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Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in Gold – Breaking News

  1. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Mar 13, 2019

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    ...unless the keep on pumping out better/nicer watches, and the fanatical collectors end up selling more body-parts...which appears to be the case...
     
  2. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Mar 13, 2019

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    Again all I can tell you is what we all know - it's a manual winding watch, so I assume a manual winding mainspring.
     
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  3. SpeedyPhill Founder Of Aussie Cricket Blog Mark Waugh Universe Mar 13, 2019

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    Or some collectors might start selling some of their Speedmaster collection, although I doubt seeing much vintage Speedies popping up in the OF sales section soon.
     
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  4. queriver Mar 13, 2019

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    A question for any materials experts on here... Omega are using a new gold-palladium alloy ("Moonshine") to minimise or prevent tarnishing of the gold along with a ceramic bezel insert for its long term stability. My reading of the characteristics of Palladium metal on wikipedia is that it is a soft metal and least dense of the PGMs. It also says it can be ductile when annealed or have increased strength and hardness if cold-worked. "Normal" 750 Au alloys are relatively soft so would Omega have worked the new Palladium-Gold alloy in some way to increase the hardness of the case? They haven't mentioned this and I don't know whether it is technically possible to do so when alloyed with gold but, as they seem to want to keep this watch free from the effects of ageing, it would make sense.
     
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  5. abrod520 Mar 13, 2019

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    My guess is yes, though that wouldn't be terribly interesting. The pushers look more like 105.012 service pushers to me though, with the narrow necks. I don't quite like that look really
     
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  6. Tubber Mar 13, 2019

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    Quite surprised by this remark. The original BA is a special watch and probably one of last I would sell. Unfortunately I haven't had the privilege of seeing the re-issue.
    The Au750 on the dial, for me, is a non-issue. I can't see it being at all prominent or noticeable when worn.
    Why is there such an instant dismissal and hate for a Gold watch on here? I ain't a coffin dodger and I like them.
     
  7. cfracing Mar 13, 2019

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    Isn't rwelliot's rendition more like the 105.003 of Gene Cernan, that also went to the moon on Apollo XVII (last watch on the moon so far?), with the straight lugs, no crown guards, pre-42mm case? That's the one I would like. But I agree with rwelliot. I think the watch with the re-introduced 321 will be housed in a 105.003 case. After all, wasn't it Cernan's 105.003 that Omega digitally scanned while researching the 321?
     
    Edited Mar 13, 2019
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  8. rominvicta Mar 13, 2019

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    5 Tokyo 2020 Speedmasters ... to be precise.
     
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  9. waveguide Mar 13, 2019

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    I don’t want to take credit for the rendition. This image is credited to the article about the watches Omega made for the “First Man” movie. Since the movie celebrates the first landing on the moon, reissuing this Speedmaster during the Anniversary year — perhaps with the new 321 movement — seems like a logical marketing move at least to me.
     
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  10. exador Mar 13, 2019

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  11. fbf Mar 13, 2019

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    People will pay regardless what the price is .
    can't think of any mass production car over 1mil$ other than bugatti a few years back. Now there are plenty. They are being made and sold quickly. Some people pay more than that to buy a bottle of wine.
     
  12. cristos71 Mar 13, 2019

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    :eek: Put me down for two! :D
     
  13. Robert-Jan #SpeedyTuesday Mar 13, 2019

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    I am in love with this watch. The original BA145.022 was actually one of the first Speedmaster watches that I saw in my early days of collecting since a friend had one (with the original box). This new Apollo XI 50th in gold has a number of things that I really love (2nd day of wearing, mind you), in addition to the original 1969 model: the solid and heavy bracelet, the bordeaux ceramic bezel, the hue of the Moonshine gold, the gold hands with black varnish inlays, the see-through caseback with lunar meteorite. The latter is simply great, to have something on the wrist that was actually on the Moon. The movement has a superb finish, a bit similar to the 1863, very pleasing on the eyes. Also cool: the 60 hours power reserve (50 if you turn on the chronograph). I also like the weight of the watch, with 210 grams much heavier than my 345.0802 or the BA145.022.

    The price is 32K Swiss Francs ex 8% VAT (for Swiss market), which is quite a bit, but on the other hand, it is close to the price of a 40mm Rolex Day-Date (new). At SIHH I was shown a new Panerai 42mm Submersible in gold with a retail price of 28K and last week there was the introduction of the Breitling Premier Bentley model, for 27K. Both watches on leather straps. So compared to what's out there on the market, I think the price is fair. Nevertheless, it is a chunk of money and if you don't feel it is worth it, or you don't like gold, well, there's a ton of other models to choose from instead.

    This watch is going to be difficult to take off...
     
    ApolloXI19692019-1.jpg
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  14. To the moon Mar 13, 2019

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    I have no doubt this piece will sell out, but give me a Sedna 45th and £18.000 to play with on SS version,Alaska and next years Apollo 13 any day ;)
     
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  15. wouter van wijk Mar 13, 2019

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  16. snarkq Mar 13, 2019

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    RJ,

    How does the movement feel to wind and use the chrono functions? Is it indistinguishable from a standard modern speedy?
     
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  17. robinhook Mar 14, 2019

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    Personally I think the sapphire crystal and the Cal.3861 are the 2 points that would cast some uncertainties to the popularity of this watch. Only the market can tell... Also, if as speculated, Cal.3861 will become the upgraded movement for the standard moonwatch, and the re-issued 321 will be the "true" historical version, the fact the this 50 anniversary LE is using Cal.3861 would not help on its value...
     
  18. orlis Mar 14, 2019

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    I think they will not use the exact same movement in steel version, maybe cal.2861 without gold finishing?
     
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  19. rominvicta Mar 14, 2019

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    Agree 100%. But and there is a but here. When I buy a PM I always tend to look at it as an investment. Because you may wear an SS and pleasure would be the same. And an investment should have a return. With Rolex you observe constant growth of demand and consequently prices thus Rolex I consider a good investment. Though unfortunately the same does not apply to Omega as of late. Who knows what will they do just to please the shareholders next year? They sell the watch in 2 days now and next year decide to make - LE of 10 000 pcs in classic YG dedicated to the 51st anniversary. And then what happens with the invsetment opportunity of an Omega PM? Consequently, I would prefer buying SS and wear it. Then I do not care of the investment side of Omega.
     
    Edited Mar 14, 2019
  20. robinhook Mar 14, 2019

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    One price guidance for this 50th LE is obviously the 1969 BA145.022, often quoted to the following 2 recent auctions:
    1. Sold for CHF68,750 (USD ~$68,430) in Nov 2018
    https://www.phillips.com/detail/OMEGA/CH080218/34

    2. Sold for HKD450,000 (USD ~$57,328) in May 2018
    https://www.phillips.com/detail/OMEGA/HK080118/808

    Personally, I think the original 1969 BA145.022 is of true historical significance and therefore should be more valuable than the 50 anniversary LE. A better price point is to look at the 1980 issued 20th anniversary BA345.0802. This example was sold at CHF30,000 in May 2017, which is below the asking price of CHF32,000 of the 50th LE. Not a good indicator for its market potential in my opinion.
    https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/omega-a-very-rare-and-attractive-18k-6067353-details.aspx
     
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