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JwRosenthal
·One more consideration, buying a used watch you need to include the cost of a service, which is going to be 300-500 Euros depending on who you go to. Or 750 Euros if you give it to Omega.
Omega Speedmaster reduced or Hamilton intra-matic
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBIIt’s the subdials crushing into the second track and the empty space around the center which throws off the dial- it just doesn’t look as balanced as the SMP. Most people can’t put their finger on what looks off, but I think it’s that.
The Hammy has perfect balance IMO and the date at 6 doesn’t screw it up like a date at 4 does in some models.
Despite both watches using movements with fixed place complications, Hamilton seems like they strategically planned everything to have the most visually pleasing impact (making it work), whereas the Reduced is just a drunk/hung over Speedmaster for Speedmaster sake.
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RubenDhae
·One more consideration, buying a used watch you need to include the cost of a service, which is going to be 300-500 Euros depending on who you go to. Or 750 Euros if you give it to Omega.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but the speedmaster reduced is not produced anymore, so i'll have to buy used anyway. The Hamilton Intra-Matic is still being produced, and can be bought for 1.5K new, so considering the omega would need a service (since i can only buy used), the hamilton would actually be cheaper?
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBICorrect me if i'm wrong, but the speedmaster reduced is not produced anymore, so i'll have to buy used anyway. The Hamilton Intra-Matic is still being produced, and can be bought for 1.5K new, so considering the omega would need a service (since i can only buy used), the hamilton would actually be cheaper?
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MRC
·Correct me if i'm wrong, but the speedmaster reduced is not produced anymore, so i'll have to buy used anyway. The Hamilton Intra-Matic is still being produced, and can be bought for 1.5K new, so considering the omega would need a service (since i can only buy used), the hamilton would actually be cheaper?
You got it.
However my Reduced came at a good price in superb condition and with a service 3 years ago still came cheaper than a UK price Hamilton.
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RubenDhae
·Despite both watches using movements with fixed place complications
Would you mind explaining this, please?
EDIT: do you mean the subdials?
Thank you everyone who has commented so far, so fast!!
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBITo twist things up further:
DO NOT buy any watch that says “just serviced” without getting proof of said service. Any monkey can use those popular descriptive words to build up a deceitful trust and asking price. Without proof of servicing it did not happen.
DO NOT buy any watch that says “just serviced” without getting proof of said service. Any monkey can use those popular descriptive words to build up a deceitful trust and asking price. Without proof of servicing it did not happen.
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pdxleaf
··So on and so on and scoobie doobie dooConsider the Omega triple date 3520.50. It is about the size of the reduced you are considering. The dial has more going on but I liked mine (before i sold it to fund another watch. I would buy it again.) It has the caliber 1151 that is based on the ETA 7751, which is considered a decent movement. It might push your budget a bit but good ones are available. It wears very nicely. The bracelet felt well made and comfortable. If you are budget minded it is holding it's value should you change your mind, which you won't. You'll just buy another speedmaster later.
I am also a vintage Hamilton fan so like Hamilton. I had heard of the release and was intrigued but didn't consider it until I saw one in the flesh at my dealer. Much more impressive than the pictures and the pictures aren't bad. It is very attractive and I will buy one someday. I can't decide between the black and white or blue. That's going to be a dilemma. If you haven't tried them on in person then that might help you decide.
Damnit, now you got me thinking about the Hamilton again!
I am also a vintage Hamilton fan so like Hamilton. I had heard of the release and was intrigued but didn't consider it until I saw one in the flesh at my dealer. Much more impressive than the pictures and the pictures aren't bad. It is very attractive and I will buy one someday. I can't decide between the black and white or blue. That's going to be a dilemma. If you haven't tried them on in person then that might help you decide.
Damnit, now you got me thinking about the Hamilton again!
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SkunkPrince
·Omega has chronographs they sell today that are not Speedmasters. These include the Seamaster Professional, Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean, DeVille Prestige, and Constellation. You might want to look at those too before you make a decision.
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RubenDhae
·Consider the Omega triple date 3520.50. It is about the size of the reduced you are considering. The dial has more going on but I liked mine (before i sold it to fund another watch. I would buy it again.) It has the caliber 1151 that is based on the ETA 7751, which is considered a decent movement. It might push your budget a bit but good ones are available. It wears very nicely. The bracelet felt well made and comfortable. If you are budget minded it is holding it's value should you change your mind, which you won't. You'll just buy another speedmaster later.
I am also a vintage Hamilton fan so like Hamilton. I had heard of the release and was intrigued but didn't consider it until I saw one in the flesh at my dealer. Much more impressive than the pictures and the pictures aren't bad. It is very attractive and I will buy one someday. I can't decide between the black and white or blue. That's going to be a dilemma. If you haven't tried them on in person then that might help you decide.
Damnit, now you got me thinking about the Hamilton again!
Holy Moly, i like the 3520.50! I actually like it more than the reduced, and is currently found at 1.669 at chrono24 which is still fine.
Thank you very much for your post, I for sure need to do more research for the 3520.50.
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WatchTimes
·Do you have small wrists?
