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First Speedmaster advice

E
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A 1861 Hesalite can be had for sub-4k REALLY frequently on ebay. Find a good seller, sometimes with a 'make an offer', and use the ebay authentication. They are fantastic watches (coincidentally wearing one right now!). IMO, the bracelet is overrated (I have a Tokyo Olympics black on bracelet, and a black deployant), but get what makes sense to you. Others are right that the bracelet is more expensive separately, but that is only meaningful if you'd wear it/want to buy it.
 
BLOW UP
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NotJackson NotJackson
I agree. I like the Forstner bracelets and I think they are very well made for the price. If the choices in my price range came down to getting a better watch and putting it on an aftermarket bracelet, I’d lean in that direction.

I think the Forstner quality may have gone downhill significantly in recent times; I just received my fourth set of end links that finally fit, there were many variables between each set, some were a bit too wide, others too high and some too short .. Also the standard clasp is not great quality, it tends to pop open when I flex my wrist muscles even though it fits fairly loosely when I'm relaxed..
Also the screw-adjusted links were very temperamental, some screws fitted perfectly others seemed not to be standardized and were not interchangeable. I have to say the $25 flat link bracelet that I bought from AliExpress seems to be better quality all round.. I've heard that Uncle Seiko make really good after-market Omega products but I've not tried them yet.
Edited:
 
hen
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
"People buy a Speedmaster if they love Omega, they buy a Seamaster if they love themselves."

-Mahatma Ghandi

(Or so @hen would have you believe!!! 😜😁:whipped:)

If you have a lawn, Seamaster is the way to go.

Sun Tzu

Gandhi was a Zenith guy. Apart from that he is one of my all time heroes.
Bilde1.jpg
 
NotJackson
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BLOW UP BLOW UP
I think the Forstner quality may have gone downhill significantly in recent times; I just received my fourth set of end links that finally fit, there were many variables between each set, some were a bit too wide, others too high and some too short .. Also the standard clasp is not great quality, it tends to pop open when I flex my wrist muscles even though it fits fairly loosely when I'm relaxed..
Also the screw-adjusted links were very temperamental, some screws fitted perfectly others seemed not to be standardized and were not interchangeable. I have to say the $25 flat link bracelet that I bought from AliExpress seems to be better quality all round.. I've heard that Uncle Seiko make really good after-market Omega products but I've not tried them yet.

That’s sad to hear. I have several Forstner bracelets, but they’re all somewhat older than yours. On my 145.022-69, I have a Forstner flat link with an Omega 1162 clasp. It looks good and wears nicely — but again, I think it’s probably a couple years old.

I have an Uncle Seiko Holzer bracelet on my 145.012-67. I replaced the “U” logo clasp cover with an Omega logo clasp cover. It looks pretty good (and period correct) and is one of the most comfortable bracelets I have on any Speedmaster. For the money, I think it’s hard to beat.
 
STANDY
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H Hellkin17
Trying to stay under $4,000 preferably closed to $3500.

Sorry but setting yourself limits like this are going to have you running around the scam pond.
As a newbie to Speedmaster it’s better to set a $4000 ball park limit but adding a few hundred for piece of mind if needed.

Will see you passing on a $4100-$4300 watch that is probably a good buy.

Have seen so many over the years with your exact same “trying to stay under strategy” end up buying something they regret a few years down the track.

Put $4000 away and add $50 a week whilst your looking and watch the watches your looking at with a few more $$s look like a better deal each week.
 
ErichPryde
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hen hen
If you have a lawn, Seamaster is the way to go.

Sun Tzu

Gandhi was a Zenith guy. Apart from that he is one of my all time heroes.
Bilde1.jpg

I'm pretty sure I remember you mentioning that about Gandhi another time that I attributed a quote to him falsely. 😜

"Even the most well-constructed Speedmaster will not survive contact with the lawn."

-Helmuth von Moltke

DISCLAIMER
To the OP: speedmasters are great watches and there is a.. sort of meme about them not being able to handle a lawn mower here on omegaforums. The reality is they are much more durable than internet "popular culture" like reddit would have you believe, and can handle lawn mowers, being in the shower, hand-washing, and even splashing around in the pool without issues. Just like any other watch, good seals will keep it safe up to its rated tolerances.
 
gbesq
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Spend a bit more and get something with a little character. My recommendation would be a 3590.50 from the mid-90s. I just sold this one last week for $4,195 USD. Lovely watch.
IMG_7087.jpeg
 
jjen
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It’s nice to have the OEM bracelet even on the 1861. On mine the male end pieces make the effective lug to lug bigger than what I usually wear but it’s curved to the wrist and surprisingly comfortable.

I’d be happy taking 4K for mine I suppose if I was looking to sell but I just got it 6 mo ago
 
Foo2rama
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Find a good condition 145.022 and you will be happy.

Uncle Seiko makes great bracelets for the Speedy Pro and they are super affordable and great quality.

wait on the bracelet unless you really like the modern bracelet. I personally hate it and like the 1171 style.
 
