Sothebys Auction November2022
Sotheby’s only have two Speedmasters on offer this November.
It strikes me there could have been more in the sale, but perhaps Sotheby’s are not so keep on Speedmasters at the moment – after all Christies has none, so I am happy they have at least two.
Lot 81 – 145.022-69
Miss print bezel
Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 CHF
Speedmaster, Reference 145.022-69 ST
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch
Circa 1972
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 861 manual winding, 17 jewels
Movement number: 30’596’728
Case: stainless steel, screw-down back
Closure: stainless steel Omega bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 42 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 180 mm (including additional links)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Omega International Guarantee, additional links and presentation case with outer packaging
This is a later example of the 69, with the DN90 bezel. I cannot see any justification for the estimate, even though it has papers and box. The condition simply does not warrant it.
The one thing it has in the rarity stakes is that it has a 220 missprint bezel. Very rare and interesting, these bezels have not really pushed prices of the watch they were on, but perhaps that is changing.
I am trying to think why anyone thinks this could be worth the USD 12,500 at bottom estimate, let alone the $18,625 that a high estimate bit would cost including premiums. Could the rare bezel push a buyer? Maybe.
Lot 82 – 2915-1
Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 CHF
Speedmaster ‘Broad Arrow’, Reference 2915-1
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch and bracelet
Made in 1958
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 321 manual winding, 17 jewels
Movement number: 15’996’561
Case: stainless steel, screw-down back
Closure: stainless steel Omega bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 38 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 180 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: associated genuine leather strap, Omega Extract from the Archives and associated Omega presentation case
This looks better than the last one Sotheby’s had. In fact, it does not look bad at all. We tend to assume the bezel is repro today, unless you have good reason to think otherwise. Often I am reassured when I hold the watch that it is genuine. In this case, I do not see red flags but I do not see enough to confirm one way or another – yet. I have people who will look, and report back. This watch comes with an Omega issued certificate of authenticity. Does this confirm the status of the bezel? These COA’s are new to the market, and so I am not sure how to interpret the presence of one.
The dial is quite attractive, though the lume markers are a suffering some loss of cover. The dial has the oval O in Omega, which I like. The dial in spite of its flaws, is quite attractive and may look nicer in real life.
The case is better than many. The hands look correct to me, with a lateral curve.
I am not sure what is going on, on the case back. This could put me off. It looks like heavy corrosion, and the bevels may have been polished.
If the bezel turns out to be genuine, then this won’t put anyone off. In this lot, its going to be all about the bezel.
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