Reply With QuotePlenty of advice available around here with regard to speedys, get them pics up.
Hi guys, I'm interested in buying an early 1980's Omega Speedmaster Professional and I've seen one for sale that looks good. As this would be my first foray into the world of older, used watches, I wondered if someone might be able to take a look at some of the photos to advise on whether it's a decent watch.
Would this be the best place to post some images?
Many thanks in advance
Plenty of advice available around here with regard to speedys, get them pics up.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
Absolutely, let’s see some pics, loads of knowledgeable folk on here who’ll be able to give you a decent steer.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Worth looking at this resource which is superb
https://speedmaster101.com/price-chart-2/
Thanks guys. I'm really struggling to post the photos - all appear to be too big even though I did screengrabs from a known online watch marketplace.
Just link it ?
Cheers..
Jase
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/ome...id16311787.htm
So I've spoken to the dealer and he says that it's all original (except the plexiglass, no biggie) and been checked out and serviced by an Omega specialist. However, I think the hands and dial are too white for the age without the typical tritium degradation and in almost perfect condition . I wonder if it's had a service dial and hands?
Can anyone else spot anything at all or have some advice please?
That bad huh...?!
For me there is nothing special about that watch to warrant a £4500 price tag so I'd buy a discounted brand new one as cheap as I could find. If you're going for a tritium model, find one with some character to justify the price IMHO.
Worth a punt? Reputable UK dealer.
https://www.vintagespeedmaster.com/p...sional-145-022
I’m no expert but have had many Speedies in my time, the best being an all original 1966! The watch in question does look good and to me all original dial and hands wise. As others have said though, it is far too pricey for what it is. For that cost you could get a great vintage Speedy, or for much less a similar example to what you have asked about.
Cheers and good luck with the hunt.
That ones been in for a while, I think the dented bezel is putting folk off. Its a great site to peruse watches though, Darren certainly seems to be able to source some nice watches.Originally Posted by seabiscuit
I’m not up current prices ,but a couple of years ago I had a 69 straight writing for less than the one you’ve looked at ,I’d of thought you could get at least an early 70s with some decent patina.
I think all vintage pieces should have some history marks.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The one in the Chrono24 listing here from the OP has been re-brushed and polished on the case. the tops of the bombe lugs are a little rounded over and the texture is not to the edge. It has been well done, but for the money asked, you could get a minter, not one that has been re-made into mint.
But I think the dial and hands are original (harder and harder to tell these days). Bezel is also a little more used than the rest, but that's good.
The service is good (but you need it documented).
I really think you could find better for less though.
Dave
Good advice, or buy a modern used one that’s still in the first flush of youth. Not enough difference between the later versions and the older stuff to justify paying a premium for a 30+yr old watch. The whole vintage Speedy thing is grossly over- hyped, spend wisely and buy the best recent version you can find.
Thank you all for the advice - that's what I was hoping for!
About buying a new one, I neglected to mention that I did buy one two years ago and had to return it to the dealer for a refund because I could not get the bracelet to fit properly as there is no half link or adjustable clasp. It was either too loose or too tight but I tried my hardest to keep it. Now I know there is a hack to use a PO or Seamaster clasp/half link but I wasn't happy with having to do that on a £4k watch and thought it was a terrible design. I was hugely disappointed as I love the watch.
From what I can see only watches before the mid 90's have the adjustable clasps, which is why I started looking at older ones. 1982 is my birth year so that's how we got there and anything earlier is fine too but with a budget of say, £4.5k I won't be able to get into a calibre 321.
I picked out two other watches from Chrono24 that I thought were good although I really appreciate the link to vintagespeedmaster.com as they also have some nice watches but from the 90's in my budget.
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/ome...id15958816.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/spe...id14981206.htm
Beyond the slightly different designs, is there a real benefit to having a watch pre 1979?
If the bracelet is the only stumbling block against a modern one why not look at changing it.
Buy a new/ nearly one for around £3k and you could add a 1171, Forstner Champion and a plethora of NATO’s .
You could even sell the modern bracelet the watch comes with to fund the alternatives.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
One of the bracelets can use a half- link from the Omega 1610/930 bracelet, fitted to the 2254.50 Seamaster pro from ca1996-2010. By using two half- links together a fine degree of adjustment is possible.
The 1171 replacements from Omega feel cheap and flimsy, that wouldn’t be my choice.
Forget the birth year thing, don’t let it cloud your judgement.
That is a nice example and the version of bezel is increasing in value but currently over priced, I sold a freshly serviced 71 step dial earlier in the year with nice patina for £3750, owner has since put it on an Uncle Seiko 1171 and it looks great.
Put a WTB up and you may get a good offer..
No, not really. The step dials ended around 1971, so anything from 1972/73 right through to the late 90s will effectively be the same watch with a tritium dial. Clearly the patina will differ from Watch to watch and finding a nice one is the hard part. After 2000'ish all the watches will be modern Luminova.
The more desirable watches are from the 60s, pre-professional and pre-moon etc, but a nice tritium example from the 70s through to the 90s is fine. 1979 is not a significant year in the history of Speedmasters to my knowledge.
Thanks for the link to Darren's website, I've managed to blow my budget! I'm expecting DHL to deliver an Apollo 20th Anniversary ROW tomorrow, totally original. Very excited!
It's a purchase I too am (very loosely) considering so thanks to all the experts here for their input, much appreciated.
I hope I repay the debt through my contributions elsewhere on this forum.
Cheers
I like helping others spend their cash! Seriously though, enjoy your new arrival and post a few pictures when you get the opportunity to.
We’ve had this conversation before about step dials, they didn’t end in 71, actually a few 1976 watches had step dials, my own April 1974 has a step dial..
Speedmaster101 goes into more detail - https://speedmaster101.com/145-022/145-022-71-74-76-78/
Posting Permissions
