Omega Speedmaster Pro - On a budget!

[Matt106]

I've recently been looking at a Rolex for wifey and decided to have a quick browse of the Omega range for myself. Unsurprisingly the Speedmaster jumped out and started shouting BUY ME and I'm pretty much sold on getting one now.

I really like the idea of having the pro over the auto but realistically my budget is £2k. Is it possible to bag a pro for this sort of money? The history that goes with the pro is what draws me in and of course something that'll hold value.

Is paperwork as desirable as it is with Rolex? Are many fakes in circulation? It may well have to sit on the back burner for a few months but would love to snap one up soon.

[aquarianone]

Fill yer boots...

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Speedmaster/Wat...

[lostkiwi]

Matt106 said:

I really like the idea of having the pro over the auto but realistically my budget is £2k. Is it possible to bag a pro for this sort of money? The history that goes with the pro is what draws me in and of course something that'll hold value.

As above...

Matt106 said:

Is paperwork as desirable as it is with Rolex? Are many fakes in circulation? It may well have to sit on the back burner for a few months but would love to snap one up soon.

Yes papers and a box are a must. There are a lot of fakes about (though less so than Rolexes) but papers/box and a reputable dealer will sort that.

[Matt106]

Thanks for the info and the link however next question, is it possible to get a moon watch for £2k? Really like the idea of manual over the auto.

[nikaiyo2]

Matt106 said:

Thanks for the info and the link however next question, is it possible to get a moon watch for £2k? Really like the idea of manual over the auto.

I recon you will struggle to get a good B&P Speedy pro for £2k from a UK dealer, not much more will get one ( you will struggle for them to do a deal IMHO)

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/17532s/omega-speedm...

Or brand newish
http://watchesofdistinction.com/?product=2550-ref-...

[Matt106]

They seem reasonable compared to what I found. Is it worth holding on a little longer and going for the moon when funds allow?

[nikaiyo2]

Matt106 said:

They seem reasonable compared to what I found. Is it worth holding on a little longer and going for the moon when funds allow?

100% dude, the Pro is the Speedmaster.
I think the autos are very difficult/ costly to service, not 100% on this point, it might just the the reduced autos that this affects.

You can often pick up Pros for less than £2k on ebay but obliviously without the safety net of a UK shop

[marcosgt]

Don't discount eBay as an option, I paid over the odds for my 1997 Speedmaster Pro, but it was well under £2000 from a proper bricks and mortar jeweller via eBay.

You can get a usable Speedmaster Pro for as little as £1200/1500 privately, but there's a degree of risk involved, of course.

If you want the reassurance of a 'dealer' than you'll end up paying (up to) Watchfinder prices... (Personally I think their prices are aimed at the casual browser with a banker's bonus to spend - It's no coincidence they have a shop in the Royal Exchange...).

M.

[Matt106]

I'm struggling to come across any pro watches for under £2k at the moment. I'm not ruling out a private eBay sale especially if I can collect in person.

I naively thought the prices would be somewhat lower but they really hold value which is good I suppose.

[anonymous-user]

lostkiwi said:

Matt106 said:

I really like the idea of having the pro over the auto but realistically my budget is £2k. Is it possible to bag a pro for this sort of money? The history that goes with the pro is what draws me in and of course something that'll hold value.

As above...

Matt106 said:

Is paperwork as desirable as it is with Rolex? Are many fakes in circulation? It may well have to sit on the back burner for a few months but would love to snap one up soon.

Yes papers and a box are a must. There are a lot of fakes about (though less so than Rolexes) but papers/box and a reputable dealer will sort that.

Get one with the display back and you can see if the movement is genuine straight away. I'd happily buy one without box and papers in that instance.

[WelshChris]

Dom Hackett is your friend - Just call him

[Matt106]

WelshChris said:

Dom Hackett is your friend - Just call him

Exchanged a few e-mails with him before, I'll see what he can offer.

[aquarianone]

Also, keep an eye out here for bargains further afield......

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/search/index.htm?dosearc...

Hopefully i've linked to roughly the right one...

[nikaiyo2]

I know it's not a pro, but the MK11s are IMHO almost as iconic as the Pro, and a much better value. This is on eBay but from a dealer in the UK 111872905930

[Matt106]

nikaiyo2 said:

I know it's not a pro, but the MK11s are IMHO almost as iconic as the Pro, and a much better value. This is on eBay but from a dealer in the UK 111872905930

That's a nice looking watch but I think I'm set on the pro. It would however be nice to have both!

[marcosgt]

el stovey said:

Yes papers and a box are a must. There are a lot of fakes about (though less so than Rolexes) but papers/box and a reputable dealer will sort that.

I'm less convinced of the value of papers and boxes. These can be faked at least as easily as a watch.

A reputable dealer (ideally with a shopfront) is the only way to have real confidence.

Not many fakes, of course, will have a convincing movement... if the hand ticks each second, walk away

M

[Jonke]

Just browsing the posts and noticed this, been meaning to sell my Speedmaster 3510.50 for a while and not got around to it other than receiving an offer that was too low for me when I bought my last watch as a partex.

It's 3 years old - all box and papers - bought in Reading Goldsmiths and hardly ever worn (hence why I'm selling) so in good condition apart from a few scratches on the clasp..

Noted the concerns on buying privately but would be willing to meet you in an Omega dealer near you and have them validate it before exchanging any cash if this would allay any fears? Or any other tests the forum members here might suggest? Let me know.....

[anonymous-user]

marcosgt said:

el stovey said:

Yes papers and a box are a must. There are a lot of fakes about (though less so than Rolexes) but papers/box and a reputable dealer will sort that.

I'm less convinced of the value of papers and boxes. These can be faked at least as easily as a watch.

A reputable dealer (ideally with a shopfront) is the only way to have real confidence.

Not many fakes, of course, will have a convincing movement... if the hand ticks each second, walk away

M

How odd I didn't actually say that, Something went wrong when I was quoting some other bloke.

I'm not fussed about boxes or papers either.

[lostkiwi]

el stovey said:

marcosgt said:

el stovey said:

Yes papers and a box are a must. There are a lot of fakes about (though less so than Rolexes) but papers/box and a reputable dealer will sort that.

I'm less convinced of the value of papers and boxes. These can be faked at least as easily as a watch.

A reputable dealer (ideally with a shopfront) is the only way to have real confidence.

Not many fakes, of course, will have a convincing movement... if the hand ticks each second, walk away

M

How odd I didn't actually say that, Something went wrong when I was quoting some other bloke.

I'm not fussed about boxes or papers either.

That will have been me you misquoted
Agreed boxes and papers can be faked which is why I also said a reputable dealer!

[Bernardino]

I used DFW watches in Texas for my PO and they were great, fast delivery, fully insured. I had the serial number validated by Omega too.

Although the pound isn't that great against the dollar at the moment there is still a saving to be had