Why I Bought A Replica — An Omega Speedmaster Replica 3594.50, That Is

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Robert-Jan

·Jun 20, 2023·#SpeedyTuesday

Is it the steel bezel, or is it the Broad Arrow handset? It’s both, actually, and then some. It’s a combination of factors that include the aforementioned bezel and hands plus a very dark gray dial, applied logo, and Hesalite crystal. This Speedy Tuesday, I will tell you why I bought a neo-vintage Omega Speedmaster […]

Visit Why I Bought A Replica — An Omega Speedmaster Replica 3594.50, That Is to read the full article.

 

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Aroxx

·Jun 20, 2023·Sets his watch

The Replica is one of my favorite “affordable” and personally attainable Speedmasters. If I got a second Speedy this would be it. ST2 or the aventurine probably aren’t happening. Article neglected to mention the wonderful long indices as well. 😀

 

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Fallout Boy

·Jun 20, 2023

I have too many watches, but no chrono.
This "replica" is in the top three – in case if ... 😀 (with Airain Type 20 and Chronoswiss Opus skeleton)

 

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Donn Chambers

·Jun 20, 2023

The main problem with the "replica" are the steel center-seconds, minute- and hour-counter hands. For a timing instrument, these should be white for higher visibility.

Just like they did on the First Omega in Space edition, which is why I bought it over this one, which I had considered for many years. But after seeing one in person, I couldn't stand the polished steel hands )other than the Broad Arrow -- those are nice, and I have no problem with them).

 

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NotJackson

·Jun 20, 2023

The ‘57 Replica has become my daily wear Speedy (and my avatar ;-). I like the neo-vintage look, especially on a Forstner flat link bracelet. It’s about as trouble free and non fussy as it gets, as long as I remember to wind it. And I think they’re still a little undervalued relative to the 3570.50 of the same vintage; I bought mine — full kit — for about 75% of what a late ‘90’s/early 2000’s Moon was going for.

 

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josiahg52

·Jun 20, 2023

Love mine. I bought mine super-cheap over ten years ago and with the intent to modify it but around that time Omega made parts hard to get. I like it for the watch it is but do agree that the subdial hands disappear easily.

 

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padders

·Jun 20, 2023·Oooo subtitles!

The main problem for me with the Replica is that it is in fact nothing of the kind. By which I mean it closely resembles no single vintage Speedy example, it is merely a collection of styling cues. I like the dial, I like the bezel, I even like the hands, but not with the twisted lug case. Why they chose that particular mash up of traits I will never know. Well actually I do. They didn't have a suitable straight lug case at the time so chose to modify what they did have, ie they did it on the cheap. Had they just done a faithful 2915, 2998 or even 105.012 copy like they did later it maybe would have sold a lot better. As it is it languished in dealer display cabinets for years as buyers just didn't get it. Some don't get it still.

 

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Evitzee

·Jun 20, 2023

My position is the same as @padders . It has the right styling cues but in a wrong case design and size, it's the kind of thing Omega would never do today but back then they probably sat around and thought 'what can we do to sell some Speedmasters?' And they came up with a 'Replica', but it's not even that. Anyway, it's good they are finding homes after being shunned for many years, but I find it odd that it is so popular now because it is a real mashup and most collectors don't like 'put together' homage watches.

 

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NotJackson

·Jun 20, 2023

Evitzee

My position is the same as @padders . It has the right styling cues but in a wrong case design and size, it's the kind of thing Omega would never do today but back then they probably sat around and thought 'what can we do to sell some Speedmasters?' And they came up with a 'Replica', but it's not even that. Anyway, it's good they are finding homes after being shunned for many years, but I find it odd that it is so popular now because it is a real mashup and most collectors don't like 'put together' homage watches.

I take your point, and I agree … it certainly is an odd mashup of Omega styling cues. As I think about it, I guess I had never really considered it as a replica of anything, name notwithstanding. And as it happens, I like this dial and bezel design in the 42mm twisted lug case. That’s probably why I bought one and wear it often.

As to its popularity, I think the 3594.50 is probably gaining an audience of people like me who don’t consider it to be much of an homage and simply accept it as a neo-vintage entity unto itself. In that sense, I guess time has been beneficial to the “Replica.” FWIW, I suspect it would have fared a lot better from Day 1 had Omega not burdened it with the expectations that accompany such an unfortunate name.

 

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Aroxx

·Jun 21, 2023·Sets his watch

Yea I just like it for what it is. Don’t care about it being faithful to the original. I’m not that sophisticated. Straight lugs are definitely cool but I just like the look of the steel bezel, broad arrow bands, and long indices.

 

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sgk

·Jun 21, 2023

Popularity might be because it is close to the Trilogy Speedmaster and is perhaps more available and less pricier

 

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Dsloan

·Jun 21, 2023

I don't necessarily disagree with all the criticisms... but nonetheless, if I put aside the name and it's historical mishmash of design elements, I just like how it looks.

 

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Morlock

·Jun 21, 2023

Great article. I personally own one and I really love the aesthetic

 

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RevZMan123

·Jun 22, 2023

Shit. I better buy one now before the R-Jan effect kicks in.

 

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Maganator

·Mar 13, 2024

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but does anyone know if the crown from the ST1 or ST2 would fit the replica case and movement? I think all three models use the cal 1861 and the same case.

Failing which, would the crown from the Apollo 11 50th anniversary fit the replica case? I appreciate this model uses the cal 3861.

Basically I am trying to ascertain if any old style logo crowns could be swapped onto the replica.

 

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gbesq

·Mar 13, 2024

Could we please have a replica of a 1950's black dialed, pie pan, cross hair, no date Constellation with arrowhead indices since my chance of finding an authentic, fully original one in the present is just slightly greater than me traveling back in time to the 1950s to purchase one?

 

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Dsloan

·Mar 13, 2024

gbesq

Could we please have a replica of a 1950's black dialed, pie pan, cross hair, no date Constellation with arrowhead indices since my chance of finding an authentic, fully original one in the present is just slightly greater than me traveling back in time to the 1950s to purchase one?

Sure, but it will be 13mm thick for... reasons...

 

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Anthony Lane

·Mar 13, 2024

The way in which some of you hyper-analyze certain elements and determine how that makes a watch acceptable is truly fascinating. That said, to each his own, this is a gorgeous watch, even if the sub-register hands aren't white.

 

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Maganator

·Mar 13, 2024

Anthony Lane

The way in which some of you hyper-analyze certain elements and determine how that makes a watch acceptable is truly fascinating. .

First day on a watch forum?

 

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Anthony Lane

·Mar 13, 2024

Maganator

First day on a watch forum?

Yes