tritto
WS Benefactor
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Post by tritto on Dec 1, 2016 12:50:29 GMT -8
I'd really like one of these one day too, but I'd have to give up some very nice Seikos to make it happen. While I'm a 100% vintage collector, the fact these have changed so little since the late 60s makes it easier to just buy new (or near new) and not worry about originality, parts and servicing of the foreseeable future. Before I made such a big commitment I'd have to try one one on (anyone want to send me one to road test? 😀). There is nowhere local so next time I make an interstate trip I'll be hunting out an AD. I guess I have a major milestone birthday in 7 years - perhaps I should start putting a few $ a week away.
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Post by Groundhog66 on Dec 1, 2016 12:53:13 GMT -8
I'd really like one of these one day too, but I'd have to give up some very nice Seikos to make it happen. While I'm a 100% vintage collector, the fact these have changed so little since the late 60s makes it easier to just buy new (or near new) and not worry about originality, parts and servicing of the foreseeable future. Before I made such a big commitment I'd have to try one one on (anyone want to send me one to road test? 😀). There is nowhere local so next time I make an interstate trip I'll be hunting out an AD. I guess I have a major milestone birthday in 7 years - perhaps I should start putting a few $ a week away. This is a great point, and the one reason why I find this model to be so confusing. Some models look very similar, bug have slightly different numbers.
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Post by aaron643 on Dec 1, 2016 14:59:54 GMT -8
I recently got my first Omega Speedmaster Pro (2009) 3570. I didn't think it would have happened so soon but a got a super good deal from a fellow watch lover. *hint: follow serial flippers closely LOL. This is my first "higher end" watch and here's what my brain said: -Yeah! Finally an Omega Speedy! -Looks a lot smaller then I thought. -Hmm doesn't feel special. -The dial is so perfect. Sub dials are spaced very nicely. -The bracelet fits nice but it doesn't feel "expensive" whatever that means. -Fits good on my wrist. -It's not as heavy as my Seiko divers. -Is this what an expensive watch feels like? It's hard to explain but with my Seiko divers I love them. I have a connection to them. My dad had one. With the Omega as much as I love it there is a missing connection to it but I still appreciate it for what it is kind of like how I appreciate my other non Seiko pieces. Although I "feel" no connection now I know I will with this being my first higher end piece. This actually makes me want to slim down my small collection and focus on higher end pieces but of course the pocket book dictates this and I appreciate that as well LOL My Seiko's aren't going anywhere
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Post by stuart on Dec 1, 2016 19:50:20 GMT -8
I'm no Speedmaster authority but some brief info. I would say if you are not 100% into having a pre 1968 Speedmaster then you will be looking at the 861 series of movement. The 321 movement was replaced in around 1967 and is more complex to service and parts are becoming very hard to get. Therefore parts and service are much more expensive. The 861 Speedmaster started life in 1968 with the same dial as the 321 with the applied metal Omega logo (this one is very sought after), then in '69 the Speedmaster got the painted logo which it still has today. Around early '70's the shape of the dial became flatter without the previous defined 'step' around the dial edge. I think in mid 90's the dials changed from Tritium to Superluminova so you lost the creamy patina of the early dials. Caliber wise the 861 changed to 1861 in later 90's. 863 and 1863 are more fancy finished movements and normally had the sapphire case back I think number wise the original '69 145.022 later became 3590 and then the popular 3570. There are of course a lot of variations and limited editions. The question of what to buy I would agree if you are new to Speedmasters then buy a new Speedmaster (with the bracelet) or nearly new, the second hand market can be a mine field if you dont know what you are buying and is getting worse as the vintage prices increase. The additional problem with buying a second hand Speedmaster is that at some point soon it will need to be serviced and Omega have recently severely restricted parts access so only Omega or Omega approved watchmakers can obtain the parts. Omega have a reputation of replacing everything that they think requires to be changed and for vintage collectors this is a disaster as they often replace dials and hands on vintage watches with new replacements, basically killing the character and value of vintage pieces. Check out www.speedmasters101.com which has plenty of info and if you plan to buy vintage or second hand make sure you ask for advice before buying, Omegaforums.net is a good place for info and asking questions also chuck maddox site has quite a bit of useful info, chronomaddox.com/moonwatch_cal_background.html
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,662
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Post by HiBeat on Dec 2, 2016 5:23:19 GMT -8
Thanks Stuart. Nice summary. Classic watch, easily recognizable piece.
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eeki
Timekeeper
Posts: 510
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Post by eeki on Dec 2, 2016 5:31:06 GMT -8
I've gone a bit back and forth with the Speedmaster Pro over a period of couple of years. I had set my eyes on an 80s model (145.022), but after handling a slightly beat up one I was going to buy I felt underwhelmed - "is this it?". I already mentioned this in another thread, with the conclusion that with all the beautiful vintage examples you see on the forums and Instagram, I had set my expectations too high. I put a halt to the search for a while, but didn't give up completely.
