it's very gentle aging that only time seems to produce. So far when man tries to reproduce it it does not show the same way, but that is a whole new subject, and one that inspires me to constant vigilance.

Picasso drew squiggles on napkins that sell for way more than the price of the paper and ink. Some people do not understand that - all I know is that I cannot do it!

For me, passing time is the Picasso.

Because I want to look at an aged dial, not a perfect new one. And for that I will pay.

Thank you. A very clear and motivated explanation.
For similar reasons I like to consider the movements at the heart of the watch. Every time I have a vintage movement under the loupe, I see it as a witness of the thousand of hours recorded over the years. And the more it has travelled flawlessy into the decades, the more I like it.

blubarb · Sep 26, 2015

This is an easy one, and I know you have it sorted Oddboy, but I have to put in my six letters on its worth - NO...NO...NO... The value of this dial, to my aesthetics at least, has depreciated below the golden zero. To me it has little worth and even less value.

oddboy · Sep 26, 2015

I was never considering it myself, but was curious about pricing the parts.

I told the seller that the movement doesn't appear to belong to a speedmaster. They were curious, and seemed grateful for the info, but doesn't look like that's had an effect on the listing.

Anyway, I'm watching it, but this isn't something I would buy for the obvious reasons.

price check, 321 dial and movement

Spacefruit

Spacefruit

watchtinker

blubarb

oddboy

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