I've been rooting around for a replacement for the Speedy RMSD lost recently, and I found another CB cased model as well as an Ed White that looks nice but is well above what I was planning to spend. I was hoping those more knowledgeable than I might be able to take a quick look in case I have missed any important issues that ought to make me think twice.
The CB case model would need to be relumed and the hands are repainted, but it has the right pushers and bezel (though it's dented at 8:30) and the case looks sharp to me. (I am US-based and could have this shipped locally, so I would not need to import it to the UK.) I'm not averse to reluming it if the price is right (although the popular re-lumers all seem to be European).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126756447...101952.m162921
The Ed White looks decent to my eyes, everything original except a service crown. It has a 1501/1035 bracelet with proper ends and all links. The asking price reflects this however. The seller seems only to have bought the watch recently and doesn't know if the lume has been redone. The best part of this one is that I could do the transaction locally, which would be safer and potentially a bit cheaper. I am a bit leery of shipping watches after my recent experience.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18670345127...&segname=11051
Please keep away from auction sites, you are asking for more trouble.
The go to guy for vintage Speedmasters is Darren at Vintage Speedmaster
https://www.vintagespeedmaster.com/for-sale
He is a member on here and a moderator on the Omega Forum.
Tell him Ken told you to get in touch and he will look after you.
Im glad you posted this Ken, I was going to suggest the same , but the variety in price points of the OP’s post led me to be unsure as to his budget. I frequently browse Darrens site , he always has an excellent of modern and vintage speedys.
Thanks. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone back to look at that CK2998-61 which is 100% original and that is crazy for a 63 year old watch - it would be a birth year watch for me. If only it wasn’t so expensive.Originally Posted by higham5
It is an 18m serial number, so the movement was made late ‘61. I’m guessing the watch was put together and sold the following year.
I did ask Darren for a wrist shot and he pinged me this:
Thanks for the link. He has some nice watches on there, and his prices look reasonable relative to other dealers I've looked into.
The original watch I'd planned to buy (which RMSD lost) was £4100 but would have required sourcing a DON bezel and a proper dial to make correct, raising the cost significantly if I went that route at some point, though I'm not in a big rush to get correct parts.
I was planning for something around £6000 all-inclusive of any parts/work required, but I could spend more if I happened upon something justifying it. That Ed White eBay option I posted is about the limit of what I would spend (and I'd be paying a bit less than the asking price for a local sale, say a bit. above £9K). It looks a bit polished to my eye, although it's hard for me to tell from the photos.
I have no super strong preference for an Ed White or a later 321 Speedmaster case. I like the Ed White size but the later cases are gorgeous and I don't find they wear particularly large.
Last edited by bitt3n; 9th November 2024 at 20:53.
I emailed Darren regarding what I'm looking for and I'll report back, thanks for the recommendation.
Another option is a face-to-face transaction here in London for an Ed White. This would allow me to inspect the watch before purchase. I expect I might even be able to pay to have it inspected. (I was clued onto Official Watches by a fellow forum member and they seem pretty decent.) The seller sent these photos of the chamfers. I'm wondering if those here more knowledgeable than I might offer an opinion regarding the level of polishing observed. To me it looks polished but not unusually so.
Has been polished, but not overly for a 60 year old watch. The bracelet looks nice, bracelet code/end link numbers? And there is a date on the clasp, which should tie in with the date of the watch. Any photos face on so we can see the dial, hands and bezel.
The bracelet is a 1501/1035 dated 4/66 with No.6 Ends
That looks a very tidy watch. The bracelet is quite rare and as we know #6 end links are over a grand a pair these days. Nice insert and dial.
The hands fall into the category of too good to be true, a lot of people buy newer (but correct style) hands and have them painted and filled to match the dial. Take a UV light with you when you next look at it. They look great, but that’s the issue, 60 year old hands usually look a bit battered.
All in all, looks good.
Yep, agree on the hands, zoomed in, they look NOS, which shouldn’t affect value that much if they’re done well. Dial looks v.nice, check this with UV too. Crown is replacement which isn’t a biggie.
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Bonny. I have one exactly the same.Thanks. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone back to look at that CK2998-61 which is 100% original and that is crazy for a 63 year old watch - it would be a birth year watch for me. If only it wasn’t so expensive.
It is an 18m serial number, so the movement was made late ‘61. I’m guessing the watch was put together and sold the following year.
I did ask Darren for a wrist shot and he pinged me this:
‘61 birth year also.
Thanks. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone back to look at that CK2998-61 which is 100% original and that is crazy for a 63 year old watch - it would be a birth year watch for me. If only it wasn’t so expensive.
It is an 18m serial number, so the movement was made late ‘61. I’m guessing the watch was put together and sold the following year.
I did ask Darren for a wrist shot and he pinged me this:
Agreed. Looks a lovely example.
I have a lovely super original 105.012 1967 I have been meaning to list, to pay for ongoing house. Let me know if interested . Thanks
Sounds good. I have sent you a PM.
There's another Ed White offered by a dealer here in London, also with a 1501/1035 bracelet dated 4/66. The dealer didn't respond regarding the end links when I emailed them, just the bracelet model. Is it possible to tell from the images?
This watch would probably be about £2K more than the Ed White above. To me the lume on this one looks original, and it does not look over-polished, but it would be great to hear the opinions of those more knowledgeable than I.
It also comes with the original box, paperwork, and receipt dated 1970. (Not really important to me personally but kind of neat, and suggests the watch was owned by somebody who took care of it.)
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