Well, fast forward to a couple of months ago, when I realized that I really really wanted one. I also realized that I would have to get one that I really wanted, and not settle for something else. I reset my target to an earlier model, at the very least a 145.022-71, which is the last one with a step dial. As luck would have it, a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a 105.012-66 for a decent price and pulled the trigger immediately - so now I own a Speedmaster, yay!
This has the cal 321, which means parts supply is really a problem, so I took it straight away to a local Omega certificed watchmaker for a full service to avoid any unnecessary problems in the future. He also confirmed that there are parts that even he can't get, but fortunately mine seemed completely fine.
Anyway, my suggestion for anyone considering a Speedy is to check out one in real life as opposed to just photos on the internet, think about why you want one, decide which one is right for you and go for it! It really is a great watch - well balanced looks, perfect size (for me), and also the interesting historical connection.
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eeki
Timekeeper
Posts: 510
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Post by eeki on Dec 2, 2016 5:34:03 GMT -8
Here's a photo of mine: Experts can spot some incorrect parts (bezel and chrono sweep to be exact), but overall I'm very happy! [edit] changed the photo to one that is actually in focus... [edit2] forgot to say this is a pre-service pic, so scratched crystal and the incorrect sweep hand are going to be corrected! Correct bezels are unfortunately quite expensive, at least the tachymeter-bezels, looking for a telemeter km bezel now..
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Post by aaron643 on Dec 2, 2016 12:06:00 GMT -8
I've gone a bit back and forth with the Speedmaster Pro over a period of couple of years. I had set my eyes on an 80s model (145.022), but after handling a slightly beat up one I was going to buy I felt underwhelmed - "is this it?". I already mentioned this in another thread, with the conclusion that with all the beautiful vintage examples you see on the forums and Instagram, I had set my expectations too high. I put a halt to the search for a while, but didn't give up completely. Well, fast forward to a couple of months ago, when I realized that I really really wanted one. I also realized that I would have to get one that I really wanted, and not settle for something else. I reset my target to an earlier model, at the very least a 145.022-71, which is the last one with a step dial. As luck would have it, a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a 105.012-66 for a decent price and pulled the trigger immediately - so now I own a Speedmaster, yay! This has the cal 321, which means parts supply is really a problem, so I took it straight away to a local Omega certificed watchmaker for a full service to avoid any unnecessary problems in the future. He also confirmed that there are parts that even he can't get, but fortunately mine seemed completely fine. Anyway, my suggestion for anyone considering a Speedy is to check out one in real life as opposed to just photos on the internet, think about why you want one, decide which one is right for you and go for it! It really is a great watch - well balanced looks, perfect size (for me), and also the interesting historical connection. Interesting point on being "underwhelmed." I felt the same way when I tried one on for the first time and had that same reaction..."is this it?" I think what happened was I had built the Speedmaster up in my mind so much after seeing photo after photo on Instagram and reading and watching reviews that there was no way the poor Omega would live up to the hype I had built up for myself. However after having the 3570 now for almost 3 weeks I can say it's definitely a beautiful piece. The bracelet, size, case shape, pushers and crown, dial, hands, tachy bezel insert etc., just match so well. Understated and classic.
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,869
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Post by tritto on Dec 2, 2016 15:20:45 GMT -8
That's beautiful eeki. One thing that bothers me is that most people seem to leave the chronograph inoperative on the speedmasters. I love being able to leave my 6138/9 chronos running so I can see the sweep hand running, but the conventional wisdom seems to be that this would result in additional wear to the speedmaster style movement.
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mirrorman
Timekeeper
A fan of SEIKO watches .. just like Virgil
Posts: 670
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Post by mirrorman on Dec 2, 2016 19:28:14 GMT -8
Here's a photo of mine: Experts can spot some incorrect parts (bezel and chrono sweep to be exact), but overall I'm very happy! [edit] changed the photo to one that is actually in focus... [edit2] forgot to say this is a pre-service pic, so scratched crystal and the incorrect sweep hand are going to be corrected! Correct bezels are unfortunately quite expensive, at least the tachymeter-bezels, looking for a telemeter km bezel now.. That is a real beauty eeki. Had a Speedmaster in mind myself for quite some time. Then I talked myself out of it again .. why? I've got this 1973/74 ROAMER Stingray Chrono - Valjoux 72 (726); which has a nice dial pattern, good ageing to the dial, is manual wind, has been serviced (crystal / crown replaced) so runs well, and still looks good. I put it on a black / white leather band - ala many speedies I've seen. Plus it may have to go up for sale to budget in a Speedmaster, and to me that would feel like replacing kind with kind.. sort of.
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Dec 5, 2016 8:26:02 GMT -8
I just can't let this one go, it's a must have at this point. So here is the question, do I buy secondhand new, of go for something more toward vintage? Which model? Stop it Tim . . . . you may just drive me to do something stupid (in my wife's mind at least). I could have had one of these but passed. We were on vacation in the Bahamas (St. Maarten and St. Johns) on a cruise. As we got off the ship in the US part of the island, there was an Omega store. While the wife and kids checked out stuff in other stores (that I had no interest in - I told them to meet me at the Omega store when they were done) I went in! I must say that these are magnificent watches! After they met me, we went on our way and had a great day. On the way back to the ship, my wife said "Oh . . . go ahead . . . . just do it . . . you may never get the chance again". I hemmed and hawed but being reasonable got the best of me and I passed. I just couldn't see spending that much on myself. That and the fact that it would not have been a cash transaction (I would have had to have used a CC) made me pass. I still think about it from time to time and I still pine for one to this day.
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Post by Groundhog66 on Dec 5, 2016 8:37:11 GMT -8
I just can't let this one go, it's a must have at this point. So here is the question, do I buy secondhand new, of go for something more toward vintage? Which model? Stop it Tim . . . . you may just drive me to do something stupid (in my wife's mind at least). I could have had one of these but passed. We were on vacation in the Bahamas (St. Maarten and St. Johns) on a cruise. As we got off the ship in the US part of the island, there was an Omega store. While the wife and kids checked out stuff in other stores (that I had no interest in - I told them to meet me at the Omega store when they were done) I went in! I must say that these are magnificent watches! After they met me, we went on our way and had a great day. On the way back to the ship, my wife said "Oh . . . go ahead . . . . just do it . . . you may never get the chance again". I hemmed and hawed but being reasonable got the best of me and I passed. I just couldn't see spending that much on myself. That and the fact that it would not have been a cash transaction (I would have had to have used a CC) made me pass. I still think about it from time to time and I still pine for one to this day. Oh Bob, you should have done it. Every so often, we need to treat ourselves to something nice. I will definitely be getting one, I just need to feel like I am informed enough to make an educated decision.
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Dec 5, 2016 8:42:43 GMT -8
Stop it Tim . . . . you may just drive me to do something stupid (in my wife's mind at least). I could have had one of these but passed. We were on vacation in the Bahamas (St. Maarten and St. Johns) on a cruise. As we got off the ship in the US part of the island, there was an Omega store. While the wife and kids checked out stuff in other stores (that I had no interest in - I told them to meet me at the Omega store when they were done) I went in! I must say that these are magnificent watches! After they met me, we went on our way and had a great day. On the way back to the ship, my wife said "Oh . . . go ahead . . . . just do it . . . you may never get the chance again". I hemmed and hawed but being reasonable got the best of me and I passed. I just couldn't see spending that much on myself. That and the fact that it would not have been a cash transaction (I would have had to have used a CC) made me pass. I still think about it from time to time and I still pine for one to this day. Oh Bob, you should have done it. Every so often, we need to treat ourselves to something nice. I will definitely be getting one, I just need to feel like I am informed enough to make an educated decision. Yeah . . . especially at the prices they go for.
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Post by stuart on Dec 5, 2016 9:48:30 GMT -8
Here's a photo of mine: Experts can spot some incorrect parts (bezel and chrono sweep to be exact), but overall I'm very happy! [edit] changed the photo to one that is actually in focus... [edit2] forgot to say this is a pre-service pic, so scratched crystal and the incorrect sweep hand are going to be corrected! Correct bezels are unfortunately quite expensive, at least the tachymeter-bezels, looking for a telemeter km bezel now.. Dial looks like a 105.012 ? I think with the correct hands will be very nice, and like you say the correct bezels are just crazy price now
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Post by stuart on Dec 5, 2016 9:49:33 GMT -8
I think Seiko did a great job with the 7A28 for that Speedmaster hit - they do have a fantastic character and about 1/10 the price of an Omega Speedmaster I'm wearing this one today and I really like the pick up and go of the quartz And something a bit more vivid
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Post by Groundhog66 on Dec 5, 2016 10:14:59 GMT -8
Oh Bob, you should have done it. Every so often, we need to treat ourselves to something nice. I will definitely be getting one, I just need to feel like I am informed enough to make an educated decision. Yeah . . . especially at the prices they go for. Indeed, it is definitely an investment, worthy of some thorough research.
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eeki
Timekeeper
Posts: 510
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Post by eeki on Dec 5, 2016 10:18:21 GMT -8
Yes, a 105.012-66 HF. I'll post some better photos once I get the watch back, which should be just before christmas if everything goes to plan!
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Post by Tanner on Jan 6, 2017 17:07:30 GMT -8
Very classic look and an amazing history to boot. You can't go wrong with one of these!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2017 17:20:43 GMT -8
Remove the identifying labels from the dials and I would choose the 7a28/38 every time, based on nothing other than aesthetics, balance and artistry. That does not take anything away from the Speedy...just my preferences
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Post by thianwong on Jan 6, 2017 20:32:43 GMT -8
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