If not why the reduced? If you do not have small wrists Id wait to find a nice traditional speedy
If not why the reduced? If you do not have small wrists Id wait to find a nice traditional speedy
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBIWould you mind explaining this, please?
EDIT: do you mean the subdials?
Thank you everyone who has commented so far, so fast!!
Yup! So, if a company makes their own movement, they can place complications wherever they choose, within reason. A complication could be the date, small seconds, any Chrono sub dial, moon phase, and so many more... However, say you buy an off the shelf movement from ETA. It's already made and the placement of those complications have been permanently set by ETA. For these two watches, Hamilton and Omega bought off the shelf movements. The spacing and placement of the sub dials are fixed and Omega and Hamilton had to work with that. To tie this into my last post, I don't think Omega did the best they could with that as they made the reduced to look just like the Pro version. Whereas Hamilton took that same 3 and 9 sub dial spacing and made something look really good with it.
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RubenDhae
·Do you have small wrists?
If not why the reduced? If you do not have small wrists Id wait to find a nice traditional speedy
Well mainly the price and the automatic movement. I currently have a "cheap" micro brand quartz watch which is 39mm and I like the size. So the regular speedy would be too big, as well.
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RubenDhae
·Yup! So, if a company makes their own movement, they can place complications wherever they choose, within reason. A complication could be the date, small seconds, any Chrono sub dial, moon phase, and so many more... However, say you buy an off the shelf movement from ETA. It's already made and the placement of those complications have been permanently set by ETA. For these two watches, Hamilton and Omega bought off the shelf movements. The spacing and placement of the sub dials are fixed and Omega and Hamilton had to work with that. To tie this into my last post, I don't think Omega did the best they could with that as they made the reduced to look just like the Pro version. Whereas Hamilton took that same 3 and 9 sub dial spacing and made something look really good with it.
I found this answer very informative. Thanks, again!
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBIHere is a side by side of the Pro vs Reduced. Every thread can always use more photos lol
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MRC
·Can I re-iterate you need to try them on. Photos are very deceptive and recent comments about pusher placement, sub-dial location seem (correct me if I'm wrong) to be based on pictures, not on actual on-wrist experience. I have 36mm watches that look so much bigger on the wrist. You will also find find that having a marked external bezel versus no bezel makes a big difference too. And then we get to the bracelet / NATO / leather strap colour variations that change a watch's appearance so much. It is all so subjective.
Another route could be to find something a lot cheaper and wear it for a year. That might help you decide what you do and do not like.
Edit: Ah yes, that's exactly what you did. Good work!
Another route could be to find something a lot cheaper and wear it for a year. That might help you decide what you do and do not like.
Edit: Ah yes, that's exactly what you did. Good work!
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Scarecrow Boat
··Burt Macklin, FBI(correct me if I'm wrong)
Looking at it online vs on my wrist isn’t going to change the sub dial placement. Some might like it and others don’t. All I have said is I personally think the Hamilton looks way better. They have the same sub dial placement but it looks better. There is also no attitude in this post. Text often remove context and just want to clarify this is peaceful heh
Edited to add- wrist shots are very deceptive. The watch will always look bigger in wrist shots. Here is a 34mm watch on my wrist that looks much bigger than it is.
Edited:
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JwRosenthal
·Agreed with wrist time- only way to know. I too have 36’s (or 34’s) that feel perfect, 38’s that feel huge and 40’s that feel small...all about proportions and pics are always deceiving.
One is 44mm, the other 32mm- can you really tell how they wear in pics?
One is 44mm, the other 32mm- can you really tell how they wear in pics?
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dhgarrabrant
·I love the Hammy, and hate the way the reduced looked. When you compare a reduced to a professional, it's so clear that it's not nearly as good looking as professional.
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OmegaP99
·100% agree on trying them on, that's the single most useful tool in your box. Like @JwRosenthal said even dimensions are deceiving in photos due to design elements. You can debate it for weeks but know in an instant the moment you put it on your wrist, I know I've written off several formerly-favored pieces once I got them on my arm.
Generally I think it may be down to what style you're after. The Hamilton has a very authentic vintage feel, while the Speedy is a modern sports watch.
I don't think it's been said, but the reduced has a snap fit case back as opposed to screwed down. I personally prefer screw down on a modern sports or higher-end piece. I also think the Reduced bracelet feels cheaper at the clasp and flimsy in general, lightweight. I prefer them on a strap, so if you do try it on and don't like the bracelet, you could look for one that's sold as "head only" or on a strap and save the cost of the bracelet. Here's my old Reduced, long gone, just for giggles:
Generally I think it may be down to what style you're after. The Hamilton has a very authentic vintage feel, while the Speedy is a modern sports watch.
I don't think it's been said, but the reduced has a snap fit case back as opposed to screwed down. I personally prefer screw down on a modern sports or higher-end piece. I also think the Reduced bracelet feels cheaper at the clasp and flimsy in general, lightweight. I prefer them on a strap, so if you do try it on and don't like the bracelet, you could look for one that's sold as "head only" or on a strap and save the cost of the bracelet. Here's my old Reduced, long gone, just for giggles:
