Has Omega ever made a display back Speedmaster that is less than 42mm? I've only seen a 44.5mm coax but would ideally like to see a speedmaster racing or reduced with a display back.
The Speedmaster '57, coming in at 41.5mm, is the only one that comes to mind; reference 33112425101002 (et cetera).
In fact, the first 42mm stainless steel moonwatch with a display case back was indeed a 345.0808 but with a copper calibre 863 (not gilt like yours), produced in 1985-86, and def not in 1980. Here's how the first iteration of the 345.0808 looks like :
@Canuck This is what a trusted source says on this topic. First = Copper. Yours comes later. As I wrote above, 1989-90 is my guess.
It came from here. I think you might agree it is a “trusted source”? Comments? I ordered mine in 1991, and it came about 3 weeks later. http://chronomaddox.com/omega/tables/mr/speedy_history_cm.html According to this listing, 345.0809 (a moon phase version) came in 1985, with an 869 movement.
I know that table as much as I know that website... Unfortunately I can't agree. There is a number of mismatches in Maddox's research. Numerous things have been further researched by people like Davidoffs and/or MoonwatchOnly authors with the precious help of the Omega archives and the outcome of their research differs from what used to be the truth by Maddox. To make it short, Maddox's research is a rough estimation. If you want to be more accurate you need to use other sources nowadays. Sorry And you didn't get a watch from 1980
Why do you mention the 345.0809 now? It's the SpeedyMoon a totally different watch, with no display caseback. Indeed, it came out in the mid eighties as well but with the calibre 866, not 869, anyway this is not relevant to the topic we discuss here.
The header on that site states “Compiled & copyright my Marco Richon, Omega Watch Co, Switzerland”. So many experts! Sigh! And precisely where, pray tell, did I say that I bought a 1980 watch in 1990? Huh? I ordered it, brand new, at an AD in 1990, and it took three weeks For the watch to arrive. Put your glasses on!
RIP Richon made a tremendous work to put together A Journey Through Time book but here as well, a lot of information has been proven wrong or incomplete since that huge book was published. I am happy to see the passion pushing more people to research as well as the brand to open doors and collaborate with « externals ». It would have been sad for the community if nobody continued Richon’s work after he passed away.
@Canuck A little bit confusing your last posts, about speedymoon, about your first pic making a link (wrong) between a 1980 watch purchased in 1990. Kov explained everything clearly. There are times "before" MoonwatchOnly, and times "after". This huge work has corrected a lot of mistakes. But these mistakes keep on circulate nowadays, even through "experts" (example: the "so called" 2000 units limited edition speedmaster 125) To summerize: you can trust MWO...
You’re confused! Are you doubting that my sapphire back Speedmaster was bought in 1990? As many opinions as there might be to the provenance of this watch, mine is the only valid one. I bought it from an AD. They placed the order with the sales rep, and I waited about 3 weeks for delivery. I am the first and only owner, and it has not been altered, (or even worn much, either). It is hard to know which “expert” is the correct one.
Okay... I think I should give up. It is maybe my poor english level, but I definitely don't understand Canuck... Anyway, the original question of Scubasteve was about smaller display backs, there is one answer, and like Dale Vito, I don't know reduced speed ref with display back... Other optinions?
Part of the reason you don’t see Reduced models with display backs (even aftermarket ones) is that there isn’t a particularly nice view under the back. All the chrono components which make for an interesting view are out of sight in a compound movement and the 3 hander part, which looks similar to the ETA 2892 isn’t decorated all that elaborately. The 7750 derived movements in the Auto, Day-Date and Mk40 look more interesting (if a little agricultural) but are still nowhere near as ornate as the 861 family. Omega did see fit to provide some of the Broad Arrow models which used the 33X3 movements with display backs as those received rather more decoration than the other autos mentioned here. There were also smaller 35-37mm Speedmaster and Deville models using these latter 33X3 auto movements but those were marketed at women.