Community Stories

Who/what got you into Speedmasters?

Mad Dog
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I distinctly remember the discussion…but not the specific date…I believe it was maybe 1997, 1998…or maybe 1999. OF member @gearjockey was over at my house and he asked me what watch I aspired to own. I told him that I was happy with my Longines Hour Angle reissue [I still have it]. When I asked him which one he aspired to own, he told me it was the Speedmaster Moonwatch and he provided some background on it…which was cool because I didn’t really know anything about Moonwatches. I do remember thinking that the plastic crystal [on a Moonwatch] didn’t seem very good…it seemed cheap and crappy. Over the years, the Moonwatch gradually grew on me…and then I received my first 1861 Moonwatch for my 51st birthday in 2015. It was new and it was in the big presentation box with all the cool stuff…and the inside of the presentation box smelled FREAKING AMAZING…and it still smells FREAKING AMAZING!

Anyway, what’s your story?

Also, @gearjockey ...do you remember that discussion from many years ago? If so, is that how you remember that discussion?
 
gearjockey
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Thanks Maddog and that’s a great discussion topic for a Friday night.
I know that I was always a big NASA fan as my Father was an engineer working on CM guidance for a subcontractor. I had recently seen the movie, Apollo 13 (1995) and noticed the Speedmaster Professional featured in the movie as CM pilot Jack Swigert (played by Kevin Bacon) timed the reentry correction burn. I was pretty enthralled with the Speedmaster professional and not much longer after I saw it in the movie, I went looking for it in a Kenwood Town Center jewelry store, I can’t remember the name of it, but I believe it it is now called Watches of Switzerland. The Internet was not a thing back then so you had to pretty much do your own research-no MOONWATCH ONLY books at that time. The salesman started describing different features of the watch, and when he mentioned “hesalite crystal” I asked him what the world that was?? Had to dive into that term…I don’t recall how much the retail price was then but I know I wasn’t able to afford it at that time. I would stop into that store occasionally and ask to try it on and eventually I found one on EBAY in 1999, full-set, almost new 1861 from 1997 production year (estate sale) for $1000. I remember receiving it at my doorstep: overjoyed with the UPS guy, reading the instruction manual, trying it on, getting it to work, fully immersed in the experience. I couldn’t believe you had to wind the damn thing every day.
It was (and still is) a very high quality watch compared to what I was familiar with at the time. I always wore Casio G-Shock.
Regarding that conversation yes, I do recall that being what was said. You were a bad influence on me. Eventually I ended up buying a Corvette as well. Do you remember THAT?
Edited:
 
Mad Dog
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Yeppers…I remember you hiding the Vette in our garage for a short period of time…but I don’t remember you hiding the the Harley-Davidson in our garage. Katy [aka MacGyverette] remembers both the Vette and the Harley-Davidson.
 
Mad Dog
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gearjockey gearjockey
…I went looking for it in a Kenwood Town Center jewelry store, and I can’t remember the name of it, but I believe it it is now called Watches of Switzerland...
I bet it was Stafford Jewelers…which is no longer…they were an Omega AD.
 
Foo2rama
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I blame this forum. I was an omega guy but not a speedy guy.

This forum back in the day was all Speedy all the time when I started here. You basically got guilted into needing to own one.

and by own one I mean mean a professional or earlier. My Speedy Yeman didn’t count as a Speedmaster lol.
 
pdxleaf
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The 50th anniversary of the moonlanding got me my speedy.

Because I retired in the fall after the 50th anniversary, I had time, too much time, since my wife was still working. Like so much of the world, the 1969 moonlanding was a huge deal for me as an eleven year old. I cut out magazine and newspaper articles for a scrapbook, which I still have today. But my memories were superficial.

After the 50th, i started watching YouTube documentaries about the space race and reading books. There was so much I had never heard of or thought to ask. A tremendous accomplishment.

This renewed interest led me to look for astronsut autographs and at some point, watches worn in space. I had dabbled with collecting Hamilton watches, so the idea of collecting space watches was intriguing.

Then there it was, the Speedmaster. Between saving for college and remodeling projects, the idea of spending thousands on a watch was completely foreign to me. Now with my retirement, I had a reason (excuse), and a wife who was encouraging me to get it.

After I bought it, I wished I had gotten it years earlier. It just made sense. For me, it's the perfect watch.

EDIT: Forgot pictures!

This is my first Speedy, an 1861 hesalite MW on bracelet.
20210614_145942.jpg


I have since modded it (all original Omega parts). Still my favorite, pass on to the kids, watch:

20230302_201223.jpg 20230302_203031.jpg


EDIT II: Forgot to mention I worked for NASA Goddard Space Fight Center for about 5 years. Can't believe I didn't think to buy a Speedmaster then 🤦
20230627_104123.jpg
Edited:
 
Foo2rama
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
The 50th anniversary of the moonlanding got me my speedy.

Because I retired in the fall after the 50th anniversary, I had time, too much time, since my wife was still working. Like so much of the world, the 1969 moonlanding was a huge deal for me as an eleven year old. I cut out magazine and newspaper articles for a scrapbook, which I still have today. But my memories were superficial.

