Is buying a new Speedmaster Professional lame?

[the_natural]

I find myself with some spending money to burn, but not enough for a new Rolex. Since I got my gen2 Exp1 in October that seems reasonable.

I've finally realized that I'm just not into vintage, I'd rather start fresh and make my own way with a watch (nothing against vintage of course). Plus I'm still totally confused by the Speedmaster lineage, and I really care about nice bracelets, have heard Omega makes good ones, and also like that the new Speedmaster has screws instead of pins.

So is it lame buying a new Speedmaster? For some reason it feels like it is, maybe because vintage is so in right now. I'm seriously considering a Seiko Marinemaster as well, which I think I love (apart from the bracelet), and dive watches sing to me loudly, but I dunno. I'm also knocking around buying a Seiko Sumo and saving up some more for when my wife goes to the UK in April in the hopes she could find me a no date SubC, hard as that is these days.

Also does anyone pay retail for a new Speedmaster Professional? Joma has them for like $3,300, but lists the MSRP as over $5k. That's a big gap.

[Maxy]

Any AD will give you 15-20% discount rightaway and if its a boutique then they won't discount but expect lot of freebies. I see no reason you can't buy one!

[mps354]

Go for it! It's one of my favorite watches

[RW16610]

If you really like the watch (and it seems as if you do) there's nothing wrong with buying it new. If you have any doubts after just keep saving for the one you really want.

[flw]

Not lame at all. This is a watch that is on my bucket list, and I'll probably buy new. It hasn't changed substantially in many years, so the extra money spent getting a new one is a good investment.

[sco]

I love my modern Omega. I'm guessing you will too.

[DCheeta]

Buying a new Speemaster Pro is not lame! They have remained so true to the original after all these years that you really are still buying a piece of the true heritage.

Some people love vintage, but I think a lot of us here are happy to have any Spedmaster Pro with a hesalite crystal (sapphire is fine too, but hesalite is considered the true standard bearer of the Speedy line).

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Buying a new Speemaster Pro is not lame! They have remained so true to the original after all these years that you really are still buying a piece of the true heritage.

Some people love vintage, but I think a lot of us here are happy to have any Spedmaster Pro with a hesalite crystal (sapphire is fine too, but hesalite is considered the true standard bearer of the Speedy line).

Yes, hesalite indeed. That's the only one I was considering, which I should've noted.

Loving the input. Glad to hear the current offering is still very true to the original.

[mdgrwl]

Not lame at all my friend!!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by the_natural

. . .
So is it lame buying a new Speedmaster? For some reason it feels like it is, maybe because vintage is so in right now. . . .

Maybe you spend too much time on the 'Net.

Plenty of folks are buying new watches every single day..

[AlpinweissM3]

I feel the same way you do. I am also looking at a new watch. I just want it to be as close to the original as possible. So manual wind with hesalite crystal are a must.

[Bushido]

The new Speedmaster is absolutely fantastic! Personally, I love the display case with the additional NATO and changing tool to swap between bracelet and strap. No lameness at all!

I recommend not going through Joma however. You can get near the same price from some of the very good sellers here for BNIB with a full Omega international warranty. You do not get that from Jomashop and their back end customer service is terrible from my personal experience.

If you would like to PM me, I would be happy to provide a couple sellers whom I've personally gone through without any issues nor regrets.

P.S. Get the watch, it's awesome!!

[repoman]

Be careful. Speedmaster's are like potato chips... you can't have just one.

[gnuyork]

I love vintage watches, but mostly because modern equivalents don't do it for me. Not the case for the Speedmaster, I'd buy it new without hesitation.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

I love vintage watches, but mostly because modern equivalents don't do it for me. Not the case for the Speedmaster, I'd buy it new without hesitation.

That's a really solid endorsement, thanks.

[the_natural]

I reached out to a Chrono24 Trusted Seller for more info on their listing, especially as the price is aggressive and they claim to include the manufacturer warranty card is included.

He said they are a "parallel importer", which I sort of understand. My question is, does that mean I'd be likely to get the factory Omega warranty or no? Since the OE warranty is only two years, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal and (if I don't flip-flop and buy used instead) I'm leaning toward gray market like Joma (I know, I know).

The watch and movement aren't exactly new, but is my confidence misplaced that the likelihood of issues in the first couple of years is low?

