Thoughts on this very clean 105.012 Speedmaster

I’ve been digging around for quite some time looking for a clean, presentable 105.012 and I think I’ve found it, but I would like to ask the opinion of the seasoned veterans.

The reason I locked onto this one is I really prioritise a clean dial and yellow toned tritium. This one has that, but I wonder if it is relumed since it’s so clean, and glows very evenly under UV. The hands are glowing a totally different colour so I would guess they’ve absolutely been relumed. Not quite sure what to make of it all. What I can say is, to me it all looks nice except for the hands glow. I’ve no idea if hands are service hands or not.

The case is suspiciously perfect to me - it looks professionally repolished but I really like how it looks - the lugs seem to retain their sharpness and the brushing gives nice contrast. If it has been polished, to me it looks like it hasn’t been overpolished because the caseback engraving is nice and deep and lugs have retained their sharpness, but would welcome opinions on this.

Crown is clearly service crown. Not sure about the pushers?

As for the bezel and strap - I plan to wear this watch so I will anyway get an aftermarket bezel and leather strap of choice. I will factor those missing parts into the negotiated price.

Now the funny part - the seller has not yet opened up the watch and won’t do so unless I commit to buying it under the agreement that everything is in order and as expected. So I have no idea what year it is, whether it’s HF or CB case, if there are service marks, what condition the movement is in or even what the serial number is. The seller paid to have it serviced and he’s paranoid about opening it and voiding the service.. whatever I guess.

I can accept if certain parts are service and others have been refinished since it is for wearing, but I would like to know exactly what I’m buying. Any input would be appreciated!

Something important to note about the tritium/lume: after UV light is switched off, the dial instantly stops glowing except for a residual dim glow. But the hands carry on glowing for some time. That makes me wonder if dial is original tritium but hands are relumed.

Unfortunately not yet - the seller is very protective

What do you think of the dial and case body?

If so, would that mean the inside won’t have 105.012-66 for example and the HF/CB markings? I’ve not seen a service caseback before - how would I identify it when I see inside?

Yeah, he is a Japanese antique dealer who sells vases and swords and stuff!! Extremely conservative I think. He has had this thing for sale for 3 years+ and stubbornly hasn’t let anybody see inside, hence why nobody has bought it. But he is willing to let me open it up on the agreement that I buy it if everything is in order. The really wacky thing is, somebody told him it has no serial number because “the old ones don’t have those” and he’s now convinced it doesn’t have a serial!!
Anyway, I’m not phased because I know the mentality of Japanese antiques dealers. He is just extremely careful and doesn’t want even 0.01% of risk. I’m quite confident he is not trying anything sneaky.

Very interesting.. I will look out for that if/when I open it up

I have been looking through the private sales section for some time, but never found the one that spoke to me. I really like the look of this one though. What specifically is making you feel this one is a bad call?

Would you mind me asking why? I would have the missing original parts factored into the sale price so it wouldn’t be priced as a complete watch with DON bezel and flat link bracelet.

You are right, I will see if I can persuade him to unwrap it so we can get better pictures.