Greetings. So I had an ideal budget of $4.5. I wanted an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. At that price point, I was priced out of the new 3861 hacking movement. The criteria I decided upon: Hesalite crystal, solid caseback,1861 manual wind movement, non-tritium dial, and ideally some sort of warranty. Using watch charts it seemed like my two options were the outgoing 311.30.42.X and the previous generation 3570.50.00 references, which I understand are essentially the same watches. My research showed me that the price swung from private dealers offering like new 311.30.42.X models with Omega warranties for $4.9K to trying my luck with as-is no warranty 3570.50.00 models from Ebay/TrueFacet for $3.7k. I didn't like either option as I figure there are a million 311.30.42.X models out there, and I don't care for the chunky steel bracelet it comes with, and an as-is Ebay $3.7 Speedmaster Professional seems like too much risk to take on. I landed upon an Apollo 11 30th Anniversary Omega Moonwatch 3560.50.00 reference in excellent condition from a professional dealer without box or papers, with a 1 year warranty for $4.7 all in (taxes and shipping included). I prefer the slimmer 1498 bracelet, and the limited edition angle just speaks to me in case I ever decide to sell it down the road. How did I do?

 

I would have never decided a purchase based on so bad pictures. Too much light.

 

Yes, there’s a lot of light. I don’t have this reference so I’m no expert on them but I do have quite a few Speedmasters, vintage and new, and it looks good to me. I really like the inscription on the back.

Looking forward to seeing photos when you receive it!

 

I think you did ok. Is it from Japan? Their photos are good.

 

I can never understand why people ask how they did AFTER they make a purchase, at that point there really is no purpose in asking. Wear and enjoy the watch.

 

Yeah online shopping isn't ideal, I don't like relying on pictures either, agreed. Thanks for the thought.

 

I found a US based professional dealer out of the east coast with good Google reviews.

 

Thanks for the note. So I can't comment for others, but I have 10 days to return the watch no questions asked, so in effect, I'm just looking for any input from the members of this group on any angles I might have missed so I can tack and correct my decision if needed. I also just wanted to share my price/market analysis and some of the tools I used in the event that they prove useful for anyone else in the future.

 

Fair enough, but to get more accurate comments you would need to post some better pictures of the watch. The ones in your post just don't give a good impression of the actual watch due to lighting and general lack of contrast. Sometimes that is done to hide the real condition of the watch. Take a few snaps and post them, it will generate more discussion.

 

Pictures look ok to me. Very few marks in the case back notches; the bezel (another exposed part) looks also to be in good shape. Only defect I can see is that the top right lug has a few minor notches.

I don't know what these 30th anniversary watches are going for. I bought a co-axial Speedmaster for about the same price from Japan, but dealing with customs was annoying, so there is something to be said for buying locally.

 

Will do when I receive the watch.

 

Thanks for looking it over. I looked at a few options in Japan but I didn't want to deal with customs. For a 22 year old watch of 9.9k pieces, I didn't come across many for sale. The ones with full box and papers though were going for over $5.5k currently.

 

Don't take this the wrong way but I think you over paid on that watch.

With a little bit of patience you actually find a good deal on a good condition Speedy Pro

Last July, I bought a 1 year old Speedy Pro 311.30.42.30.01.005 for under $3200 shipped overnight from Topper Jewelers (a well regarded jeweler in Cali). It was listed as being in 92% condition. The watch looked good with the only wear on it that I could see on the bracelet clasp (a few scuffs), other then that it looked new. It came with everything it was supposed to. The watch had the bulk of the Omega warranty and a year warranty from Topper.

Sadly, I had trouble winding it due to a not needed set of crown guards and my fat fingers so I sold it on and bought that Dominos Pizza Rolex that was sold on this forum with the money.

Deals are still out there to be had. so I would keep looking

Here is a pic of my Speedy pro from last year on a rallye strap

Good luck

 

The cheapest Speedmaster Pro that Topper has right now is $5,250 USD. That's new.
They have zero preowned Speedmaster Profesisonals.
The selection of Speedmasters on this forum below $4,500, in 2021, in the private watch sale forum, is practically non-existent.

The limited edition is a nice feature to set it apart from the pack. I don't think you did too bad.
Crack the case open and get some movement pics once it arrives. If it looks clean, enjoy it!

 

Thanks for the pro tip on Topper, looks like a good shop, will check them out in the future. But yeah I also last bought a watch in July 2020 and in the last 9 months, the market seems to be up by about 20 percent. I'm not sure if it is because of Covid causing diminished production numbers, increased interest in watches during the lock down, or just a panic to get the discontinued 1861 movement, but the cheapest price for an 1861 in like new condition with warranty was $4.9 all in from the usual suspects, i.e. private trusted dealers, or Crown and Caliber, SwissWatchExpo, etc. I might have overpaid slightly, but I'm just excited to finally get a Speedmaster Pro. Will post pictures when I get it.

 

I don't know if the OP should open the case to get pics of the movement, that's usually an automatic exclusion on returning a watch, and I doubt the buyer has the tools necessary to do so. Unless proof of a recent service is provided the new owner should plan for a cleaning in the near term. Check out the functioning of the watch (accuracy and chrono), that will tell you a lot about the general condition of the innards.

 

If you took it to a qualified independent watchmaker, that's familiar with opening these the correct way....who would be the wiser that the buyer "got a look under the hood"?

 

Got the watch - here is a wrist shot

 

So, in terms of wear and tear on a 22 year old watch, all I'm seeing are some scratches on the hesalite around the 7 o'clock (not sure if that is a good sign that the watch hasn't been polished potentially), two dings on the bezel between the 8 and 9 o'clock, and a ding on case side near the upper right lug. The illumination looks good. Taking it to a watchmaker to authenticate the 1861 movement internals.

 

Just for comparison, for the those that are potentially hesitant about a 42mm case size, the watch wears very close to 40mm, here is a side shot next to my triple date Speedmaster. I am not sure if it is just the hesalite versus sapphire, or the thinner manual movement, but the Professional is much thinner and lighter than the automatic.