I have been a long time lurker on this forum. I can still not decide which moon watch I should buy. Please help me with some information. I know it is subjective but one looking for opinions. A Lot of the post I see are for watches that appear to be in poor condition in my mind but prized by others. I would like a watch in the middle.

 

I would find a Speedmaster from the late 80’s or early 90’s a middle grounder.
You can still get some interesting patina without spending a boatload of money.
That is my estimation

 

Agree with this

 

You have to make up your mind about what’s important for you. Is the condition most important? Or vintage feeling from a tritium dial with some patina? May be classic attributes as step dial and applied logo?

 

Yup, my first Speedy was a 3590.50 from around 1990. It has a nice patina, great bracelet and was relatively cheap.

I now own many more Speedmasters but my first one still spends the most time on my wrist.

 

Hi,
I also been lurking around for last 1 year too.
Learned alot from this wonderful forum.

1 speedmaster will not be enough for you...eventually you will be infected like others here.
Like what others said, it really depends on yourself, what you want. Maybe I can share my own thoughts and see whether it is helpful for you.

I went for an older speedmaster first rather than a new one because I felt it will be harder to get a nice affordable vintage one in the future.
Secondly due to limited budget, I went for a 145.022 78, rather than better one like step dial etc. As it is the last with a stamp cashback 78, as oppose to later 145.022. Another reason for this is also because it is a near birth year speedmaster for myself. I'm born in 1980. It is the classic, you need to have one in your collection (despite mine just an ordinary one).

As for the future, once more capable financially, there are lots of speedmaster which I would like to have in my collection. Or you can opt for older rarer speedmaster, like an EW.

All the best to you and enjoy the hunt.

 

I have been craving a vintage Omega too because I believe Speedies look better with patina and wears. However I settled for an almost new 3570.50 because the seller gave me a great price. If I could have a choice I'd have gone with a 145.022 from the 70's-80's, nice classic Speedies, not too expensive, and they still have the admired 861 cal. A 3590.50 would be a great middle choice too.

 

Lots of great inputs here. You could go a bit vintage, or you can buy a brand new Speedy and make memories of your own with it. That is what I would do.

 

I bought new, make your own vintage watch I say.



but they are like M&Ms next minute



you have 3

 

I'm with you, what others call "patina" I call scratched up and beat to Hell. I like the look of new myself.

 

For me the 3576.50.00 (moonphase) is something both unique and has added features including date. Not something you see to often, maybe worth taking a look at.

 

I was in your position a while back. Looked at a few vintage models, the FOIS, the sandwiches, etc., and finally settled on a new Speedy Pro 005, which was slightly dearer than some vintages, and cheaper than others, and was more local to me. I'm delighted with it, and now feel more confident in looking to vintages to scratch that itch if so minded.

No bad place to start and tons of options with a watch that's been in production as long as the Speedmaster.

 

My first Speedmaster Pro was a 145.022-74 with mild patina and mild bezel flaking, so not as aged and worn as some of these 1960's vintage watches that are adored by so many here. I bought it before I was a member here, and didn't know where to find a vintage Speedy from a trustworthy seller, so I took the first one to come into the local watch shop for sale.

But then I really wanted to add a regular Speedy with working lume as a "go anywhere do anything" watch. However, my second Speedy was a Speedy Tuesday LE, so not quite a GADA watch. The one was my 2013 Speedy Pro, in mint condition with bright lume, and it's the one I have been wearing since Saturday.

Now, I kinda wish I'd started with the modern Speedmaster Pro, then the Speedy Tuesday, and finally I would have looked for a 1969 vintage pre-moon and taken my time looking.

 

My first nice watch I got is the FOIS. At first I wanted to trade in for a Speedy pro but now it has grown on me so much, I cant imagine not having the FOIS.
Go with your gut, buy what you like!

 

Honestly, if you're as uncertain as you sound, dont buy a moonwatch. I think thats true for anything your not sure about.

 

What's in a name " Moonwatch " ?
IMHO a Moonwatch is a type of watch flown to the Moon, and especially being worn on the Moon... so at least 3 makes qualify ( Omega, Rolex and Bulova). For Speedmasters that would be a 321 chronograph ( 105.003, 105.012 or 145.012 ) with the 145.012 being the easiest and cheapest to find with good examples at Euro 7500.00

 

I would recommend a last tritium. End of 90's. and Full set

 

I guess they need to re-write the book "Moonwatch Only" then...

 

When shopping for a watch, I usually start with a budget. The range on these watches is huge, from a beat up old... excuse me, vintage <cough> examples to brand new purchased for MSRP at a boutique. I like the idea of history and savings of buying vintage, but I always figure in the cost of a service when looking. For me, personally, I don't mind buying used if it's in like new condition, but that's difficult to find and usually expensive so I usually end up buying something new. I tend to be fairly careful with my stuff and take good care of it, so wearing a beat-up scratched-all-to-heck watch isn't my thing.

 

That's exactly the plan...
As the authors are busy with " Seamaster Only " I guess that we'll probably have to wait until 2025 to see another Moonwatch Only edition, so get the 3rd edition while You can. In 2025 we'll celebrate 50 years Apollo-Soyuz.
I hope by then, NASM & Omega will agree to publish the full updated listing of Omega Speedmaster watches issued to NASA astronauts... as currently many Speedmaster & spaceflight fans have their own listing of NASA-issued and Moon-flown " Moonwatch " models (Bulova, Rolex, Omega). There's compromise that the first watch on the Moon was Aldrin's 105.012-65 and the last watch Cernan's 105.012-66.
While Omega were very happy to mention Cernan's 105.003, which was used to digitally scan the Cal 321 movement...
See the bottom remark at this webpage:
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/omega.html