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Speedmaster Broad Arrow, black dial

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Hello all,
If I haven't already introduced myself, I'm a grumpy old man from Yorkshire, UK and have spent the last 4 years building a collection of (mainly) Omegas and I also have a liking for Sinns. If I have already done the introductions, then I've wasted both my and your time, so please accept my apologies.

May I ask those who own, or have owned the Speedmaster Broad Arrow, ref. 321.10.42.50.01.001 about the legibility of the hands please? I'm looking on-line to buy a used one, but the photos are very inconsistent. On some, the hands blend into the black dial but on others the are very pronounced. Call me fussy, but I like to be able to see the time when I look at my watches.

I'm actually torn between the above and it's white dial version but the more I consider both, the more I think the white dial may become dated. I know that shouldn't influence my choice but, when I buy a watch, I also take into account whether it will lose its desirability and, therefore (possibly), its resale value.
 
padders
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I may be able to help since I own both the white dial version you mention above and also a FOIS which uses polished hands like the black dial you show. You say that the white dial may become dated, I am not sure about that, there seem to be more white watches about now than ever and yet that design is now over 10 years old. Be aware that the dial isn't actually white, it is several variations on silver so is more subtle than an Alaska or Albino model Speedmaster which are truly white.

The Broad Arrow models are now getting on a bit and have already hit the bottom of the depreciation curve. They were never universally loved so I would care to bet that the only way is up in terms of desirability and value from here. The problem is the the Space junkies are movement snobs and prefer the agricultural 321/861 over the aristocratic 3313 on the basis the former went to the Moon and the latter didn't. The same goes for the 9300/9900 2 register Racing Speedys, there is little love for them either. Bad news for those that bought them new, not so bad as a used buy but don't expect Snoopy like values any time soon.

I have owned over 60 omegas and moved many on but both these have remained in my collection since I value them both very highly. Personally I find no issue at all with polished hands and have them on several watches inc Seamasters and even a JLC Reverso. Some do consider white painted hands more legible but since I am not a serving Astronaut I find that I can cope just fine with the polished type which I prefer in many ways. The date window on the Broad Arrow is becoming increasingly hard to see as I get older but not the hands, they work just fine.

I'll throw in a photo showing the BA next to the white hands Ed White also so you can see a comparison of the hand types:


IMG_8395.JPG IMG_8396.JPG IMG_7135.jpeg
Edited:
 
Evitzee
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padders padders
I may be able to help since I own both the white dial version you mention above and also a FOIS which uses polished hands like the black dial you show. You say that the white dial may become dated, I am not sure about that, there seem to be more white watches about now than ever and yet that design is now over 10 years old. Be aware that the dial isn't actually white, it is several variations on silver so is more subtle than an Alaska or Albino model Speedmaster which are truly white.

Omega's considered to have 'white' dials aren't always white. In pictures some white looking dials are actually silverish, close to opaline. Some are truly white like the Silver Snoopy 45th and Alaska Project. The Albino, and one or two others, are a creme color. All can be attractive, but white isn't always white. I don't think these dials will go out of fashion or become dated.
 
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padders padders
I may be able to help since I own both the white dial version you mention above and also a FOIS which uses polished hands like the black dial you show. You say that the white dial may become dated, I am not sure about that, there seem to be more white watches about now than ever and yet that design is now over 10 years old. Be aware that the dial isn't actually white, it is several variations on silver so is more subtle than an Alaska or Albino model Speedmaster which are truly white.

The Broad Arrow models are now getting on a bit and have already hit the bottom of the depreciation curve. They were never universally loved so I would care to bet that the only way is up in terms of desirability and value from here. The problem is the the Space junkies are movement snobs and prefer the agricultural 321/861 over the aristocratic 3313 on the basis the former went to the Moon and the latter didn't. The same goes for the 9300/9900 2 register Racing Speedys, there is little love for them either. Bad news for those that bought them new, not so bad as a used buy but don't expect Snoopy like values any time soon.

I have owned over 60 omegas and moved many on but both these have remained in my collection since I value them both very highly. Personally I find no issue at all with polished hands and have them on several watches inc Seamasters and even a JLC Reverso. Some do consider white painted hands more legible but since I am not a serving Astronaut I find that I can cope just fine with the polished type which I prefer in many ways. The date window on the Broad Arrow is becoming increasingly hard to see as I get older but not the hands, they work just fine.

I'll throw in a photo showing the BA next to the white hands Ed White also so you can see a comparison of the hand types:


IMG_8395.JPG IMG_8396.JPG IMG_7135.jpeg
Hi Padders,
Thank you for taking the time to reply so thoroughly- it's very much appreciated.
I feel I have to expand on my listing, as I may not have been as thorough as you!
Firstly, my doubts about the white dial being dated were based on the specific dial in your photo, not white dials in general.
My main question was about the legibility of the hands against the black dial on the 32110425001001.
As you can see in these photos, the same watches look completely different from each other, so I was wondering which one is the truer representation.
Untitled-1.jpg

I suspect the 1st photo has been enhanced. I own a Planet Ocean whose hands I love but I suspect the ones on BA are flatter. Would I be correct?
PS I also have a Moonwatch but am a bit disappointed with the hands- IMO they look like they're made out of plastic!
 
padders
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I am not sure what it is that makes you think the white dial will date more than the black to be honest. Both have the same basic design with the red 1957 text (not a universally popular design feature), slight step and block markers. What goes for one, IMO goes for the other. Yes I think those pictures you show are extremes and heavily processed in opposite directions, the truth is somewhere in between and in use polished hands work just fine as far as I am concerned.
 
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