Everyday watch - is a Cosmic Triple Date Moonphase a realistic choice

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and after a bit of advice, please. I've got a significant birthday coming up and after admiring vintage Omegas for a long time, and inheriting a little bit of a legacy, have decided that the time's right to treat myself. I've put quite a long time into looking at various vintage Omegas and originally had the following criteria in mind: Must be automatic, chronometer rated and have date indicator(s), but also under-stated, elegant and not too small, or over-sized for that matter!

Over the past couple of years I've looked at all things Omega but not found anything I really, really liked. First world problems, eh? All that changed recently when my eyes settled on a Cosmic Triple Date, even though it didn't quite fit the criteria, I love the triple date function and moonphase complication, and that dial is pretty exquisite:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-Co...h=item3ad41f724d:g:FZ8AAOSwImRYQ6Zv:rk:1:pf:0

OK - maybe not *that* dial - but it must once have been a beauty.

I've been doing some research, and in particular this page was very useful:

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-omega-cosmic-moonphase/

What I can't find out is exactly what the difference between the sets of references (2606, 2471 and 2473 in 35 mm cases, and 2485 & 2486 in the 37 mm size) are.For example I know in other Omegas, such as the 30T2s, the different references refer to variations in caseback design and presence sub-second dials etc.

I know that there are issues with these watches with degradation of the dial due to humidity and age and also corresponding problems with the movement. This doesn't bother me as I'm looking to buy a watch for everyday use, not as a collector - although obviously I don't want to get stung by paying top money for a re-dialled watch. I've seen quite a few re-dialls in the course of my research and know to look particularly carefully at the day track on the outer dial.

I also appreciate that the cases are available stainless, yellow gold, rose gold or rolled gold. Out of all of them I think the Stainless is my fave option as it fits the not-too-flashy requirement. Unfortunately I think that's most peoples choice as well!

Anyway, what I'm really after, if anyone wants to respond, are opinions about whether it's realistic to run a watch like this as an every-day watch (with due care being taken, of course) and also what I should be looking for when examining potential purchases. The birthday is in March but I am in no rush at all as I can see that finding the right timepiece is going to require patience and effort. Out of everything, the dial is the most important thing for me and there seems to be quite a lot of variation, although I don't understand quite what changes happened over time, or whether or not the variations are random or if they're related to case reference.

Cheers everyone 😀

Maybe a Constellation Pie pan would be better.
Chronometer✓
Automatic✓
Date (depends on the Ref)✓
Understated✓
Bingo!

Thank you everyone for your replies 😀

@Dan S - yes you're right, the TDMP Cosmic doesn't fit all the criteria that I'd set myself, but in I included them in case anybody had any other suggestions for a watch which did. Thanks for the pointer about the lugs: I could see that they were different between watches but hadn't made the connection with the case ref. I was having a hard time finding something that really spoke to me with those criteria so I'm OK with relaxing them.

Thanks also @Foo2rama, @KingCrouchy, @Evitzee and @mac_omega for the suggestions. I'm not much of a fan of the Omega Constellation Pie Pan watches (a bit too traditional for me!) but the JLC triple date are lovely things aren't they. I shall look at a few of them for sure as possible options which are similar to the Omega but possibly (probably) better made.

And finally @ConElPueblo I had looked at the Sea - and Railmasters and TBH I nearly bought a black dialed Railmaster as I liked the dial better, however I never found one that was chronometre rated, auto and date. I'm not dead set with the lighter coloured Seamaster dials like the one in the pic although I do have to admit that that particular one looks very smart. Maybe if I do end up needing a series of watches for rotational purposes a Seamaster would fit the bill very well.

Anyway, I'll continue looking and reading and enjoy the thrill of the chase. All the best, chaps 😀

I’m mainly an Omega fan but also have a few JLC’s. These are my triple date Moonphase watches. I wouldn’t describe them as everyday watches and they’re not automatic but still nice to own.

FIFY - but each to their own 😉

Might be worth it to give Movado triple dates a shot. Pay attention to case size, wait for a good example, and you're good to go.

I work at a desk and wear my gold Movado triple date 3 days a week on average.

Good example sold here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-MOVADO...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Thank you all for the suggestions I've been enjoying looking at the alternatives and also some more of the Omegas. @Basset Hound's Jaeger LeCoultre is my favourite of the 'others' so far - that's a very pleasing dial.

Incidentally, what does anyone think about this watch, currently on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-CO...-WRISTWATCH-2471-1-OMEGA-SERVICE/333008900133

I'm not thinking of buying it because I much prefer the 1940's dials and I'm still learning about vintage watches, however just as an example - that surely is a redial isn't it? Looks far too clean and modern. Also would you be put off because it's just been serviced by Omega? From what I've read, that's the last place you'd want to send a vintage Omega watch if you wer serious about its authenticity. - Or does that apply to some but not all watches?

Thanks everyone 😀

I love vintage watches, but with some of mine (e.g., my JLC Futurematic, and some of my alarms) I'm always keeping an eye on the weather forecast. It sounds like you're already collecting, but you'll likely want to have a rainy day watch as well.

Man this is a stunning JLC you have there. Congratulations!

I went to see a friend today and we got talking about watches so I showed him this thread - to my surprise he said 'hang on, I've got something similar upstairs'...

Turns out he inherited a self winding Heuer triple date from his grand father some years ago. It's a pretty small case, perhaps about 30 mm and TBH I think it's a little too small to be read clearly (at least by my eyes!) but I thought you might like to see it. Apologies that the photo isn't very good - my 'phone camera is not great, but it's enough to see what I'm talking about. I hope the reversal of the day numbers on the outer ring isn't an indication of a redial like it is with the Omegas!!

Hi guys,

My two cents here. I have a cosmic from 1949 and wear it I would say 3-4 days a week. I don't see why I shouldn't wear it and enjoy it. I just have to be a little bit more conscience when i do things like washing my hands etc but all in all it's lovely to wear. If you find one in good shape and a good price then it won't be a bad idea. They are very few and far between in good shape.



Happy hunting

ps. i have more photos on my IG here