Grail-ish

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Abider74

·Mar 1, 2025

Just bought my first omega (3511.60) and felt the 38mm is far too small for my wrist.... caught the omega bug and decided I liked the moonwatch, but, you can guess where this is going, wanted it in an automatic..... down the rabbit hole and find out there were only like 2000 made and way back in 87/88 and now selling 15k+ on the low end.
My question is, is there anyway to build an automatic FULL SIZED moonwatch? Not interested in the reduced. Is there an automatic movement that will drop straight into a moonwatch case? Ideas?

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 1, 2025

No. Doesn’t work like that.

But just get a Speedmaster Racing—gorgeous automatic chronos, 40mm (if I’m not mistaken) and readily available preowned for less than 4k. What am I missing?

Unless it just has to be a Moonwatch? But part of what makes the Moonwatch a Moonwatch is the fact that it’s a manual. I imagine for many it’s one of the sentimental pleasures of having one.

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 1, 2025

I mean, I’m not a chronograph guy at all, but there is nothing wrong with this watch. And only a hardcore Omeganerd (of the variety you find here) will know it’s not a traditional Moonwatch.

Jomashop has one—brand new, unworn—for $3,350.

 

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lucreative

·Mar 1, 2025

The "holy grail" automatic Moonwatch doesn't even look like a Moonwatch to me. The subdials are 6,9,12 and the Omega writing are at the 3 with the day date. It looks like a larger Speedmaster Reduced. The co-axial Speedmasters looks more like the Moonwatch, but in a larger case.

 

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lucreative

·Mar 1, 2025

The Omega 3559.32 Schumacher has an automatic movement in the same 42mm case size. But it's a panda dial. It used the Omega Cal 3301.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-legend-35593200

You can find a few for under $4k now.

 

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padders

·Mar 1, 2025·Oooo subtitles!

There was a line of Speedmasters made circa 2005-2015 known as the Broad Arrow series that have the features you mention in the same form factor case as the Moonwatch. These eventually had full auto co-ax movements with date using free sprung balance and column wheel switching. In fact they never did one with a plain black dial in 42mm, though there was a 44mm with such a dial and a 42mm with a slightly more bling version. The watch mentioned directly above my post is one of these but there are in fact dozens of variants. Here are a couple I own, both with light coloured dials in this case but there were many others.

Edited: Mar 1, 2025

 

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Abider74

·Mar 1, 2025

lucreative

The "holy grail" automatic Moonwatch doesn't even look like a Moonwatch to me. The subdials are 6,9,12 and the Omega writing are at the 3 with the day date. It looks like a larger Speedmaster Reduced. The co-axial Speedmasters looks more like the Moonwatch, but in a larger case.

I have been searching the coaxials as well.... most likely my best option i think

 

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Abider74

·Mar 1, 2025

31130445001002
I think this will probably be my grail alternative

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 1, 2025

Just be sure to try before you buy: 44.25mm is a lot of watch. If I’m not mistaken, it’s 16mm thick and about 55mm lug to lug when you factor in the protruding endlinks. You’d need a pretty sizeable wrist to pull it off.

 

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Abider74

·Mar 1, 2025

Annapolis

Just be sure to try before you buy: 44.25mm is a lot of watch. If I’m not mistaken, it’s 16mm thick and about 55mm lug to lug when you factor in the protruding endlinks. You’d need a pretty sizeable wrist to pull it off.

My 38mm japan speedy....

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 1, 2025

Ah. Yeah you should be fine with the 44, most likely.

 

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Abider74

·Mar 1, 2025

Annapolis

Ah. Yeah you should be fine with the 44, most likely.

Yeah, this feels kinda tiny

 

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padders

·Mar 2, 2025·Oooo subtitles!

Abider74

31130445001002
I think this will probably be my grail alternative

That is the 44mm model I mentioned above. I’ve handled one, here it is next to a 42mm std size model. Both of these have the 3313 auto movement and come under the Broad Arrow umbrella. It’s big but not massive and not as thick as suggested above. More like 14mm thick and 49mm in height. These are not fat like the subsequent 2 register 9300/9900 models. It’s a bit too big for my 7.25” wrist but would work on anything bigger IMO.

Edited: Mar 2, 2025

 

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Annapolis

·Mar 2, 2025

Padders may well be right—though I got my measurements from Tim Mosso’s review. In any case, you appear to have enough wrist real estate to wear 44 without it appearing absurd. And the height may not be an issue since this isn’t a dress watch that has to slide under a shirt cuff.