Vintage Ed White vs. Modern 321 – Second Thoughts?

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I’ve been set on making the Speedmaster 321 "Ed White" 311.30.40.30.01.001 my next watch, but I can’t help but wonder—would the vintage Ed White have been the better choice? There’s something about the history and character of the original that keeps nagging at me. Any thoughts or advice from those who’ve faced a similar dilemma?
 
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I have owned both, I’m partial to the modern. I love the detail and all the history which has been perfectly executed without the worry of obtaining 321 cal parts for service. After owning my modern EW, I will never look back, it’s an amazing watch.
 
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Thanks for the input, everyone! It’s great to hear from someone who’s owned both—I hadn’t even considered the worry of sourcing 321 caliber parts for the vintage. The modern Ed White really does seem like a perfect balance of history and practicality.

That said, I get that it’s ultimately a personal choice. For those of you who’ve faced this decision before, how did you make up your mind between the vintage and the modern? Was it purely practical, or was there something about the story or aesthetics that swayed you? I’d love to hear your thought process!
 
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Thanks for the input, everyone! It’s great to hear from someone who’s owned both—I hadn’t even considered the worry of sourcing 321 caliber parts for the vintage. The modern Ed White really does seem like a perfect balance of history and practicality.

That said, I get that it’s ultimately a personal choice. For those of you who’ve faced this decision before, how did you make up your mind between the vintage and the modern? Was it purely practical, or was there something about the story or aesthetics that swayed you? I’d love to hear your thought process!
I have vintage, and like the look a tad better than the new one. But, servicing these older ones are getting more challenging. Thus, I really want a new one, as I would send it back to Omega without worry if it needed a service, which would be unwise to do with vintage. But…that high price tag on the new one keeps making me defer.
 
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I've not had the pleasure of owning a modern 321, but I do have a current FOIS and 105.003-65 Ed White. Both please greatly but in different ways and each offer something that makes owning both justifiable. Which is better? Well that rather depends I guess on your viewpoint on a given day! I am sure exactly the same arguments can be made for the modern 321 as the FOIS.
 
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I think, given all factors, you made the right choice. You got a majority of the vintage Ed White charm, with the reassurance that servicing will be less of a chore. I wouldn’t look back.

Or…buy a vintage one too. Problem solved!
 
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I’d go vintage every time. I wore a -65 Ed White as a daily for around 5 years and had no trouble. There is obviously the risk of hard to find parts but with a bit of common sense, period servicing and a good watchmaker, I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same again
 
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Might help to try and hold both in your hand. Ideally together, although that might be hard to arrange, but even separate might help you decide. It’s all theoretical until you have it in hand.
 
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I went through similar mental gymnastics before settling on the modern 321EW. Having gone down the vintage rabbit-hole with a '67 Rolex Sub, I just wasn't up to the challenge another project watch.
 
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Most likely if you don’t immediately know that you want the legit vintage watch, you don’t really care enough about it to justify the extra work in hunting down a good one.

For me it would be a no brainer, I have virtually no interest in reissues, they feel like frauds to me, I would always buy the original.
 
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Most likely if you don’t immediately know that you want the legit vintage watch, you don’t really care enough about it to justify the extra work in hunting down a good one.

For me it would be a no brainer, I have virtually no interest in reissues, they feel like frauds to me, I would always buy the original.
Fraud is fighting talk…. A fraud implies deception… there is no deception in an honest reissue… but plenty of fraud in vintage sales to people who don’t have the right knowledge and a good eye to spot the legit as you call it… maybe use an auction house ….they can be trusted…honest guv ;0)
Edited:
 
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Fraud is fighting talk…. A fraud implies deception… there is no deception in an honest reissue… but plenty of fraud in vintage sales to people who don’t have the right knowledge and a good eye to spot the legit as you call it… maybe use an auction house ….they can be trusted…honest guv ;0)
You took my comments so personally that I hate to elaborate (even though I was clearly just saying how the watches feel to me). But fauxtina for example, is absolutely deception.
 
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There is certainly a charm to a nice vintage watch that the modern reedition will never have. New watches look somehow sterile.

One thing to consider for sure is that the modern one has a kick ass lume.

I allways sleep with a watch and often need to read the time at night. So even though i love the vintage charm, i end up wearing modern watches more often due to practicality.

The vintage Edwhite wears lighter and more compact on the wrist than the modern one, since sapphire weighs more.

I didnt really help with making up your mind did i? 😁
 
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Fraud is fighting talk…. A fraud implies deception… there is no deception in an honest reissue… but plenty of fraud in vintage sales to people who don’t have the right knowledge and a good eye to spot the legit as you call it… maybe use an auction house ….they can be trusted…honest guv ;0)
I hate it when you elaborate as well ;0)
 
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Most likely if you don’t immediately know that you want the legit vintage watch, you don’t really care enough about it to justify the extra work in hunting down a good one.

