Omega Speedmaster questions

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Hi All,

I had few questions about my watch and just wanted to hear opinions to make sure I have right expectations and my understand is correct. Now I have several questions after the year of using it so sorry in advance for long post.

So... last year I have presented myself Omega Speedmaster Racing watch, to be honest I wanted moonwatch, but when trying out the watches true moonwatch with haselite just didn't feel right on the hand, I wanted sapphire crystal and case back, and automatic movement so ended-up with still quite classic looking 329.30.44.51.01.001. In the end I thought to myself - if I every going to be in position to travel to space I might as well be able to buy spare moonwatch 😀

The more practical consideration was water resistance, as this substance is not that difficult to find on Planet Earth and I know Speedmasters are not exactly great for that (5ATM/50M) rating. For this reason I have as well considered Seamaster, but I just prefer looks of Speedmaster. Discussing realistic application and meaning of water resistance rating I was advised that watch should still be fine for swimming, but the key thing to avoid was diving in a way that crown is hit with the water. So I though ok... that should be practical enough to go to the beach and if I am planning to do diving from heights in the pool then I can leave watch in the locker...

Anyhow - first time I went to the beach... sea was completely flat and I just did most careful swimming ever, but almost instantly there was slight fogging-up. Took of the watch, and when I got home just opened the crown and left it in sunny terrace, there was very little of fogging and it was gone within couple of hours.. So on one hand I was slightly disappointed, but on other hand I just thought - "ok 5ATM means take it to the shower and nowhere else - remember to add Seamaster into shopping list for next occasion".

The situation being as it is, I haven't ventured much out from home since then, but this summer travelling opened-up so I was out again. This time around watch steamed-up much worse with much less reason. Once I was cycling in the rain, it was heavy rain to be fair, but nothing even comparable to normal shower at home... again watch steamed-up. And then I decided to detail my car and watch got some spray bouncing back from the car.. again just mist at most... and again it steamed-up. This time around fogging was gone within few hours without me even opening the crown. So I decided it must be something wrong with seal. Just to note - I regularly go with the watch to the shower, but somehow that is fine?!

Called warranty service explained the situation and all was good - they said send it for service to be re-sealed and that is it. Not amazing considering omega claims to test each watch before shipping, but everyone can make mistakes, so it is fair to let them rectify it.

So question #1 - what is your experience with Speedmasters and water, am I just expecting too much or was it not properly sealed from factory?

Now - watch went out for service, came back couple of weeks later, all free of charge, good so far... No way to test if sealing problem is fixed at home and to be fair I am kind of afraid to take it near the sea now.

But, I have noticed several scratches on the case, which were not there before and which are what I consider "artificial" i.e. looks like they are made by the tool (press/vise maybe) rather than what I would expect from normal wear and tear. Not exactly the attention of the detail I would expect from "master watchmaker", but I just thought - "this is my daily watch and there will be more and bigger scratches over the time". Then I noticed there is like tiny stain or some dirt under the case back on the movement itself. Yes sure - it is tiny, but again just not attention to the detail I expected.

So I started thinking whenever I should be asking it to be serviced and cleaned again, and maybe even re-polished (not sure about that, as I am afraid re-polishing won't match original finishing).

So question #2 - what amount of scratching you would expect/accept after authorised service... and #3 if watch is re-polished is it noticeable or does Omega does job that you could not distinguish from original finish?

Finally, as I was considering whenever to make issue out of this or not... I started noticing my watch not being accurate. It was exceptionally accurate before service or it was at least accurate enough for me not to notice. Honestly, even 15 second a day I could never notice or bother about, if it is within same minute after a week it would be good enough for me. So I started tracking the time every day at midnight... and it is horribly fast. First day - exactly + minute (an no... I have not set it minute wrong), second day +42s, then +47s, then +6s and yesterday +53s. After 5 days it is nearly 4min ahead! Now there was one day with only +6s, which is borderline on the stated accuracy (-4/+6) and the difference that day was that it was raining and I decided to slack-off and not do my running.

