Are Speedmasters less prone to theft?

ErichPryde · Oct 12, 2023

Dan S
In my mind, the "luxury" watch category refers to specific high-end brands, and I don't put Omega in that category. You may consider many watches to be luxury items, but that doesn't necessarily put them in the "Luxury Watch" category.

And also, having an opinion doesn't make it a fact. We are all just sharing our opinions. So the "there is no doubt" claim seems a bit over-stated.

Dan, with greatest respect I cannot agree. It's not the scale alone of price of the item that matters, but how that price impacts the average consumer of said item type.

I am more or less offering a strict definition in my upper post of luxury goods that matches the economics definition. Someone who has a collection of multiple watches valued at over $4,000 a piece is in an extreme minority of people and it is not representative of an "average" consumer. There's always* something better and more expensive that you can compare yourself against.

I agree that having an opinion does not make it so, let's work in strict definitions and go from there.

texasmade · Oct 12, 2023

I wore my Snoopy 50th around Marseille last year. Speedies aren't as flashy as Rolex, AP, or Patek and even then most people couldn't tell one Speedmaster from another unless it was a full gold Speedmaster.

Tet · Oct 12, 2023

foxtrot
in my country (Argentina), not a problem with Speedies and Omegas, but if you were a SUB, then that is a big RISK.

I lived there for 3 years (Rosario) and must confess I wouldn't wear anything expensive out and about. Just seemed unnecessary risk.

Dan S · Oct 12, 2023

ErichPryde
Dan, with greatest respect I cannot agree. It's not the scale alone of price of the item that matters, but how that price impacts the average consumer of said item type.

I am more or less offering a strict definition in my upper post of luxury goods that matches the economics definition. Someone who has a collection of multiple watches valued at over $4,000 a piece is in an extreme minority of people and it is not representative of an "average" consumer. There's always* something better and more expensive that you can compare yourself against.

We are talking about entirely different things. You are discussing luxury goods in the context of some general economic definition, and I am talking about the "Luxury Watch" category. Two totally different things and uses of terminology. I tried to make the distinction previously.

ErichPryde · Oct 12, 2023

Dan S
We are talking about entirely different things. You are discussing luxury goods in the context of some general economic definition, and I am talking about the "Luxury Watch" category. Two totally different things and uses of terminology. I tried to make the distinction previously.

Alright, then let's see if we can hammer this out a bit more, because I think it's a definition worth framing out, if possible. You're saying it's not a luxury watch because there are more expensive, more prestigious, better-built watches to compare it to, but you seem to agree it does fit the definition of a luxury good? I'm saying it is a luxury good because of the economical impact it would create to the average consumer. Omegas are also seen as prestigious, to the general population and within the watch community, some highly so. They come with special packaging. Most purchases are special. Maintenance costs are extremely outsized (especially on Co-axial movements). So it's also a luxury watch.

They seem to be a luxury watch looking at all of this stuff, so what is it that you specifically disagree with? They are mass produced, and "mass produced luxury" is a complicated animal to swallow.

I've got to get my son to school, I'll be back on later.

Dimitar Adamski · Oct 12, 2023

Speedmasters are not so easy to flip like Daytonas or Royal Oaks,but they are still considered iconic timepieces, well recognisable and therefore targeted by criminals. Especially in specific parts of South EU.

M'Bob · Oct 12, 2023

Kupepe
Hello all.

I bought a vintage Omega and now I am looking for a modern one. So logically I concluded going for the most iconic.

How safe is moving around Europe with a Speedy?

The answer to this question should take into account a number of variables: what city are you talking about? Will you be wearing long sleeves and a jacket, or short sleeves? Will you be at a museum, or a fancy restaurant that thieves potentially target? Do you dress up, or down/casual? Will you be arriving places in a fancy car, or an economy model?

There is unfortunately no one-size-fits-all answer to this. It’s about risk reduction, not a binary construct of risk/no risk. Each outing with your watch should be assessed individually if you’re concerned about a possible theft.

