Speedy Tintin information gathering

blubarb · Jan 14, 2016

I believe the 77mil movement batch covers a range of Speedmaster models. I don't believe pieces are consecutively produced. I believe it is theoretically possible to have a FOIS numbered 77.727.123 and a Tintin numbered 77.727.124 followed by a consecutively numbered Soeedy Pro. My understanding is that Omega simply pulls out of the bin the escape wheel bridge with the movement number engraved on it from the supply bin and as such it depends on where in the series they started and stopped for the week or whatever. I am hoping that a more experienced member can lead us a bit further into the arcane workings of the Omega production line.

kov · Jan 14, 2016

The choice of movements has rarely (not to say never) been consistent / "in a row" for special editions, I guess.

blubarb · Jan 14, 2016

That's what I am thinking, kov.

larryganz · Jan 14, 2016

So, if I can buy that Speedy "Tin Tin" with the S/N I posted above, NIB from an AD for $3740 + tax because it has a small light 1mm scratch on the brushed side near 9PM, do you think I should buy it? It comes with all the cards and red box and outer white box and hang tag, since it's new.

blubarb · Jan 15, 2016

Only if it sings to you as they say. I think the seller may be asking too much. I paid s little over USD3,000 for mine with B & P and not a mark on it and used of course. In general, should you own one, well I think yes (but others May disagree) should you be buying it as an investment I would say don't buy a watch as an investment (few exceptions of course in hindsight). No matter what watch, in my view, you have yo love it and get it for a price you want and for me "if in doubt then leave it out" what day others, of course I imagine you have a captive and an enabling audience in this thread. 😉 I did get mine on the cheaper side because it was from a Tokyo used watch dealer mate. What say others about the price?

Btw, a 1mm scratch wouldn't bother me at a lower price.

kov · Jan 15, 2016

Imho, if you buy it for yourself, price is somehow okay and the good thing is that the first scratch - the one that hurts most - has already been done and you're not guilty 😗

If considering reselling it without even wearing it, then I would search a pristine one to avoid too much discussions on reselling. 🙄

I don't think this to be the best price (I fetched mine for 3k, unworn, some days ago) but there are already signs of inflation as some offers for 6k popped on the Bay. ::facepalm1::

larryganz · Jan 15, 2016

I like it, but don't love it, while my son says "Meh..." I think the best I can get it is for 20% off + tax, and it's more out of a "fear of missing out" that makes me want it.

If my son liked it more then I don't think I'd be asking for advice about buying it, but after paying off all the credit cards and 4 out of 5 of our cars, I'd have this paid off in 6 weeks.

blubarb · Jan 15, 2016

larryganz
I like it, but don't love it, while my son says "Meh..." I think the best I can get it is for 20% off + tax, and it's more out of a "fear of missing out" that makes me want it.

If my son liked it more then I don't think I'd be asking for advice about buying it, but after paying off all the credit cards and 4 out of 5 of our cars, I'd have this paid off in 6 weeks.

This was my thinking on the Snoopy...oh if I could only bottle hindsight and turn back time.

PatrickJ · Jan 15, 2016

This tin tin is a great example of what a good special edition should be. We need more concentration on maintaining a main stream product line, that does change but not to much. Then we need a limited amount of special editions like the tin tin, that will be valued as a proper special edition. We need lees shades of what the colour is on the side of the moon.

davy26 · Jan 15, 2016

Larry- As I've posted before, average asking price for Tintins without issues looks to be £2,197, or $3,150, so $3,740 (+ tax) is not good unless they're offering something special in terms of their AD status. Good luck - it's a difficult one to agonize over.

oddboy · Jan 15, 2016

Maybe one day, the Tin Tin will join the ranks of other racing dial speedmasters..

CdnWatchDoc · Jan 15, 2016

P PatrickJ
This tin tin is a great example of what a good special edition should be. ...We need lees shades of what the colour is on the side of the moon.

