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GTS Dean · 20 January 2012, 07:50 AM

Hello all,

I've been really giving some thought to buying the Speedmaster Co-Axial Date - ref: 311.30.44.50.01.002 for several months.

I bought my Moonwatch last January on vacation and find myself wearing it at least 4 days a week, if not more. My Daytona is down to about twice a month, after being my daily tool watch for almost 14 years. Dial legibility is the #1 reason for this decision - the Rolex is fine in the daytime, but after dark it is just about useless. Too much sparkle under dim light. I use the chrono function more than once a week.

#2 on my rotation frequency is my GMT-C. Bold, solid, accurate, legible; excellent travel watch - and has a date function. The Glidelock clasp with the folding half-link is a wonderful feature that I use frequently. Rotating bezel works as a crude timer in some situations. Did I mention it has a date?

So, down to my dilemma -

I took both these watches with me to the Torneau/Omega shop yesterday and they had the Co-Axial in the display case. I'm of average height, (5'-9") and in pretty good condition for 51, but my wrist/forearm is only 6-3/4". The Speedy's tach bezel is right at 40mm, as is the GMT. Both these wear well, and I also feel comfortable with my 36mm Rolexes.

When I slipped the 44.5mm piece on, it was quite noticeably larger than either of the others. Although I didn't have any calipers, it felt thicker as well. The GMT is right at 12mm, the Moonwatch is about 14mm. (My Breitling is so thin and light, it's really not even in the same category.)

Now, I find myself a little bummed that it may just be too large for my tastes - and I am NOT a big fan of the mega watch craze. I looked at the 40mm automatics, and they're just too deep, with a little bit too much busyness under the crystal for its size. Oh well, at least I've still got my money, and the desire has been tempered a bit - at least for the near-term.

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

capote · 20 January 2012, 08:19 AM

The cal 9300 must be a very large movement. I really like the new one. Still, can't beat the Moonwatch as far as Speedmaster's are concerned.

jmsrolls · 20 January 2012, 08:31 AM

I thought there was only one Speedmaster: the Professional.

Fr John+

Transient · 20 January 2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

I thought there was only one Speedmaster: the Professional.

Fr John+

Agreed!! manual wind saphine Sandwich, such an incredibly beautiful timepiece....

azguy · 21 January 2012, 02:52 AM

Keep the speedy that you already have, bigger is not better, IMHO

elevensheep · 21 January 2012, 06:22 AM

i also tried the new speedy on recently, and like the OP, i was very disappointed too in how the watch felt on my wrist

wjk_glynn · 21 January 2012, 01:51 PM

If I were in the market for an auto chrono with date... Zenith's El Primero line would likely bubble up in the list of options.

Some back story: http://www.watchtime.at/archive/wt_2...009_06_102.pdf

pacifichrono · 21 January 2012, 03:05 PM

Go with your gut: you'd grow to hate the 44.5 size. Look elsewhere.

htc8p · 21 January 2012, 07:02 PM

its just too big. go for the old speedmaster date. better yet go PO

omegabenz · 21 January 2012, 07:21 PM

We are of nearly same build (height/wrist), and I thought the bigger case (diameter) fit my wrist better.

My wife asked if I still wanted a Speedmaster for my MS graduation, but we ended up going with a Rolex Milgauss GV. I would still like to revisit getting a chronograph at some point in the near future. I think the coaxial movement and added date feature made the case thicker though, which I wasn't a fan of that, but the traditional speedy felt a little small for my wrist. Some have posted pics of the PO chronograph and that looks really nice - have to check that out, but I've always wanted a Daytona as well...

Scott95 · 22 January 2012, 02:29 AM

I'm about the same size as you and share your opinion of the mega-watches. The largest I'll wear is the 42.5 mm PO - which I really like.

Ginuwine · 15 January 2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

I thought there was only one Speedmaster: the Professional.

Fr John+

what a priceless quote!!!

joe100 · 15 January 2013, 05:23 PM

Everything with omega is getting fatter. PO, Speedy, AT GMT. Comically thick I think. Why not keep the proportions of the 2500 movements?

andyboy39 · 15 January 2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azguy

keep the speedy that you already have, bigger is not better, imho

+1

Cru Jones · 15 January 2013, 08:22 PM

i could deal with the diameter, but, the thickness is way too much, IMHO, especially compared to the classic.

SUBversive · 15 January 2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

I thought there was only one Speedmaster: the Professional.