So there are multiple questions I have here - #4 could it be that service centre didn't check accuracy after assembling/servicing #5 could exercising impact accuracy so much (it is not like I am just shaking hand like crazy for hour either - it is just 3k jog), besides I was exercising with this watch for nearly a year before and I didn't notice much of impact previously #6 is this accuracy is as terrible as I think?

Any feedback would be appreciated

Linas
 
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Just read the whole thing ^^^

I’ve had a Speedmaster Moonwatch for almost a year. Here is my take...

1. I give my speedmaster a bath about every 2 weeks. Put it under running water, sometimes dip it in water for half a second to rinse, that’s it. That being said, there is never any fogging, and your watch, if I’m not mistaken should be water resistant to 100m. Meaning you should be able to swim with no fog at all, and submerge the watch with no fog at all.

2. I feel like there should never be scratching after a service. Yes we all make mistakes, but those guys do that for a living. If it bothers you enough, maybe you have pictures of it before it went off to service and can see what Omega can do for you. That leads into question 3.

3. I’ve never had a watch polished by anyone. But I’m sure if you do some research here, or post a thread, someone will answer that for you. Rolex I’ve heard, the polishing is like bringing the watch back to new. But Omega I’ve never heard a thing.

4. and 5.

Whether or not Omega checked for accuracy is on them. The watch should be running a lot better than that, and I would send it back. Exercise shouldn’t affect a watch that bad.

Also, if you decide to send it in, mention the dirt in the movement, and take pictures of everything before you send it in, in case it comes back scratches some more.
 
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I would never swim with my Speedmaster or expose it to salt water...that's what Seamasters are for.

 
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Did you bought new or second hand? Speedmaster is no diver watch but is should handle rain and occasional dip into water. Have it pressure tested, something doesn't sound right.
 
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Thanks all...
I would never swim with my Speedmaster or expose it to salt water...that's what Seamasters are for.
Yes I know... but when I asked about how "practical is it in real life", the salesman said swimming should be fine and explained that difference is mainly because of crown and buttons design. According to hime "Diving" watches have screw-in buttons and crown meaning that when you dive and water hits the crown it can resist the pressure, Speedmaster does not, so according to him - no diving from heights or deep diving, which is understandable, but snorkelling and surface swimming (according to him) should be fine. Now that wouldn't have been deal breaker even if he had said no salt water at all, I would simply wear some other watch if I knew I am going to the beach (and Seamaster is in my list anyway), but he said it is fine, so I used it.

O owl.
if I’m not mistaken should be water resistant to 100m.

2. I feel like there should never be scratching after a service. Yes we all make mistakes, but those guys do that for a living.

3. I’ve never had a watch polished by anyone. But I’m sure if you do some research here, or post a thread, someone will answer that for you. Rolex I’ve heard, the polishing is like bringing the watch back to new. But Omega I’ve never heard a thing.

4. and 5.

Whether or not Omega checked for accuracy is on them. The watch should be running a lot better than that, and I would send it back. Exercise shouldn’t affect a watch that bad.

Also, if you decide to send it in, mention the dirt in the movement, and take pictures of everything before you send it in, in case it comes back scratches some more.
You are legend - It is rare for people to read my entire posts 😁

It is definitely 50M, but I knew that before purchasing. In other hand I had some sport watches and fitness trackers with stated 3ATM (30M) and I was swimming without issues and another watch rated at 100M with which I was diving 10m+ without issues. So I know manufacturers tends to be on conservative side of things. Hence I asked what would be right way of threating it when purchasing and seems like salesman was a bit on optimistic side... or watch wasn't sealed properly... who knows.

#2 that was my expectation - those guys are known for expectational attention to the detail and it was still more or less new watch before service. Some light scratches on the clasp, but that is about it. I mean again there is nothing terrible, no deep scratches, but just gives impressions like somebody was handling watch without due care and attention.

#3 I have noticed they offer polish service, and I have read few other threads where people were offered this as remedy when watch was scratched by service.

#4...5 and the rest - yes it sounds that I need to speak with them again. If not for scratches, then certainly because of accuracy. I just wanted to check before if maybe that is "normal" if you exercise with the watch.

Finally, "dirt" is maybe strong word. It is like little stain, but it is under the case back and it only appeared after the service, I am quite sure it should not be there. Tried taking picture, but it is almost impossible because of reflections from case back and "geneve waves".

Did you bought new or second hand? Speedmaster is no diver watch but is should handle rain and occasional dip into water. Have it pressure tested, something doesn't sound right.
I bought it new, 5 years warranty.

It went for warranty and "re-seal", so I assume they re-seal it and pressure tested it? Since it came back, I didn't get it fog-up on me, but in other hand I never really tried to subject it to any particular test.

How should I get it pressure tested... Is this something Omega store or service centre offers?
 
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L Linas
Hi All,

I had few questions about my watch and just wanted to hear opinions to make sure I have right expectations and my understand is correct. Now I have several questions after the year of using it so sorry in advance for long post.

So... last year I have presented myself Omega Speedmaster Racing watch, to be honest I wanted moonwatch, but when trying out the watches true moonwatch with haselite just didn't feel right on the hand, I wanted sapphire crystal and case back, and automatic movement so ended-up with still quite classic looking 329.30.44.51.01.001. In the end I thought to myself - if I every going to be in position to travel to space I might as well be able to buy spare moonwatch 😀

The more practical consideration was water resistance, as this substance is not that difficult to find on Planet Earth and I know Speedmasters are not exactly great for that (5ATM/50M) rating. For this reason I have as well considered Seamaster, but I just prefer looks of Speedmaster. Discussing realistic application and meaning of water resistance rating I was advised that watch should still be fine for swimming, but the key thing to avoid was diving in a way that crown is hit with the water. So I though ok... that should be practical enough to go to the beach and if I am planning to do diving from heights in the pool then I can leave watch in the locker...

Anyhow - first time I went to the beach... sea was completely flat and I just did most careful swimming ever, but almost instantly there was slight fogging-up. Took of the watch, and when I got home just opened the crown and left it in sunny terrace, there was very little of fogging and it was gone within couple of hours.. So on one hand I was slightly disappointed, but on other hand I just thought - "ok 5ATM means take it to the shower and nowhere else - remember to add Seamaster into shopping list for next occasion".

The situation being as it is, I haven't ventured much out from home since then, but this summer travelling opened-up so I was out again. This time around watch steamed-up much worse with much less reason. Once I was cycling in the rain, it was heavy rain to be fair, but nothing even comparable to normal shower at home... again watch steamed-up. And then I decided to detail my car and watch got some spray bouncing back from the car.. again just mist at most... and again it steamed-up. This time around fogging was gone within few hours without me even opening the crown. So I decided it must be something wrong with seal. Just to note - I regularly go with the watch to the shower, but somehow that is fine?!

Called warranty service explained the situation and all was good - they said send it for service to be re-sealed and that is it. Not amazing considering omega claims to test each watch before shipping, but everyone can make mistakes, so it is fair to let them rectify it.

So question #1 - what is your experience with Speedmasters and water, am I just expecting too much or was it not properly sealed from factory?

Now - watch went out for service, came back couple of weeks later, all free of charge, good so far... No way to test if sealing problem is fixed at home and to be fair I am kind of afraid to take it near the sea now.

But, I have noticed several scratches on the case, which were not there before and which are what I consider "artificial" i.e. looks like they are made by the tool (press/vise maybe) rather than what I would expect from normal wear and tear. Not exactly the attention of the detail I would expect from "master watchmaker", but I just thought - "this is my daily watch and there will be more and bigger scratches over the time". Then I noticed there is like tiny stain or some dirt under the case back on the movement itself. Yes sure - it is tiny, but again just not attention to the detail I expected.

So I started thinking whenever I should be asking it to be serviced and cleaned again, and maybe even re-polished (not sure about that, as I am afraid re-polishing won't match original finishing).

