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Speedmaster Calibre 321 versus an original Speedmaster pre-moon

byunjoe
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Apologies for the confusing title - and if this is the wrong sub-forum.

I am wondering if any members have both the re-issue Speedmaster 321 in steel and a vintage Speedmaster (2998, 105.002, 105.003, 145.003) and would be gracious enough to share pictures of them side-by-side?

Even after seeing both in the flesh (independently), I can't seem to shake the feeling that they're quite different somehow. I am aware of the technical differences such as the re-issue having a ceramic with enamel infill bezel, sedna gold plating, better built bracelet, etc.

I am heavily leaning towards purchasing the re-issue to use as a daily wearer, but good vintage examples can be had for about the same. And for some reason, at first glance, they look more appealing. Perhaps it's the patina and aged lume? I cannot tell.

Internet pictures below for attention:

Omegas_Speedmaster_Moonwatch_321_flat_1000-1024x655.jpg Hero-611.jpg
 
S.H.
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There is something in the finer printing of the dials and thinness of the hands that I always prefer on vintage watches. I never could put exactly my finger on it. Side by side modern rarely wins...

Also, I find the vintage Speedy is one of the few watches that can have some patina and look better with it.
 
Evitzee
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Just remember repairs and maintenance on a vintage 321 is always going to be harder and trickier to get right, and this will only get worse as time goes on. With a new 321 you get the five year warranty and Omega service will be there for many years to keep it running to factory spec. That might not be too important for those that have access to repairers who understand the vintage movements and have some access to parts as needed, but for a newbie coming onto the scene it won't be as easy. That's the main reason I've gone away from vintage pieces and concentrated on watches made in the last 25 years or so that the manufacturers will still maintain service and parts availability.
 
ozzyb123
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Modern beats vintage when it comes to quality and reliability

but there is something very warm and charming about the vintage pieces

go with your heart - personally I prefer quality over charm but that might not be the case for you!
 
byunjoe
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S.H. S.H.
There is something in the finer printing of the dials and thinness of the hands that I always prefer on vintage watches. I never could put exactly my finger on it. Side by side modern rarely wins...

Also, I find the vintage Speedy is one of the few watches that can have some patina and look better with it.
Indeed, only time will tell how the re-issue will age (or if it even will!)
 
byunjoe
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Evitzee Evitzee
Just remember repairs and maintenance on a vintage 321 is always going to be harder and trickier to get right, and this will only get worse as time goes on. With a new 321 you get the five year warranty and Omega service will be there for many years to keep it running to factory spec. That might not be too important for those that have access to repairers who understand the vintage movements and have some access to parts as needed, but for a newbie coming onto the scene it won't be as easy. That's the main reason I've gone away from vintage pieces and concentrated on watches made in the last 25 years or so that the manufacturers will still maintain service and parts availability.
I cannot argue against that! Especially since I'm considering this as a daily wear to replace my 60th Anniversary, the warranty is always going to give me peace of mind.
 
byunjoe
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ozzyb123 ozzyb123
Modern beats vintage when it comes to quality and reliability

but there is something very warm and charming about the vintage pieces

go with your heart - personally I prefer quality over charm but that might not be the case for you!

It is indeed a tough choice. I love that charm and thus most of my collection is vintage. Yet I still experience strange mechanical woes with some pieces. The quality of watches has increased dramatically since the 1960s - everything from material science to finishing.
 
padders
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I'm not sure anyone on here has both modern and vintage Ed, in fact I am fairly sure they don't. I have a 105.003-65 and a FOIS. That won't be a perfect comparison for you though since they say that the crystal on the NEW is a better shape and fit than on the FOIS which is often criticised for the milky ring (but I've never cared about this myself as an issue with any sapphire crystal Omega watch). I have one side by side pic. Sorry but I never put them both on together, well yet.

IMG_8034.jpg
 
Scarecrow Boat
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byunjoe byunjoe
I cannot argue against that! Especially since I'm considering this as a daily wear to replace my 60th Anniversary, the warranty is always going to give me peace of mind.
Just know that the modern 321 is Bienne only for service/warranty work, so if it needs work, it has to go back to the mother ship. And by no means do I mean this as a deal breaker. Just a heads up for if you didn't know.
 
Eve
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Its a though choice!
Aesthetically i like the vintage version more, and generally i would go for an original rather than reissue. If you have other watches in the collection i would go for vintage.
However if this would be my only watch, i need working lume (i sleep with a watch, due to small kids), then the choice would be different.
The new EdWhite is one of very few modern Omegas that really appeals to me, and if not the crazy price, i would have probably purchased one. But at this price point i have no interest.
Good luck!
 
Archer
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
Just know that the modern 321 is Bienne only for service/warranty work, so if it needs work, it has to go back to the mother ship. And by no means do I mean this as a deal breaker. Just a heads up for if you didn't know.

All 321's are Bienne only, so this one really isn't any different in the Omega service network.
 
scapa
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padders padders
I'm not sure anyone on here has both modern and vintage Ed, in fact I am fairly sure they don't. I have a 105.003-65 and a FOIS. That won't be a perfect comparison for you though since they say that the crystal on the NEW is a better shape and fit than on the FOIS which is often criticised for the milky ring (but I've never cared about this myself as an issue with any sapphire crystal Omega watch). I have one side by side pic. Sorry but I never put them both on together, well yet.

