So we all know Omega are producing the cal 321 again and it just made me wonder if an increase of this movement availability would effect the value of vintage Omegas with this movement?
Keen to hear your thoughts!
HH

 

I think vintage pieces are a different market from new. To have a genuine Speedmaster from the same era as those that went to the moon will also have a special value, for some people. It may actually add to how sort after are those original pieces because of that very originality (and the alleviation of any concerns around spare parts for the mechanism, should they be required).

 

They are not making it mass produced like the 1861.
I don’t think this is the announcement that the vintage 321 owners were dreaming of. ( parts supply for ever )

This is going to be a museum piece. ( in my opinion from what’s been written )
If you have people with plenty of $$ buying 321s for $50K off a vintage dealer.
It’s smart to make one for them.

 

This announcement from Omega is very exciting, but I think we are talking about 2 very different things here.

When you look at some of the vintage, 321, Omega Speedmasters that have been displayed on this forum, some of them, through wear or patina, have aquired a charm and character all of their own. You can't manufacture that in a workshop, It takes decades and makes these old watches individual.

Having said that, I'm sure these new 321 Speedmasters will be fantastic.

 

I'd say the value will increase because :

*Even without the new production, the 50th anniversary will make the Speedy from the '60s more desirable,
*More people will hear about the 321, not only vintage watches lovers,
*It's getting more and more complicated to find a Speedy from '60s with all parts original

 

Good points above - to add, we also don't know what the 321 will be used in. The 2915 was great because the price to acquire a vintage one was 20x more than the price of the 60th anniversary reissue. In the case of Ed Whites or even Speedy Pros with the cal 321, I'd be willing to bet that pricing is near parity. Big difference.

 

In my opinion the value of the old ones will increase because you have to ask the question: why is this 321 iconic watch produced again? --> just because the original one is so stunning and historical.... and this will make more people chasing for the original one I think!

Having the one and only historical correct thing is always better and more desirable than having a reissue.
This new 321's will bring the focus back to the old ones and making them more rare and valuable again....

thats what I think

 

Rolex has not hurt the vintage market by producing a new Pepsi. Same for other brands. ....Plus i suspect the 321 reissue price will make your eyes water.

 

They've already figured out the patina...

Now, just for the pre-wear wear.

 

1 - I recall reading that Omega went to the 861 because it was easier to make, had fewer parts, was more robust, easier to service and maintained its accuracy longer after service. I love my 321s and rarely wear any 861 anymore, but at least some of what’s in my first sentence is true.

This is also why Omega’s transition to the 861 in the late 60’s marks a change from vintage for me: the 861 was also designed for greater ease of real mass production for the post Moonshot sales explosion. Moonwatchonly.com estimates that, from the beginning thru Ed Whites was about 30,000 watches; the run of 321 Professionals adds about another 53,000, for a estimated total run of about 83,000 321 Speedmasters in ten years of production. I bet Omega produced 83,000 861s within a year or two thereafter.

2 - Despite the new movement being called a 321, I would not be surprised if few parts turn out to be interchangeable. Omega’s public releases make it sound like they are designing from scratch. So, I suspect the new movement will look like the old one, but be better, according to Omega’s definition of better.

From the Fratello article: “all parts that look like copper in the new caliber 321 are actually PVD plated with Sedna gold” as an example.

3 - Omega might make a maximum of 10,000 new 321s. I agree that their price point will certainly be in excess of $15,000, to pit it against Ed Whites. They’ll be lucky to sell 10,000 at that price point.

So, in other words, these new 321s will not be competition with vintage 321s and their addition to the pool will not be in enough quantity to cheapen the vintage 321s.

All IMO, obviously.

Omega’s new 321 and one of my old ones:


We will be able to tell them apart.

 

When you put them side to side there are huge differences so I agree with the consensus that probably won’t impact the vintage 321 in any real sense. Not negativity anyway.

 

Agreed!!

 

Won't

 

There you have it... beautiful, genuine, vintage, charm!

It's a similar vibe in the world of guitars.

You can buy 'road worn' or limited edition models of popular iconic guitars. They are great, but it aint The same. Everytime I've walked into a guitar shop with either my 74 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe or 76 Gibson SG Standard, within 5 minutes nobody in the shop was looking at the new guitars hanging on the wall. I think the attraction of vintage watches is similar.

 

My gut feeling is that it will have only a small effect, but probably in the positive direction ... just because of publicity.

 

Some really good points made here. It seems the general opinion is that with a lot more attention on this movement it is more likely to push the value of the vintage pieces up if anything.
I guess all we can do is speculate for now.
Maybe now is a good time to invest in an early Speedy?
Thanks for all your responses so far, some excellent Information.