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·A 5-years hunt story recently came to its end and I'd like to share some more with you guys. My interest for the orange handed Seamaster chronos dates back to the time when I started hunting the Ultraman Speedmasters (which were considered as a regular Speedmaster with a wrong hand fitted, back then, but it's another story...).
The only two nice examples of this inverted panda 145.005-67 Seamaster I've been able to find during all those years were with @kyle L and Alex from Vision Vintage but none agreed to sell it to me
I've been able to observe less than a handful of them during the last 5 years all in all, the three others were in a conservation condition that didn't fit my standards and I passed.
Two weeks ago I stumbled upon an eBay listing with blurry photographs and a short description
It was listed as auction but with possibility to make an offer. My heart started beating faster. A couple of quick checks... lume? looks ok; dial? from what I can see, not bad; hands? in line with the rest of the lume, correct shape; case? looks crisp; pushers? dirty necks, look original; crown? flat feet - yeah; caseback? correct, engraving still crisp. All the boxes checked, I've made an offer. At the very moment I've submitted my offer...
😲
😵💫
...
😲
...
🤨
...
🥰
My offer was automatically accepted. It was a Tuesday ! A freakin SpeedyTuesday ! but I've just snagged a Seamaster I've been looking for, since a good half-a-decade.
Three days later, the watch was delivered to my place safely. From the very first sight I was in love with it :
The Navy LCDR. W. Austin not only did gently wear it, but also left on it a certain amount of wrist cheese. 😁
I had to clean this. I wanted to wear the watch but this was just too much for me 😁
Once opened, I found the gasket, completely melted inside - the watch has obviously had a long drawer life...
Spent a good half an hour on cleaning the case and the caseback 🤦 and replaced the gasket.
The crystal. Scratched but original hesalite, the Ω logo still nice and visible :
The dial, once removed from the case appeared in an incredible conservation condition... no words required, have a look ! 😲
Such a deep black color, superb lume no single damage or mark. Amazing... 🥰
The case, once cleaned, looks great and sharp as well :
Now the movement. A wonderful calibre 321 that probably hasn't seen a lot of care, see :
I am so happy to add this one to my collection. It's been totally worth the 5 years wait and hunt. A keeper !
I contacted the seller again and asked if he can share anything about the watch and its story, here's what I've got back :
Unfortunately we won't know more about the story of this watch. I'm now looking forward to get the Extract from the Omega Archives. Hopefully something related to the Navy, fingers crossed 😀
(2019) Update - Jennifer found some papers !
(2020) Update - Papers arrived !
(2020) Update - A full set and more pics !
The only two nice examples of this inverted panda 145.005-67 Seamaster I've been able to find during all those years were with @kyle L and Alex from Vision Vintage but none agreed to sell it to me
I've been able to observe less than a handful of them during the last 5 years all in all, the three others were in a conservation condition that didn't fit my standards and I passed.Two weeks ago I stumbled upon an eBay listing with blurry photographs and a short description
Gently used by Navy LCDR. W. Austin. Rare panda dial.
It was listed as auction but with possibility to make an offer. My heart started beating faster. A couple of quick checks... lume? looks ok; dial? from what I can see, not bad; hands? in line with the rest of the lume, correct shape; case? looks crisp; pushers? dirty necks, look original; crown? flat feet - yeah; caseback? correct, engraving still crisp. All the boxes checked, I've made an offer. At the very moment I've submitted my offer...
😲
Your offer was accepted by the seller. Congratulations !
😵💫
...
😲
...
🤨
...
🥰
My offer was automatically accepted. It was a Tuesday ! A freakin SpeedyTuesday ! but I've just snagged a Seamaster I've been looking for, since a good half-a-decade.
Three days later, the watch was delivered to my place safely. From the very first sight I was in love with it :
The Navy LCDR. W. Austin not only did gently wear it, but also left on it a certain amount of wrist cheese. 😁
I had to clean this. I wanted to wear the watch but this was just too much for me 😁
Once opened, I found the gasket, completely melted inside - the watch has obviously had a long drawer life...
Spent a good half an hour on cleaning the case and the caseback 🤦 and replaced the gasket.
The crystal. Scratched but original hesalite, the Ω logo still nice and visible :
The dial, once removed from the case appeared in an incredible conservation condition... no words required, have a look ! 😲
Such a deep black color, superb lume no single damage or mark. Amazing... 🥰
The case, once cleaned, looks great and sharp as well :
Now the movement. A wonderful calibre 321 that probably hasn't seen a lot of care, see :
I am so happy to add this one to my collection. It's been totally worth the 5 years wait and hunt. A keeper !
I contacted the seller again and asked if he can share anything about the watch and its story, here's what I've got back :
The owner of the watch, William (Bill) Austin, whose initials are on the clasp, passed away in 1972. As I said, he was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. He was a pilot. Jennifer answered me, when I sent your question, that her mother might have known the history of the watch. Unfortunately, she also died, in 2018. If any paperwork or other related material comes up I will let you know.
Unfortunately we won't know more about the story of this watch. I'm now looking forward to get the Extract from the Omega Archives. Hopefully something related to the Navy, fingers crossed 😀
(2019) Update - Jennifer found some papers !
(2020) Update - Papers arrived !
(2020) Update - A full set and more pics !
Edited:
