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Buying my husband a Speedmaster... Advice Needed

ac106
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Caliber561 Caliber561
If I remember correctly, you might be able to snatch a vintage 145.022-69 from some forum members here who have listed theirs in the sales section of this forum. Those pieces have the aesthetically pleasing tritium lume, stepped dial, and hippocampus caseback with no man on the moon engraving 😉

I get what you are saying, but suggesting the OP navigate the minefield of vintage speedmasters on behalf of her husband for a surprise gift is probably not the best idea. If this is the husbands first watch, a new model, with warranty and without the need for a service for 5-10 years is probably the best bet.
 
Tik-Tok of Oz
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Greetings @Antigua08 and welcome.
The folks here are passionate about watches and hold strong opinions. However do not let that distract you from your goal. To that end I will share my story and you can do with it what you wish.

This is my Speedmaster moon watch.

It was a 15th Anaversary gift from my spouse and although not my first mechanical watch it started me on a serious journey collecting watches whereas before I liked them but did not study them or their horological signicance.

It came in a presentation box. With lots of goodies. Like an extra strap or two.
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If your husband loves watches and wants an iconic watch that is second to none in terms of horological pedigree and a real value compared to other steel mechanical watches. While also being modern and worry free (in all likelihood) for the next several years this is the one to get.

I am with others who say this is a good place to start a collection.

As to Grey market or Omega boutiques? Well, if you want to be totally assured of a hassle free ownership and want to develop a relationship with Omega with an eye to future purchases of limited edition watches buy it retail. But expect to pay more in the neighborhood of $5000 USD. But you have full backing and a track record and might get some nice extras thrown in at purchase time as a new customer.

That being said I am a cheap SOB and the moonwatch was bought grey market. With a stamped warranty card. And the price was in the $3500 USD neighborhood. I have bought one other graymarket watch and both have been mechanically sound and came complete with warranty cards. It’s really up to you and how comfortable you are with doing this. You save significant money buying used or gray market.

But I would echo what others have said and go with a speed master professional versus a speed master reduced for your first watch. And I have tiny wrists like a bird.

Whatever you do he will love it and remember it and possibly have it to pass on some day. So really the only mistake you can make is not doing it.


Good luck!
 
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padders
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That is one cheap 3570 though regardless of what a Shark the seller is.
 
Tik-Tok of Oz
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ac106 ac106
or not

Paper clip-gate

https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-most-precious-to-date-has-arrived-then-gone-again.21008/


Case back opener-gate

https://omegaforums.net/threads/pah...seback-opener-highly-recommended.39120/page-9
I agree with the sentiment warning a new buyer to beware so again if you want completely hassle free experience and to be 100% certain of authenticity of the watch buy retail and pay for the experience and peace of mind.

But even gray market it’s easier to service an 1861 caliber even if you have to pay full price. Which you save buy buying gray. That was my thinking for me. That being said I would add that the OP should always “buy the seller” first and always.
 
ac106
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padders padders
That is one cheap 3570 though regardless of what a Shark the seller is.

+20 sec/day. So it needs a service yesterday. Add 300-500 to the price.

Now you are ~$500 away from NIB from @Kringkily with full Omega warranty and no need for service for 5+ years.
 
Watching
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A Antigua08
Our 10th anny is coming up in June, and I am married to a watch-nerd who has never really been in a place to indulge in a nice Swiss movement just yet.

May I ask what the year of birth of your husband is? There are many ways to learn the year of production of the watch and I think it would be great to give him a watch that dates back to his year of age! Something I did for my wife.
 
Watching
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A Antigua08
Our 10th anny is coming up in June, and I am married to a watch-nerd who has never really been in a place to indulge in a nice Swiss movement just yet. The Omega Speedmaster would be his ultimate first Swiss.

May I ask what the year of birth of your husband is? There are many ways to learn the year of production of the watch and I think it would be great to give him a watch that dates back to his year of age! Something I did for my wife.
 
A
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First - thanks to all who have commented. I went into our local jeweler and they were useless in terms of providing advice - I was concerned I would end up having to take a shot in the dark!

This has been very helpful. I agree, the pro is likely the way to go, and you all have convinced me that the engraving on the back is not such a big deal. I think I have decided to go with new. I don't really want to mess with replacement parts etc. This way, it starts with him and any modification/patina over time is his decision and story, and more meaningful when he gives it to our son one day.

So here are my next questions...

1. Thoughts on the crystal caseback? On the one hand, he would likely love and geek out seeing the movement. On the other hand, it's a modification, and is there something to be said for leaving it as is? Looking for the watch nerd perspective here...
2. Is there anything in particular I should look for or consider when purchasing a new Speedy Professional with the manual wind?
3. @Kringkily has reached out, and I'm open to purchasing through him should he have a fit, but if anyone sees a new one out there, via him or otherwise and wants to throw it up here, I'd love to have the group verify everything looks good - again, big purchase many years in the making, I just want to be sure all looks good.

Thanks to you all again. The husband is going to flip out when he realizes that there was a whole group of fellow watch lovers that helped me work through this!
 
Breizhoneg!
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R3D9 R3D9
Oh, and get the version with the hesalite crystal... not the sapphire. It’s cheaper and most people prefer it anyways.
Agree! +1
*Hesalite don't get so much light reflect, and can be polish in case of "accident".
And it's original Glass. 😉
 
Breizhoneg!
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Crystal case back isn't really a modification, un the point that it's factory order option. 😀
That's totally personnal. Can please, or not.
Some will find it "gadget". Mostly if the original moonwatch it's your motive (for example tout wish of no engraving on the case).
 
rcs914
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A Antigua08
It's just a weird thing - not a deal breaker. the thought being it feels more commercialized. If you're a true Speedmaster fan, you'd already know that, so why engrave it. Again - no dealbreaker, just personal preference liking the simple Speedmaster emblem.

It's part of the Speedmaster Professional at this point, and the back of the case has been essentially unchanged since 1971. There have been other updates, variations, etc, but a standard Speedmaster Professional has that engraving. As others have said, for most "Watch guys" it's the Professional that they want, not the automatic. It's the one (well sort of) that went to the moon, is qualified by NASA, etc. All the others ride on those coattails.
 
Sublime_1
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Congratulations on the milestone. My wife got me the pro for our 10th. Best gift ever.

She went back and forth in regards to the auto vs pro and she went with the pro. I now have both and for what its worth I'm glad she with with the auto and if I could only have one it would be the pro, no question.
 
jimmyd13
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Great news you've made your decision. Regarding your questions:
Hesalite is "warmer". It's thinner, giving a better view of the dial (in my opinion); cheaper; and, closer to the original design.
For the caseback, you can buy an after-market crystal caseback and also retain the original. You can even make it next year's birthday gift along with a caseback removal tool. The tool you can get from this site (can someone link it as I don't have mine to hand?) And is a work of art in itself.
@Kringkily has plenty of good feedback as do the majority of other members here. Check references and buy with confidence.
Finally, hope you and your husband both love the watch.
 
Bernardino
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Just to add my 2 pence worth!

I would be over the moon (no pun intended) if my other half bought me a speedmaster pro (except I already have one). I would ask a few questions if the case back had been modified from the original though! Maybe your husband will choose to do this at a later date or get a another watch with clear case back, once you start collecting it’s very addictive!

Like others have said, you can’t go wrong with the speedmaster pro with the hesalite crystal and if you’re husband is in to Watches he should understand exactly what the watch represents. You’ll be amazed how many collectors have one in their collection.

Congratulations on the anniversary too
 
v12gte
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buying presents is a minefield, but what a nice gesture! I would not discount going to your local brick and mortar shop. I have bought most of my watches used from internet forums and ebay, and I wish I had spent more time at my local authorized dealer. I would be a lot closer to the top of the list when it comes to ordering special editions and desirable watches. There is quite a long line for some models, including special edition speedmasters.
I think one of the best values would be a late 70s Speedy Pro. Just around your price range, and it has not entered into the silly sphere of cal 321 and Ed Whites.
 
kkt
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A Antigua08
1. Thoughts on the crystal caseback? On the one hand, he would likely love and geek out seeing the movement. On the other hand, it's a modification, and is there something to be said for leaving it as is? Looking for the watch nerd perspective here...

There are differences of opinion even between collectors on the caseback. It is neat to see all the wheels moving. However, my own opinion is that the watch should be kept with the steel back. That's the model that was selected by NASA and went to the moon. One of the things NASA tested for was resistance to being magnetized, and the steel case is part of what makes it resistant to magnetism.
 
R3D9
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Hesalite with the steel back if you’re buying one of the currently-produced models new.

The model Omega sells today with a clear caseback has a sapphire crystal on the front and I believe everyone has explained why that’s not the most preferred option (although some people love it - it does make the deep black colour of the dial more apparent).

There is a previous-Gen model with hesalite crystal and clear caseback that I think @Kringkily can sometimes find in New Old Stock condition, but you may be getting into requires-service territory, which it sounds like you want to avoid.

Your husband is a seriously lucky guy that you’re doing this for him - cheers to you for being awesome
 
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