Speedmaster model range
Discussion
Any Speedmaster experts on here?
I've long been tempted by a Speedmaster, either new or nearly new. But am a little put off by not knowing quite which one to go for as there's quite a range - there seem to be a number of different models, all very similar looking. I'm told a manual wind is better than an automatic. Are they all the same size - for example?
An idiots guide from someone who knows would be very welcome.
Thanks
I've long been tempted by a Speedmaster, either new or nearly new. But am a little put off by not knowing quite which one to go for as there's quite a range - there seem to be a number of different models, all very similar looking. I'm told a manual wind is better than an automatic. Are they all the same size - for example?
An idiots guide from someone who knows would be very welcome.
Thanks
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/m...
There are quite a few, those are just the moon watch collection
you have racing, 57's, mk2, moonphase etc etc just buy the one you like.
watch geeks will want the plastic glass manual wind Moonwatch one.
here is 60 years of the speed master
https://www.fratellowatches.com/60-years-of-speedm...
There are quite a few, those are just the moon watch collection
you have racing, 57's, mk2, moonphase etc etc just buy the one you like.
watch geeks will want the plastic glass manual wind Moonwatch one.
here is 60 years of the speed master
https://www.fratellowatches.com/60-years-of-speedm...
I have this;
It commemorates the last visit to the Moon with Apollo 17, it has the Apollo 17 badge etched into silver on the watch face and shows man looking forward to the future including exploration of Mars.
It is a limited edition and is inscribed on the back.
It does divide opinion but I love it.
It commemorates the last visit to the Moon with Apollo 17, it has the Apollo 17 badge etched into silver on the watch face and shows man looking forward to the future including exploration of Mars.
It is a limited edition and is inscribed on the back.
It does divide opinion but I love it.
The space-rated one is not really the one to go for. It has plastic glass because in zero g shattering real glass would result in lots of tiny shards floating around and getting in your eye. Since a self winding rotor won't work very well in zero g, it generally needing some gravity to align back to each time you move your wrist, the space ones are manual wind. This means the crown seals wear out quickly and the case looses pressure integrity. Again not such a problem in space, and indeed useful as EVA involves a rapid 1 bar pressure drop which might blow that plastic glass off if the pressure can't escape the watch. Black dial is to prevent sunglare in sunlight that isn't filtered. Never figured out why they have a tachymeter bezel.
Unfortunately, here on earth plastic scratches, leaky seals allow moisture and dust in, and a black dial with white hands is less visible than a white dial with black hands.
All said and done though it's an absolute classic and a fundamental of any watch aficionados hobby. The Apollo 13 crew used a speedmaster to time the manual engine burn to get them back from the moon when half their spaceship had blow away and absolutely everything had been switched to save enough battery power for re-entry.
Go full size on a leather strap.
Unfortunately, here on earth plastic scratches, leaky seals allow moisture and dust in, and a black dial with white hands is less visible than a white dial with black hands.
All said and done though it's an absolute classic and a fundamental of any watch aficionados hobby. The Apollo 13 crew used a speedmaster to time the manual engine burn to get them back from the moon when half their spaceship had blow away and absolutely everything had been switched to save enough battery power for re-entry.
Go full size on a leather strap.
Look for one with the 861 movement. The numbered edition First Watch on the Moon with brown leather strap is lovely.
I owned and sadly traded one. The dark side of the Moon version is a big hike in price on the previous one i mentioned. Ceramic and nice strap. It will be a wise buy.
Any speedy with a 321 movement is a nice buy and more than likely be vintage. All speedy's are classy looking watches that will look just as good in a 100 yrs.
I owned and sadly traded one. The dark side of the Moon version is a big hike in price on the previous one i mentioned. Ceramic and nice strap. It will be a wise buy.
Any speedy with a 321 movement is a nice buy and more than likely be vintage. All speedy's are classy looking watches that will look just as good in a 100 yrs.
The 'Moonwatch' version is the one to go for, the legend from whence it all started.
Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
I wore a Seamaster for 4 years, and bought a Speedy moon which is now my daily.
I wear it on the Omega black nylon strap. Agree with the comments on the Hesalite not being great with wear, but the scratches are very easily removed with Polywatch every 6 months or so (or more regularly if you want your watch to always look like new). The sapphire on my Seamaster was immaculate in the time I owned it in comparison. The rest of the watch wears like a Seamaster, so can deal with day-to-day duties (in the life of an office worker at least).
Manual wind might not be for everyone, but I like it - it's one of those things you can do when you're sat on the train/on a call.
I disagree with the white hands on black comments - it's a very easy watch face to read. Never considered the waterproofing points which seem fair, but it's not a watch that I'd intentionally submerge in water.
