Hello all, A couple of years ago I bought my first Speedmaster, a 105.003 so called Ed White. At the time I was very new to collecting and bought it because it was the watch I liked, don't like crown guards, and the price was right. At the time of purchase I did know it was a 63 model and corroborated that the serial number matched the 63 production year. It was only after I purchased it and began tracking other Ed Whites that I noticed I never saw 63 models coming up for sale, only 64s and 65s. I recently read a figure which states that 63s were only produced within a range of 5,000 compared to a range of about 2.3 million for 64s. Could anybody comment on the rarity of 105.003-63s? I'd really love to hear any thoughts/views/opinions/etc. Cheers
According to speedmaster101, Serial Range: -63 2052 1xxx – 2052 6xxx -64 2052 7xxx – 2282 7xxx and 2208 9xxx -65 2282 7xxx – 2544 6xxx http://speedmaster101.com/105-003/
A couple of months ago I got it back from Switzerland. As I mentioned in another post on this forum, they misplaced my original hands and dial and after a couple of weeks of back and forth they'll be returning them next week, so they say. When I receive them, I'll take them to my watchmaker to swap out the dial, hands and bezel, all of which they make you buy new even if you don't want them in order to guarantee a proper service, for those that aren't familiar with the process. Thankfully, they won't polish it if you ask them not to.
Based on the pitting on the caseback I would bet my last dollar that the back of the midcase has some pretty good pitting as well. That can be corrected with laser welding, I have repaired similar with great success. Be careful, it may no longer be water tight..
@zerocool,was the caseback pic taken before the service? I'm only viewing on my phone, but that may just be remnants of the caseback gasket rather than corrosion.
One of my 63s will be auctioned during the Autumn sales in November. More soon. The 63 and 64 are more rare because despite the 105.003 was produced until 1969, all other cases were made in 65.
TMK, 105.003-63 have 3 different dial variations. Symmetrical TT seem on all later 105.003 No TT seen on early 105.003-63 Asymmetrical TT added on the no TT Asymmetric TT 105.003-63 dial
Can there be even a 4th variety? Here is mine, I believe an A6bis. Has high "swiss made". Yours almost looks like a low "swiss made" Could it be a A7bis?? Regardless, do you know which variant dial is rarest?
It was taken before being sent to service, I haven't had a chance to take it to my watchmaker and see the end product of Omega's service. I do believe it is residue, perhaps mostly from a worn gasket(s). I'll have to check once I receive my original dial and have to go see the watchmaker.
The rarest is probably the one without Ts, very rare on 105.003s, but is more "common" on late 105.002s
That is pitting from perspiration or sale water seeping between the case back and the mid case. The liquid dries and the salt corrodes the steel. It happens above, below and around the rubber case back gasket. If its that deep on the case back it is most likely on the mid case as well. I will wager One US Dollar that it is not gasket residue and is corrosion..