Hello everyone,

I have been lurking these forums for a while and have been so impressed by the knowledge on here. This place is a tremendous resource and community. I also thought I would break my silence and pose my humble question to the experts.

I have been thinking of adding a cal. 321 Speedmaster to my collection and have fallen down a bewildering rabbit hole of possibilities. I already own a 3570.50 and a Watchco 300 but I may sell them for this next acquisition.

In my hunt, I have noticed a couple pieces with some combination of new service parts and old originals. However, I have just happened upon a like-new looking example with service case, dial, hands, bezel, bracelet and just about everything except the movement. It also had a very recent Omega factory service and all of the paperwork authenticating everything.

So here is my question: is it a crazy idea to buy such a watch? The price being asked is $6700 for an essentially new watch with an old (but factory serviced) movement. I understand the allure of original parts and patina, no doubt. I have owned my 3570 for a number of years and love it, but there is something tempting about owning a very similar watch but with the heart of a classic one. Am I crazy to consider a watch like this for basically double the asking price of my current one? Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

Would you please show some pictures of the watch?

 

Here they are

 

YES. You would be crazy to buy this one. To feel the history of the Speedmaster this is NOT the way to go.

I don't really understand why it costs $6700 in the first place.
My suggestion is to look for a more authentic piece with atleast case, caseback, dial and movement being original parts.

 

Spend more and get an original example if you want a 321. This one is too much given the asking price.

 

Ask the seller if he still has the parts replaced during service (and if he is willing to give you those...). Service was done in January 2019. Somehow I have the feeling those parts will not be available. I am sure that 6700 was not his last word.

 

I would pass on this too. What I ask myself is whether I could buy a newish speedy and a 321 movement separately for the same or lower price? It seems to me like you could. Or spend less money on an all-original seamaster chrono with a 321 movement!

 

You can go for this watch if you really like it but the price is way too high for what it is.

For a bit more money, you can get a decent all original 145.012.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I am not too surprised by the views expressed.

Here is a related question; assuming that Watchco still existed and had access to all new service parts, what do you think a cal. 321 Speedmaster would be worth? I think the Watchco 300s are selling for around $3000USD.

I find the idea of a "new" cal. 321 knd of appealing, even if I am in the minority here.

 

This watch gives you all of the downside and none of the benefit of owning a 321 based watch.

 

Wish I could take pictures like that......

 

That's a crazy asking price for that watch, by a factor of two IMO.

 

A changed dial from Tritium to Luminova is not perfect, but could be ok, if you want to read it at night. It is not historic any more, but that are Omega (and other OEMs) rules. But it can be avoided.

But a new service case and a new caseback is a nogo. It is not an old watch any more, it is a marriage from a lot of parts. Watchco made this with Seamster 300 and SHOM, too, and I would never buy such a watch. It is just a lookalike, even with a old movement and original new parts.

Worth? The price of the movement, not more. At least for me.

 

The majority of the value would only be found in the movement and assuming that it came with an extract stating that it was originally in a 145.012, I would say USD3.5K including the bracelet.

 

A genuinely factory serviced, extract confirmed movement would fetch over $3,000, possibly $4,000.

The rest of the service parts used to cost around $1,000+ when you could get them, I expect more now. Just off the top of my head,

I do know of a very happy man with a “watchco” 1450012 and he paid more than the parts sum but less than the asking of thenOP watch.

i think from a vintage watch collector point of view, this watch only has the movement to appeal - but some people want just that. A 321 in a modern case. (Isn’t omega going to do just that, and everyone seems exited about that?). In a case that is water resistant and not valuable. This watch can be worn into the ground without fear of loss of the bezel, or banging up the case. It also can be seen in the dark.

As has been said, not at this money, but there is a demand for it.

If a watchco Seamaster 300 is $3000 then similar speedmaster must be $4,000 to $5500?