I went to the mall at lunch. Fortunately my local AD has one in stock. 44mm is a bit large for me, but this works. It looks fabulous.

They said (I know, I know, take it with a grain of salt...) that there will be no discounting any moon watches, maybe (maybe...) because I'm such a good customer he can take off 5% to partially cover sales tax, but no promises. The sales guy also said that it takes 14 months to manufacture the bezel. Yeah, sure.

Unfortunately for them, I know I can get it from a gray dealer for thousands less, so the discount conversation was pointless.

I'm not one of those guys who's going to put it on layaway and then borrow to pay it off. I can afford to buy the watch, that's not the issue. And I've bought more expensive watches in the past (Rolex) but this will be, by far, the most expensive Omega that I've gotten.

I am encouraged by the thought that as most of it is ceramic, it won't show wear as much as a stainless model.

I think what is holding me back, is that it's really the same watch as my current Speedy, just with the ceramic case and skeleton face. Nice, but worth the multi-thousand dollar premium? It's all marketing nonsense...

Thoughts?

 

We think with the aid of pictures (don’t you have a wrist shot?)

 

Honestly, speedies have never stuck with me. What I like about this is that it’s completely different to everything else I own. For that reason I love it and I agree with you about the ceramic not showing wear. It’s amazing.

I think as you say you’d be better off getting from a grey or AD for the discount.

for me the boggo Moonwatch and this are completely different in the way they wear and look. The only similarity in my eyes is the fact the are both chronographs and they use the same (ish) movement.

and yes, pics please....

 

I have modern and vintage Speedmaster Professionals, and a #PCASpeedy, which is pretty similar to the Apollo 8. They are very different watches to me.

Demollo may still have an Apollo 8 for sale. He is great to deal with, and I believe even covers the Customs fees to the US.

 

Silly me... I even brought my phone with me at lunch (I usually don't bother) and totally did not think to take a picture while I was there.

Doh!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Found it, thanks! He takes fabulous photos, and yes, his ad says that he'll cover US customs fees, which is nice.

 

And Derek packs up the watches in a way that could easily withstand a blast into space and a lunar landing on the way to delivery to your house/ office.

 

It is marketing, but the price isn't nonsense at all. Omega upcharges $2,500 for a ceramic case in their Moonphase line. The 1869 takes a lot more embellishment than the standard sapphire sandwich model. So if the standard sapphire sandwich is $6,250, add $2,500 for ceramic, plus an appropriate amount for the extra work on the movement (say $1,000) and the price is easily justified, imo.

I don't agree at all with your statement that it is fundamentally the same watch. You can say that about every steel Speedmaster for the last 50 years if that were true. In reality the Apollo 8 is the most different of any Speedmaster with the same base movement.

 

Thanks all. You guys (and gals?) talked me into it. It's on it's way!

I promise to post pictures when it arrives.

 

Congratulations on your DSOTM Apollo 8. I'm looking forward to seeing pics...or it didn't happen!

 

I'm not even going to ask for a commission fee for helping to talk you into it. But I think it's one the sharpest Speedmasters that Omega has ever released, it has great detailing and looks great on the wrist.

 

Congratulations on Yours!

I certainly am still captivated by mine. You will really enjoy it.

 

Congrats, OP, on your Apollo 8 search and purchase -- admirably brief, and decisive!

I may pull the trigger on this shortly, finances permitting. Still have some concerns about fit on my just shy of 7-inch wrist, but reports seem to indicate that this wears wide, rather than long.

 

Buy the Apollo 8 DSOTM, it’s a stunning watch to look at and wear, and as there is so much hand detailed work in the 1869 movement, I wouldn’t expect them to be available forever..

 

Yep, that’s correct. Wears surprisingly well for me and I find many 42’s too big with their large L2L measurements.

 

I'll buy you a beer the next time we meet.

It's here!!!! Expected Wednesday, and then I got an email this AM telling me to expect it by EOB, and at 11:00 the receiving department let me know that it had arrived. Thanks again, all of you enablers, it's awesome!

 

Very nice, but you got off easy with just a beer. Looks good.

Omega did an outstanding job with the movement, decorating it in a way not many would have thought of.

 

Better focus.

 

Congrats! It's a stunner!
Sharing a photo:

 

Great stuff - hope you enjoy it. It’s a cracking watch