Welcome back to the forum-hope your time away was restful...or did you need to come back to get that?😉

cvalue13 · Jan 15, 2016

Here's another limited edition Tin Tin item - this time sanctioned, in known quantity, and relatively cheap!

https://boutique.tintin.com/en/fusee-tintin-1811.html

blubarb · Jan 15, 2016

Here's my unsanctioned LE version numbered one of one. I just haven't painted it yet. Cheap at half the cost. 😗

ps. mine works.

larryganz · Jan 15, 2016

Well, I couldn't get the AD to budge on the $3740 + $300 in tax, even though it's been sitting in the showcase since August of last year. So I declined to buy it, and it would use up my last $400 in saved rewards points to get that price - it's selling for $4,140 to everyone else! I like it, but not enough to take an instant $800 hit in depreciation, for a watch I might wear 1-2 times a month.

I'd likely keep it for a few years if it didn't bore me, and the idea that it really could be limited enough in production to climb in price steadily over the years is attractive. I'm not really a "buy a watch just to flip and make money" kinda guy, but it still pains me to buy from a retailer and lose so much value instantly.

I also think that my 145.022 from 1976 is a better look for my wrist if I plan to wear a Speedy (the FOIS is nice too). I like having a Speedy Moon watch that's not the same thing everyone else is wearing, which is what drew me to the Tin Tin (or FOIS, or vintage).

davy26 · Jan 16, 2016

cvalue13
Here's another limited edition Tin Tin item - this time sanctioned, in known quantity, and relatively cheap!

https://boutique.tintin.com/en/fusee-tintin-1811.html

Funnily enough, when I found all the Tintin rocket stuff a couple of weeks ago, my first thought was what good value a Speedmaster represents compared with one of these bigger rockets (530 euros for the 72cm)! It is however a really nice object - so I've had to content myself with a 8cm version, (5.5 euros): small but perfectly formed!

mks4 · Jan 16, 2016

Interesting thread for sure...I have the 777807xx featured in the Fratello article so not sure if that is the number you have in your serial list? I sent @Robert-Jan the pics before I joined the site as a writer.

Funny, I remember seeing the watch at Basel and it struck me. I then looked at it duty free in Heathrow and almost bought it but was torn between it and the normal Pro. Finally, I bought the piece at Ace in Amsterdam.

By the way, I remember when the watch was first shown and people here (everywhere) panned it as another bad Omega edition and a money grab...I agreed! It's funny how the heart grows fond of originally shunned pieces (Explorer 1655 anyone? 😉 )...

It's one of those watches that looked like absolute crap on Omega's own site with the "too bright" lighting, but in person it's a real beauty. I like the dial detail up close...definitely reminds me of something older. Lastly, I'm not a big fan of the current Speedy bracelet. Those little polished links irk me and "steal" from the dial of any Pro but especially the TinTin! The watch looks fab on a black rally strap.

Cool thread...will watch it with interest!

Mike

kov · Jan 16, 2016

mks4
It's one of those watches that looked like absolute crap on Omega's own site with the "too bright" lighting, but in person it's a real beauty. I like the dial detail up close...definitely reminds me of something older. Lastly, I'm not a big fan of the current Speedy bracelet. Those little polished links irk me and "steal" from the dial of any Pro but especially the TinTin! The watch looks fab on a black rally strap.

Cool thread...will watch it with interest!

My thoughts as well, 100% with you on that ! 👍

davy26 · Jan 16, 2016

I've just noticed that Robert-Jan previously reported: The story goes that the prototype of this watch has Tintin's rocket as a second hand on the sub dial and that this watch is currently in the Omega museum/archives.
I'd love to see that. Although I like the subtlety of the connection between the rocket and the dial, doing the hand like that would be a nice substantiation.

blubarb · Jan 16, 2016

77727.1xx,
77764.8xx
77776.7xx
77776.7xx
77777.1xx
77777.1xx
77777.5xx (jo)
77777.5xx
77780.5xx
77780.7xx,
77780.9xx (Mir)
77780.9xx. (P) dated November 2015
77796.9xx
77796.9xx
77797.xxx
77797.5xx
77797.6xx
77797.9xx
77797.4xx
77796.3xx
77757.5xx
77778.1xx
77782.2xx
77797.5xx (dated 2013)
77797.6xx November 2015
77797.7xx.
77797.7xx
77797.9xx

Statistical estimate of: 1018