ErichPryde
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STANDY STANDY
Sorry but setting yourself limits like this are going to have you running around the scam pond.
As a newbie to Speedmaster it’s better to set a $4000 ball park limit but adding a few hundred for piece of mind if needed.

I agree... with a caveat. Go through a list of what you want. Then figure out what price point that puts you at. If that price point is too high for you for good reason, then start assessing exactly what you can go without and what you absolutely must have in a hierarchy of importance. Just my.... .002.

On this note- happiness with older models is going to depend upon whether you want new, functional luminova, or burned out tritium with the vintage look. Or, maybe in your hierarchy neither of those things matters.

Foo2rama Foo2rama
wait on the bracelet unless you really like the modern bracelet. I personally hate it and like the 1171 style.

This is a great take because if for no other reason, it outlines just how much opinion is caught up in which bracelet is the best or most comfortable. If you can, try on a watch with an 1171. Try a watch with a 1998. Try on a watch with the modern 3861 bracelet. If you can't, it's not likely that you'll go "wrong" with any of these options. Bracelets are obtainable.
 
ibis888
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As others have said, save a few more pennies and buy from a reputable seller on this forum. The 3590.50 is amazing with the tritium, can often be found in the low $4,000 range if you are patient.

Also, if buying a used watch - always try to get one with a recent service if possible, even if it requires more patience. They come up for sale and will save you some good $$$.
 
M
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H Hellkin17
I have been looking for my first Speedmaster for a while and have been a bit overwhelmed with all the different models.

I have ruled out the reduced models and some of the racing variants as I really want the Moon Watch. I had been looking at some vintage models (specifically the 145.022) as newer ones are a bit more than I can justify right now.

I recently came across a 311.33.42.30.01.001 which is in my price range but wanted some input. Other than not being on a bracelet is there anything to watch out for with this model?
Shoot for the stars. Pickup a sapphire sandwich on the grey market for much cheaper. Either mint or new should be available on discount.
 
NotJackson
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M mrhee6
Shoot for the stars. Pickup a sapphire sandwich on the grey market for much cheaper. Either mint or new should be available on discount.

Definitely a matter of taste — and I do think of myself as more of a vintage-watch guy — but sapphire is probably the last thing I would spend my money on.
 
M
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NotJackson NotJackson
Definitely a matter of taste — and I do think of myself as more of a vintage-watch guy — but sapphire is probably the last thing I would spend my money on.
I agree! Maybe I need to do some research on hesalight. I’ve always heard nothing but great things about sapphire on all sorts of watches. When I was speedy shopping I didn’t even consider hesalight.

What turns you away from sapphire? For me, the peace of mind about not scratching the crystal is huge- I suppose this depends on lifestyle and current collection.
 
NotJackson
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M mrhee6
I agree! Maybe I need to do some research on hesalight. I’ve always heard nothing but great things about sapphire on all sorts of watches. When I was speedy shopping I didn’t even consider hesalight.

What turns you away from sapphire? For me, the peace of mind about not scratching the crystal is huge- I suppose this depends on lifestyle and current collection.

I have nothing against sapphire crystals in general, although they need a good anti-reflection coating. I pretty much take watch crystals as I find them … I have a lot of vintage Seikos, most of which use mineral glass. My Speedmasters are mostly Hesalite, and a lot of my more recent pieces are sapphire.

On the Speedmaster, though, I think the profile of the Hesalite crystal just looks better. I have a few Hesalite Speedmasters — old and new — and haven’t found scratches to be a problem. On the older ones, I’ve removed small scratches with a quick hit of Polywatch.

The other thing that I noticed about the “sapphire sandwich” was that I didn’t like the feel of the display back against my wrist. It may have been my preconception, but I thought the display back felt a bit clammy on my wrist; I thought the metal caseback feels better.
 
Mute
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In your price range, realistically, you can get a 38mm sub $4k all day long. If you don't mind used, a current hesalite will probably run you $4.6-5k if you know where to look. As suggested, you can get an older 3590.50. Those can be had for about $4k generally.
 
Drifter
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Don't forget to check out the First Omega in Space. It technically draws primary inspiration from Pre-Moon CK2998, but obviously is modern and sports the 1861 movement. With straight lugs, it's just under 40mm same as the Speedy Reduced. It fits my 7" wrist much better than the Speedmaster Professional
 
padders
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M mrhee6
I agree! Maybe I need to do some research on hesalight. I’ve always heard nothing but great things about sapphire on all sorts of watches. When I was speedy shopping I didn’t even consider hesalight.

What turns you away from sapphire? For me, the peace of mind about not scratching the crystal is huge- I suppose this depends on lifestyle and current collection.

Hesalite plastic crystals are a tad scratch prone it’s true, but you can replace about 5 before you reach the cost is a single chipped sapphire equivalent, something that is all too non-impossible. If you’ll pardon the mangled English. I have both and have both with damage. Try polishing the sapphire one and see how well that works.

@Drifter
ps despite this I really like the FOIS model too!

pps no the FOIS is not the same as the Reduced. Its bigger. The Reduced is actually a lot smaller when you realise the FOIS and Pro have the same dial and bezel size, it’s the case only that differs. The dial on the Reduced is smaller.
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