OT: Omega Speedmaster...

[clarencek]

Would love to ask the Rolex community here what your thoughts are on the Omega Speedmaster Pro...

I've done a bit of research, lurked in the omega forums, etc. I was looking at the: 311.30 until I found a writeup someone wrote with some pretty negative comments about the 3313 co-axial movement.

I guess the other two options (excluding all the limited edition variants) are:
3570.50 - hesalite
3573.50 - sapphire

But as someone who's new to Omegas, I would love to hear your thoughts / impressions / experiences with any of the above models.

I'm posting it here because - if the folks here give it a thumbs up, I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with the watch. That's how much I trust everyone's opinion. :-)

Thanks!

p.s. obligatory pic attached.

[dkpw]

I have the 3570.50 - it is a joy. It wears bigger than my Submariner but is somehow more elegant with the long hands and mini dials. It does not keep as good time as the Rolex but is still fine at +10 secs a day compared to +2 secs with the Sub.

The Hesalite is almost the best thing about the watch. It is warm and the distortion when viewed at different angles makes looking at the dial so entertaining. Don't worry about scratches, a tube of Polywatch, a cotton bud and a microfibre polishing cloth will take care of anything. Safe yourself some money and go for the hesalite version.

Of course if you can find one, the 3572.50 with the hesalite front and sapphire caseback is the best of both worlds.

Above all you have a great piece of horological history on your wrist, I'd say more than the Submariner, especially with its NASA connections.

You will certainly not be disappointed if you do go for one!

Good luck.

PS Have a look here for a great description of the 1861 calibre inside the 3570.50

[robertneville]

i agree with David. get the hesalite, it looks great. of all the watches i ever owned, i got the most comments on that one. the moon connection is pretty cool too... funny story, i ran into a friend of mine one day and he was wearing a pre-moon speedy. i asked him where he got it and he said he inherited it from his dad. he said his timex needed a battery and he threw this old thing on. he about passed out when i told him what it was and how much it was worth!

[esm]

i would also suggest the 3570 if you want a speedmaster pro. Imo, it is the closest to the original NASA spec modern speedmaster pro

the haslite crystal will take awhile to get used to.... Usually after the first scratch. Got my first scretch within the first hour of wearing it.

Im sure you will love it!

[Tools]

I don't see any reason to live in the past and go hesalite... It was fine for a 60's era watch...

I do have a friendly comparison with the Speedy and Cosmo over in the Reference Library..

This is the one I have and I wouldn't trade it..

[RFXMM]

I have both and really don't notice a difference. I will say the exhibition back is not a big deal after a couple of weeks. I would just go with the least expensive.

[clarencek]

Thanks for the feedback - all really helpful!

Another few questions:

1. Would you say the watch is as rugged as a sub? I'm not particularly rough on my watches, but I do have a tendency to accidentally knock things with my wrist.

2. Would you swim with your 50m speedmaster pro? I don't dive, but swim in pools and on the beach.

Thanks again!

[TheBluePrince]

It's more rugged than a Sub.

I wouldn't take it in any more water than the bath or washing up bowl.

[DWdrummer]

The Speedmaster Professional is as iconic as the Submariner to me.

I hope to someday own one. Its a piece of horological history without doubt.
I would go with the hestalite and the stainless caseback. Its the best version and closest to the actual "Moonwatch" as worn by the NASA astronauts.

You can never go wrong with a Speedmaster or a Submariner to me.

[dkpw]

Just another quick point, I find that it's easier to replace the bracelet on the Speedy than the Sub and to my eye the Speedy takes a wider variety of straps far better than the Rolex. Some great black leather Hirsch straps can be had for about £30 and they really smarten up the Omega, not that there's anything wrong with the SS bracelet.

[karmatp]

I have owned lots of different watches, with the majority being Rolex. I can say that my 3570.50 is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The fact that you can buy 4 of them for the price of one Daytona is just crazy, it is just a perfect watch. My speedy pro is very accurate, well within COSC specs, and the comfort for a 42mm watch is outstanding. The speedy pro is one of the most comfortable watches I have worn, but I would not swim with it. I am a huge swimmer, so that is the only drawback in my eyes, but don't let that distract you. You can also switch between the bracelet and straps, which is another bonus over the Daytona. The manual wind movement is just a joy, and I love to give her a full wind in the morning. The hesalite rocks, like already stated, it gives such a warm look and feel, you have to own one to appreciate it over sapphire.

Check the Omega section right here on TRF, there is lots of post on the speedmaster. IMHO, if you love watches, you have to have a Speedmaster Pro in your collection. It is a true icon in the watch community, hard to beat the classic moon watch. If you are serious, you need to buy fast, a price increase just hit, but they can still be purchased at the old price with a nice discount from forum favorite AD's. Best of luck with your decision.

[JoeSiR]

Still my only one watch (3572.50) and love it!
If you like icon watch like the Sub..you can't go wrong with this watch...

[kyeow]

I have the Speedy 3570.50 which is one of the classic chronographs and find that it complements my watch wearing needs with my Deepsea. Also like the ability to change straps and have a Hirsch CF racing strap which is great value to give the Speedy a completely different look.

[Tripod]

I agree with the other posters - I think the Speedy Pro is an iconic watch. I am looking to buy one myself in the near future (hopefully for the old price). I just can't decide between the 3570.50 (hesalite) and the Alaska Project.

[Prince Tudor]

I would go with the hesalite and SS caseback. There is something historical about the 1861 cal. manual wind movement. I don't own one (would love to one day) but I worn it before at the AD. All the feedback I've read on this particular model is positive. I would not take it in the water though. Save the Rollie for that.

[jlopicco]

I might be the only one who likes the 3573.50 better. That movement is just too beautiful to hide behind a piece of ss. Also the sapphire would be a must for me because I am prone to rubbing my watch against things and it would kill me to see scratches on the crystal of such a nice watch.

[HL65]

Nice watch--prefer the Sub myself--but do like the Omega.

[Gob Bluth]

I had a Speedy Pro Sapphire Sandwich and sold it as it didn't have that warm look that the Speedy should have due to the sapphire. I now have the 3570.50 (hesalite crystal) and it is without a doubt a keeper. It's the second watch that I've had that will never be sold. It looks great on the bracelet, nato and leather/croc straps. I just got a navy croc strap w/ white stitching and it looks like $1,000,000,000 on the Speedy Pro. I can't recommend it enough.

[Strut99GT]

I am wearing my Speedy right now, and it's the perfect chronograph. The dial and subdials are perfectly organized, the history is interesting and outstanding, and the design is timeless. I am not a chronograph guy, but I think every watch enthusiast should own a Speedy. They are absolutely fantastic, versatile watches. And relatively speaking, a ripping bargain.

[Speedmeister]

Not just an icon because of it's history... IMO it is perhaps the best looking watch of all time. It is surprising how people seem to be able to take or leave different watches but it seems like all collectors like the speedy.

The only drawback, like others have said is it's apparent lack of water resistance. Although.. I have heard of at least one person on the forums who claims to scuba dive with it.

[Singslinger]

I have three Speedies - the Moon to Mars, the Apollo 15 limited edition in rose gold and the white dial 35th anniversary of the moon landing version. Fantastic watch, very accurate and requires minimal servicing.

[G.J]

I have a 3572.50 with the hesalite front and sapphire caseback, bought it when my daughter was born.
My second Omega after I bought a mid-size Bond quartz (and sold that one after just a few months).

The Speedy is a classic and is a joy to wear.

Oh..and the Speedy looks good on anything..











And...



About the Co-Axial...
My opinion is that a Lemania based caliber should be in the Speedmaster.
Why change a winning team?

[JPS]

Great Pictures G.J!

[presario]

Originally Posted by G.J

And...

What in the world? Haha, looks cool!

[G.J]

Originally Posted by presario

What in the world? Haha, looks cool!

Yep, that was a great ''project'' IMHO..

[dkpw]

GJ - how about a Speedy on a jubilee for your next project? Great job btw.

[esm]

btw - there supposed to be a price increase for Omega this month. Has it kicked in yet?

[G.J]

Originally Posted by dkpw

GJ - how about a Speedy on a jubilee for your next project? Great job btw.

That one crossed my mind a long time ago...

In time I will try this and post some pictures..

[Boadicea]

Why do you not swim with a 50m watch? I thought 30m was the limit for showers and poolside but 50m was ok for full on swimming and light watersports. Unless it's old and not been in for a service, i don't see any problems swimming or even snorkelling with a 50m watch.

[Strut99GT]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

I have three Speedies - the Moon to Mars, the Apollo 15 limited edition in rose gold and the white dial 35th anniversary of the moon landing version. Fantastic watch, very accurate and requires minimal servicing.

Please post pics of the rose gold/white one!!!! That sounds AWESOME!!!