After the 50th, i started watching YouTube documentaries about the space race and reading books. There was so much I had never heard of or thought to ask. A tremendous accomplishment.

This renewed interest led me to look for astronsut autographs and at some point, watches worn in space. I had dabbled with collecting Hamilton watches, so the idea of collecting space watches was intriguing.

Then there it was, the Speedmaster. Between saving for college and remodeling projects, the idea of spending thousands on a watch was completely foreign to me. Now with my retirement, I had a reason (excuse), and a wife who was encouraging me to get it.

After I bought it, I wished I had gotten it years earlier. It just made sense. For me, it's the perfect watch.
How have you been here only 3 years? I would have put money on you being one of the enablers from when I started.
 
pdxleaf
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
How have you been here only 3 years? I would have put money on you being one of the enablers from when I started.

1. Retired
2. ADD
3. Compulsive
4. Internet
5. Spacefruit
6. Eugeneandresson
7. Archer
8. Walrus
9. Space is so f***ing cool
10. Speedmasters are so f***ing cool
11. Forum members are so f***ing cool

I have to paint the house this summer. That might give you some breathing room.
Edited:
 
STANDY
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Was a one and done on Speedmasters and chose the modern 1861 in 2014 as wanted to make my own vintage. Was and still are more of a dress watch guy than a speedmaster guy.

So a few years latter……..Sitting back and logging onto the forum one night a crazy thing was about to happen. Speedy Tuesday 1
Crazy night of mayhem and excitement. Within 5 minutes I had mine sorted. Tried a few early numbers out (as you could even pick your numbers). Think 18 was the smallest number i could pick. But then I had a brain wave….try for 1861 luckily no one had reserved #1861 😉
Was a crazy night of mayhem and excitement over about 4 hours before they were sold out. Even crazier over the next few days after the US members missed the whole thing.
As a member who has been on the forum for many years it was at this moment that began the big Speedmaster movement. It was already bubbling away for vintage, but after ST1 it just went crazy for LEs and for vintage.
 
bananapeanut
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I always thought they looked "fat" and had no interest in them until I actually tried one on. Then, I thought, wow, what a great looking watch!
 
watchyouwant
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1989 ...... Bought as NOS at a Melbourne Jewellers, who closed down. Minus 40% off RRP. Visited the Omega Museum in 1990 and met Mr. Diethelm , who was Marketing ( and Museum researcher ). He gave me a personal Tour of the Museum and a short visit to the Museum Stock . Which was unbelievable; nearly everything NOS as a Reserve for Shows .... He signed the Book I bought and became The Go to Person in the coming 10 years. Researched a few things Railmaster with him and was hooked. He is retired long ago and was a very passionate Ambassador for Omega.
 
Dsloan
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
I blame this forum. I was an omega guy but not a speedy guy.

This forum back in the day was all Speedy all the time when I started here. You basically got guilted into needing to own one.

and by own one I mean mean a professional or earlier. My Speedy Yeman didn’t count as a Speedmaster lol.

Similar for me. I didn't get the appeal at first. But if you see them every day on the forum, the charm of the design grows on you.

And then, being a space/science nerd helped seal the deal:

PXL_20230121_175408000.jpg PXL_20230121_175400242.jpg
 
Aroxx
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My story is pretty boring. When I first went down the rabbit hole of mechanical watches in 2017 I was reading and watching videos of everything I could. I really liked the Speedmaster story and how it looked and set my sights on it as my grail and never second guessed it. I do like feats of engineering and pondering the vastness of the cosmos so that history speaks to me. I’m also a big fan of motorsports so its original racing heritage speaks to me as well.
 
Cougar1968
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This is a great thread, I love hearing everyone’s stories. My story started in 2012 or 13 when I was a young Airman who spent all his money on alcohol, guns, and who knows what else. I new Sgt transferred to our base from either Italy or Turkey and wore Speedmaster. I only noticed it because he rolled his sleeves which our squadron actually didn’t allow at the time. I believe I was wearing an SKX007 or maybe a G-Shock like everyone else was but noticed that he had a watch with a metal bracelet that stood out to me. I asked him about it and he told me it was a Speedmaster and I believe it was a gift from his wife. I couldn’t believe he were such an expensive watch to work every day, but he told me some thing about life being too short not to. I lusted over that watch for the next 10 years assuming I would never be able to afford it. Finally in 2022. My wife and I were walking around a mall with an Omega boutique. She asked me if I wanted to go in and I said no because I don’t like trying on items I can’t afford. She thought it was funny that I had never even tried a Speedmaster on. She forced me to go in and we tried on the Speedmaster, which was amazing obviously (she was hoping I wouldn’t like it). At the time we just had our first child and I had made a career change so she let me buy the watch to commemorate the year. After owning the Speedy I immersed myself in the history and learned all about the NASA connection, racing connection, etc. Now I spend most of my time on watch forums and my wife regrets letting me buy it
 
Faz
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For me, the simple fact that astronauts wore them in space and ultimately on the moon.
I have fond memories of July 21,1969. I was in Cuernavaca, Mexico with my family. We were out, staring at the moon on a cloudless evening. My dad was telling me about the astronauts that were there. I was looking for them….

…..they’re also damn nice!!

Edit: Typo fixed
Edited:
 
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