Omega Speedmaster

Not sure which version of the Speedmaster Pro would have the best investment potential long term.

I have a "pre-moon" one - same version as the ones used by the Apollo astronauts.
Pictures of it here:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/fine-watches-jewelry-clothes/392436-first-real-watch.html#post141968004

It's been a great watch. I have no idea what they cost these days.
.

 

Hahaha. I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not.

I got a 3570.50. I am the second owner, It was a 2012 model originally purchased in Dec 2011. I bought it in Dec 2012 from a reputable member with good transaction history on several of the watch forums. It came with all boxes, papers, warranty cards, extra links, etc. Still had plenty of warranty. I wear it almost every day and I love it.

I fell in love with the design when I saw a "space flown" speedmaster at the Naval Aviation Museum in FL. I rewarded myself in December for hitting an annual sales goal.

It's all good except for a couple of annoyances about wearing this as a daily wear.

It's a manual wind watch and a full wind lasts about 2 days. Skip a day wearing it, or flat forget to wind it, and you're at risk of missing an appointment if you don't use other methods of timekeeping like your computer or cell phone. Every other watch I own (eco-drives and automatics) will keep time as long as it is on your wrist. This watch will stop cold in the middle of the day once the spring has unwound. and unless I stare at the tiny seconds dial for a few seconds, I am always nervous about whether I am reading a correct time.

Which brings me to the Chrono feature. One way to combat the nerves of whether or not my watch has run out of spring because I forgot to set it, is to leave the Chrono running, because the seconds hand of the Chrono is so much easier to see, obviously.

My biggest complaint about this watch is a personal preference thing . I often use the Chrono feature or rotating bezel features on my watches to time events during my day, such as a meeting or errand filled lunch hour, or working out... And every couple of months, a 90 minute driving stint in a crapcan endurance race. The Speedmaster is ****ing terrible for because the minutes indicator is a 30 minute indicator and 12 hour indicator in separate, tiny dials. That part of it totally sucks if you don't want to take your eyes off of what you are doing for more than a glance.

Other than that, I am in love with this watch and quite satisfied with it. Even though I paid the top of the used market for a quality, complete example and I've not been gentle with it, and despite everything I complained about above, I just flat do not wear any other watches any more.

 

What do you mean you want the head only? I guess you mean, sans bracelet?

 

I have the moon watch too and love it.

It's funny but the 3 watches I like are all 1950s/1960s design - the Speedmaster, Rolex Submariner, Tag Monaco

 

wearing my moon watch today. Love it every time I wear it. I find it easy to read.
Nd

 

You should be easily able to find a well loved speedmaster with no bracelet on the watchuseek forums for reasonable money if the casual look is your goal. And the Timex Weekender 6.99 straps are a perfect fit... Like this one I picked up today... (pic to follow)
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This is the easiest watch to read i have ever owned. Every time i wear it i think wow, this is a no brainer, i read the time at a glance.

Britt

 

I'm not saying the time of day is difficult to read. It's difficult to see the small dial second hand move, and the 30 minute & 12hr chrono dial are difficult to read at a glance, if you're timing an event you are actually involved in.

 

The biggest potential at appreciating is probably an original 1950s broadarrow. Otherwise they've made so many limited editions you wont see any big roi. I love the broadarrows....

 

The Pre Moon Speedmaster Professional with 321 movement and raised metal Omega logo on the dial are models 105012 (105.012) and 145012 (145.012). The next model was the 145022 (145.022) with 861 movement and the first versions also had the raised metal Omega logo and sea horse on the case back without the NASA inscription.

Pictured is a 145.012 -67 on a leather strap.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

^^That is a gorgeous watch!

 

Agreed, IMHO the pre-moon Speedy is THE classic mens watch.


I wear a 145.012 67 every day

 

What a great trio. I like them all.

 

Who can name these three?
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

And how they are connected. Cool little quiz.

I won't spoil it.

 

I can name the first one, 'cause I got one. Bulova Accutron Spaceview.

 

Wally Schirra Mercury Omega - first Omega in space
Wally Schirra Apollo Omega
Deke Slayton Apollo Omega
6-foot wall clock Omega, the only one with a metal bracelet
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Note how the Speedmaster in the first of Mule's pics of Wally Schirra's watches has no crown guards and does not say "Professional" on the dial. It's an earlier model, probably a 105.003 which also has the 321 movement.

Here's an example of a 105.003.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You're all making me think I should break out my Speedmaster. Haven't worn it in ages.
Image Unavailable, Please Login