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The story of my one-owner cal. 321 Seamaster Chronograph

  1. kov Trüffelschwein. Apr 10, 2019

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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 :whipped: 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
    s-l1600.jpg s-l1600-2.jpg s-l1600-3.jpg

    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...

    :eek:

    :confused:

    ...

    :eek:

    ...

    ::screwloose::

    ...

    ::love::

    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. ::psy::

    Three days later, the watch was delivered to my place safely. From the very first sight I was in love with it :

    Photo 05.04.19 10 59 21.jpg

    The Navy LCDR. W. Austin not only did gently wear it, but also left on it a certain amount of wrist cheese. :D

    Photo 05.04.19 14 44 11.jpg Photo 05.04.19 14 44 19.jpg Photo 05.04.19 14 42 08.jpg Photo 05.04.19 14 43 22.jpg Photo 05.04.19 14 42 25.jpg Photo 05.04.19 14 43 37.jpg

    I had to clean this. I wanted to wear the watch but this was just too much for me :D

    Once opened, I found the gasket, completely melted inside - the watch has obviously had a long drawer life...

    Photo 05.04.19 15 05 53.jpg

    Spent a good half an hour on cleaning the case and the caseback ::facepalm2:: and replaced the gasket.

    Photo 05.04.19 15 49 10.jpg

    The crystal. Scratched but original hesalite, the Ω logo still nice and visible :

    Photo 05.04.19 15 20 33.jpg

    The dial, once removed from the case appeared in an incredible conservation condition... no words required, have a look ! :eek:

    Photo 05.04.19 15 04 08.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 04 17.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 04 25.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 04 29.jpg

    Such a deep black color, superb lume no single damage or mark. Amazing... ::love::

    The case, once cleaned, looks great and sharp as well :

    Photo 05.04.19 15 21 11.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 24 51.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 25 02.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 25 07.jpg Photo 05.04.19 15 25 17.jpg

    Now the movement. A wonderful calibre 321 that probably hasn't seen a lot of care, see :

    Photo 05.04.19 15 49 04 copie.jpg

    I am so happy to add this one to my collection. It's been totally worth the 5 years wait and hunt. A keeper !

    Photo 05.04.19 11 49 43.jpg

    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 !
     
    Edited Dec 22, 2020
    JayBe, MtV, Eve and 127 others like this.
  2. Donn Chambers Apr 10, 2019

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    Very nice! I’ve never seen that dial before. It looks amazing. Looking forward to updates on the background as you get them.
     
    kov likes this.
  3. Screwbacks Apr 10, 2019

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    that's a beauty.
     
    kov likes this.
  4. madjestikmoose Can’t bat, can’t bowl Apr 10, 2019

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    Wow, lovely watch!! Enjoy :)
     
    kov likes this.
  5. Pianist A 12 inch WHAT?!?!? Apr 10, 2019

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    Congrats ! The dial is beautiful
     
    kov likes this.
  6. Wivac Terribly special Apr 10, 2019

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    Amazing find, congrats! That dial is is a thing of wonder.
     
    kov likes this.
  7. KingCrouchy Apr 10, 2019

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    Thanks for sharing!:thumbsup: Well worth the time, really an amazing piece. And that dial!::love::
     
    kov likes this.
  8. aap Apr 10, 2019

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    Great story, great watch. Congratulations!
     
    kov likes this.
  9. Renton Apr 10, 2019

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    Wow, thanks for sharing! it'll certainly be worthwhile to get an Omega extract!
     
    kov likes this.
  10. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Apr 10, 2019

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    What – she can't be bothered to organize a simple, fact-finding séance? :rolleyes:

    (Congrats on the find!)
     
    Etp095, heavenscloud, kov and 2 others like this.
  11. Jokr Apr 10, 2019

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    happy to hear that 5 years of hunting finally paid off. That watch is stunning! :thumbsup:
     
    kov likes this.
  12. Risto Apr 10, 2019

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    Amazing dial. I think I just saw this black panda another day in eBay or perhaps somewhere else and was thinking about buying it. It looks better than a speedy!
     
    Etp095, kov and marco like this.
  13. Mark020 not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer Apr 10, 2019

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    Very nice example!!!!
     
    kov likes this.
  14. JimJupiter Apr 10, 2019

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    Very cool watch...and what a beauty! Congrats Kov, the watch found the correct home :)
     
    kov likes this.
  15. Nla91 Apr 10, 2019

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    You're so lucky! Enjoy it...and remember my dibs::love::
     
    kov likes this.
  16. flqt-9000 Apr 10, 2019

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    Superb aquisition! My sincere congrats!
     
    kov likes this.
  17. lando Apr 10, 2019

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    Congratulations! The moment i saw the dial removed from the case, my jaw dropped.

    Would be a keeper for me aswell. ::love::
     
    kov likes this.
  18. jeppehh Apr 10, 2019

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    What a beauty. I’m in love with these Seamaster chronograph. Hopefully my time will come as it looks like patience pays off.
     
    kov likes this.
  19. w154 Apr 10, 2019

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    After five years of looking I'd call it perseverance rather than luck :thumbsup:
     
    Syrte, Edward53, DaveK and 1 other person like this.
  20. mac_omega Apr 10, 2019

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    :thumbsup: ::love::::love::::love:: :thumbsup:

    without words...
     
    kov likes this.