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Newbie in need of Speedmaster guidance 🤞

mwhelan182
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Hey all!

I am on the hunt for my first Speedmaster Professional, and was aiming for one produced in either 1990 or 1993 (for myself or fiancé's birth years)

I saw that the Omega Archive has been sadly closed down, and I am unsure of the best way to find one of the years I am chasing.

I found one that has been listed as;

Omega 3592.50 Apollo XI
Speedmaster fessional Moonwatch
1994
It was an unusual watch in my experience, as it is it hesalite, with a sapphire display back.
I requested the serial for checking the year, and they sent
483716xxx

I was wondering if anybody could share some wisdom on how to determine if that would fall on either of my years, or how best to find one that would

Thanks a million!

😊

Screenshot_20251226-225651.webp Screenshot_20251226-225723.webp
 
Davidt
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Have a search of the forum as this topic comes up frequently. Opinions vary but many people (me included) think searching for a birth year watch isn’t worth it.

The first point that always comes to my mind, is what do you mean by a 1990 Speedmaster?
1. A watch that your dad would have bought if he’d called at the jewellers on the way to the hospital? Such a watch would have papers dated 1990, but could well have been made in 88 or 89.
2. A watch made in 1990? This would likely have been sold a year or two later.

If you prefer the former, original papers are needed to confirm date of purchase.
If the latter, you’ll need an extract which isn’t yet up and running again as far as I know. Of course some watches already have them, but I’d say there’s a lower proportion of owners of 90’s Speedmasters that have paid for an extract, compared to those from the 60’s.
 
mwhelan182
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Davidt Davidt
Have a search of the forum as this topic comes up frequently. Opinions vary but many people (me included) think searching for a birth year watch isn’t worth it.

The first point that always comes to my mind, is what do you mean by a 1990 Speedmaster?
1. A watch that your dad would have bought if he’d called at the jewellers on the way to the hospital? Such a watch would have papers dated 1990, but could well have been made in 88 or 89.
2. A watch made in 1990? This would likely have been sold a year or two later.

If you prefer the former, original papers are needed to confirm date of purchase.
If the latter, you’ll need an extract which isn’t yet up and running again as far as I know. Of course some watches already have them, but I’d say there’s a lower proportion of owners of 90’s Speedmasters that have paid for an extract, compared to those from the 60’s.
I appreciate that man - I don't know, i see it as a way to find connection to the person I when I wear it I suppose.

The production year of 1990 or 1993 is ideally what I am after, but without the archives, or maybe some examples of serials (that were extracted when the archive was up and running) that would give a pretty good indicator of the number range I would be hunting for, would be good.

I have wanted a speedy for years, and getting engaged was a good excuse to pull the trigger and find one that was 'born' the same year as one of us - silly? Absolutely, but i am a bit sentimental (and the fiancé was onboard when I mentioned I was chasing her birth year 🤣)
 
SOG53
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Ilovemyspeedmaster.com provides pretty accurate info if you input the serial number of movement.
That’s probably the best you can do right now.
 
mwhelan182
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SOG53 SOG53
Ilovemyspeedmaster.com provides pretty accurate info if you input the serial number of movement.
That’s probably the best you can do right now.
I just checked and it notes the watch as a 1997 build?

I did order and not too long ago receive a copy of Moonwatch Only, and am trying to make heads/tails of all the info 😅
 
Dan S
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mwhelan182 mwhelan182
The production year of 1990 or 1993 is ideally what I am after, but without the archives, or maybe some examples of serials (that were extracted when the archive was up and running) that would give a pretty good indicator of the number range I would be hunting for, would be good.

You are going down the most difficult rabbit hole. 1990-1993 represents a fairly modern Speedmaster, not vintage, not collectible. As a result, it stands to reason that very few owners have ever been willing to pay $150 for an extract. And I doubt that extracts will ever come back. It is much more likely that you will find watches from that era with original purchase papers, although those are not terribly common.

I'd suggest doing extensive research yourself on the internet, and perhaps you may find a few examples of extracts or original papers from those years. The title of this thread will probably not get you the data you need. 75% of OF newbies want Speedmaster information.

As Sid noted, you can try Ilovemyspeedmaster.com, which I believe involves an algorithm that interpolates between the dates of known extracts. @eugeneandresson developed that site. My guess is that the sampling is very thin in the 1990s, so I wouldn't trust it to be terribly accurate in that time period, although it is excellent in the collectible era.

Edit: From ilovemyspeedmaster.com
For 1990, 48255972 to 48265663
For 1993, 48283425 to 48283789
Good luck! 😩
Edited:
 
Porteroso
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The best you will be able to do is finding a Speedy with some sort of documentation from the years mentioned. That will have to be good enough. Dont worry about the actual manufacture date. You will have to look through many.

If it is what you desire, it is a worthy goal! I have irrational desires here and there. We all do. If you see yourself as a Speedy collector one day, that is one thing, but if it will be your only Speedy, get one with a piece of paper that has the year you want.

You can always post pictures here to get opinions, if you find one.
 
SOG53
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There is a gorgeous pristine Speedmaster with box papers and extract FS on OF Private Sales, at a fair price. And I think serviced as well.

If I were in market for 1990s Speedmaster I would go for it. Not exactly the dates you are looking for but an excellent example. You might wait a while for one like this with all the documentation.
(No connection to seller BTW)

https://omegaforums.net/threads/1997-omega-speedmaster-b-p-3570-50-pumpkin-patina.188226/ Cover Image
Thread '1997 Omega Speedmaster B&P 3570.50 - Pumpkin Patina' ·
Dear Community - For sale from my personal collection, a beautiful Omega Speedmaster 3570.50 Tritium, complete with Box and Papers, as well as an official Omega Extract from the Archives. This...
SOLD
$ 4850 USD
ATWG ·
 
pdxleaf
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SOG53 SOG53
If I were in market for 1990s Speedmaster I would go for it.
Me too.

I was going to say that the hesalite top and sapphire bottom is a great watch. Then I read SOG53's suggestion.

One of the biggest tips for new buyers is to "buy the seller", which simply means buy a watch from someone who has great taste and is honest. The seller of this watch is both. Here on the forum's private sales thread you'll generally get a nicer condition watch at a cheaper cost compared to dealers or other sellers.

Good luck. My first luxury watch was a speedy and we're on the same wavelength. It's a watch that continues to bring a smile to my face.
 
MrFriday*
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The idea of owning a birthyear Speedy is lovely - I am also rather romantic in that regard.

At some point I saved this picture of an Extract: 30. March 1993
Serial 48282…
IMG_7028.webp



I recently bought one that was sold in September 1993:
Serial: 48295…
 
Dan S
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MrFriday* MrFriday*
The idea of owning a birthyear Speedy is lovely - I am also rather romantic in that regard.

At some point I saved this picture of an Extract: 30. March 1993
Serial 48282…
IMG_7028.webp



I recently bought one that was sold in September 1993:
Serial: 48295…
Now that's what I call research! The OP could learn something from you. 👍
 
ibis888
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I have a 3590.50 from the early 1990s and at one point came up with the following while trying to pinpoint it's age:

Serial: 48,291,003 produced July 20, 1993 according to Davidoff Brothers listing
Serial: 48,284,448 produced April 1, 1992 according to Extract of Archives
Serial: 48,279,965 sold 1992 according to papers
Serial: 48,275,501 produced June 5, 1991 according to Davidoff Brothers
Serial: 48,270,254 produced 1991 according to Davidoff Brothers
Serial: 48,266,959 produced 1991 according to Davidoff Brothers
 
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