Reply With QuoteFantastic week, both lovely, but as you can imagine, for me , the Seiko is the stand out piece, that is the best one I've ever seen... Well done.
It really has - two amazing incomings, and two yearnings put to bed once and for all!
First of all, a Speedmaster. Now, I have a long history with these watches having owned a multitude in the past, culminating in a wonderful Ed White from 1967. I sold that during a very difficult period in my life when my mind was all over the place, and having tried unsuccessfully to agree a "current" value with the member who bought it from me I found it was then sold to someone else here (identity unknown and the least said the better, I suspect). Anyway, I tried (and flipped) a FOIS, having hoped it would scratch that particular itch; and then set about buying back my old '71 145.022 from the present owner. I would have bought it too, but then - mid-negotiations - Lewis kindly offered me his gorgeous 3594.50 Broadarrow. I'd wanted one of those since I first laid eyes on them, and a deal was completed in minutes.
The 3594.50 is the watch that Omega marketed as the Speedmaster '57 "Replica" (yes, really). In fact, it was the middle of three iterations of what started life as the CK295, housing the venerable 321 movement.The original was such a beauty that I think a photo is warranted at this point...
The 3594.50 was released in 1997, and was produced until 2003. It differed from the regular 3590.50 Speedmaster Professional of the time in a number of ways, though. It had an applied logo, Broadarrow steel hands, a stainless steel bezel and a "non-Professional" dial; the cases, however, were identical.
Another difference to the standard Speedy Pro was the case back - the 3594.50 just had the seahorse logo and the word "Speedmaster" (like it's predecessor, in fact). It had a Lemania 1861 ticking away inside, and early versions came on a bracelet - initially without pushers on the clasp - although later it was released on a calf strap similar to that on today's FOIS.
The modern version of the '57 trio is, of course, the current co-axial, which is nice enough but something of a lump IMO. It uses the cal. 9300 and - with its display back - typifies the trends that have more latterly defined Omega design. I think it looks great in photos, but far less great on the wrist... maybe that's just me, though.
Anyway, some photos (and I've since given the bracelet an ultrasonic bath - annoying, that - may have to take some more!)...
The second arrival really is a bit special, and culminates from my love of the Seiko MM300. I've had a few of those (!) and when I bought - very recently - the LE SBDX012 I did say that the only watch that would knock it from it's perch was the 6159-7001 (a genuine grail amongst vintage dive watches, and not something that I ever expected to find). This was the first of Seiko's "Professional" divers, made for just a couple of years from 1968-9; in fact, the next Professional diver was then some 7 years away in the shape of Tuna 6159-7010... another hugely important watch, in fact. Inside was the high-beat 6159 movement also found in Grand Seikos of the time, and this was housed in a monocoque case that we now see in the MM300 series.
The 6159-7001 that I'm wearing as I type is a seriously good example. Showing appropriate signs of use on the case (and it won't be polished, ever) it's been through Duncan's magical hands; in fact, you can read about his work on this watch here. Aside from the various NOS parts that were fitted, the really interesting thing is the "resist" dial... very scarce indeed, and all the more collectable because of that (yes, even though the dial would originally have been a "proof" - they're far more common, it seems). It's also quite mesmering to watch the sweep of the second hand as it traverses the dial at 36000bph; all too often the old divers had a much lower 21,600 bph (or even less than that)... wonderful, really, and so elegant.
I have to say that to land one of these at all is fortunate - I've missed a couple in the past and had pretty much given up, despite expressing my interest on here more than once. However, to finally find one in this condition is nothing short of remarkable, and I'm over the moon with it. On the wrist it's absolutely jaw-dropping...
See what I mean when I said it was a good week?
Fantastic week, both lovely, but as you can imagine, for me , the Seiko is the stand out piece, that is the best one I've ever seen... Well done.
Cheers..
Jase
Both very nice Tony! I would be really interested in a couple of side-by-side shots of the 6159 and the SBDX012, if at all possible.
Lovely watches tony, especially the omega, are you going to do more photos with the lights on?
