Advice needed: Choosing Omega Speedmaster Date

Hi - hope everyone is keeping safe.

I'm a novice and have been an avid reader of this forum for a while now, and many of you have helped steer me in the right direction previously, and I'm back for some more invaluable advice and insights!

I have been looking for my first Omega for a while now, and have finally decided to go with the Speedmaster Date. Just in my budget and perfect for my small wrist size. I totally get a lot of people have strong views on the Automatic vs Pro conversation, but just off the bat, I am not ready for a Pro yet, I am sure of that! 😀

On that note, I have found 3 variations of the Speedmaster Date model that I am mulling over, and thought why not ask the experts for their POV - would love to get your view on your pick from the 3 options below, and understand why as well so I can learn to get better at evaluating myself.

They all run on pretty much the same movement (Valjoux 7750), and price is pretty similar (approx $1400-$1500 ), so its more about which one provides the best value in the long run, I plan to use it for a long time!

These are the 3 cals, in order of my personal preference - details below:

1. Ref 3513.50 - Black Dial
2. 3511.50 - Reverse Panda
3. 3511.80 - Blue Dial

1. Ref 3513.50 - Black Dial
Pros: Decent condition (best of the 3 in my opinion), comes with box manual and a few extras
Cons: Standard black dial makes it plainer than the other 2 options in my eyes, No pic of movement, seller says servicing done a few years ago but no paperwork (not sure why, but i trust the seller)





2. 3511.50 - Reverse Panda
Pros: great dial, decent condition, will provide service receipt
Cons: watch only (no box or papers), some scratches on bezel, patina on marker (i like the patina tbh, but putting it under con as the other two haven't developed any patina yet)



3. 3511.80 - Blue Dial
Pros: Blue dial just pops out, condition relatively decent (have asked for more pics for better look)
Cons: Comes with box only, no pics of movement (seller said they will provide if i make an offer), no service history (although seller said they would check with local servicing store if i am keen to buy)

I previously had a 3513.50 (black) that was fantastic, and perhaps the most accurate automatic watch I've owned.
Regarding colors, my preference is for the reverse panda or black, over the blue. I like the blue, but just prefer black.

Very nice,could you please tell me the model number.

Thankyou.

I've always really rated the red mk40 japanese version

And there's one very cheap on ebay atm:



https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMEGA-Spee...738865?hash=item34277c0631:g:bZwAAOSweh5esiMX

Personally my favorite speedmaster w a date

Of the given choices, 3511.50 in slightly better condition unless it’s a killer deal. I don’t value the papers too much

My choice would be a 3551.20 (ST 378.0022) Broad Arrow from the 00's with a 3303 movement. They look good, are very much underrated, and you can still get them for cheap.

I'm looking for a speedmaster racing (more casual than my speedmaster 38), and this one just jumped out at me...is this the version before the last? Not a fan of the current racing, too large, but I have a rep of the last gen and it fits really well. I was going to go for that, but this Date series has really caught my eye. Any appreciable difference between that Date series and last gen racing that really matter? That Mark 40 loos fabulous as well. My research indicates that both the Date and the last gen are the same size...so starting to look around. I think I've resigned myself to never being able to get a Daytona unless I go grey and I'm not willing to spend that much.