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Help choosing my first Omega.

timmyk86
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Hi all,

New to the forum and looking for some help choosing my first Omega, an engagement present from the other half.
Budget up to about £4k (I'm in the UK).

Some background about me:
I'm 34, relatively tall, 18cm circumference wrist.
Love all things aviation, skydive as a hobby. Like to hike/be outdoors.
Dress relatively smart for work, occasionally suits.

What I'm looking for from a watch:
Something I can wear everyday but that can also be worn dressed up.
I'm pretty tough on my watches so would have to be relatively robust.
Would prefer an automatic
Would probably prefer a chronograph, predominantly for the look.
Love the idea of an exhibition back
Unlikely to swim in it but decent waterproofing appreciated
Prefer the vintage look, and would probably have it on a worn brown leather strap most of the time. Black face preferred.

I've of course looked at Speedmaster - I think the FOIS would probably be my favourite (after the 2021 speedmaster, but that's out of budget really) but I'd still probably prefer an auto (I know, not for the purists!). Also, at the top end of the budget new.
Have looked at the Speedmaster '57s - love the look and the movement but the thing is just so thick (and expensive!)
Have looked at the Aqua Terras - lovely looking things and great movement again but would still prefer the more vintage look and the more sea-related idea is less appealing to me.
One that seems to tick a lot of the boxes but I can't seem to find much opinions about is the Broad Arrow 1957 Co-Axial as below. Understand there are some questions about the movement but not overcome-able and relatively well priced. Any thoughts about these?

Alternative might be an IWC pilot which I also think look great!

Any options much appreciated. Picture of my wrist with a 20-ish year old Tag (38mm) also below.

Thanks!
tempImagecz5vBd.png maxresdefault.jpg
 
padders
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The 33X3 movement Broad Arrow models fly under the radar of most Speedy fans/snobs since the movement has no NASA connection but I am a fan. They did have teething troubles but if you get a rev C model those are consigned to history. If a watch has received a service at Omega in the last 10 years it will have been upgraded so there should be no issues. If you do find a rev A, a trip to Omega will sort it, mine was originally rev B and had no issues at all, its now on C. Here is mine which is the silver dial version of the model you show.

These do offer a different experience to the FOIS or Moonwatch, being an auto there are convenience advantages, they are also chronometer rated so can be very accurate with a sophisticated column wheel movement that is decades more advanced than the 1861 (using a coax escapement on the 3313) and they have a date display (which is a plus and minus). Oh and they are 100m water resistant rated, so better than the 1861s on that score also. I also have a FOIS and also a 321 model so I see them all as worthy in their own right and each offering something different.

I think you may be right to skip the 9300 movement '57 watches, those are massive and with your 7" wrist I think you'll catch every door jamb you pass. Or so was my experience with them.

IMG_7128.jpeg IMG_6619.jpeg
Edited:
 
timmyk86
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padders padders
The 33X3 movement Broad Arrow models fly under the radar of most Speedy fans/snobs since the movement has no NASA connection but I am a fan. They did have teething troubles but if you get a rev C model those are consigned to history. If a watch has received a service at Omega in the last 10 years it will have been upgraded so there should be no issues. If you do find a rev A, a trip to Omega will sort it, mine was originally rev B and had no issues at all, its now on C. Here is mine which is the silver dial version of the model you show.

These do offer a different experience to the FOIS or Moonwatch, being an auto there are convenience advantages, they are also chronometer rated so can be very accurate with a sophisticated column wheel movement that is decades more advanced than the 1861 (using a coax escapement on the 3313) and they have a date display (which is a plus and minus). Oh and they are 100m water resistant rated, so better than the 1861s on that score also. I also have a FOIS and also a 321 model so I see them all as worthy in their own right and each offering something different.

I think you may be right to skip the 9300 movement '57 watches, those are massive and with your 7" wrist I think you'll catch every door jamb you pass. Or so was my experience with them.

IMG_7128.jpeg IMG_6619.jpeg

Thanks for a very informative reply.

I think I'm more or less sold on one of these, although black rather than the white dial you have. Unless anyone can give me a pretty good reason not to I guess! Hopefully it will have the C version of the movement. The serial no is 78420071 - is there anyone who can tell me what version of the movement it is based on that?

I am a bit sad they don't seem that popular but it looks really great to me and ticks a lot of the boxes I'm looking for.
 
Dsloan
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timmyk86 timmyk86
Or is the Broad Arrow 3594.50 a better buy than this?

+1 for the 3594! It's a bit overlooked, and so you can find a good deal if you're patient. Here's mine:


IMG_20210327_215127.jpg
 
Archer
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timmyk86 timmyk86
Thanks for a very informative reply.

I think I'm more or less sold on one of these, although black rather than the white dial you have. Unless anyone can give me a pretty good reason not to I guess! Hopefully it will have the C version of the movement. The serial no is 78420071 - is there anyone who can tell me what version of the movement it is based on that?

I am a bit sad they don't seem that popular but it looks really great to me and ticks a lot of the boxes I'm looking for.

