Anyone going to view?
I thought the speedmasters are interesting, some of the other watches also looked good. I like the wide variety they are offering this time.
My idea on the speedmasters here, but what do people think about any of the watches there?
Which one is the sleeper?

 

Chance on sleepers is low. Put a lot of effort in auctions like these in the past but 99% of the time the hammer would be way over my best.

 

Great write-up as always on your website. Is this the other matte grey dial that you referred to selling recently at Christies?:

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...2870&sid=f8f6af46-fcff-4f70-9fb4-60a53d3c85f5

Very similar watches, both delivered to the UK in 1963. Good argument that these dials are original to the watches. Christie's didn't mention anything about the dial, allowing this one to fly under the radar. With the WOK grey dial on the cover I'm betting this one is going to attract a lot of attention, despite the less than pristine condition of the dial

 

Even before I read your link. The 66 stood out for me. Hands aside and given the estimate.
That was on the watch list so to speak. It seems somewhat under valued when compared to the others presented.
I suspect the estimate will be beat here.

The featured grey will go for lots. I sense more from investors unfamiliar with the variances and it being positioned as the star lot.

 

If I was a buyer I would be looking at lots 67, 117 and 137. Many of the estimates seem rational but the bidders may not be.

 

Agreed - I've found a number of auction sleepers in the past but I've never had any luck with Watches of Knightsbridge or Antiquorum. Both seem to drive a lot of interest and equally high prices.

 

My mistake, it was antiquorum
http://www.antiquorum.com/catalog/lots/omega-ref-st-105-003-65-lot-302-529?page=2&q=speedmaster

 

Honestly, there is always a sleeper. Perhaps I was not clear - I always used the term sleeper to denote a massively undervalued, unoticed lot that ends up sailing past the estimate.

There is also the one everyone misses that sells super cheap. I don't know whats that is called... we need a name. We always just called the bastard that we missed. (30 years as an auction buyer)

 

Hmm Super Cheap. But is really very expensive.

The Paris Hilton.

Wait...no....watches....

 

I completely agree with 137...
If I had some funds...

 

for such a "prestigious" watch auction house... i find the lack of images for most lots a bit lacking

 

I'm only interested in the -66. Not the best bezel, and the incorrect chrono hand needs replacing, but I like the general look of it. I'll be following the auction online.
Could be my first Speedmaster, if the price is right!

 

The best thing about WoK is that you only need to buy one watch from them and they will send you pretty catalogues full of gorgeous photos in perpetuity.

 

Only for one year. In my case

 

Hmmm.... Perhaps I inadvertently bought more than one watch from them? I know there was a red sub on Chrono24 that turned out to be theirs when I enquired.

Still, I have no complaints whatsoever about them or their service and they send only the best "junk mail" . If they ever stop, I might have to actively search out another watch I like from them ... but how would I do that without their catalogues? (In other words, Alex - keep em coming).

 

I suppose this policy only applies to U.K. Buyers. I bought from them 2 years ago and never received anything

 

I bought 3 in one auction!! lol
you can pay a subscription of £40 for a years catalogues

 

Awww ... I can't "like" that ... where's the "I feel your pain" button?

 

Question about their premium on top of the hammer price:
is it 24% total including VAT, or am I reading this wrong?

Every sale will be subject to a buyer’s premium of 20% + VAT (24% inc. VAT) on the hammer price.

 

Based on buying from them previously, 24-25% is where they're at.

VAT is a little complicated with vintage watches. As a general rule, VAT is not applicable to the sale of a vintage watch. However, where the watch has been imported from outside the EU for sale (and that's going to change in a couple of years to simply "where the watch has been imported"), then VAT is applicable. I know there's a few other reasons for VAT to be applied to the hammer price but I think that's the main one.