I've got it in my head that I want a moonphase. I realize there are more accurate moonphase watches on the market than these two but I don't have to be a Rockefeller to own these. Both watches have good reviews and each has their own issues: chrono hand blocks the moonphase on the Speedmaster and the dial might be a little busy on the Longines. Trying to remove the Speedy love from the equation, given the $1000.00+ difference between the two, is the Speedy that much better than the Longines?
Longines looks better and less busier dial with the same pretty much set of functions. +1 for Longines.
I'd imagine that the Longines can be dressed up more. At least more of a dress watch than the Speedy. I prefer the Longines, because I think the blocking chrono hand on the speedy would annoy me as the moonphase is the whole point
I have both the SpeedyMoon and the Union Glashutte Belisar Moonphase Chrono (English version) which uses the same Valjoux 7751. Why the UG? because it was 2mm larger, less busy dial and, to me, straddles that fine line between formal and sporty. Pics from the net, will post mine when back home in a few days.
If I am being honest both dials are too busy for my tastes. Are you open to considering other moonphases that these two? Omega would get my vote out of your two suggestions though. A little more legible and no numbers cut off in their prime by a subddial.
Christopher Ward certainly doesn't have the same brand appeal of Omega and Longines but if you want a great looking moonphase at a very reasonable price this is your guy
A bit dressier, but stunning blue dial. Very elegant imo. Display case back with in-house movement Sorry about this, getting carried away
I have handled the top 2 Longines chronos shown here and I must say wasn't all that impressed in the flesh. The first is a dressed up 7753 and felt unweildy and the second is AFAIK a piggyback solution so have more in common with the Speedy Reduced/Auto/Racing line. Both that I handled had issues. I would pick the Speedmaster MP given the OPs choice, even if it starts off more expensive, the residuals mean the when you come to sell you would lose more on the Longines option anyhow, those will routinely lose half their value as you walk out of the shop so you need to bargain hard when purchasing whereas as sensibly bought Speedmaster can cost virtually nothing other than servicing. Obviously the flip side of this is that the Longines models make for good second hand purchases, once someone else has taken the depreciation hit.