As for the model range, the Moon is the one to get, even if it's just for the history behind it.
ETA: I got mine from Dom too and had great service (and a great price!) from him. If you're after something a little more special, then the first Snoopy model is the one to go for (I'd love one).
As noted above, NASA chose Omega rather than the other way around. The Speedmaster originally had its origins in motor racing, hence the Tachometer.
I wear it on the Omega black nylon strap. Agree with the comments on the Hesalite not being great with wear, but the scratches are very easily removed with Polywatch every 6 months or so (or more regularly if you want your watch to always look like new). The sapphire on my Seamaster was immaculate in the time I owned it in comparison. The rest of the watch wears like a Seamaster, so can deal with day-to-day duties (in the life of an office worker at least).
Manual wind might not be for everyone, but I like it - it's one of those things you can do when you're sat on the train/on a call.
I disagree with the white hands on black comments - it's a very easy watch face to read. Never considered the waterproofing points which seem fair, but it's not a watch that I'd intentionally submerge in water.
As for the model range, the Moon is the one to get, even if it's just for the history behind it.
ETA: I got mine from Dom too and had great service (and a great price!) from him. If you're after something a little more special, then the first Snoopy model is the one to go for (I'd love one).
As noted above, NASA chose Omega rather than the other way around. The Speedmaster originally had its origins in motor racing, hence the Tachometer.
Edited by NickXX on Saturday 25th February 23:56
UnclePat said:
The 'Moonwatch' version is the one to go for, the legend from whence it all started.
Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
I'm also looking at new watchs and have spent the weekend window shopping and reading.Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
Is this the new one that you refer to? Comes in the big presentation box.
http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/0010263/Omega-Speedm...
Birdster said:
UnclePat said:
The 'Moonwatch' version is the one to go for, the legend from whence it all started.
Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
I'm also looking at new watchs and have spent the weekend window shopping and reading.Forget all the automatic, co-axial, sapphire crystal, special-edition, meteorite-dialled versions - the Moonwatch is like a single malt whisky, best taken straight & not diluted or mixed.
Omega flog it to death, releasing new versions every 5 minutes (some of which are actually quite nice), but it's the Moonwatch that everyone still wants & respects.
There is probably no other watch that carries the same cachet of history & achievement, as well as being rock-solid. Yes, it's old tech and lacks some features expected of luxury watches these days, but it took a beating over days of NASA temperature, shock, humidity, pressure & acceleration testing, and still kept to within 5 seconds daily, and saved lives in space, where it mattered.
Ignore the comments re legibility - the dial design is a classic example of both looks & performance.
The manual-wind aspect is also no concern (unless you're too lazy to be bothered with winding it). Don't forget all watches for a long time were manual wind only, and there was no particular epidemic of leaky seals. Those seals (on any watch) will all be replaced as a matter of course at every service.
The tachymeter is there because the Speedmaster was originally designed as a sports chronograph in the motor sports arena. It's not there for NASA.
There is debate over the Sapphire or Hesalite (plastic) crystals - the latter is the Moonwatch classic. Whilst Sapphire is more scratch-resistant, it has an uglier 'boxy' look which creates an awful 'milky' white outline when looking at the dial, and lacks the clarity & warmth of the Hesalite. Plus, if the Hesalite scratches, it's a piece of p*ss to bring back to new with toothpaste or brasso. Scratch your Sapphire - and you can do it, on diamond or silicate - and there's no polishing that out, it's a replacement job. Hesalite is also much, much more shatter-proof than Sapphire, and a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
The newer 1861 movement Moonwatches are virtually the same as the 321 movement watches that went to the moon - they just lack the column-wheel chronograph actuation, having a simpler cam-operated version instead (not as pretty & less horologically respected, but practically just as good to use). They also have Rhodium coating to look nicer & better protect from rusting.
321 movements are nice, but harder to find, and parts even more so (i.e. expensive), so you're better-off with a modern version. The current 1861 movement has been used for 25 years, and the non-Rhodium plated prior version for 25 years before then. The 321 was used for only about 11 years, late 50's to late 60's.
Finally, today's watch is still rated by NASA for space EVA, and still worn by Russian Cosmonauts, so forget anyone that tells you it's obselete/inferior tech.
Where else can you wear a piece of history on your wrist, that played a huge part in advancing mankind's knowledge & endeavour?
They come with a lovely box that's bigger than the moon itself, but full of extra straps, a loupe, springbar tool & booklets on the NASA use.
Also, there's a 5% price rising coming on 1st March, so buy now if possible.
Is this the new one that you refer to? Comes in the big presentation box.
http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/0010263/Omega-Speedm...
You could always go for one of these.
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/bulova-moon-watch/
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-102315a-apol...
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/bulova-moon-watch/
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-102315a-apol...
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