So question #2 - what amount of scratching you would expect/accept after authorised service... and #3 if watch is re-polished is it noticeable or does Omega does job that you could not distinguish from original finish?

Finally, as I was considering whenever to make issue out of this or not... I started noticing my watch not being accurate. It was exceptionally accurate before service or it was at least accurate enough for me not to notice. Honestly, even 15 second a day I could never notice or bother about, if it is within same minute after a week it would be good enough for me. So I started tracking the time every day at midnight... and it is horribly fast. First day - exactly + minute (an no... I have not set it minute wrong), second day +42s, then +47s, then +6s and yesterday +53s. After 5 days it is nearly 4min ahead! Now there was one day with only +6s, which is borderline on the stated accuracy (-4/+6) and the difference that day was that it was raining and I decided to slack-off and not do my running.

So there are multiple questions I have here - #4 could it be that service centre didn't check accuracy after assembling/servicing #5 could exercising impact accuracy so much (it is not like I am just shaking hand like crazy for hour either - it is just 3k jog), besides I was exercising with this watch for nearly a year before and I didn't notice much of impact previously #6 is this accuracy is as terrible as I think?

Any feedback would be appreciated

Linas
Hello,
Speedmaster and water…
All ok, can take it easily…

Emil
 
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I just don't think a Speedmaster's design and specs lends it to swimming and dunking it in water, but many people do it. Some pass fine, some don't. There are better watches designed for this type of activity. Personal choice.
 
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seamaster chronographs are intended for more robust water related activities i presume
 
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I just don't think a Speedmaster's design and specs lends it to swimming and dunking it in water, but many people do it. Some pass fine, some don't. There are better watches designed for this type of activity. Personal choice.
I agree, I just wanted to show that if you need and have to, it could take the swimming, etc…

Emil
 
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seamaster chronographs are intended for more robust water related activities i presume
Sure, I agree but Speedmasters are ok to swim as well

Emil
 
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Don’t go swimming with your Speedmaster.

Full stop.
 
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I agree, I just wanted to show that if you need and have to, it could take the swimming, etc…

Emil

Sure. Go ahead and engage the chrono’s pushers while you are in the water and see what happens.

Hint: It won’t be good.
 
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at the factory spec, speedmaster should be good for a short swim
but how long the factory spec can be maintained is question, maybe throughout the warranty period? or shorter?
 
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Sure. Go ahead and engage the chrono’s pushers while you are in the water and see what happens.

Hint: It won’t be good.
Hello! Why I should engage the chrono’s pushers? What question is this?
Why are you so reluctant to understand that Speedmaster is like any other watch and you can swim with it.

Emil
 
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Sure. Go ahead and engage the chrono’s pushers while you are in the water and see what happens.

Hint: It won’t be good.
But of course, if by mistake one of the chrono’s pusher is engaged, it could be a problem.

Emil
 
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I certainly would never swim with my speedy, asking for trouble, why risk it? makes no sense to me, but i understand its a personal choice, could be a very expensive swim.
 
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I certainly would never swim with my speedy, asking for trouble, why risk it? makes no sense to me, but i understand its a personal choice, could be a very expensive swim.
I agree, its a personal choice…

Emil
 
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I’m sure my Speedmaster would be fine if I took it for a swim, however I would just use another watch designed for that purpose such as a Seamaster or Vostok Amphibian (or even an Apple Watch 😉).

The stain the OP refers to - could that be water damage from moisture that has obviously got in at some point? It’s difficult to say without pictures, and the whole situation is plainly disappointing, but the AD needs to deal with this appropriately. Sadly, it doesn’t sound like they have a capable watchmaker (scratches, dirt, poor timekeeping).
 
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As I understand it, 50m water resistance means that the watch can handle some rain or a brief immersion in water. Not swimming in a pool or the sea. Swimming or showering with your Speedy is just asking for trouble. As an earlier post said, that's what Seamasters are for.