For me it would be a no brainer, I have virtually no interest in reissues, they feel like frauds to me, I would always buy the original.
I don’t agree with this assessment at all, this view is shared across other non-Omega forums. 90% of my collection is vintage, owning an EW321 is in no shape or form feel fake. Does the Bronco feel fake as a remake? Does the Mustang feel fake? It’s all relative. For me, owning a vintage EW in ’Good’ condition was unattainable. Most vintage EW don’t age well, dials have tons of issues and lume plots are prone to discoloration and are unattractive. The vintage EW I owned only lasted 6 months in my collection, I had no interest in keeping it. I could have spent considerably more at the time to get one in better condition, however I couldn’t justify it. In the other hand, I have loved owning my ‘65, ‘68, ‘69 and ‘71 Speedmasters mostly b/c I spent half the $$ as a vintage EW for a far better condition watch. So, when the EW 321 was announced, I put my name on the list on the first day. When I eventually got the call, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the watch looked and didn’t hesitate for a moment to purchase it from the AD. To say it’s a fake is a bit of a hyperbole. My 2 cents....
 
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I completely see your point, and I agree with your perspective. Collecting is such a personal experience, and the way we connect with pieces like the EW321 is entirely individual. Comparing it to reimagined classics like the Bronco or Mustang is spot on—these modern versions celebrate the spirit of the originals while offering updated features that make them more enjoyable for today’s owners like myself hence the doubts 😂

That said, from an investment perspective, vintage pieces often hold or increase their value more significantly over time, especially well-preserved examples of iconic models. For collectors focused on long-term value, a vintage EW in excellent condition might be the wiser choice. But collecting isn’t always about the financial side—it’s also about the joy and connection you feel with the piece.

To call the modern EW321 “fake” really doesn’t feel fair. It’s more of a tribute, designed for collectors who love the heritage but also appreciate modern quality. Thanks for sharing your perspective; it’s a great reminder of what makes this hobby so special!
I don’t agree with this assessment at all, this view is shared across other non-Omega forums. 90% of my collection is vintage, owning an EW321 is in no shape or form feel fake. Does the Bronco feel fake as a remake? Does the Mustang feel fake? It’s all relative. For me, owning a vintage EW in ’Good’ condition was unattainable. Most vintage EW don’t age well, dials have tons of issues and lume plots are prone to discoloration and are unattractive. The vintage EW I owned only lasted 6 months in my collection, I had no interest in keeping it. I could have spent considerably more at the time to get one in better condition, however I couldn’t justify it. In the other hand, I have loved owning my ‘65, ‘68, ‘69 and ‘71 Speedmasters mostly b/c I spent half the $$ as a vintage EW for a far better condition watch. So, when the EW 321 was announced, I put my name on the list on the first day. When I eventually got the call, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the watch looked and didn’t hesitate for a moment to purchase it from the AD. To say it’s a fake is a bit of a hyperbole. My 2 cents....
I completely see your point, and I agree with your perspective. Collecting is such a personal experience, and the way we connect with pieces like the EW321 is entirely individual. Comparing it to reimagined classics like the Bronco or Mustang is spot on—these modern versions celebrate the spirit of the originals while offering updated features that make them more enjoyable for today’s owners.

Vintage watches, like the original EW321, certainly have their allure, but they also come with challenges—aging dials, lume issues, and the difficulty of finding one in great condition. For many collectors, this can make vintage ownership feel less satisfying or even out of reach. The modern EW321 provides a perfect solution. It honors the original design while being reliable, beautifully crafted, and ready to wear without worry.

That said, from an investment perspective, vintage pieces often hold or increase their value more significantly over time, especially well-preserved examples of iconic models. For collectors focused on long-term value, a vintage EW in excellent condition might be the wiser choice. But collecting isn’t always about the financial side—it’s also about the joy and connection you feel with the piece.

To call the modern EW321 “fake” really doesn’t feel fair. It’s more of a tribute, designed for collectors who love the heritage but also appreciate modern quality. Your story about falling in love with the EW321 the moment you saw it says it all—it’s about what makes you happy in your collection. At the end of the day, collecting is about joy, not about following someone else’s rules. Thanks for sharing your perspective; it’s a great reminder of what makes this hobby so special!
 
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I could have spent considerably more at the time to get one in better condition, however I couldn’t justify it.
Well, you weren't wrong there, Alex. People who spent $20k and more for average examples 4-5 years ago may be even more unhappy about the depreciation than us vintage Rolex owners! 😝