Some questions about my 105.012

Hi Everyone,

I've been able to use Speedmaster101 to confirm most details of my 105.012. Serial number is properly in range for a -65 as indicated inside the caseback, but does it make sense that the production date (as confirmed by an extract) is late 1966? The dial is stepped AML with long indices and the index lume holds up under UV so I believe it to be original, but I know the hands have been color matched. Spear chrono-hand, DO90 with a nice blueish-gray fade in certain light, 7mm 24-foot crown, and what I think are correct low pushers. I haven't really been able to find great comparisons of polished vs. unpolished (the search function here on OF hasn't liked the vagueness of "105.012 polish" very much). I was hoping some of the trained eyes of OF could weigh in on the state of the case? I know what happens when posters forget photos so here they are...(some feature my feet in the background so I apologize in advance!)

Hi James

What a lovely watch. I am no expert but that case looks pretty sharp to me...i.e. the facet edge between the brushed sides and the polished lugs (and again between the top of the polished lugs to the brushed bit on the inside toward the strap...I would say 'unpolished'.

Wear in good health (and the ultimate compliment : DIBS!)...

Best regards,
Eugene

Beautiful! If it has been polished, it certainly hasn't been over-polished. Only thing left to do is get a nice JB Champion instead of leather......

Great looking watch!

It's not uncommon for Speedmasters to have the production year differ from the reference year. As long as the movement serial is in range, I'd say it is all correct.
Pushers are correct as well ( easiest way to check is a movement shot, there you can see the "fat neck" of these low pushers, versus the thinner neck on later models.)

While I believe most vintage watches have seen some polishing in their life, to me it is more important that the case retains it original lines and character, like yours does.

Enjoy it!

Got yourself a beauty! Enjoy it.

It seems to be not polished IMHO.. a beautiful watch!
Congrats

😀

So sharp it hurts my eyes

thanks for the kind words, everyone! and @eugeneandresson - dibs noted!

one last question i forgot to ask - i noticed that some 105.012-65 casebacks have an "S" prefix like mine, while others do not. can anyone shed some light on that variation? thanks much once again!

It is a very clean Speedy you have here !

The lugs edges are really sharp. The 321 movement looks also very clean.

A gem you have here 👍

(Over)polised vs. unpolished Speedies (image extracted from Speedmaster101.com)

That is very nice!