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Picking up a new Speedy Pro Moonwatch - checks...

  1. daveb99 May 24, 2018

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    Hi, I'm new to this forum - I can't believe I haven't found it before, as I've had a Seamaster Pro Diver 300M for about 5 years now, which I'm very happy with.

    Anyway, I've done a deal (private sale) on a new unworn Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (311.30.42.30.01.005) which I'm due to pick up over the weekend.

    The seller seems to have everything with the watch, and it all seems to check out - it was bought from a UK AD, the purchase receipt is present, is comes with the large box, all the contents it seems, and the warranty card etc is all present of course.

    The seller seems like a normal, decent bloke, and I have no reason at all to suspect anything untoward. This doesn't stop me from being sceptical and I just want to do some checks to make sure it is spot on - I suppose in theory there's nothing to stop him swapping the actual watch for a fake beforehand so I feel I should at least do the simple checks before parting with the cash!

    I've done a bit of research and found a few tips on what to check for (I have some high res photos of what it should look like on my phone to compare):

    - Serial number - matches the warranty card, and is stamped on the lug
    - Subdials - check they are recessed and the correct layout
    - Length of minute hand - the tip reaches the gradations on the face
    - Flawless lettering
    - Omega logo central on the crystal (it's the Hesalite model)

    In terms of the box contents, I believe all this should be present:

    - Outer shipping box (he has said it's there)
    - Outer and inner presentation boxes
    - Paperweight/Coin
    - 3 booklets (Legendary Moonwatch, Strap changing booklet, Operating Instructions)
    - Loupe
    - 2 extra straps, NATO and NASA
    - Strap changing tool
    - 4 pushpins
    - Warranty card
    - Pictograms card
    - Card wallet
    - Original purchase receipt

    Have I missed anything? Is there anything else I can easily check on the watch itself?

    Any help from Speedy Pro experts would be much appreciated!
     
  2. dan7800 May 24, 2018

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    One question I'd ask is why they are selling a new, unworn Speedie (There are plenty of legit reasons why someone would)? I'd also compare their price with what one of the trusted sellers are asking on the forum. If it is close, personally I'd go with one of the folks here on the forum and gain that piece of mind and not risk it.
     
    connieseamaster likes this.
  3. daveb99 May 24, 2018

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    Thanks, I've already got the answer to that and it is indeed legit - the bracelet had several links removed by the AD to suit the buyer's wrist, then they (after involvement from head office) refused to refund the watch when the buyer decided it didn't sit well on his wrist, after he had owned it (but not worn it) for a couple of weeks.

    It's basically brand new, unworn, with everything, at a great price, so I've decided to take the plunge - I just want to do the usual checks. I've seen plenty of photos of the watch, box, papers etc, so have no reason to believe it's anything but legit and spot on - but again, checking everything seems like the right thing to do to be absolutely sure.

    Any more Speedy gurus - what else should I check?
     
  4. gemini4 Hoarder Of Speed et alia May 24, 2018

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    Special attention should be addressed to the Operating Instructions.
    I would check to make sure every page (all 441) is intact
    You can’t trust anyone these days.:)

    4D5E1A8D-29E5-4E0D-AA1C-D04E7621612D.jpeg
    2D73791F-0B5F-4D5D-AEB7-1354AEEE4CCF.jpeg
     
  5. daveb99 May 24, 2018

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    Thanks, I’ll check that too..
     
  6. padders Oooo subtitles! May 24, 2018

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    He's messing with you. In fact it should have 442 pages, if page 442 is missing the watch loses about 60% of its value as that is the page Omega use for the embossed anti-counterfeit holographic seal. The greys routinely strip out p442 so Omega can't track them using the embedded RFID.
     
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  7. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. May 24, 2018

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    90838251-AE6E-4412-9280-D35206626CCE.gif
     
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  8. daveb99 May 26, 2018

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    Picked up today. All good, everything present and correct including the original purchase receipt. What a beautiful, charming watch. Very, very pleased indeed with it so far. Next to my SMPc it has pure class.
     
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  9. astrand May 26, 2018

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    Now that you have both... if I have neither, which would you recommend... at first impulse? SMPc looks great in photos and I start to lean that way, then I see a speedy in person and fall in love again.

    Congratulations on the new watch :)
     
  10. daveb99 May 26, 2018

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    Thanks, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there. The SMPc looks perhaps more striking and stands out more. But the Moonwatch is just an undeniable classic, it will never get old, and it also looks fabulous with a huge range of straps. The SMPc will be easier to keep nice, due to the ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal. But the Speedmaster Pro has great character with the hesalite crystal and it can be easily polished as needed, so I’ve read.

    Overall, I would have to pick the Moonwatch, but it’s very close. I’m looking forward to giving them both some serious wrist time.

    Here's a photo of my SMPc for comparison. Oh, plus a couple more of the Speedy
     
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    dr1v3thru, frazierspa and astrand like this.
  11. Owlsu May 27, 2018

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    The Speedmaster doesn't even have fake versions does it? generally the only faked Omega is the Planet Ocean or to a lesser extent Seamasters. They tend to go after the dive watches.
     
  12. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. May 27, 2018

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    They are out there. Esp the 80-90’s date and racing models. I’ve seen some really poor Speedy Pro’s too.
     
  13. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker May 27, 2018

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    frazierspa and connieseamaster like this.
  14. ras47 May 27, 2018

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    I love it in that dark brown strap! Congrats!!
     
  15. Dan S May 27, 2018

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    Congrats on the new addition to your Omega collection!
     
  16. daveb99 May 29, 2018

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    Thanks everyone, I’m really pleased with the watch so far. Very much enjoying winding it every morning too, it’s like a nice reminder that I grew up in the 70's.
     
  17. rob#1 May 29, 2018

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    Very nice, congratulations, and the strap looks sharp :)
     
  18. jason10mm May 29, 2018

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    It's gotta be both! The seamaster and speedy complement each other perfectly and you have a pretty broad range of models and prices to look at.
     
  19. rainking May 29, 2018

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    Say what? There are websites selling entire ranges of Speedmaster fakes, not just the Pro. There's a fake version of seemingly anything you can think of these days.
    About eight years ago while visiting Manhattan, I ended up in China Town and bought a fake Speedy Pro for $80, for no real reason. It fooled more than a few people during the year I wore it almost every day (this was before I finally bit the bullet and spent some real money on watches). But it was junk. The chrono function was literally fake, didn't work at all and was just for looks. The entire watch fell apart after about a year. Bracelet pins started falling out, one of the hands fell off the dial ... it was hilarious that it basically disintegrated before my eyes.
     
  20. Jones in LA Isofrane hoarder. May 29, 2018

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    You nailed it with the brown leather strap combination; that's what first sold me on a Speedmaster.

    Congratulations!