Regarding 105012 - blank caseback, «S» or not, and why?

Romega · Jan 11, 2020

Hi guys

I have been through the “Moonwatch only” book, but found no answer to this. However - there is a thread by @kov where the blank caseback is discussed, but no clear answer.

I have several 105.012, one of them has S 105 012 on the caseback. Also with a rounded side (no double bevels) and no inscription/ seahorse. Does the “S” means this is a service part?

Serial number is 24003369 (close to the flown watches)

Please see pictures above .

Thanks!

Delbok · Jan 11, 2020

Hi

It looks to me that this caseback has just been heavily polished so much that the 2nd bevel has disappeared.

Now there are always exceptions we don't know (yet)

Here is a picture of my S 105.012-65 caseback with the seahorse and the double bevel (sorry for the bad pictures)

Dan S · Jan 11, 2020

I agree that the most likely explanation is that the case-back has been scraped, i.e. turned down to refinish the surface. Consistent with this, the edge of the flat bottom surface appears to be quite close to some of the tool slots.

ndgal · Jan 11, 2020

This is/was a double bevel caseback that has been polished. Maybe to get rid of some NASA engravings? 😉 Serial is indeed very close to the flown watches.... Hmmmm....
This didn't "Fall off a truck" headed to the Smithsonian now did it?

TomGW · Jan 11, 2020

It would be interesting to measure the thickness of the flat, centre section of the caseback, with a micrometer, and compare with the best original caseback. Also compare the respective weights.
To my mind, this has the appearance of having been heavily refinished on a lathe.

janice&fred · Jan 11, 2020

ndgal
This didn't "Fall off a truck" headed to the Smithsonian now did it?

that would certainly explain that watch's disappearance 😁

Patrik83 · Jan 11, 2020

The case back had a clear step but now nearly gone due to polishing. My guess would be that it probably had an inscription that someone did not like to keep so it was removed on a lathe.

Romega · Jan 12, 2020

TomGW
It would be interesting to measure the thickness of the flat, centre section of the caseback, with a micrometer, and compare with the best original caseback. Also compare the respective weights.
To my mind, this has the appearance of having been heavily refinished on a lathe.

The only annoying thing about this post is that I did't come up with this briliant idea myself. So simple, so smart and so easy! Thanks @TomGW !

Here are the results:

Thickness:
To measure the thickness, I used a "spacer" to be able to measure the center of the caseback. The "spacer is about 9,9 mm. The "blank" one measures 10,67 mm, and the "ordinary one" measures 10,75 mm. The blank one is about 1/10 of a millimetre thinner.

Weight:
The blank caseback is 10,4 grams, the "ordinary one" is 11,8 grams. More than 1 gram heavier.

I think your theories about my caseback is polished/ machined down is correct.

Regarding the "NASA - theories", I'm awaiting the "extract of the archive" Will let you know - but don't sit up and wait.

Thanks for all you interest, and answers 😀

joe band · Jan 12, 2020

i've seen forensic files where they can scan filed down guns and recover the serial numbers... maybe you can have your caseback done and solve they mystery. 😉

still a nice watch.

Mark020 · Jan 12, 2020

Does not work I'm afraid....

ndgal · Jan 12, 2020

Romega
The only annoying thing about this post is that I did't come up with this briliant idea myself. So simple, so smart and so easy!

But all of this was really unnecessary. It is quite obvious that this caseback has been polished even without the forensic work.

It is great that you’ve ordered an extract.
Now if a few men in black suits show up at your door in a couple of weeks asking for the watch, you’ll also know if it belonged to NASA.... 😉

Romega · Jan 22, 2020

This is/was a double bevel caseback that has been polished. Maybe to get rid of some NASA engravings? 😉 Serial is indeed very close to the flown watches.... Hmmmm....
This didn't "Fall off a truck" headed to the Smithsonian now did it?

Now if a few men in black suits show up at your door in a couple of weeks asking for the watch, you’ll also know if it belonged to NASA

Lucky me. It certainly is the missing Aldrin watch!!!

Badwolf · Jan 22, 2020

Romega
This is/was a double bevel caseback that has been polished. Maybe to get rid of some NASA engravings? 😉 Serial is indeed very close to the flown watches.... Hmmmm....
This didn't "Fall off a truck" headed to the Smithsonian now did it?

Now if a few men in black suits show up at your door in a couple of weeks asking for the watch, you’ll also know if it belonged to NASA

Lucky me. It certainly is the missing Aldrin watch!!!

Did they mention Buzz having it machined down for weight saving? Reduced the load on launch 😀

Regarding 105012 - blank caseback, «S» or not, and why?

Romega

Delbok

Dan S

ndgal

TomGW

janice&fred

Patrik83

Romega

joe band

Mark020

ndgal

Romega

Badwolf

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