: So is this a new record for a 2446 3rd?
: Not even in very good condition but would probably clean up nice.
:
: http://www.ebay.com/itm/172050901237?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Figured I might as well jump in here, as I'm the one who ended up with the winning bid. My stop-limit was $13,750, so this was dangerously close to going to someone else.

As others have noted, it seems like a very, very large price to pay at first blush. That said, this listing had everything that I search for. Just an incredibly "honest" example with zero prep work or salesmanship and great bones (ie - super sharp case, caseback, and nearly flawless dial/hands). Simply put, the watch spoke for itself. I have full faith that when it arrives (tomorrow!) and I'm able to clean the crystal, remove the dirt/grit, and inspect the movement, it will come out the other side looking like a completely different Autavia.

As far as where the market is headed...I have absolutely no idea. I've long felt that screwback Autavias were overlooked by the market, and to be honest, I didn't care if I had to push the ceiling a little higher to get this one. I don't buy from dealers, so passing on this likely meant that I'd be on the sidelines for a long time to come. Finally, seeing the prices for some, ahem, less clean screwback examples lately, I think that the price is fairly justified and may even end up looking like it was well bought in a couple years. If it's not, however, it's of no concern to me. I got exactly the one I wanted!

Cheers,
Rob