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padders
··Oooo subtitles!The service cost is not more than any other chronograph. Even Omega charges the same price.
Edited:
Going to buy a Speedmaster Reduced.
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janice&fred
·ou got that the wrong way round.
Maybe in your neck of the woods but 'round these parts the NYC watchmakers quote the same price. I haven't come across any local QUALIFIED watchmakers that balk on servicing them. Also, Omega's prices don't seem "eye watering " to me. No one is going to fully service a chronograph for half what Omega charges and do a good a job.
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!You don’t think £630/$750 is eye watering? Fair enough!
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janice&fred
·You don’t think £630/$750 is eye watering? Fair enough!
Well since you used our Al as an example perhaps you would know what his starting price to service a chronograph is? Omega is $750, NYC watchmakers usually come in at a range of $425 to $600 with a guarantee. Omega is more but not shocking.
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JetLinks
·OP if you're considering a Speedy Reduced, perhaps consider a "baby snoopy" ref. 3510.20. One went here for less than 2k a month ago. They don't come up that often, but they seem to me a very attractive proposition for anything less than 2.5k.
I love how this watch is referred to as a "baby Snoopy"!! I purchased one in April on the day my daughter was born (before I even knew about the wonderful Silver Snoopy!) with a plan is to wear it once a year on her birthday, then give it to here when she turns 21. I opted for the Speedy Reduced because of the smaller size for a lady's wrist, but it will be interesting to see what happens with pricing. Daddy can only dream about the big Daddy Silver Snoopy!
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janice&fred
·I think she's wanting it now 😁
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Walrus
·So I have read there is an inherent flaw in some of these modules making it extremely difficult for a watchmaker to get it 100% even after devoting significant time into them. Is what I’m hearing false? Does anyone know any details or know what I’m talking about?
I am not putting down the reduced. They look nice to me. I almost picked one up but when I went to see it it wasn’t in the condition the seller described and I ended up with an automatic date which I am happy with. The people I know who have reduced speak highly of them and IMO that’s the main thing.
I am not putting down the reduced. They look nice to me. I almost picked one up but when I went to see it it wasn’t in the condition the seller described and I ended up with an automatic date which I am happy with. The people I know who have reduced speak highly of them and IMO that’s the main thing.
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bama2141
·If the 42mm is too big, you might consider the First Omega In Space (FOIS) which is a bit smaller and has the same movement as the Pro. Might stretch your budget a bit, but a recent one wouldn’t need service right away. I’ve seen them for about $3200 - $3500.
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Garv
·I might also suggest looking for a Speedmaster Automatic
Approximately the Same size as an FOIS
I love mine
Approximately the Same size as an FOIS
I love mine
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!Well since you used our Al as an example perhaps you would know what his starting price to service a chronograph is? Omega is $750, NYC watchmakers usually come in at a range of $425 to $600 with a guarantee. Omega is more but not shocking.
If Al won’t service a compound model, what he charges for a full Chrono is kind of irrelevant and in any case I don’t know. I used him as an example of a watchmaker who differentiates between the types, there are many, a point you glossed over I think. If I can get a modern or vintage full chrono done for around £350-400 then yes I do find £630 expensive.
The the fact remains there are differences in operation and maintenance with compound models which can be inconvenient. It’s not all internet myth. I’ve owned 2 so I’m not trotting out received wisdom here, I’ve experienced difficulties personally. If you are willing to pay factory service prices then yes some of the problems are negated. There are still independent options yes but there are fewer and if the DD module needs parts you are screwed as no one can get them. Even authorised repairers with parts accounts.
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Dedalus05
·I love how this watch is referred to as a "baby Snoopy"!! I purchased one in April on the day my daughter was born (before I even knew about the wonderful Silver Snoopy!) with a plan is to wear it once a year on her birthday, then give it to here when she turns 21. I opted for the Speedy Reduced because of the smaller size for a lady's wrist, but it will be interesting to see what happens with pricing. Daddy can only dream about the big Daddy Silver Snoopy!
Aww! That is adorable!
The babys' nice too 😉
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DNX
·Thats so cool - people talk of Birth Year watches, this a Birth Day watch - she is lucky (and so are you).
I just bought my son who turns 21 this week a Submariner - hope he likes it and perhaps passes it down to his child in the future...
I just bought my son who turns 21 this week a Submariner - hope he likes it and perhaps passes it down to his child in the future...
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janice&fred
·The the fact remains there are differences in operation and maintenance with compound models which can be inconvenient. It’s not all internet myth. I’ve owned 2 so I’m not trotting out received wisdom here, I’ve experienced difficulties personally.
Yes I get it and I think both of us are attempting to use our personal experiences as a rule of thumb. You have encountered difficulties getting these serviced and I have not. All watch makers and geographic areas aren't the same. In my locale the NYC area watch makers are highly competitive price-wise and parts are readily available through their networking. 👍
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maine-iac1
·I like the history of the Speedmaster Pro, but it simply doesn't quite fit my wrist. It seems that there are a few well-intentioned folks trying to convince buyers of the reduced or 38 models to get the full-sized Pro. If it doesn't fit, then it doesn't fit. You don't want to be second-guessing your purchase every time you look at your wrong-sized watch. (Full disclosure -- I own neither.)