64Wing · Oct 12, 2023

I wore my speedy when I blew leaves in the yard the other day. Almost died

gbesq · Oct 12, 2023

Are you going to be targeted by a gang of professional watch thieves if you wear a Speedmaster? Very unlikely. Are you going to lose your Speedmaster if you are wearing it and you are mugged? Very likely unless the mugger is a complete idiot.

bananapeanut · Oct 12, 2023

I would travel with a speedy anywhere in the world with no fear. I wear mine on a strap, which certainly makes it less conspicuous than on a bracelet as previously mentioned. True for any watch.

jsducote · Oct 12, 2023

Sidebar: Can we stop referring to Europe as a singular location? Nobody ever asks, how safe is it to wear a luxury watch in North America?

Dan S · Oct 12, 2023

jsducote
Sidebar: Can we stop referring to Europe as a singular location? Nobody ever asks, how safe is it to wear a luxury watch in North America?

And while we're asking, is it safe to wear a Speedmaster in Asia?

ErichKeane · Oct 12, 2023

Dan S
And while we're asking, is it safe to wear a Speedmaster in Asia?

And yet, we constantly are aware that it is safe to wear ON THE MOON!

texasmade · Oct 12, 2023

E ErichKeane
And yet, we constantly are aware that it is safe to wear ON THE MOON!

But not in the water.

spacemission · Oct 12, 2023

texasmade
But not in the water.

It's not true.

Archer · Oct 12, 2023

ErichPryde
Maintenance costs are extremely outsized (especially on Co-axial movements).

Omega charges the same for servicing co-axial as they do for Swiss lever movements. There’s no premium for them...

ErichPryde · Oct 12, 2023

Archer
Omega charges the same for servicing co-axial as they do for Swiss lever movements. There’s no premium for them...

Yes, my statement was incorrect on a number of levels considering that it is complication that Omega charges for. I would have been a lot better off saying that newer coaxial movements *de facto have to be sent to omega for servicing, which means that you pay a premium over what you would pay for some sort of Swiss ETA movement you could take to a watchmaker. I realize that there are some watchmakers that can service coaxial movements but very few.

What I meant is that there is a sort of Premium price to service for newer omega's that you don't necessarily have to run into with all mechanical watches, and I would say that's another reasonable factor to look at when deciding whether or not something is a luxury watch.

Archer · Oct 12, 2023

ErichPryde
Yes, my statement was incorrect on a number of levels considering that it is complication that Omega charges for. I would have been a lot better off saying that newer coaxial movements *de facto have to be sent to omega for servicing, which means that you pay a premium over what you would pay for some sort of Swiss ETA movement you could take to a watchmaker. I realize that there are some watchmakers that can service coaxial movements but very few.

What I meant is that there is a sort of Premium price to service for newer omega's that you don't necessarily have to run into with all mechanical watches, and I would say that's another reasonable factor to look at when deciding whether or not something is a luxury watch.

There are plenty of certified watchmakers out there who service co-axial watches. Hundreds have been put through the training at Omega in New Jersey alone, and the same happens all over the world.

Using a brand for servicing is often more expensive, but not always. There are certainly times when my invoice ends up being equal or higher than Omega would charge.

Co-axial is really not driving any sort of premium in my view. I do however agree that Omega is a luxury watch by most people’s definition, including most watch collectors.

ErichPryde · Oct 12, 2023

\

Archer
There are plenty of certified watchmakers out there who service co-axial watches. Hundreds have been put through the training at Omega in New Jersey alone, and the same happens all over the world.

Using a brand for servicing is often more expensive, but not always. There are certainly times when my invoice ends up being equal or higher than Omega would charge.

Co-axial is really not driving any sort of premium in my view. I do however agree that Omega is a luxury watch by most people’s definition, including most watch collectors.

Thanks for the correction. I've definitely seen Omega recommended so many times for co-axial movements and so few independent watchmakers recommended for co-ax service it definitely generated a wrong impression. And if the costs are going to be more or less the same, then this is clearly not a solid argument point.

I 100% agree with Dan about Omega not being the height of mechanical watches. They aren't even close. It seems to be a disagreement of semantics and definitions more than anything, and largely unimportant.

Are Speedmasters less prone to theft?

ErichPryde

texasmade

Tet

Dan S

ErichPryde

Dimitar Adamski

M'Bob

64Wing

gbesq

bananapeanut

jsducote

Dan S

ErichKeane

texasmade

spacemission

Archer

ErichPryde

Archer

ErichPryde

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