What do we think about this "FAP" Speedy 2998-6?

And I though my speedy bezel was all bunged up.

Sorry, I was thinking less of originality of the FAP and more about the value question.

Thinking just in term of condition alone, a more valuable watch has better features than similar references, right? We break it down into components to make it easier, case, dial etc.

Without going into details, your dial looks in poor condition compared to others. The lume is green, dark and missing in parts. This usually happens with moisture. Regardless, it isn't attractive to many people.

More along these lines.

Maybe start here?
https://speedmaster101.com/2998-3/

Lots to learn from....😉

From @Spacefruit lovely website!

I love that in 2024, people can still take this photo:


So lets try...

2998-6, with a movement number close to those -6's in my database.

Dial looks original, as do the hour minute hands, but not the chrono Seconds.

The bezel makes me wonder - the fonts are squished, but in the right place. So probably either decayed over time, or an end of run before changing the manufacturing die. (I made that last bit up, I am guessing). However the bezel is unattractive, and without charm and makes me wonder if it is real, even if it is. You cant pay much for that.

Crown is replaced, pushers might be (cant really see)

Condition:

Like many FAP's the condition is awful. In fact the best thing about it is the FAP engraving which is normally obscured.
The dial is awful even if some of those marks are on the crystal not the dial
Case is not too bad, I cant see much corrosion at the gasket.
Bezel is ugly

Conclusion
Sometimes a well worn watch with deterioration that appears to be even throughout, can be very attractive. This one has me tingling on two parts - the bezel, and the clean FAP engraving.

I think it could be cleaned up - crown replaced, and the chrono hand tidied up. The bezel will always be ugly and the dial will always be decayed. Its hard to know what its going to look like.

I have a value theory. I think relatively complete 2998's with strong decay find homes at around $6,000 to $11,000. I have seen fine 2998's change hands between two knowledgeable people for $32,000.

I recently acquired this for under $10,000

It also has incorrect crown. It has correct pushers and a green bezel. Wrong glass too.

Note the 3's on the bezel and compare to the OP watch.

@Spacefruit i believe it’s a silk screen process onto a rubber ball. Not a die for the printing.

I have seen the machine and Foo is correct.

The rubber ball is more like the one Carol Doda had two of.

so is it possible that later bezels come out of the process looking different from the first?

As silk screens wear out new ones need to be made from a photographic plate. Variations of focus on creation and age of the silkscreen would both contribute to variation.

This is true.

How many FAP's with engraving this clear have we seen?

Just saying that as we have confirmed intervention, could the FAP have been re-engraved. (wouldn't blame anyone for doing it as they often get eroded)

Also would prefer an extract before allocating value.

It's difficult to think this wasn't re-engraved.