One of my Hong Kong watch friends always dismissed my penchant for Omegas by saying "Too many limited editions. Its impossible to keep up!" So it made me think, what would be a complete set, for me. I decided it was pre -78 watches. But even this has its problems. Because at first I thought it would be just seven watches: 2915 2998 105.002 105.003 105.012 145.012 145.022 This overlooks the sub references, and the variations in the 145.022's. But then there are two limited editions that I know of: The Apollo Soyuz, with large pushers and a symbol on the dial, there is an excellent guide to it here: http://issuu.com/mstanga/docs/apollo_soyuz_uk and the 18kt yellow gold Astronauts watch, see here: http://www.watchcarefully.com/articles/speedmaster.html So nine. ? But most references have numerous sub references: http://speedmaster101.com/blog/reference-table-expanded-edition/ (I tried to put the table into the post) So there are a total of 29 versions of the steel references. Plus the Soyuz. And the Gold. So that makes 31 pieces. Would 31 pieces be complete? Well then we have the special dials: The blue sunburst, at least three racing dials, and the radial dial. @doctor steel showed a good selection in his thread here https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-145012-67-racing-dial.24756/#post-273746 So you can see why I limit my interest to pre 1978! My question to you all is, what is your idea of a complete speedmaster collection?
Well, you could have an example of every reference but not have a 2998 with a lollipop, so that would need to be in there. You also have all three versions of the '69 (four if you count the two slightly different straight writing case backs). Then one could argue that no collection is complete without a brown dial, so perhaps a 2911xxxx serial '69 with a tropical dial should be in there. A nice original pulsations bezel would also be nice. It could end up being never ending. But then again, the hunt is half of the fun, so I don't think I'd ever really want to achieve the complete set.
I have a large seashell collection which I keep scattered on beaches all over the world. Maybe you've seen it........ --Steven Wright
Actually, I was going to say that a truly COMPLETE Speedmaster collection would be EVERY SINGLE ONE EVER MADE.
I think you hit it right on the head. I initially thought that after I bought these two that my Speedy collection would be "complete". Oh how wrong I was...
The complete Speedmaster set, I can authoritatively say, is one that includes every vintage reference, every modern reference / LE that strikes your fancy, that winks at you from photos of Basel previews and Fratello articles on Tuesdays. Thus, as @Davidt3449 suggested, it is never-ending. Which is the beautiful thing about collecting Speedmasters! Omega continues to make beautiful variations on the classic design. For some, that means the FOIS. For others, something like the Apollo XI 45th Anniversary Limited Edition (mine courtesy of @Kringkily too ). Sure, that one's weird and PVD and gold - but it's a titanium Speedmaster! A high-performance watch (the high-performance watch, if you ask me) in a high-performance lightweight alloy. And this coming just last year - I really think these are getting better and better. And so, I truly can't wait to see what they've got up their sleeve for the Apollo XI-50 and beyond. Take it from me, a vintage Heuer nut who has been basically forsaken by his chosen marque of late, with their Carrera Hublot-01 (oops, "Heuer-01" I mean) latest direction - it is a great time to be an Omega enthusiast.
Give me 2915, 2914 and 2913. I will declare myself complete.... and would not bother with other speedmasters again....
Once upon a time.... ....I thought a perfect Speedy-collection would bei if own a 69 with 861 and a earlier ref. with 321 movement. As time went on my thinking was..... ....hmm, It would be nice to have a 321 with straight lugs, too ...hmm, maybe it could be nice to have another -69 with the 220 bezel ...hmm, maybe it would be great to have an Ed White too ...oh, how nice are the transitional -68... I should have one of these too... ...oh, there is even a -68 with 321... hmm.... ...hmm maybe I would be satisfied if I had all the main references (pre-moon) except oft he 2915 wich is out of my reach... ...hmm and what about spare parts.... I should have a lot of spare parts because you never know....like bezels, case parts, hands.... ...hmm and what about the bracelets.... maybe I should have a set of all them too.... ...hmm.... ...hmm... ...hmm...
I think to add to Williams initial list: 2915 2998 105.002 105.003 105.012 145.012 145.022 I would add at least a 66 CB and a 68 true transitional with applied logo and DON bezel Then I would be done... I I do not like these many LE and I do not long for a gold specimen as I think a tool watch like the Speedy must be in SS, not gold... But I am aware that many will disagree on my last statement
So, I started thinking this would be a good idea of a complete Speedmaster collection:-- 1 straight lug/non pro example, 1 twisted lug pro example, and 1 transitional example (pick one) Now, one of each reference seems an idea. Just not sure how good an idea No LEs .... so far
I think the thread has picked up the general idea, which is that there are so many speedmasters, that to own them all (if we could!) would in fact be unsatisfying. Well it would to me. So what would be a satisfying collection might have been a better way of posing the question. For me it would be: a straight lug, 2998-1 with the Base 1000 bezel A 105.012, not sure which A racing dial cal 321 A chocolate dial 2911xxxx Now I do have more than four, as many here do, and it is true the hunt is part of the fun. And I am talking here about the pleasure of ownership. Collecting, is another matter.
In deference to the man who basically started the quest for Speedmaster collecting and knowledge, I suggest this one should be included in the Complete Speedmaster Collection. 376.0822, Chuck's "Grail" http://www.chronomaddox.com/c1045_in_detail.html
Leica have been doing it with their cameras for quite a few years now. Boxed presentation sets - body and lenses destined never to take a picture.
@Spacefruit, how many of the 29 (or 31) do you have? All of them? I'm with mac_omega on the list. Pretty sure a 2915 is not going to happen for me, and I haven't got to the 105.012/145.012 yet. I would end it at the 145.022-68 transitional, and add a Mark II to the list. To me, the Mark II seems to mark a turning point with the speedmaster pro as a re-imagining of the line.. maybe one that was quickly abandoned when they realized they what they had in the moonwatch and started 'milking' as Al puts it.