Speedies; under the radar (and cheap box into big safe so I can sleep at night . Do you have a favourite child or pet? I think it might be the 105.003-63 though.
I just checked. 300 grams of pipe tobacco goes for a bit less than $100.00 (Cdn.) That’s close to $20.00 for a 50 gram pouch! Ouch! I was a pipe smoker, back then. A 50 gram package lasted me about 3 days. 120 days -x $20.00 means that is about $2,400.00 saved by not smoking. I think i’ll buy a watch!
Been collecting 30 years. Seem 'em all. When I come across this watch on any website, I still look at it and say, shit, that's about the best looking watch ever, and i've gotta have it. This is despite that fact that I do. Many times over. Dennis is really gone, right?
Oh, there's all sorts of worse ways to spend your money. Speedmasters have been appreciating pretty nicely, probably enough to cover the cost of servicing. Quite a deal compared to, say, vintage cars or America's Cup racing.
I was saying the same thing to myself, not that long ago. Then I saw a guy standing in line in front of me at the airport and spotted his hesalite Speedmaster on a brown leather strap. I was smitten (by the watch). Here's a photo of me, re-creating that moment
So, um, yeah... Over the weekend (Thanksgiving here in Canada), I have visited the local OB - twice - and a local AD. I’ve tried on a Speedy Pro and the FOIS. They were beautiful. I’m now leaning Speedy Pro, notwithstanding the FOIS’ retro feel, slightly smaller size and the fact it is a numbered edition. Frankly, that baby poo brown strap on the FOIS is unsightly. At least to me. Easily rectified sure, but after wearing my 2254.5000 for years, I like the look and especially the ‘feel’ of the Speedy Pro. Yet there is a ‘but’ here. All in all, though, it’s going to have to wait. $6000 is a huge outlay for me, even for such an exquisitely sweet watch. With the US/CDN exchange, duty, tax extortion etc, even well priced pre-owns end up close to the same price! And so, as it is Thanksgiving, I am going give thanks for the quite modest collection I have: 3 Omegas, an older Tag Heuer, a Muhle Glashutte, and my late father’s GP tank and funky mid-century Gruen. I mean, how lucky am I to simply have the luxury to consider purchasing such a thing as a Speedmaster. So yes, I’m going to wait. It’s a bit painful at this time, sure, but then again, I have something to look forward to, eh?
If you don't like the $6000, consider a used one. Say 10-20 years old. Look on the sales forum here or the discount used dealers. Not over 30 years old because then you start getting into more expensive collectible vintages, and less than 5 years they start to approach new prices. Also look for a good watchmaker to service whatever you buy.
Great points. I did consider used. There was a sweet 2011 SP here that just sold. Still, the math precluded my jumping in taking all attendant costs and exchange into consideration. In my (newly embraced) Speedy quest, I won’t be looking to become a vintage collector; I prefer owning a new one. Fortunately, there are a couple of exceptional watchmakers one can put full trust in here in Vancouver. I’ve already warned mine....
Mine's says 1,2,3,4,5 o'clock down one side and 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 o'clock up the other side. 'Fakk all' symmetrical about that!
.....touche lol But at least they aren't numbers, and instead, identical markers, thus contributing to said symmetry. (I hope no one is taking me super seriously I'm just being over dramatic.)
Nothing wrong with a bit of 'drama' mate. It's a watch with a serious history. Gotta time that rocket burn to the second or you can't get back to Earth. That's dramatic!... Who cares about the Omega Speedmaster? the crew of the Apollo 13 mission!. https://www.outerplaces.com/science/item/16709-apollo-omega-watch-nasa It's a privilege to own these beautiful old watches. Thankyou Dad!
I recall on a recent Speedmaster decision making thread started by @midcentury, @aesguerra offered the following advice: "Best not to fight it. You'll only make things harder on yourself. Lol!" Yeah. Lol. Hahaha. Very funny. I'm losing sleep and my reading has been limited to Fratello's Speedy Tuesday Magazine and OF threads. Very funny, indeed. At least I've got it down to the model (311.33.42.30.01.001). Send help.
Boring old three register black and white "Moonwatch", which, I hope you realise, has never actually been in space. Don't go with the easy option, stand out from the Speedy crowd. There are lots of more interesting options - Racing Speedies, Auto/date Speedies, hell even (whisper it softly) Speedies with quartz hearts Go completely wild, get something like a 3210.52 P.S. Still have little desire to own a Speedy myself
Got it! I reckon I drove the seller crazy with my incessant questions, but I now own a Speedmaster. As posted in another thread a few minutes ago: Hiya Speedy!
I know, right? These watches. What is it about them? Thank you so much. Naturally, I'm still over the, um, moon...!
Vintage cars always take time and money. They always need to have the nuts and bolts tightened yearly versus a new car.
