New to collecting and trying to figure out what is going to be my first Omega. I don't quite understand though the pricing on Vintage professional Speedmaster versus new. I see some in the mid-1990s that are going for more then what you could buy a new one via the grey market with the warranty. Is there something different about a mid-1990s professional moonwatch then the current ones being made? I can understand the collectability of something around 1969 when it went to the Moon but the mid-1990s? I don't get it

 

My guess, collectors want the tritium dial and hands.

 

speedmaster101.com may offer some perspective.

have fun
-kfw

 

Your first Omega should be tritium. If this message board had a poll, I am going to guess the masses would agree. Something like 99% to 1%.

The first pic are watches from 1968 up to 1998. These all had tritium dials and hands. They age very nicely and add character to the watch. As you can see none of the 5 look alike (no matter what my wife says). There are huge glaring differences.




This is a super luminova Speedmaster. They started making these about 1998. If you had one from 1998 and one from 2018 I don't think you could tell the difference.

borrowed this pic from the internet, as I do not own a super luminova speedy

 

The OP might also like to know that Tritium no longer serves its intended function at all before making an expensive decision in the dark.

 

I have a thought -- maybe you can tell him?

 

I thought I just did, but @Vagante: As far a collectability goes, Tritium makes the watch more valuable, but no longer holds a light charge. Charged Luminova will remain bright all night. If you're considering spending a few grand for a first Omega, you should probably know this in advance, especially if you're planning on making it your primary watch to wear.

 

This is a fair statement. I resolved it with limited edition speedmaster.

OF enablers don't let OF members buy super luminous speedmasters (that are not LEs). Just saying.

 

Awwww...I like my 1861 caliber modern speedy....
Of course it was my first Speedy and I’ve learned much since then too.

 

Taddyangle that is an amazing strap! Can I please know the maker?

 

Here is a close up where you can clearly tell the difference from a new one by the yellowish hour markers. I think it gives a warmth to the dial that you don’t get in a new Speedmaster. But I must also admit that if I had not gotten this 1985 birthyear Speedy I would probably just have bought a new one. A 69 or earlier would be awesome but they have doubled in price the last 2-3 years.

 

Speedmasters from the 90s are def the best value for the money at the moment. Tritium was used by Omega till 1998 and since then Superluminova. Tritium is aging beautifully and getting that yellow-to-pumpkin patina. Way more appealing for most of us.

There will not be long till the general opinion will consider the pre-1998 Speedmasters as Vintage, matching the end of the Tritium era.

Both watches below are from 1991.



Would you like a white SLN dial with no soul instead?

 

Can’t beat the warmth of a ghost bezel with a perfect dial and hands. -76

 

I guess that puts me in the 1% then since I am not sure I agree with this at all. Buying a tritium Speedmaster is a minefield of messed about watches, particularly the further back you go. I think there is something to be said for first buying a 3570 to get a feel for the design and see if it sticks before working backwards or sideways into the LEs and earlier pieces later if something takes your fancy. I do agree that the watches from late 1997 onwards all look the same and will do indefinitely but to a certain extent all the watches from 1978-97 look broadly pretty similar too, ignoring a little typography, bracelet and tritium fading variance. The differences are rather subtle right back to 1974 which I guess is why the prices jump at that point.

Note I am not saying I would prefer a 3570 to a 3590 or 145.022-XX but as a safe first Speedmaster choice, the 3570 makes more sense to me.

 

Thanks very much guys. I get it now. Could not figure this out on my own even after searching

 

I wish, I could afford vintage as my first speedy..Anyways, enjoying my super luminova dial.
P.S. Nice collection mate!

 

May i ask why you want to begin collecting speedmasters?

have fun
kfw

 

May i ask what reference(s) interests you most?

have fun
kfw

 

Wow, the limited edition looks veeeeeery nice.

 

What is a good price for a 90ies Speedmaster professional?