Exactly! Just like a similar ("Earthy") condition 165.024BT I was lucky enough to score this past November...
You're right. I'm also for keeping it 100% original. However, if the Crystal is found to have some hairlines on the bottom when it's removed for service, I would probably replace it just to have the peace of mind. Plus, it has some deeper gauges and scratches that cast shadows on the dial. Maybe they could be buffed out by my watchmaker. Of course I will hold on to the original if I do end up replacing it.
So, a buddy of mine sends me a text on Thursday telling me the a guy he knows who works at some consignment/auction shop has this watch for sale that he just got from the original owner... Sends me a few blurry pictures a couple of minutes later asking me if I wanted it... As I was typing him back to ask "How much?", he texted me the price... I needed about 2 milliseconds of thought...SOLD! I had it shipped overnight and got it in my hands yesterday (Friday).
This is literally my holy grail right here.. massive congrats and amazing work, she's scrubbed up a real treat! Cheers
That is quite a catch. And you are absolutely sure. The grime is like a seal of time, that proves, nobody messed up the watch lately...