Mike
Last edited by seadog1408; 7th January 2016 at 19:54.
Well done that man. Superb pictures. Now which one are you going to wear?
Yeah, both very nice indeed. Well done.
Great start to the year Tony,well done.
I'd love to own both but for me the Seiko is something else.Your right about never polishing it as well.Envious of that one.
Very jealous! They are both wonderful
Funnily enough i was looking at a 57 this afternoon
Just the ticket to brighten up what is statistically the most depressing week of the year. Nice acquisitions, nice snapshots.
Very nice T.
Great hands on the speedmaster.
Great watches but the 6159 leaves me speechless... Congratulations!
6159, old but gold, gorgeous.
What a week...love the Omega...but the Seiko is fantastic....congratulations!!!
Having, like you Tony, owned and sold an Ed White, no other Speedy will ever come close for me. So its another Ed or nothing as far as Speedmasters!
The Seiko is simply drop dead gorgeous, even after having been enhanced by the shots up to your usual standards!
Rob
Both gorgeous! Fab pics too...
Wow, you have had a great week!
Both are stunners and I'm glad that it worked out for you.
It's almost got a little dusty in here just reading the obvious passion/enthusiasm you have for these and that you're sat wearing the Seiko as you type! Great pics too, the Seiko looks about half an inch deep.
A lovely pair! Really pleased for you.
ATB
Jon
Stunning watches Tony - loving the Seiko especially.
It's just a matter of time...
Nice one Tony – the pair of them – and you know how I feel about ‘Speedies’.
The extra 50p in the leccy meter to allow you to run two lights at once, was money well spent. Long may it continue…
Well done that man.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
My old Speedy still doing the rounds eh, enjoy it!
Lovely. That Broad Arrow would give a Cosmograph a run for its money imo. I'm going to have to start looking at Seikos
That Seiko is very nice, with the 36,000 bps it must be a treat to watch.
Nice stuff Tony.... Love the seiko - a really nice find - glad you're enjoying them!
They look great Tony and the photos always spot one :-)
Nice to see another "57 Replica", here's mine:
A couple of crackers there Tony
Stunning Seiko - nice one
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
You've played two absolute blinders with those, but I'm a bit gutted that the '57 wasn't put up on SC so I could nab it. Bit selfish of DB9 there I feel
Ever since seeing that '57 Replica I've realised that it's the Speedy for me. I've never owned one, and while I admire the Professional, it just hasn't interested me enough to go the distance and buy one. The '57 has sorted that ridiculous notion perfectly.
And as for the 6159-7001, wow, just wow. Stunning
Both stunning Tony, congrats.
Beautiful watches Tony, stunning photography
As the previous owner of a very battered 6159-7000 I'm very jealous!
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
As always fabulous pictures - and really love the Speedmaster.
Congratulations Tony, two very special watches! I really love the Seiko!
Congratulations, spectacular, jaw dropping Seiko, well done.
Last edited by GrandS; 7th January 2016 at 22:03.
Love the 57 replica Tony, congratulations. The Seiko's not too shabby either - look after it mate!
Two crackers in a week!
Ross
Well done T. I really like both
Wow Tony, just wow. Great that these watches end up with you, this way we get to enjoy the pictures as well. Keeps these alive. Truly stunning.
I've been toying with the idea of the 57 broad arrow Speedy myself, though the NOS one I'd tracked down clearly wasn't when viewed on a larger screen...
The Seiko is stunning. And I never knew they housed a high-beat movement. Makes it all the more special and appealing. Few and far between I'm sure.
Well done that man!
Ant
Having got them both, will you keep the SBDX012 do you think? Is there enough of a difference to keep both?
Cheers..
Jase
They're similar but there's enough differences to warrant keeping both I think.
Thanks for the photo Duncan, that puts the differences into perspective..
Cheers..
Jase
That seiko is stunning, excellent write up and photos as usual.
Both stunning, but I particularly like that Seiko. Congrats.
Every time I see photos of that Omega, my credit card gets justifiably nervous.
I love both of those. I can't decide which one I like more.
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Originally Posted by JasonM
