The watch itself was heavily polished on the case back - unusually so, there was no bevel left.
The movement was corroded, to be fair not badly, but badly enough to suggest poor care and some water ingress.
The dial itself was very disappointing, it was pockmarked and the finish had dulled. Perhaps from the same moisture, I cannot speculate.
Having been lucky enough to own several of these blue dials, this one was a poor representation, giving no pleasure in hand and I am not surprised no one wanted to pay the CHF55k the auctioneer went to. Even the pet phone bidder they had lined up changed their mind and did not bid at the last minute. The last thing the auctioneer said was as an aside, " We will get hold of him and sell it to him for the reserve". I can only think the phone bidder did not view the watch - just the photos. No one would buy that watch for that money.
This was a really good lesson for a new buyer to learn. The auctioneer knows this watch has a problem, yet it is his job to enthusiastically capture bids off the wall, up to his book reserve and then sell to the one and only buyer. Some people take great reassurance that buying at auction means that someone else at least values the lot as well. This is not always the case - you might be the only schmuck ready to buy it, and the auctioneers antics, I am sorry, tactics, confuse you into thinking there is more interest in the room than there is.
This lot, like many of the speedmasters in this sale, was estimated high. The 2915's were spectacular, and I expected them to go for more, but I think the high estimates put people off even thinking of trying.
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