[Headshrinker]

I love my vintage Moonwatch; it was my first nice watch that I purchased while in high school. The bracelet is now too loose so I have it on a NATO strap. I would buy a new model; although mine is in great condition, it is well worn.

[CWIN]

Nothing wrong with buying a new Speedy. An iconic piece vintage or new! Discounts are always available, I'd suggest just buying from a trusted seller

[Bluside]

New, used, it doesn't matter. Just get one.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Bluside

New, used, it doesn't matter. Just get one.

Pretty much this. If buying used just be mindful of service history if you need to have it serviced. Otherwise it's just about picking the proper Speedy Pro variation (assuming you're looking at different ones....if not the hesalite/solid caseback moonwatch is always an easy win). Vintage is cool, but a Speedy Pro is one of those watches that goes with anything/anywhere.....in dry spaces @ least.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by repoman

Be careful. Speedmaster's are like potato chips... you can't have just one.

So true...

Originally Posted by the_natural

The watch and movement aren't exactly new, but is my confidence misplaced that the likelihood of issues in the first couple of years is low?

It's possibly because that movement has such a long and strong lineage, and because it is a relatively simple manual wind, that you'll have little trouble. The watch pictured on the left is nearly 20 years old, has never been serviced and has never missed a beat (touch wood). You should be fine with a new one, grey market or parallel imported, but just make sure you get compensated for the risk by a lower entry price. Alternatively, buy a lightly used one from a reliable forum member and it will have a little patina built in.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

You should be fine with a new one, grey market or parallel imported...

Thanks. Also, can you expand on the parallel import label? How is this different than gray market? Do PI models usually carry the factory warranty? I've been trying to do some research on what generally defines PI, and Omega PI models specifically, and so far I'm coming up dry.

Again, thanks for your expertise and time.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by the_natural

Thanks. Also, can you expand on the parallel import label? How is this different than gray market? Do PI models usually carry the factory warranty? I've been trying to do some research on what generally defines PI, and Omega PI models specifically, and so far I'm coming up dry.



Again, thanks for your expertise and time.

I have no expertise, just understanding.

A parallel import is an item sourced Internationally and imported parallel to the official import supply chain. This may be done by retailers and resellers to get new stock when they do not have access to official stock or because they have found a way to bypass local and domestic tax laws. Grey market watches are generally sourced from officially imported supply, because stock is excess or not moving quickly enough, or also these days because it seems the official suppliers now just see this as another sales channel.

Warranty in respect of PI and grey market sellers (alternate sellers) is a case-by-case issue and you really need to ask the reseller how it specifically applies to the watch you are planning to buy.

Warranty on a PI watch may be available if the manufacturer offers International Warranty; but not all manufacturers do, in which case you might have to return it to the original jurisdiction if something goes wrong, either via the reseller or directly. It also depends how the parallel importer actually acquired the watch in the first place. In short, I don't think you will find one rule that applies to all.

Similarly, grey market watches may or may not come with a warranty depending on the conditions set as part of the transfer from the official supply chain to the grey market seller. If warranty is offered, you at least know that it is local.

A couple of other points you might want to consider about watches from alternate sellers:

* Warranty cards for major brands are now generally not the official record, as official warranty and service records of individual watches are now kept in the manufacturer's database. That said, having a card may be a prerequisite for accessing the warranty. In any case, don't rely entirely on the warranty card as it might have been filled out differently to the official record.

* Some offer their own warranty. Provided their repairer has qualified watchmakers and access to genuine repair parts, their warranty could be just as good. YMMV.

* There are still many very good independent watchmakers that specialise in Omega watches that can support you if you get a great price but don't get a warranty as part of your watch deal.

Finally, take the time to understand your statutory consumer rights in your jurisdiction. Irrespective of whether you buy from an AD or alternate seller, you may have inherent warranty coverage if the seller operates within your jurisdiction.

Edit: you might want to read this:
https://www.omegawatches.com/fileadm..._Manual_EN.pdf.
Warranty starts at page 7.

[roaddog359]

I have been thing about picking up a hesalite moon watch also. I also started to look at the seiko Astron line. Its not in the same league as Rolex or Omega speedmaster but I think it looks good for a low cost daily wear watch.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by the_natural

Thanks. Also, can you expand on the parallel import label? How is this different than gray market? Do PI models usually carry the factory warranty? I've been trying to do some research on what generally defines PI, and Omega PI models specifically, and so far I'm coming up dry.

Again, thanks for your expertise and time.

Parallel imports are Grey Market imports.

You usually will not get a factory warranty.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

I have no expertise, just understanding.

A parallel import is an item sourced Internationally and imported parallel to the official import supply chain. This may be done by retailers and resellers to get new stock when they do not have access to official stock or because they have found a way to bypass local and domestic tax laws. Grey market watches are generally sourced from officially imported supply, because stock is excess or not moving quickly enough, or also these days because it seems the official suppliers now just see this as another sales channel.

Warranty in respect of PI and grey market sellers (alternate sellers) is a case-by-case issue and you really need to ask the reseller how it specifically applies to the watch you are planning to buy.

Warranty on a PI watch may be available if the manufacturer offers International Warranty; but not all manufacturers do, in which case you might have to return it to the original jurisdiction if something goes wrong, either via the reseller or directly. It also depends how the parallel importer actually acquired the watch in the first place. In short, I don't think you will find one rule that applies to all.

Similarly, grey market watches may or may not come with a warranty depending on the conditions set as part of the transfer from the official supply chain to the grey market seller. If warranty is offered, you at least know that it is local.

A couple of other points you might want to consider about watches from alternate sellers:

* Warranty cards for major brands are now generally not the official record, as official warranty and service records of individual watches are now kept in the manufacturer's database. That said, having a card may be a prerequisite for accessing the warranty. In any case, don't rely entirely on the warranty card as it might have been filled out differently to the official record.

* Some offer their own warranty. Provided their repairer has qualified watchmakers and access to genuine repair parts, their warranty could be just as good. YMMV.

* There are still many very good independent watchmakers that specialise in Omega watches that can support you if you get a great price but don't get a warranty as part of your watch deal.

Finally, take the time to understand your statutory consumer rights in your jurisdiction. Irrespective of whether you buy from an AD or alternate seller, you may have inherent warranty coverage if the seller operates within your jurisdiction.

Edit: you might want to read this:
https://www.omegawatches.com/fileadm..._Manual_EN.pdf.
Warranty starts at page 7.

Tremendously helpful, thank you very much for such thorough info.

[thejerseyrock]

Speedy's are fantastic, iconic and yes addictive. I have two vintage - a 321 and 861, one on brown leather strap, one on stainless bracelet, so when I was shopping for a modern speedy I wanted something different and got the 9300 coaxial (sapphire sandwich), with a black strap (new speedmasters are NOT lame!) BUT... if I could do it over, i would NOT have bought that particular model new. Would have got it pre-loved from a trusted seller. They depreciate a lot more, the minute you walk out the door, as compared to say, most Rolex models, some of which I bought new from an AD without regret. Not as big a deal with the hesalite of course... just saying...

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by Tools

Parallel imports are Grey Market imports.

You usually will not get a factory warranty.

That's what I assumed initially as well, but [the Chrono24 seller] sent me this pic as some sort of proof that it does have the warranty:



Based on the link arcadelt posted to the Omega warranty info though, which states,

"The warranty only comes into force if the warranty certificate is dated, fully and correctly completed and stamped by an authorised OMEGA retailer (“valid warranty certificate”)."

it seems like the card on its own proves nothing. This excerpt tells me that even if the warranty card is included, it's of little consequence if the parameters above aren't met (assuming the service center or authorized repair place cares to check all those parameters).

Ultimately it's a 2-year warranty in question, so I guess, if you trust the Joma folks, their warranty is perhaps 'better' in the sense that (I believe) it's twice as long at 4-years (I don't really think it's actually better because it's not OEM, but you know what I mean). I'm not sold one way or another yet, but if the price gap continues to be big enough ($350 or so) then I'm still leaning toward the gray market option which, while not including an OEM warranty, also isn't warranty-less, either.

[v6inspire]

Originally Posted by the_natural

Also does anyone pay retail for a new Speedmaster Professional? Joma has them for like $3,300, but lists the MSRP as over $5k. That's a big gap.

My first "luxury" piece was a Speedmaster MoTM. I went to the Omega Boutique and instantly fell in love. I would've went with pre-owned but, something about buying new (even though I know I will take a loss) makes me tingle inside. After the Speedmaster, everything else was purchased pre-owned. Plus, purchasing from a boutique, they give you free stuff (Wallet, fashion bracelet, and Omega leather valet tray).

[strafer_kid]

Great watch!