Serial number: 78420071
Article ref: 32110425001001
Version of movement: 3313B

Cheers, Al
 
padders
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If you do for a 1861 movement Broad Arrow 3594 as seen above, originally known as the Replica Speedmaster (I know, bad choice of name) inspect the hands carefully as those often show pitting or tarnish on the polished surfaces. This is common but can be easily rectified at service time with a new handset. Of course you lose the auto function, date, 100m depth rating, chronometer spec and display back if you do go for that one 😉.
 
PhilF
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Often ignored, but still, for me, very viable is my 38mm Speedmaster Coaxial, its COSC rated, automatic, date and wears very well on a strap, mine runs about +1.5/day. About a year in, no scratches or dings and a pleasant daily driver. I wear it in rotation with my new 3861 Sapphire Speedy (also on an Omega deployant leather strap)
20200218_171453.jpg
 
timmyk86
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Archer Archer
Serial number: 78420071
Article ref: 32110425001001
Version of movement: 3313B

Cheers, Al
Thanks Al, much appreciated.
 
timmyk86
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padders padders
If you do for a 1861 movement Broad Arrow 3594 as seen above, originally known as the Replica Speedmaster (I know, bad choice of name) inspect the hands carefully as those often show pitting or tarnish on the polished surfaces. This is common but can be easily rectified at service time with a new handset. Of course you lose the auto function, date, 100m depth rating, chronometer spec and display back if you do go for that one 😉.

Yeah that's quite a few features to lose! But they do look very nice in my opinion.
 
timmyk86
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How about the 3551.50.00? Keeps a similar look to the 3594.50 but has a 3303 automatic movement and date.
 
Screenshot 2021-04-25 at 16.20.53.png
padders
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timmyk86 timmyk86
How about the 3551.50.00? Keeps a similar look to the 3594.50 but has a 3303 automatic movement and date.
Has more in common with the first watch you showed, the 3303 is the 3313 movement before they added the coax escapement. Those had issues when new with stopping etc but I am not sure if the problems were developed out with revisions.

I realise my earlier post about the Replica model might have sounded negative but it’s a nice piece. Like the 33x3 Broad arrow watches, the market hasn’t really woken up to it yet so you can get a nice one at a reasonable price. If you aren’t limited to the Pro case 022 form factor then as already noted by @PhilF there are other Speedmasters that are perfectly good watches. The world is your oyster!
Edited:
 
timmyk86
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padders padders
Has more in common with the first watch you showed, the 3303 is the 3313 movement before they added the coax escapement. Those had issues when new with stopping etc but I am not sure if the problems were developed out with revisions.

I realise my earlier post about the Replica model might have sounded negative but it’s a nice piece. Like the 33x3 Broad arrow watches, the market hasn’t really woken up to it yet so you can get a nice one at a reasonable price. If you aren’t tues to the Pro case 022 form factor then as already noted by @PhilF there are other Speedmasters that are perfectly good watches. The world is your oyster!
Yeah I do like the replica a lot! I think it looks better than the 3313 version. But it’s difficult to ignore the convenience of automatic winding, water resistance, date and I do appreciate the exhibition back of the 3313.

Do you think a reasonable example of the Broad Arrow 3313 with box and papers is worth ~£3k?
 
padders
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timmyk86 timmyk86
Yeah I do like the replica a lot! I think it looks better than the 3313 version. But it’s difficult to ignore the convenience of automatic winding, water resistance, date and I do appreciate the exhibition back of the 3313.

Do you think a reasonable example of the Broad Arrow 3313 with box and papers is worth ~£3k?
I wouldn't pay more than that personally, but it depends really on if you are talking about a retail sale of a verifiably serviced* full set piece with warranty or a private sale with no comebacks and no verifiable history. Obviously those are very different situations with different value levels. The latter I see as worth at least £500 less than the former.

* ie paperwork to support this, not just some bs seller claim. The 'serviced by a former Omega employee' with no paperwork is particularly to be treated with suspicion.
Edited:
 
padders
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timmyk86 timmyk86
Here’s a link to the listing:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303961095444?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Have asked and there’s no verifiable service history. So probably not worth the £3k (after a bit of haggling) in that case.

Looks nice but as you say, there is no indication of any recent service. As such, he's really asking nearer £4K for it as a serviced piece which is about £1k over its real value IMO. Make him a sensible offer factoring in the lack of service and if he doesn't respond sensibly move on. These are not a piece to trust to just anyone to service, they really need to go to Omega, not least because it will be treated an escapement upgrade to rev C if it hasn't already received it.
 
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timmyk86
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padders padders
Looks nice but as you say, there is no indication of any recent service. As such, he's really asking nearer £4K for it as a serviced piece which is about £1k over its real value IMO. Make him a sensible offer factoring in the lack of service and if he doesn't respond sensibly move on. These are not a piece to trust to just anyone to service, they really need to go to Omega, not least because it will be treated an escapement upgrade to rev C if it hasn't already received it.

Okay great, thanks for the advice! Very grateful to have you help out.

I don’t think he will accept much less than 3k and sadly can’t find many on chrono24 for that sort of money so might just have to keep my eye out on here
 
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