Omega Speedmaster

[sneijder]

Grails come and go, but there's one watch I can't get out of my head. It's the one I should stop buying tat for a while and save for. It's, in my opinion, a genuine design classic. It's a tight race in the chronograph top of the pops, with the Daytona and Navigator jostling for the crown.

I can't help but think Omega go about it the wrong way with some of the 'limited' editions they churn out every time it's Buzz Aldrins cats birthday, but I feel twice they've got it bang on the money.

The Alaska Project :



The Solar Impulse HB-SIA



They suit just about any strap you stick on it, and they only get better with age.



Bonus picture, if you happen to be on the moon. Protocol dictates you wear it on your right wrist. That's me kippered then.



So who's got one ?

Any pictures or stories ?

[Podie]

Not got one, but I do like the The Solar Impulse HB-SIA...

[Miguel Alvarez]

My grail is the Moon to Mars or Mars to Moon and like your goodself I need to stop buying tat and save for it.

[ettore]

I've got a Speedmaster that was the first decent watch I bought 14 years ago. Rolex, IWC and other Omega have arrived since but I recerntly dug it out of the drawer and started wearing it again.

I have now decided it's my favourite watch! I agree, it is an absolute design classic that ranks, to my mind, with the classic Rolex Oyster.

[Stitch]

I have one and love it but don't actually wear it all that often for some reason.

They say every car lover should have owned at least one Alfa and I would argue that every watch lover should have owned/have in their collection a Speedmaster.

[Bohemianesque]

I had one many years ago that I bought from a horologist friend (Cyril RIP - looked like Albert Einstein and ran a proper watch shop). I sold it about 10 years ago in a lapse of judgement for about £500.

I so so so regret letting it go.....

[MattOz]

I do like the solar impulse. There's one currently for sale on TZ. My everyday is a Speedmaster X-33 gen2. Don't think it's really that limited edition, but I understand that it's NASA certified for space use and that suits me fine for when I'm climbing the stairs!

[Uriel]

Mine sort of started and ended my love affair with watches. Or at least the collecting of them.

It was my first proper watch and has been worn pretty much every day since I got it. The problem is that it's still my favourite watch you can buy. There are thousands of more expensive, fancier watches with 'better' movements, more complications, better craftsmanship, more horological heritage, more prestige, stronger, more accurate etc etc. But none of them hold the appeal of the standard manual moon watch.

I don't have a lot of money, but if I really wanted, could save and find the cash for more watches. I'd like a Sea Dweller, verious IWCs, maybe a Panerai. But I know that whatever I bought, they'd be number 2 to the moon watch. And I can't bring myself to save and spend £4000+ on something that in my mind is inferior to something I already have.

So my Speedy has limited my watch collecting to 'toy' watches like G-Shocks and Suuntos that I can use in situations that I wouldn't wear a 'proper' watch.

[andy tims]

I've had several Speedies. In terms of the Pro Moon Watch, most of the LE's hold little appeal but I would like a 50th Aniversary "Patch"

[stiglet]

I don't have one yet but really fancy a speedie......pref. a Snoopy, but they seem to be getting a little pricey of late

[sneijder]

stiglet said:

I don't have one yet but really fancy a speedie......pref. a Snoopy, but they seem to be getting a little pricey of late

By all accounts, they'll only climb. Omega want to be positioned higher up the market without churning out more stock.

[CommanderJameson]

Alaska project for me please.

[Chicken Pox]

Being new to watches (I mean new to serious watches not that I've only just learnt to tell the time) and having only just learnt what a Speedy was I had to look up most of what the hell you lot are talking about (in particular "Snoopy" & "Patch") it was worthwhile, thanks another one to add to the wish list!

[Sods Law]

I a Speedmaster, just need to pick the one, I like the more classic looks and the truely comemrative appeal.

But I think its a design classic....

a nice 1979 one would do me fine....

[rex]

Found my speedmaster after a couple of years looking. Got the Apollo 11 35th anniversary one in unworn condition. Loved the look of the watch when I first saw on on the web and then started reading about it. Found it right here on Pistonheads in watches and jewellery section. Paid asking price and picked it up the following day.

Still over the moon with it 2 years later.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Found my old thread

Edited by rex on Thursday 9th December 23:59

[pikeyboy]

I love my speedy (snoopy), I started wearing it everyday when I first bought it but now I use it for high days and holidays.

[andy_s]

Here're some variations for you -

'Tropical' dial - (the black faded to brown as they didn't put a sealer (Zapon) on the dial)


(Gravina/WuS)

My favourite, 1987 recasing of the Cal. 1045 (Lemania 5100)



Or failing that, a cal 321, shown here with a '67 Heuer:


(Chronomaddox)

Edited by andy_s on Friday 10th December 14:32

[LukeBird]

Snoopy for me.



I'd love one, but as mentioned they're going up and up in value; it's obviously a well liked LE.

[Ikemi]

LukeBird said:

Snoopy for me.



I'd love one, but as mentioned they're going up and up in value; it's obviously a well liked LE.

What sort of price are they fetching at the moment?

[Blackpool Rocker]

...I have two Speedmasters. One is a the reduced Speedmaster on a stainles steel
strap and one full sized limited edition with Broad Arrow hands. Love them both and both are 'keepers'.
I have the bug now for a Planet Ocean, again on a stainless strap, just unsure
of the black or orange bezel...?