Speedmaster model range
Discussion
GC8 said:
gregs656 said:
That is absolute rubbish.
I own a Schumacher Legend because I wanted a full size Speedmaster with a bit of colour. If I went to buy a Moon watch instead I hope people around me would have pointed out I was being an idiot for buying something I didn't want because that is what one 'should' do.
Difficult to articulate how annoying I find this kind of thinking. It is just so needlessly closed off and derisory.
People should remember, or find out, that the Speedmaster was intended as a motorsport orientated watch. Space came along and they ran with it, but it is not the sole focus of the Speedmaster. I own a Schumacher Legend because I wanted a full size Speedmaster with a bit of colour. If I went to buy a Moon watch instead I hope people around me would have pointed out I was being an idiot for buying something I didn't want because that is what one 'should' do.
Difficult to articulate how annoying I find this kind of thinking. It is just so needlessly closed off and derisory.
Edited by Balmoral on Friday 22 September 13:56
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/r...
I got a discount easily enough, I could have done a little bit better if I'd bought on-line, but I was happy for the peace of mind of buying from my local authorised dealer, plus, it was right there, in stock, on my wrist to walk away with
I got a discount easily enough, I could have done a little bit better if I'd bought on-line, but I was happy for the peace of mind of buying from my local authorised dealer, plus, it was right there, in stock, on my wrist to walk away with
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.
Very well saidForget 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 going to call it .....and time will tell if I’m right or wrong.
1. The Moonwatch Pro is a very nice watch. I purchased one for my Son the summer.
2. I was impressed with the form and quality and wondered why I’d never bought one before.
3. They are great value. One can buy a new large box series for £2600-2800. And that is the problem.
4. Everyone is talking up the hasalite, worn on the moon, Lemania etc... there’s nothing special anymore in these watches apart from their intrinsic quality - which is undoubted.
5. Snoopy, Soyuz, and a number of the special edition pandas are nice but I can’t get into paying x4 - x5 for what is a simple marketing ploy.
6. Ditto the 321/821 movements. That boat left long ago and I was too late.
7. Like the mystical Rolly Daytona, my money is on the Reduced. It was born unloved! Seen as not technically perfect!, usual caliber (not Co-Axial), not too many made, a rarer Mk2 is out there and seen as a poor mans MOTM. Exactly the same set of coincidences that is currently putting the Daytona in silly territory.
MOTM is a nice watch but quality-wise, most other Speediest are there too. Matter of taste really.
1. The Moonwatch Pro is a very nice watch. I purchased one for my Son the summer.
2. I was impressed with the form and quality and wondered why I’d never bought one before.
3. They are great value. One can buy a new large box series for £2600-2800. And that is the problem.
4. Everyone is talking up the hasalite, worn on the moon, Lemania etc... there’s nothing special anymore in these watches apart from their intrinsic quality - which is undoubted.
5. Snoopy, Soyuz, and a number of the special edition pandas are nice but I can’t get into paying x4 - x5 for what is a simple marketing ploy.
6. Ditto the 321/821 movements. That boat left long ago and I was too late.
7. Like the mystical Rolly Daytona, my money is on the Reduced. It was born unloved! Seen as not technically perfect!, usual caliber (not Co-Axial), not too many made, a rarer Mk2 is out there and seen as a poor mans MOTM. Exactly the same set of coincidences that is currently putting the Daytona in silly territory.
MOTM is a nice watch but quality-wise, most other Speediest are there too. Matter of taste really.
I’m a big Omega fan so I’ve had my eye on a Speedmaster for a while and had a similar dilemma as the OP.
I had previously tried on the 44mm co axel version of the moonwatch which is a very nice watch indeed, didn’t feel too big either
I then tried the traditional moonwatch and realised how classy it felt, not sure if it’s all the history or iconic design but it just feels great on the wrist
I had previously tried on the 44mm co axel version of the moonwatch which is a very nice watch indeed, didn’t feel too big either
I then tried the traditional moonwatch and realised how classy it felt, not sure if it’s all the history or iconic design but it just feels great on the wrist
Edited by Bernardino on Friday 27th October 23:15
I'm starting to think about a Mk2. I like the styling and it also appears to be slightly rarer.
I Have been looking at pre-owned as noted in this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I haven't gone any further yet but I like the look with the black leather strap.
I Have been looking at pre-owned as noted in this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I haven't gone any further yet but I like the look with the black leather strap.
TJS10 said:
The Speedmaster range is huge with numerous models and limited editions.
I have a reduced 39mm limited edition (3513.53) from 1996 which was made for the Japanese market. The sub dials within the face are set vertically compared to the usual horizontal Speedster layout with red accents on a black or white patterned dial. Never seen another one.
Interesting links for fans of the moon watches attached.
Ha! Here’s mine:I have a reduced 39mm limited edition (3513.53) from 1996 which was made for the Japanese market. The sub dials within the face are set vertically compared to the usual horizontal Speedster layout with red accents on a black or white patterned dial. Never seen another one.
Interesting links for fans of the moon watches attached.
andy97 said:
I'm starting to think about a Mk2. I like the styling and it also appears to be slightly rarer.
I Have been looking at pre-owned as noted in this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I haven't gone any further yet but I like the look with the black leather strap.
Bought this Mk2 yesterday from Watchfinder. I Have been looking at pre-owned as noted in this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I haven't gone any further yet but I like the look with the black leather strap.
Balmoral said:
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/r...
I got a discount easily enough, I could have done a little bit better if I'd bought on-line, but I was happy for the peace of mind of buying from my local authorised dealer, plus, it was right there, in stock, on my wrist to walk away with
Sorry just catching up on posts.I got a discount easily enough, I could have done a little bit better if I'd bought on-line, but I was happy for the peace of mind of buying from my local authorised dealer, plus, it was right there, in stock, on my wrist to walk away with
Thanks for this.
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