Omega Speedmaster - which ones?

[QuartzDad]

Long time lurker in the sub-forum, love the watch check and upcoming threads - which is possibly slightly strange for someone who doesn't wear a watch...

I have one watch, a Longines VHP quartz that my wife bought me as a wedding present thirty years ago. Five years ago I had an operation that resulted in scar tissue on the inside of my left wrist, wearing a watch was uncomfortable. Wasn't fussed about not wearing one plus I've had zero need to in the last 2 years.

But I've worn it a couple of times recently for social events and the discomfort has diminished to the extent that a different itch has started - I blame the lurking.

I'd like an Omega Speedmaster, metal bracelet, black dial, see-through back, something like this:



Would be much happier spending 2-3k on a secondhand one than 6.5k on new.



Problem - there seems to be dozens of versions and thousands of Speedmasters for sale and almost all of them appear to have solid backs. Before I disappear down the rabbit hole of Omega forums and learn more than I ever want to know, is there some simple way to hone in on just the ones that fit my requirements?

Thanks.

[toon10]

Great watch.

I have the hesalite version so a bit biased but it is cheaper to buy and more true to the moon watch if you're bothered by that. It has the metal case back which I prefer. The movement isn't the most decorated and personally, I prefer open case backs on dressier watches. Open doesn't suit the speedy in my own view but others will disagree. It also looks nicer as the more expensive open back sapphire version has a dome that is harder to shape but you're getting into the more geekier side of the hobby if you're using a magnifying glass on the domes!

I will say this though, the hesalite is much easier to scratch and less robust. Mine has a large scratch on and as a result, I wear it a lot less than I'd like to. I bring it out for special occasions these days where I used to wear it daily before. The sapphire version is more useable in that respect.

Both of these are manual wind so be aware you'll have to wind it up all the time. There is a "reduced" version which is smaller, cheaper still and has an automatic movement. It looks too small for my tastes and less "authentic" but they're all good watches to be honest.

[QuartzDad]

Oh, didn't realise they were manual, I assumed they were automatic :-/

"Reduced" could be OK, I have small wrists. However, a quick look on Chrono24 and they all appear to be solid back? For no reason whatsoever it's a must have for me, did they not make them with exhibition backs?

[crispian22]

The speedy with the display back is often referred to as the sapphire sandwich.

I have the hesalite professional version with the solid back,it's slightly thinner in thickness and I feel wears more comfortably than the sapphire backed version I had before.

All lovely pieces though.

[QuartzDad]

crispian22 said:

The speedy with the display back is often referred to as the sapphire sandwich.

Awesome, thanks. Look to be 4k+ for second hand.

[21st Century Man]

Just buy this book.

Moonwatch Only: The Ultimate OMEGA Speedmaster Guide: 3 https://amzn.eu/d/8sJXAvI

[JEA1K]

toon10 said:

Great watch.

I have the hesalite version so a bit biased but it is cheaper to buy and more true to the moon watch if you're bothered by that. It has the metal case back which I prefer. The movement isn't the most decorated and personally, I prefer open case backs on dressier watches. Open doesn't suit the speedy in my own view but others will disagree. It also looks nicer as the more expensive open back sapphire version has a dome that is harder to shape but you're getting into the more geekier side of the hobby if you're using a magnifying glass on the domes!

I will say this though, the hesalite is much easier to scratch and less robust. Mine has a large scratch on and as a result, I wear it a lot less than I'd like to. I bring it out for special occasions these days where I used to wear it daily before. The sapphire version is more useable in that respect.

Both of these are manual wind so be aware you'll have to wind it up all the time. There is a "reduced" version which is smaller, cheaper still and has an automatic movement. It looks too small for my tastes and less "authentic" but they're all good watches to be honest.

Agree with this. Hesalite is truer to the original moon watch plus I didn't like the thought of a glass back on my skin ... I've never wanted a watch where I can see the inside ... but only whilst not wearing it. Each to their own though.

