Speedmaster 1963

Speedmaster 1963 · Feb 21, 2024

Gav1967
I see the OP has added several additional photos. The bracelet is stamped Qtr 1 1965 so assuming it is original to the watch then I guess it was no earlier than that date

Hi, there is a service receipt also from 1968, I have struggled to upload it to the main thread, but it says the clasp was adjusted, and a complete overhaul. So potentially a 1964 watch with a new bracelet put on at service?

Davidt · Feb 21, 2024

I’d expect the bracelet to be around 3-6 months give or take after the production date so a 65 bracelet on a 64 watch makes sense.

Gav1967 · Feb 21, 2024

S Speedmaster 1963
Hi, there is a service receipt also from 1968, I have struggled to upload it to the main thread, but it says the clasp was adjusted, and a complete overhaul. So potentially a 1964 watch with a new bracelet put on at service?

maybe replacement clasp. can't imagine a free bracelet - who knows? but as David says a 65 bracelet on a 64 watch is par for the course

Dan S · Feb 21, 2024

I see no reason to interpret "ADJUST CLASP - FREE OF CHARGE" as a replacement clasp or bracelet.

JimJupiter · Feb 21, 2024

Gav1967
maybe replacement clasp. can't imagine a free bracelet - who knows? but as David says a 65 bracelet on a 64 watch is par for the course

S Speedmaster 1963
Hi, thanks for that. The warranty card isnt dated. But the serial number is 20522176 which i think is 1963. It was my grandads, hes passed recently so cant ask him anything about it unfortunately.

This serial though is correct for a -63.

flqt-9000 · Feb 21, 2024

JimJupiter
This serial though is correct for a -63.

The case looks that of a -63. The -64 shall have no chamfers

Davidt · Feb 21, 2024

flqt-9000
The case looks that of a -63. The -64 shall have no chamfers

Agree. Looking at the new photos I was thinking the same thing.

padders · Feb 21, 2024

Before we genuflect too much, lets see the guts of the beast!

ortope · Feb 21, 2024

Nobody noted that the watch has a crystal with a silver "bague"?
Nice watch even though.

Cheers

padders · Feb 22, 2024

ortope
Nobody noted that the watch has a crystal with a silver "bague"?
Nice watch even though.

Cheers

Agreed it looks polished not black. He posted that after so it was missed. That is a big question mark as an original -63 rehaut would be black. This is more likely a 105.002-62 assuming the parts are all original. Sp101 does have an outlier range for that model that fits. All the more reason to get a pic of the interior…

Davidt · Feb 22, 2024

padders
Agreed it looks polished not black. He posted that after so it was missed. That is a big question mark as a straight -63 rehaut would be black. This is more likely a 105.003-62 assuming the parts are all original. Sp101 does have an outlier range for that model that fits. All the more reason to get a pic of the interior…

I can’t recall seeing an original 105.002 with a T dial though. I’m sure they’re all just Swiss Made.

padders · Feb 22, 2024

Yep. It asks more questions than it answers!

JimJupiter · Feb 22, 2024

To my knowledge also some early -63s are known with silver rehaut. Call it Transition? 😉

watchyouwant · Feb 22, 2024

JimJupiter
To my knowledge also some early -63s are known with silver rehaut. Call it Transition? 😉

Yes. And I have 5 NOS of these crystals left, because they look sooo much better ... So, who and what tells you, that the crystal was not replaced in the past ?

JimJupiter · Feb 22, 2024

watchyouwant
Yes. And I have 5 NOS of these crystals left, because they look sooo much better ... So, who and what tells you, that the crystal was not replaced in the past ?

i cant offer more then my memory 5 years ago when I researched my own -63.

watchyouwant · Feb 22, 2024

And your memory is correct. I've seen a few with the wide silver rehaut. Original or replaced at a service later ...

Caselock · Jun 22, 2024

Hi OF,

this watch ended up in my hands after a complicated journey through Europe. So I think it is fair to give a little update here. Hope we can shed some light on this mystery. It came with this very individual underlaying leather-like strap (I think it is fake-leather) that reminds me a bit of the WWI trenchwatch straps and immedately made me wonder: how come...? Was the pre-owner allergic agains the steel? But the clasp would still touch the skin. Or was he tired of his hairy wrist getting shaved by the steel bracelet? Or was it for aesthetic reasons to match the trendsetting standards of the 1970ies? Never seen this combination before....

calalum · Jun 22, 2024

Details? Thanks.

Caselock · Jun 22, 2024

Its a 105.003-64 according to the inner of the back. Movement nr. should correspond to this. Seems not to be abused too much. Functioning except reset. Not a big issue as far as I can see: