Help me choose a new Omega Speedmaster
Discussion
By way of explanation, I've worn a vintage Omega Seamaster more or less daily for the past 25 years. In fact I was still at school when I began wearing it. The watch was originally bought by my father for my half brother. Sadly my half brother was killed in a flying accident a couple of years before I was born. I'm not sure whether my half brother was wearing the watch at the time of the accident (the Cessna impacted the ground and exploded in a ball of fire), but the watch was recovered by my father, who passed away himself when I was only six.
About a decade later, I was rummaging around in drawers and discovered the Seamaster. It didn't seem to work and didn't have a bracelet or straps. I bought a leather strap and somehow managed to get it to start working by opening the back and gently prodding around in there. Well what did I know? I was a 14-year-old curious boy who knew a lot for his age but not which things are best left for professionals. I somehow got the watch working, and I've worn it ever since, with the blessing of my mother. Now, more than 25 years later the watch is obviously in desperate need of a service, despite the fact that it still keeps very good time. It does stop every now and again, but a bit of manual winding always seems to sort it out. Here's the watch as it is today, with a Hirsch brown leather strap:
Yes, I would like to get it serviced. As it's one of only two things that I have from my father (the other being a ceremonial sword from his days in the army) I'm very reluctant to have parts replaced. Also the cost of the service that I've been quoted is more than the market value of the watch! I don't care about market value - it's all about sentimental value to me, but still I'd rather put that sum of money towards a new watch!
If anything happened to the Seamaster I could never replace it and would never forgive myself. On a couple of occasions I've come close to losing the watch when the strap broke, once during a skiing incident and another during a motorcycle crash. Thankfully on both occasions my gloves prevented the loss of the watch.
So to get to the point, I've been strongly considering not wearing the Seamaster any more. As time goes by it seems to become more and more precious to me. I'd rather save it in case I ever have a son of my own, or to give to a nephew one day.
The idea of finally buying myself that Speedmaster I've lusted over for years is really starting to crystallise in my mind. I'm not a banker or a company CEO, so this sort of purchase is not one I can afford to take lightly.
Over the years, I've lusted over many watches, but always come back to the Moonwatch. Although I'm fascinated by it, I don't find it a particularly elegant watch, so more recently I've been looking at other models. The one that's really caught my eye is the Speedmaster '57 with black dial and either white or off-white markings.
331.12.42.51.01.001 or 331.12.42.51.01.002
Whilst I was in Vienna a few days ago, I visited the Omega boutique and museum. I spent some time fondling the beautiful speedmaster '57, all the time resisting the temptation to actually put it on my wrist despite the encouragement of the manager there. I knew what might happen if I put it on!
If I were to buy either, I'd go for the steel bracelet and then purchase the lighter brown leather strap to go with it. I know it comes with the 9300 calibre movement, and from what I've read the co-axial escapement seems to be pretty divisive in the watch community. It's also MUCH more expensive than the manual Moonwatch, and this seems to be down to the movement alone.
Any thoughts on any of this? Perhaps you can help me justify the extra cost of the '57 over the moonwatch? I know that buying a watch is not something that can necessarily be justified by logical means. Perhaps you know of somewhere where I can get my old Seamaster serviced without spending a small fortune and risking parts being replaced. What say you, PHers?
About a decade later, I was rummaging around in drawers and discovered the Seamaster. It didn't seem to work and didn't have a bracelet or straps. I bought a leather strap and somehow managed to get it to start working by opening the back and gently prodding around in there. Well what did I know? I was a 14-year-old curious boy who knew a lot for his age but not which things are best left for professionals. I somehow got the watch working, and I've worn it ever since, with the blessing of my mother. Now, more than 25 years later the watch is obviously in desperate need of a service, despite the fact that it still keeps very good time. It does stop every now and again, but a bit of manual winding always seems to sort it out. Here's the watch as it is today, with a Hirsch brown leather strap:
Yes, I would like to get it serviced. As it's one of only two things that I have from my father (the other being a ceremonial sword from his days in the army) I'm very reluctant to have parts replaced. Also the cost of the service that I've been quoted is more than the market value of the watch! I don't care about market value - it's all about sentimental value to me, but still I'd rather put that sum of money towards a new watch!
If anything happened to the Seamaster I could never replace it and would never forgive myself. On a couple of occasions I've come close to losing the watch when the strap broke, once during a skiing incident and another during a motorcycle crash. Thankfully on both occasions my gloves prevented the loss of the watch.
So to get to the point, I've been strongly considering not wearing the Seamaster any more. As time goes by it seems to become more and more precious to me. I'd rather save it in case I ever have a son of my own, or to give to a nephew one day.
The idea of finally buying myself that Speedmaster I've lusted over for years is really starting to crystallise in my mind. I'm not a banker or a company CEO, so this sort of purchase is not one I can afford to take lightly.
Over the years, I've lusted over many watches, but always come back to the Moonwatch. Although I'm fascinated by it, I don't find it a particularly elegant watch, so more recently I've been looking at other models. The one that's really caught my eye is the Speedmaster '57 with black dial and either white or off-white markings.
331.12.42.51.01.001 or 331.12.42.51.01.002
Whilst I was in Vienna a few days ago, I visited the Omega boutique and museum. I spent some time fondling the beautiful speedmaster '57, all the time resisting the temptation to actually put it on my wrist despite the encouragement of the manager there. I knew what might happen if I put it on!
If I were to buy either, I'd go for the steel bracelet and then purchase the lighter brown leather strap to go with it. I know it comes with the 9300 calibre movement, and from what I've read the co-axial escapement seems to be pretty divisive in the watch community. It's also MUCH more expensive than the manual Moonwatch, and this seems to be down to the movement alone.
Any thoughts on any of this? Perhaps you can help me justify the extra cost of the '57 over the moonwatch? I know that buying a watch is not something that can necessarily be justified by logical means. Perhaps you know of somewhere where I can get my old Seamaster serviced without spending a small fortune and risking parts being replaced. What say you, PHers?
Edited by Sushifiend on Sunday 27th December 18:34
marcosgt said:
Personally, I'd go with a traditional Moonwatch (I have, indeed, done just that), but if you like that one, why not.
Be aware, though, that a new purchase will lose value like a new car, far better to look for a cared for used example.
M.
Did you buy new or used? I have nothing against buying a used one, but I don't know where to get a good example. All the used ones I've seen have some annoying marks or worse still, seem to have dust inside the watch on the face itself. Can you recommend a good source of quality used watches? I wouldn't buy any watch from ebay unless I knew the seller beforehand. Looking at prices of used watches in London, there doesn't seem to be all that much in it between new and used, although I might be looking in the wrong places!Be aware, though, that a new purchase will lose value like a new car, far better to look for a cared for used example.
M.
Mr Overheads said:
How about a 1970.s Moonwatch, much less bulky than the current version but without the premium of the 1960's Moonwatch's. Or you could look at a Vintage Broad Arrow again much less bulky. Both will be a good investment, you won't lose money.
Thanks for the ideas - I'll look into it. When you talk about 1970s vs 1960s, are you really talking about the 861 vs 321 calibres or is there some other design change that makes earlier watches more sought after? Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff