Speedmaster Model Complexity

[runs_wscissors]

New to mechanical watches and I really appreciate the information on this forum. I've been lurking and browsing for about 2 months and I am just amazed at what is available. I honestly was headed toward the next 42mm Explorer II, but am not sure if I'm ready to spend that much on my first real watch.

I quickly looked through the Omegas and thought, Speedmaster, interesting. Then I was completely surprised to find no two watches I had pulled from the display case were the same. 42mm, broad arrow, 44mm, manual wind, leather strap, saphire, steel case back..seriously, they had this many choices on the moon?

Mind you some sales people don't really mention the reference number so that wasn't helping me. I thought it best to head home and do some research and I am glad you folks are here. I have some easy questions that I could probably find the answers to if I plowed through more posts. Everyone seems friendly enough for a few newbie questions.

3570.50.00 Hesalite, steel caseback, 1861 movement,manual, 42mm, bracelet.
3573.50.00 The sapphire sandwich ,1863 movement, manual, 42mm, bracelet.
3873.50.31, same as 3573.50 with a black leather strap instead of a bracelet. Do I have this right? I prefer the strap.

The newer models go by much longer numbers
311.30.44.50.01.001 or .002. sapphire back, 3313 movement, auto, 44.25mm, bracelet, date.
321.93.42.50.13.001 broad arrow, sapphire back, 3313 movement, auto, 42mm, strap, date. Two different case sizes for the same movement?
311.33.44.51.01.001 sapphire back, 9300 movement, auto, 44.25mm, strap, date. New this year, I think it will be thick

Wow, then there is this business with snoopy and metorites, it's all a bit overwhelming. I like watching the auto winding weight swing around on the 3313 movement, but I'm stuck on the view of the 3573.

Anyway, I gather from the posts here the 3570.50 and 3573.50 are most popular for their history, look and pricepoint. I apparently got into this hobby 6 months late given the recent price increases.

Are all these other varients just for all the individuals tastes we have? Any reason to avoid them? Will I grow tired of a manual wind? Any questions I should have asked? Thanks in advance.

[sierra11b]

The crown is easily assessable during wear and can easily be turned to keep the watch wound. It will stop when fully wound. Power reserve is 48hrs on the 3570.50 so you shouldn't have to do it very often.

[Andad]

Eric,

With a 48 power reserve you would need to wind a manual watch every day to be sure.

[sierra11b]

Right. And in the VERY short time I've owned my 3570.50 i've caught myself winding it a few times today. I was just meaning winding could be regimented first thing in the morning everyday as opposed to worry about keeping it fully wound throughout the day.

[Andad]

My son has a Speedy and I find it hard to wind - the crown is not the biggest puppy in the world.

[ohfivepro]

"3570.50.00 Hesalite, steel caseback, 1861 movement,manual, 42mm, bracelet.
3573.50.00 The sapphire sandwich ,1863 movement, manual, 42mm, bracelet.
3873.50.31, same as 3573.50 with a black leather strap instead of a bracelet. Do I have this right? I prefer the strap."

These would be classed as the 'true' Speedmasters - A Speedy's meant to be manual so stick with the classics. I've got a 3573 and the movement is beautiful and yes, the 3873 is the same only with a strap.

"I apparently got into this hobby 6 months late given the recent price increases." They'll be another one coming along in a few months (there always is) so just make sure you make a move before the next hike and you'll still get that nice'dodged a bullet' feeling

"Will I grow tired of a manual wind? " - Hell no. I prefer manual winds over autos. You wake up, wind your watch and that's you good to go. No need for a winder, no worries about 'have I been active enough to keep my auto going', you just turn the crown til it stops and the watch will run like clockwork. It's part of the daily routine and it makes rolling out of bed worthwhile.

Good luck with whatever you choose

[esm]

IMO - the "true" modern Speedmaster Moonwatch is the 3570.50

the rest are just more fancy looking ones

manual wind can be a hassle in the beginning, but you will get used to it eventually.

[GTS Dean]

Originally Posted by directioneng

My son has a Speedy and I find it hard to wind - the crown is not the biggest puppy in the world.

agreed. I don't really think it's the crown diameter, but more the fact that the tachymeter ring projects far enough out to overlap the crown a bit. A taller crown would be a help - like 1 to 1.5mm longer. It wouldn't be a problem if it worked like Rolex with a screw-down crown that is loosened for winding.

____________________________
TT OysterQuartz
SS/Black "U" Daytona
TT GMT II-C
DD OysterQuartz
Brietling Aero
Omega Speedmaster Pro

[smallcandle]

Like most, the 3570.50 is the only true Speedmaster to me.

[dddrees]

The Speed Master Pro is a great watch. It's one of those watches that works equally well on a bracelet or a strap. I am wearing mine while I type this.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by directioneng

My son has a Speedy and I find it hard to wind - the crown is not the biggest puppy in the world.

New Speedy Pros are hard to wind as the winding stem seals require some break-in. These new seals were employed to increase the WR from 30 to 50m.

When I last had my custom Speedy Pro serviced, the new seals were installed and I could hardly turn the crown. I had my watchmaker replace them with the early version seals as 30m WR was enough for me.

But winding my two is part of my daily morning ritual.

Fr. John†

[dsio]

The 3572.50 and 3570.50 are the two I'd go for, the 3572.50 has the hesalite crystal, which is critical for it to be a true Speedmaster Pro, but it also has the displayback and decorated 1863 movement, the Sapphire sandwich 3573.50 replaced the 3572.50 and IMO its just not the same.

[Dweller of the Sea]

If you prefer strap, then you can also buy the 3570 on a strap.
If you use both strap and bracelet, buy the watch on the bracelet, and then strap/buckle. the bracelet is much more expensive than the strap/buckle.

It is a little hard to wind, but I found out that instead of using the tip of my fingers, I just use the side of my forefinger, by pressing it against the crown and just go back and forth.
Then it is easy.

[Watch Professor]

I have the 3570 and think it's a marvelous watch. I wind it every morning and enjoy the routine. A positive of the manual wind is all of the $ you will save by not needing a watch winder.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by dddrees

The Speed Master Pro is a great watch. It's one of those watches that works equally well on a bracelet or a strap. I am wearing mine while I type this.

Pics or it didn't happen Dan

[runs_wscissors]

3592.50

I found this one the web. A gold version of the 3572.50?

An thoughts? I'm assuming hesilite front, sapphire caseback. Looks nice. I'm assuming not a true "speedy" in most folks eyes since it is a 863 movement.

[Kringkily]

Originally Posted by runs_wscissors

3592.50

I found this one the web. A gold version of the 3572.50?

An thoughts? I'm assuming hesilite front, sapphire caseback. Looks nice. I'm assuming not a true "speedy" in most folks eyes since it is a 863 movement.

That is the older clear caseback version. the newer one is the 3752.50 with new plating.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by runs_wscissors

3592.50

I found this one the web. A gold version of the 3572.50?

An thoughts? I'm assuming hesilite front, sapphire caseback. Looks nice. I'm assuming not a true "speedy" in most folks eyes since it is a 863 movement.

Interesting . . .

That is a cal 863 movement (yellow gilt) indicating it to be a 3592.50 but the display back is from a 3572.50.

The 3592.50 caseback has "Apollo XI" engraved on it like this one:



Fr. John†

[runs_wscissors]

I pulled the picture from an ebay auction from japan. Maybe it's a hybrid of parts someone put together.

[mbrokerny]

Whats the difference between the 3570 and 3510?

[Kringkily]

3570 is the professional 3510 reduced