Fr John+

21 January 2012, 01:51 PM	#7
wjk_glynn "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 41	If I were in the market for an auto chrono with date... Zenith's El Primero line would likely bubble up in the list of options. Some back story: http://www.watchtime.at/archive/wt_2...009_06_102.pdf __________________ Present: Rolex Submariner, Mark 1 50th Anniversary 16610LV :: MK II Stingray 50 ("What the hll") Past*: Rolex GMT Master 16700 :: Omega Speedmaster 145.012-67

21 January 2012, 03:05 PM	#8
pacifichrono "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Tom Location: San Diego Watch: 1968 GMT 1675 Posts: 1,059	Go with your gut: you'd grow to hate the 44.5 size. Look elsewhere. __________________ Regards from Sunny San Diego..........Tom

22 January 2012, 02:29 AM	#11
Scott95 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Scott Location: Greensboro GA Watch: GMT116713 - ATF Posts: 301	I'm about the same size as you and share your opinion of the mega-watches. The largest I'll wear is the 42.5 mm PO - which I really like. __________________ 116713 TT GMT II 116610 Sub C

15 January 2013, 05:23 PM	#13
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	Everything with omega is getting fatter. PO, Speedy, AT GMT. Comically thick I think. Why not keep the proportions of the 2500 movements? __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

20 January 2012, 07:50 AM	#1
GTS Dean "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NB, TX Watch: 3570.50 Posts: 1,012	Disappointed w/44.5mm Speedy Hello all, I've been really giving some thought to buying the Speedmaster Co-Axial Date - ref: 311.30.44.50.01.002 for several months. I bought my Moonwatch last January on vacation and find myself wearing it at least 4 days a week, if not more. My Daytona is down to about twice a month, after being my daily tool watch for almost 14 years. Dial legibility is the #1 reason for this decision - the Rolex is fine in the daytime, but after dark it is just about useless. Too much sparkle under dim light. I use the chrono function more than once a week. #2 on my rotation frequency is my GMT-C. Bold, solid, accurate, legible; excellent travel watch - and has a date function. The Glidelock clasp with the folding half-link is a wonderful feature that I use frequently. Rotating bezel works as a crude timer in some situations. Did I mention it has a date? So, down to my dilemma - I took both these watches with me to the Torneau/Omega shop yesterday and they had the Co-Axial in the display case. I'm of average height, (5'-9") and in pretty good condition for 51, but my wrist/forearm is only 6-3/4". The Speedy's tach bezel is right at 40mm, as is the GMT. Both these wear well, and I also feel comfortable with my 36mm Rolexes. When I slipped the 44.5mm piece on, it was quite noticeably larger than either of the others. Although I didn't have any calipers, it felt thicker as well. The GMT is right at 12mm, the Moonwatch is about 14mm. (My Breitling is so thin and light, it's really not even in the same category.) Now, I find myself a little bummed that it may just be too large for my tastes - and I am NOT a big fan of the mega watch craze. I looked at the 40mm automatics, and they're just too deep, with a little bit too much busyness under the crystal for its size. Oh well, at least I've still got my money, and the desire has been tempered a bit - at least for the near-term. ____________________________ TT OysterQuartz SS/Black "U" Daytona TT GMT II-C DD OysterQuartz Breitling Aero Omega Speedmaster Pro

20 January 2012, 08:19 AM	#2
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	The cal 9300 must be a very large movement. I really like the new one. Still, can't beat the Moonwatch as far as Speedmaster's are concerned.

20 January 2012, 08:31 AM	#3
jmsrolls Banned Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 3,185	I thought there was only one Speedmaster: the Professional. Fr John+

21 January 2012, 02:52 AM	#5
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	Keep the speedy that you already have, bigger is not better, IMHO

21 January 2012, 06:22 AM	#6
elevensheep "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: David Location: Australia Posts: 321	i also tried the new speedy on recently, and like the OP, i was very disappointed too in how the watch felt on my wrist

21 January 2012, 07:02 PM	#9
htc8p "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Bert Location: philippines Watch: 116710 ln Posts: 3,446	its just too big. go for the old speedmaster date. better yet go PO

21 January 2012, 07:21 PM	#10
omegabenz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: 209 Watch: 116400GV, o2531.80 Posts: 240	We are of nearly same build (height/wrist), and I thought the bigger case (diameter) fit my wrist better. My wife asked if I still wanted a Speedmaster for my MS graduation, but we ended up going with a Rolex Milgauss GV. I would still like to revisit getting a chronograph at some point in the near future. I think the coaxial movement and added date feature made the case thicker though, which I wasn't a fan of that, but the traditional speedy felt a little small for my wrist. Some have posted pics of the PO chronograph and that looks really nice - have to check that out, but I've always wanted a Daytona as well...

15 January 2013, 08:22 PM	#15
Cru Jones 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 34,525	i could deal with the diameter, but, the thickness is way too much, IMHO, especially compared to the classic.

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