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trama
·Critics of the Reduced (but not diminished!) often settle into various and now predictable camps regarding size, legitimacy etc, but the one regarding movement service difficulties are for me moot. To quote my local man after I asked him if the movement is overly difficult or delicate or compromised in any way, “I’ve never had a problem getting the back off”. So I’ve been enjoying mine for just over thirty years. If it fits it sits.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerCritics of the Reduced (but not diminished!) often settle into various and now predictable camps regarding size, legitimacy etc,
As do the proponents apparently. 😉
I have nothing against the reduced or the movement inside it to be clear. People just need to understand what they are buying when they get one. Two key points are:
1 - It is not a pro - I've seen lots of people who have bought one thinking it was.
2 - Your service options will be more limited, because although some watchmakers can certainly get the back off, many (you will note I didn't say all) don't want to work on the movement.
Cheers, Al
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IanF
·I’m new here - joined principally to join in this thread, although trama has said much of it already.
i bought a white-dial Speedmaster Reduced new in 1991 and have worn it daily ever since. No problems at all (apart from a pin in the bracelet snapping in February this year). I get the watch serviced every 7-10 years and in 2015 it cost me £390 here in the UK. Took longer than usual because my AD said they needed to send it back to Switzerland as some of the parts were no longer held in the UK. When it came back last time, the movement has been set to run faster than before. No big issue for me as I don’t mind a watch that runs a bit fast as it means I’m on time for meetings - I usually have it set 1-2 minutes ahead of local time. Just means I need to reset it back to that roughly every 3 weeks or so.
I’ve just bought a new blue-dial Seamaster Planet Ocean - as in my avatar - so it will be interesting to see how the Speedmaster reacts to not being worn daily!
i bought a white-dial Speedmaster Reduced new in 1991 and have worn it daily ever since. No problems at all (apart from a pin in the bracelet snapping in February this year). I get the watch serviced every 7-10 years and in 2015 it cost me £390 here in the UK. Took longer than usual because my AD said they needed to send it back to Switzerland as some of the parts were no longer held in the UK. When it came back last time, the movement has been set to run faster than before. No big issue for me as I don’t mind a watch that runs a bit fast as it means I’m on time for meetings - I usually have it set 1-2 minutes ahead of local time. Just means I need to reset it back to that roughly every 3 weeks or so.
I’ve just bought a new blue-dial Seamaster Planet Ocean - as in my avatar - so it will be interesting to see how the Speedmaster reacts to not being worn daily!
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rjdemarco
·For a smaller wrist have you considered a Speedmaster Racing or FOIS? Japanese dealers have some nice racing models.
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Burr
·Hello OP! I have a speedmaster reduced with the minute number printing, which I think gives it a cool racer look. By far my favorite part of the older reduced models is the use of the hesalite crystal instead of sapphire, which gives it almost blurry bubble/dome shape from side views, sometimes I just stare at how cool it looks (pic below). I believe it’s the mark1 dial but someone please correct me if I’m mistaken.
To answer your service related question with recent experience, I recently had mine serviced at a local independent watchmaker, who also serviced my UG Tri-compax - I figured if he could service that complicated piece, he’d be able to service my speedmaster. He did a full service for $600 and so far so good, it was running really fast prior and had previously been serviced by Omega by the previous owner for $700-$750.
Regarding your question around buying a nicer piece or not, of course this is dependent on your current means and other personal factors. I personally would go for the nicer piece as long as the price is within 10% of the going rate. I think it’s better to have great example of a watch because it’s nicer to look at, chances of buyers remorse is lower, and resale value is higher (always a nice option even if you don’t plan to sell).
good luck on the hunt, keep us posted!
To answer your service related question with recent experience, I recently had mine serviced at a local independent watchmaker, who also serviced my UG Tri-compax - I figured if he could service that complicated piece, he’d be able to service my speedmaster. He did a full service for $600 and so far so good, it was running really fast prior and had previously been serviced by Omega by the previous owner for $700-$750.
Regarding your question around buying a nicer piece or not, of course this is dependent on your current means and other personal factors. I personally would go for the nicer piece as long as the price is within 10% of the going rate. I think it’s better to have great example of a watch because it’s nicer to look at, chances of buyers remorse is lower, and resale value is higher (always a nice option even if you don’t plan to sell).
good luck on the hunt, keep us posted!
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jb.44
·I’ve decided to move forward and pick up a reduced off Chrono 24. I thought about it for a long time and I’ve decided I really want to get one as mint and new looking as possible.
Being that just about any example that I get will be quite a few years old I plan to send it into Omega and have a full service. Looking around it seems to be the going rate will be around $700.
Should I look for the very best example or knowing that I’m sending it in to have it serviced it will most likely be coming back looking new, so am I wasting my money looking for the best example?
I’m not saying I’ll buy the cheapest one out there but I see some decent looking ones around $1800 marked as with little to no sign of use.
Is this my best course of action to find one looking as new as possible?
Spend the $1800 and then the $700 for service,
Or spend around $2500 for a nicer one?
I have small wrist so I don’t think the professionals for me and I don’t like the little pyramids on the racing.
Thoughts?