I bought mine just over a year ago and though about selling after 6 months as I had hardly worn it but the longer I've owned it, the more I've grown to love it ... such a timeless design. Mine came with the croc strap, as I personally don't feel that the metal bracelet suits the watch but the croc strap is very rigid and uncomfortable out of the box, so ended up with replacing it with a Omega nylon strap which I think suits it perfectly!

So mine looks like this but is the 1861 movement ..

[InitialDave]

QuartzDad said:

Oh, didn't realise they were manual, I assumed they were automatic :-/

They do make an automatic Speedmaster, yes.

[LC23]

I think if you want any form of original style Speedmaster you are going to struggle with a budget of £2k to £3k. You have the Reduced in that bracket now but the Professional models pre owned are closer to £4k now as you have spotted.

[Meeten-5dulx]

Just bought one 2 weeks ago.
Wanted the exhibition case back but was informed the metal one is better.
Serial number 311.30.42.30.01.006, open case back.apparently a design flaw.

005 closed case back, works for me.





Paid just under 4k from a chap who is a London based dealer on here.
Happy to send you details by dm if you want.

Edited by Meeten-5dulx on Thursday 23 June 19:29

[gregs656]

The 'Speedmaster Professional' is the Moon Watch, they're all manual. They have been available on and off with display case backs, and there are companies that make after market ones (Thomas Preik ones get well reviewed for example).

Ones you get out of the 'Professional' range, the range of models is kind of wild. I'd think about what you want is important to you specs wise and go from there, for example 38 vs 42mm, manual or hand winding, 30m vs 100m of water resistance, colours, number of subdials, subdial arrangement and so on.

Maybe the Speedmaster 57 range would be worth a look for you, I think they all have display casebacks. More than you want to spend.

If 3k is the upper end of your budget you're probably looking at a Date, Day Date, a MkXX, reduced, a racing (could get co-axial if you do this), the teutonic (that would be a cool choice IMO),

[Starfighter]

21st Century Man said:

Just buy this book.

Moonwatch Only: The Ultimate OMEGA Speedmaster Guide: 3 https://amzn.eu/d/8sJXAvI

Instead of the actual watch - £188!

[Barchettaman]

Just get a Bulova Lunar Pilot on the bracelet, should be £400 tops.

[miniman]

Dom Hackett supplied mine, give him a shout, great to deal with.

[Scotter]

Any excuse to show mine!
I have the 1861 hesalite,bought new last year before they ran out of stock due to being discontinued.
The face scratches but polywatch has taken care of things so far.A friend has the sapphire sandwich and it does look the business but I prefer the more original model if that makes sense.
A Bulova lunar pilot has been mentioned on a previous post and they are great watches,I’m fortunate to have one but I’m afraid it took a back seat when the speedy arrived but for the price nothing comes close,a great watch.
I hope the OP gets what they want,please keep us informed!

[richard-cxcy4]

Yep another vote here for the closed back, non-glass model. This one is a late 80s model. I personally prefer the bracelet to the ‘5 bump’ later one, though wrestle with putting this on a NATO often.

[21st Century Man]

Starfighter said:

21st Century Man said:

Just buy this book.

Moonwatch Only: The Ultimate OMEGA Speedmaster Guide: 3 https://amzn.eu/d/8sJXAvI

Instead of the actual watch - £188!

I bought the first edition which was £230 at the time. It's a fantastic book though, a proper coffee table tome.

[Ninjin]

Here's mine, not the moonwatch but a 42mm Speedmaster Broad Arrow which I purchased in 2004. They also have a black dial version and Omega still make a current vesrion of it somewhere in their catalogue.

Came on Bracelet but I tend to wear on leather nowadays.

[Austin3000]

I've got a Speedmaster moonphase. Lovely thing and comes with saphire crystal case back and automatic movement so meets your criteria.

It also comes with ceramic bezel but it's slightly bigger at 44mm, has quite a heft to it and you will need £5k - £6k looking at C24 prices.

[21st Century Man]

Love the moon phase, and that footprint.