Reputable dealer is offering this Ed White 105.003 tropical dial watch only for sale. Dates to 64. Chrono runs as it should. Any advice on value and condition would be greatly appreciated. Sorry i do not have the caseback and movement photo however, it is stated to be original to the watch. Price is a bit on the heavy side due to the rarity and tropical color tone. here are some photos:

TIA

 

You can check speedmaster101.com for prices, it looks quite polished to me in some of the pictures but I'm viewing on a tablet

 

Thanks, I did go over pricing on speedmaster101.com. Didn't have much information on tropical pricing. Coming from the Rolex vintage world, tropical dials command a premium. From what I have read so far in this forum, it hasn't hit that level yet or if ever.

 

I suppose it's subjective, but I think this dial has gone beyond "tropical" into damaged territory. The fact that the dial has turned brown should not command a premium in this case imo. I have a feeling it looks better in the metal, but it's important to note that all of the lume is missing as well. The case, like most straight lug speedies, has been polished, but it's in good overall condition and the lugs are sharper than most. James is an honest salesman, but he generally overcharges for all of his watches and from my own experience does not haggle, so I think the pricing inquiry is moot. If you like it, buy it, but know that you'll be overpaying for it (again, subjective)

 

Premium price and no movement shot? Poor show.

 

I like the tropical dial (looks attractive to me) but its missing its lume so again depends on the price/ how much you value it ... aside, shouldn't 105.003 have a black rehaut?

 

Ah ok cool!

 

We often say a dial probably looks better I person. In this case, I'd be concerned that it might look worse in person.

The pictures look like they may have been enhanced and as already pointed out, all the lume is gone from the dial Nd hands. I feel this may look somewhat tired and washed out in the flesh.

Tropical Speedys certainly do command a premium but there's a line between tropical and burnt & tired. Imo this looks like it's Getting very close to the line.

 

I really have the feeling that this dial looks much worse in person.

Have you seen it irl?

 

Some corrosion on the case, especially near the crown. Just note that that won't go away. Mine's even worse and it doesn't bother me, but another thing to factor-in.

 

I find the dial colour quite attractive. However, the missing lume is a bit of a pity..

 

Thank you for the great replies. The asking is 12k. He has stated the lume is not washed off but creamy in color and in tact. The photos are over exposed to enhance the brown dial.

 

Too much considering the missing lume and polished case IMO. I think you can do better.

 

Way too much premium for the tropical imo. That being said I don't doubt he'll eventually find someone willing to pay that kind of money

 

Fwiw, I also asked about the dial lume and was told it was "almost all" intact. Certainly didn't look that way to me. I included an outdoor shot as well.

 

$12000 seems an awful lot. I haven't been looking at dealer prices but I'm sure auction prices for a similar piece are not that high.

 

for comparison, EuropeanWatch is selling a 105.003-64 for 11,5k and includes a bracelet. they usually charge a premium, so 12k is definitely high for this offering.

 

Sorry for the crappy old pic. Here is one of mine, the lume is very thin and a slight yellow and depending on the lighting, it could look like it is almost white in certain artificial lighting. So the 105 in question may still has its lume as it exhibit similar qualities. Not sure if it is because of the reflection but the lugs looked like it endured an uneven polish where the left side has a much bigger bevel (possibly from the polisher trying to replicate the bevel?) The second markers between 11 and 12 and between 1 and 2 also seems to be damaged and should be taken into account. Price is quite high imho.

As with all vintage watches, one should see it in the metal. I assume you are in NYC based on your user name, why not just call up James and just meet him at a Red Bar gathering look it over? Bring your loupe

 

Actually, if the lume exist with a nice orange patina, I think 12k is high but not "extremely" high. I was looking for a tropical dial myself not too long ago on a 105.012-CB and found one with a nice patina / orange lume and paid a hefty premium for it. That being said, if I am (i) looking for a tropical dial straight lug and (ii) IF the lume still exist with a nice patina, I would pay 12k for it probably.