Hi guys;

I know, I know, the red-headed step-child. But I am considering the following simply as a potentially good chance to snag a full kit example fully knowing the service P.I.T.A. the Reduceds are. (What can I say, for some reason i like them. Love would be a strong word, but I do like them.

Anyway, see what you guys think:
p.s. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt the Pro fund any

 

It's the only Speedmaster I can wear -- the 42 pro looks a bit big on my risk. And the reduced doesn't have as many polished bits as the newer 38. Finally, I'm sure the movement is fine with routine servicing. So what's not to like?

I'm happy to be your enabler

 

My understanding is that Omega charges the same for a reduced as they charge for a Speedmaster Professional. Basically, they exchange the movement for a newly serviced one. I have a reduced, and a Speedmaster Professional, both from 1989. When I choose a Speedmaster to wear, 19 times out of 20, I wear the reduced. Gratuitous picture of my reduced.

 

Thanks - condition wise, what do you guys think of the above late 90s example? These are the pics I have to go on.

 

Looks good but of course it all depends on the price. Has it been serviced etc?

 

I am also a reduced fan. I picked one up on the cheap a few months ago that needs a service but i haven't had the chance to drop it in NYC at our guy's place for it to be done. He quoted me the same wholesale price for service as any other chronograph. Most techs that know their stuff don't see a problem with servicing this style movement and they certainly see enough of them with the many brands that used them.
I like the wide spacing of the sub dials as they remind me of those old two-register windups from years gone by.

 

It was my first and only speedmaster chronograph and also first luxury watch. It left as soon as it could because of that potential service cost. I do wonder about FOIS tho.

 

Don't get worked up over the servicing. I have a 2005 vintage. It's never been serviced and still runs +7sec/day.

Yes the maintenance hounds on OF will say I'm inviting disaster, but when a service costs 15% of the purchase price, I'm waiting as long as possible.

 

Waiting as long as possible for what exactly?
It'll keep on running but you're "inviting" serious damage without noticing it.
I'd put it aside until I have it serviced, if it were mine.