Do I buy a 16mm or 18mm for the vintage Speedy? Or is it just personal preferences? Did they ever come with straps from Omega?
Personally I wouldn't buy a 16mm or a 18mm buckle. I would buy a bracelet. But if I did need one or the other I would buy the buckle that fit the strap but that's just me.
I have a nice bracelet, but feel I like to change to a strap on occasion. I have straps which are for vintage Rolexes and those buckles are always 16mm. I was just wondering if there is some sort of model specific correctness to the Speedy buckle size.
Don't know for sure, but I would go with what you think would be most appropriate for the look you're trying to achieve. And no, straps and buckles are usually sold separately when purchased new from Omega.
I believe the really old Speedies are 19mm lugs and all the 19mm straps I've had are 16mm buckles. Speedies from 145.012 onwards are 20mm lugs and most 20mm straps have 18mm buckles.
Great info thanks! Btw, all Rolex models with 20mm lugs have 16mm buckles. So do many dress watches, that's why I was wondering.
I have a 16 and 18mm original omega buckles. I also don't know which buckle are specific to the vintage speedmaster. So I just pair the 16mm buckles with the more formal looking straps and the 18mm buckles with the more rugged looking ones.