New Watch - Omega Speedmaster Pro

[halfpenny43]

Hi All,

Been lurking on this forum for a while.

I am not by any means a watch "aficionado" or collector and have only really stuck to Tag - owning 2 of them - an original S/EL with a red face which I purchased on 1997 (quite rare I believe) and a Kirium F1 steel braclet as I always wanted a dual (analogue and digital) watch.

I am interested in getting a new watch and was looking at the Tag Monaco Gulf Racing, but when I tried it on it was simply too big for my skinny wrists (shame the rest of me doesn't match !).

This then got me thinking about moving to another brand of watch. Given the history of the Speedmaster Pro this rather appeals.
I was looking at the 40th Anniversary model with the silver medal, I thought that the 50th would be more special than the 40th and after reading the posts on here about Omega limited editions it put me off a little. Although at EUR3,200 it was a good price (new at Schiphol Airport)
Then I looked at the standard model which I really like, but think I would miss the date functionality which got me thinking about the Moonphase version of the watch which has a similar movement to the 1861 with all the history etc, but with the quite different date type functionality - this version also has saphire crystal on the front and back, as well of course as the display back to see the movement.

Does anyone here own a Moonphase version (black face) of the Speedmaster Pro ?
I assume as they appear in the online Omega catalogue they are a currently available (new) model ?

Many thanks
Steven

[LukeBird]

They are currently available as far as I'm aware.
Quite like the moonphase, would love to have a look at one! Never seen one anywhere!

[alfabadass]

If you want a Speedmaster, IMO get the a Pro as it's timeless.

If you get a special edition, get one of the more subtle ones. I had a reduced with a date as I thought I'd miss the date and regretted not getting the pro from day one.

[jshell]

alfabadass said:

If you want a Speedmaster, IMO get the a Pro as it's timeless.

If you get a special edition, get one of the more subtle ones. I had a reduced with a date as I thought I'd miss the date and regretted not getting the pro from day one.

I agree with this. Can't beat standard looks. I've got a 50th, but it's very subtle. I don't like most of the special editions - and pres Obama killed the 'Moon to Mars' edition!!!

There'll be confusion to come when Omega launches it's '50th Ann of the moon landings', coz they already launched a '50th of the original 1957' - in 2007!

[AllNines]

jshell said:

alfabadass said:

If you want a Speedmaster, IMO get the a Pro as it's timeless.

If you get a special edition, get one of the more subtle ones. I had a reduced with a date as I thought I'd miss the date and regretted not getting the pro from day one.

I agree with this. Can't beat standard looks. I've got a 50th, but it's very subtle. I don't like most of the special editions - and pres Obama killed the 'Moon to Mars' edition!!!

I disagree. Get the one that you like. Ignore the folk who say you must get a Pro - it's your decision and your watch to wear. I agree about missing the date; I have one watch with and one without, and when wearing the latter, it drives me potty so I end up not wearing it very often.

[LukeBird]

AllNines said:

I disagree. Get the one that you like. Ignore the folk who say you must get a Pro - it's your decision and your watch to wear. I agree about missing the date; I have one watch with and one without, and when wearing the latter, it drives me potty so I end up not wearing it very often.

+1
I have the Triple Date because a daily-wearer for me is annoying without a date.
I will get a Professional for my collection at some point, but it won't be for a daily-wearer!

[halfpenny43]

Thanks all - good advice.

I think I've decided on the Moonphase now like this one.

Just need to find one !

[andy_s]

Dom H is your man h'penny.

[Arun_D]

Gotta agree with what's been posted further up....get whichever one you like most and has the features you desire. The Pro doesn't have to be the default choice, and nor should it.

I had a Speedy Pro...Yeah the history is nice but I eventually chopped it in for a Speedmaster Racing Chronometer as got bored of the winding, lack of date (it was my daily) and the Hesalite (plastic) crystal of the original Pro.

