Omega Speedsonic "Lobster" opinion

[EVR]

Tomorrow I will be offered a 1974 Omega Speedsonic AKA Lobster.



This is not the actual watch, just a reference picture. There is no money exchange, this person owns me a watch.

What is the general idea on these? I love Omegas (I have a Planet Ocean Quantum of Solace edition), but not super sold on the extreme 70s looks from internet pictures. And what about the movement? I briefly researched it, it's not automatic but not quartz either, it's... something else. Is it waterproof?

Plus points: it's quite rare and the dial with also the weekday is pretty cool.

[Austin_Metro]

I love an Omega - and that looks great. Sorry nothing useful to contribute though.

[Austin_Metro]

Ps. I do have a old omega geneve. It is wind up as in hand wind. That one looks too modern to be like that.

[Jamescrs]

Haven't seen that before.

I do like Imegas but I couldn't imagine ever wearing it so ots not something I would buy. If it is your taste though then why not?

[Super Sonic]

Nice. Has an electric tunic fork movt. hence the '300hz' on the dial. A piece of history and v unusual.

[joshcowin]

Quality watch got to be worth a fair bit? I really like the look, bit retro but not ugly!

[EVR]

Super Sonic said:

Nice. Has an electric tunic fork movt. hence the '300hz' on the dial. A piece of history and v unusual.

Ahah your username checks out!

I did researched the movement a little bit, seemingly coming from Bulova, not a brand I have much interest in. It was right before the quartz revolution, so they are indeed pretty rare.

joshcowin said:

Quality watch got to be worth a fair bit? I really like the look, bit retro but not ugly!

Should be around 3k €, depending on conditions.

Thanks everyone for contributing so quickly and please keep'em coming, I will have the watch in hand tomorrow afternoon so plenty of time to read suggestions, opinions and potential red flags before trusting my first real life impression.

Edited by EVR on Friday 26th August 21:58

[Barchettaman]

BrokenSkunk knows a bit about these, I think.

[EVR]

Barchettaman said:

BrokenSkunk knows a bit about these, I think.

Contacted, cheers!

[protemporum]

Try this site : www.chronomaddox.com
scroll down to : Speedmaster
then to : (1935) Rock Lobster! Omega Speedsonic '300 Lobstertail
All you need to know from the great Chuck Maddox.

[gregs656]

I thought Bulova licensed the technology and Omega designed a movement(s)?

I think I'd just take the money though and buy something you actually want.

[EVR]

protemporum said:

Try this site : www.chronomaddox.com
scroll down to : Speedmaster
then to : (1935) Rock Lobster! Omega Speedsonic '300 Lobstertail
All you need to know from the great Chuck Maddox.

Cool article, thanks!

gregs656 said:

I thought Bulova licensed the technology and Omega designed a movement(s)?

I think I'd just take the money though and buy something you actually want.

Ah ok, it is a license job then, thank you for the input.

You are not wrong, but I am not super sure of what I actually want.

My (small) collection is now a 2008 Omega Planet Ocean (alternating its original metal bracelet and a NATO strap), a 1990 Breitling Chronomat with a leather bracelet and a 1950 Lemania 105 on suede bracelet (my dress watch). I do cover many bases with those.

This person offered me before a Cartier Pacha Chronograph that I kept for some time but sadly returned since it wasn't keeping its charge. Then a Meccaniche Veloci QuattroValvole but it wasn't really my thing; a Bulgari Assioma but too jewellery and not enough watch. He is a collector/seller and has a a good turnover. Finally, I can trust him, he is my girlfriend's father after all. This does not mean he will give me a Daytona though.

[TR4man]

I’m afraid that I have nothing useful to add, other than I think it looks fabulous. So different and unique looking. I’d love to own one.

[benny.c]

At 3K I would say it needs to be on a bracelet, near mint condition and functioning perfectly.

[gregs656]

EVR said:

This person offered me before a Cartier Pacha Chronograph that I kept for some time but sadly returned since it wasn't keeping its charge. Then a Meccaniche Veloci QuattroValvole but it wasn't really my thing; a Bulgari Assioma but too jewellery and not enough watch. He is a collector/seller and has a a good turnover. Finally, I can trust him, he is my girlfriend's father after all. This does not mean he will give me a Daytona though.

So basically, a bunch of watches that might be worth €3k on a good day to the right person in perfect condition, but are likely to sit around for ever and, in one case at least, are not in great condition.

Ask for the money, or get a watch that is more liquid and worth €3k to a dealer any time.

[Sebastian Tombs]

Speedsonics are great watches. One of the only tuning fork movements that can use modern batteries, and they do a nice little hum when held to your ear. At 300 Hz of course!

Day and date wheels are plastic and the gear teeth get stripped - otherwise they are super reliable, good looking and quite rare.

[Pupp]

Really like these; retro cool

[EVR]

gregs656 said:

So basically, a bunch of watches that might be worth €3k on a good day to the right person in perfect condition, but are likely to sit around for ever and, in one case at least, are not in great condition.

Ask for the money, or get a watch that is more liquid and worth €3k to a dealer any time.

Yeah, pretty much.

But it's not just money, I mean, if I really like the watch, never mind if it's less than 3k.

Anyway, I ended up not picking this up: conditions were ok-ish but nothing spectacular but more importantly there was no spark. I reckon it is an original choice, there were some positives (the bracelet), but seemingly not enough.

I will be back with the next proposition, thank you all for your inputs, I learned about a peculiar watch and glad general feeling was mostly positive about this model.

[andy_s]

protemporum said:

Try this site : www.chronomaddox.com
scroll down to : Speedmaster
then to : (1935) Rock Lobster! Omega Speedsonic '300 Lobstertail
All you need to know from the great Chuck Maddox.

Nice to see Chuck still quoted.

[944 Man]

He has been dead for approaching 20yrs, IIRC.