Hi, just found this speedmaster from 1964 online, asking price is under 9000 euro. Seems to good to be true, what are you guys thinking?

 

Any photograph of the serial number?

 

Based on the limited info provided, it might be a good buy. '64 you say? I'd check serial #, should be 20.52x.xxx range for a '64. It has a flat bottom chrono, not found on '64's. Overall, looks attractive, good condition. Will be interested to see what happens.

 

20.525.xxx he told me

 

I'm thinking that I'd ask for more detailed pics or even an inspection period.

 

Seems fair. Speedmasters, especially Ed Whites, seem to be dropping very fast at lower and lower prices in the past few months.
If the bracelet is included, 8000 euro seems decent. If I were you, I'd even try to bargain for a slightly better deal.

 

What concerned me about this seller is that he previously had quite a few parts that he was selling alongside this watch, and it gave me cause to think about whether this might be a cobbled together watch. Have a look at his sold items on eBay.

 

That chrono hand not a 64.
Are speedmaster prices dropping "very fast"? I guess I missed that.

 

An original 105.003-65 with ghost DON missing a single pusher went for 6.7k last week. A lot of the straight-lug Speedies have also been hitting the bay recently, and compared with sales last year typically reaching 13,000 USD and more, it does seem that there is, at the very least, a lull in the market.

 

An Ed White, missing a pusher, requiring possible work to the case threads, with possible (albeit no visible) movement damage, selling for $6.7k isn't signs of a slowing market.

It's just summer, which is low season in the watch collecting world.

 

OP - what are your thoughts on the watch?

You obviously need to satisfy yourself that the seller genuine, confirm whether the bracelet is included and get better pictures to properly assess the dial.

If everything checks out the price seems decent but not "too good to be true".

 

I think there may be some confusion here — the case back on the watch clearly is able to screw in and out fine. There may be some pitting, which is not uncommon for Ed Whites, but as the pushers are driven in, not screwed in, no "work to the case threads" would have been needed. Regardless of this, the watch ought to have gone for more than it did, especially considering the fact that Ed Whites have historically, and consistently been pulling 5-digit sales in the past few years.

Similarly, there was an extremely damaged Ed White which sold for 6.6k USD around two months back which had severe pitting, service pushers, incorrect hands, and a washed/burned dial. Again, anecdotal evidence, but you can take it or leave it as you see it.

The point is — It's possible that the market is just in a lull, but the point is that if prices are fluctuating between 12k+ and half that, taking advantage of the lower prices in the status quo to secure a better deal for the OP might be worth considering. It's ultimately up to the seller whether or not they are willing to wait and see if prices go back up as we near the holiday season.

 

Why is it good to be true? 9000 Euros for a 105.012 with an incorrect chrono hand does not seem like a steal to me.

And if it doesn't come with the bracelet, then it is definitely not a steal.

 

I would be much more relaxed seeing better quality pictures of the dial. Now you can’t clearly see if there is any pitting or damage to the dial, or just dirt on the chrystal. And yes, wrong chrono hand would also make me check the watch a bit closer, especially if the seller is selling a lot of Speedy parts on the side.

 

Why are you saying ed white here ?
A professional dial for an Ed white ?
Twist lugs ?
Pushers ?

 

The seller previously tried to sell it off in parts. He offered the dial too, I asked him for better pictures so that I can tell how the condition is...he send me pictures with bad light, making it impossible to tell if there is damage or spots or whatever on it. Told him they are useless without proper light, he didn't bother to send any good ones after that.

 

The comparison was used to show how the market is "dropping very fast" after a sale of an Ed White last week. No one is saying the OP watch is an Ed White.

 

I believe I noticed this one on eBay. In the details the seller mentions water damage so I would be very wary of buying based on those terrible pics. Almost like he has something to hide.