The Racing Chronometer replacement was a full size Speedy, but with an coax automatic movement (certified chronometer), date window at 6 0'clock, carbon face and proper crystal.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/arunweb100/...

Can't say I regret it, though I do miss the display-back my Pro had. 6yrs on, the carbon face is looking a bit ott for my taste nowadays, but I guess that's what the new Speedy Coaxial Chronometer is for (same as my Racing, but with a normal face and display-back.).....

http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster/co-a...

Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 25th March 21:55

[halfpenny43]

Arun_D said:

Gotta agree with what's been posted further up....get whichever one you like most and has the features you desire. The Pro doesn't have to be the default choice, and nor should it.

I had a Speedy Pro...Yeah the history is nice but I eventually chopped it in for a Speedmaster Racing Chronometer as got bored of the winding, lack of date (it was my daily) and the Hesalite (plastic) crystal of the original Pro.

The Racing Chronometer replacement was a full size Speedy, but with an coax automatic movement (certified chronometer), date window at 6 0'clock, carbon face and proper crystal.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/arunweb100/...

Can't say I regret it, though I do miss the display-back my Pro had. 6yrs on, the carbon face is looking a bit ott for my taste nowadays, but I guess that's what the new Speedy Coaxial Chronometer is for (same as my Racing, but with a normal face and display-back.).....

http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster/co-a...

Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 25th March 21:55

Now that racing chronometer with the carbon front I like - a bit different too.

[Arun_D]

Yeah, I still very much love it to bits, and after wearing my Sinn for a few days and going back to the Omega today I do have some renewed enthusiasm for it. I don't think I'm gonna get rid of it anytime soon. I'm an watch/Omega fan who's an automotive engineer that likes the odd bit of motorsport so it suits me well.

One thing I do like about that particular one was that it was a Speedy racing model with a complete lack of any reference to Herr Schumacher!

Edited by Arun_D on Friday 26th March 19:15

[halfpenny43]

Thanks all for the advice - contacted Dom H who has found a Moonphase Omega for a good price. But . . . .

I just cannot decide what I want to buy !!! I used to be indecisive, now I', just not sure

I have wanted a ltd edition black face Tag Monaco Gulf Racing for ages, but never bought one as I thought it was quite a large faced watch, however trying one on this weekend next to a standard non-Moonphase Speedy pro - I just couldn't make my mind up which to buy - so ended up coming away with nothing.
Then you start looking at other watches, Tag Monaco LS, Omega Seamaster . . . .

Out of interest has anyone ever used a site called Chrono24 to buy from ??

Cheers
Steven

[tertius]

halfpenny43 said:

Thanks all for the advice - contacted Dom H who has found a Moonphase Omega for a good price. But . . . .

I just cannot decide what I want to buy !!! I used to be indecisive, now I', just not sure

I have wanted a ltd edition black face Tag Monaco Gulf Racing for ages, but never bought one as I thought it was quite a large faced watch, however trying one on this weekend next to a standard non-Moonphase Speedy pro - I just couldn't make my mind up which to buy - so ended up coming away with nothing.
Then you start looking at other watches, Tag Monaco LS, Omega Seamaster . . . .

Out of interest has anyone ever used a site called Chrono24 to buy from ??

Cheers
Steven

Chrono24 is just a marketplace for dealers and private individuals to advertise watches - think of it like Autotrader for watches, though with a heavy European focus. I have bought a watch that I found on Chrono24 but just remember you need to evaluate the particular seller you are buying from - because it isn't Chrono24.

[halfpenny43]

tertius said:

Chrono24 is just a marketplace for dealers and private individuals to advertise watches - think of it like Autotrader for watches, though with a heavy European focus. I have bought a watch that I found on Chrono24 but just remember you need to evaluate the particular seller you are buying from - because it isn't Chrono24.

Ah gotcha thanks.

I think that unless I could reference the selling dealer I would not part with a large (all things relative of course) amount of cash for something that can be passed off to the untrained person as a replica or fake.

I'll get back in touch with Dom H