IMG_8034.jpg

Great side by side. The EW321 is probably the only Super Speedy I'd consider. They are just beautifully built and detailed. But I also love my FOIS and not sure it's worth it for me at this point. But I had the chance to see and try on the EW321 this summer -- it was the AD owner's personal watch -- and it really is a stunner in the metal. Every detail spot on.

I'd take new over vintage at the same price point, much as I love a fine patina.
 
byunjoe
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padders padders
I'm not sure anyone on here has both modern and vintage Ed, in fact I am fairly sure they don't. I have a 105.003-65 and a FOIS. That won't be a perfect comparison for you though since they say that the crystal on the NEW is a better shape and fit than on the FOIS which is often criticised for the milky ring (but I've never cared about this myself as an issue with any sapphire crystal Omega watch). I have one side by side pic. Sorry but I never put them both on together, well yet.

IMG_8034.jpg
Thank you! I hadn't noticed this detail before but on the vintage version the numbers on the tachy - particularly the number 60 at 12 o'clock - is quite close to the edge and seems to almost be cut off. A small detail but noticeable enough.
 
byunjoe
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Eve Eve
Its a though choice!
Aesthetically i like the vintage version more, and generally i would go for an original rather than reissue. If you have other watches in the collection i would go for vintage.
However if this would be my only watch, i need working lume (i sleep with a watch, due to small kids), then the choice would be different.
The new EdWhite is one of very few modern Omegas that really appeals to me, and if not the crazy price, i would have probably purchased one. But at this price point i have no interest.
Good luck!

Since most of my collection is already vintage, I think I might go with the re-issue. I currently daily wear a 60th Anniversary Speedy and to replace it with another vintage piece might not be the best idea especially if I want to daily it.
 
byunjoe
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Thank you all for your thoughts! I am now set on getting a re-issue 321. Considering the low production, it may be a while before I am allocated one (or perhaps I'll be impatient and get one on the secondary market). But regardless, I will share pictures in the relevant thread(s) once I do!
 
padders
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byunjoe byunjoe
Thank you! I hadn't noticed this detail before but on the vintage version the numbers on the tachy - particularly the number 60 at 12 o'clock - is quite close to the edge and seems to almost be cut off. A small detail but noticeable enough.
This is true and is often seen on 60s DON bezel inserts. They are quite variable. Mine isn’t as noticeable as some which have big chunks of some numbers missing.
Edited:
 
mbp
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scapa scapa
Great side by side. The EW321 is probably the only Super Speedy I'd consider. They are just beautifully built and detailed. But I also love my FOIS and not sure it's worth it for me at this point. But I had the chance to see and try on the EW321 this summer -- it was the AD owner's personal watch -- and it really is a stunner in the metal. Every detail spot on.

I'd take new over vintage at the same price point, much as I love a fine patina.

I had a similar feeling about my FOIS. Felt unsure about whether it was for me, or had a place in my collection after getting a new Ed White re-issue.

My father has a Apollo 11 60th and it's very similar. Well, I put my FOIS on an Ed White bracelet and it really made the watch for me. I still remained unsure about the watch and listed it recently but came to my senses and am keeping it.

Basically, FOIS with Ed White bracelet dresses the watch up/down nicely. FOIS is a great watch--that Onyx face is different than the other Speedmasters in my collection which age into a nice dark grey. And there were only ~15k made, I believe. It's a modern classic.
 
TMas
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The EW321 is an absolute masterpiece. I’m crazy about it. Everything on it is just right. Water resistance and lume are important to me, so I went modern over vintage. I’m SO glad I did. You won’t be disappointed if you can get your hands on one.
Here it is next to some generic no name chrono. There is no comparison in my book. Ed is king.
1B5E69FC-1917-4B84-A184-7F64924DA72A.jpeg
 
Evitzee
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TMas TMas
The EW321 is an absolute masterpiece. I’m crazy about it. Everything on it is just right. Water resistance and lume are important to me, so I went modern over vintage. I’m SO glad I did. You won’t be disappointed if you can get your hands on one.
Here it is next to some generic no name chrono. There is no comparison in my book. Ed is king.
Agree....the Daytona and New321 are about the same price at retail, the Rolex is a thoroughly modern watch and a classic in its own right but side by side the Omega has an overall nicer feeling and put together package with the classic movement with current standards of case, dial, bracelet design and construction.
 
byunjoe
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Evitzee Evitzee
Agree....the Daytona and New321 are about the same price at retail, the Rolex is a thoroughly modern watch and a classic in its own right but side by side the Omega has an overall nicer feeling and put together package with the classic movement with current standards of case, dial, bracelet design and construction.

I agree. The modern Daytona looks a bit like a toy to my eyes: the giant bezel and the bulbous looking hour markers, and the un-ergonomically rotating numbers on the subdials really don't do it for me. Vintage Daytonas are a different story - though their price points are as well 😁

But it is settled, I will make another trip to bother the Omega Boutique for the 321 and hopefully they'll allow me on the waitlist without any purchase history shenanigans.
 
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