Hello All
My brother is looking for a Speedmaster Professional, any idea of trusted and reasonably-priced sellers?
It's not really my area of expertise but as I'm the family watch nut I told him the following, hope it's more or less right?
"There's three types:
1. the full-fat Professional (the classic: "moon watch”, 42mm, hand-winding)
2. the space-age shaped Mk II -- widely hated but some people (perversely) love it and consider it an underrated classic.
3. and the so-called “reduced” (like the Professional except automatic movement and “only” 38mm -- which is still a decent size in my book.)
The second and third options are a lot cheaper. Some consider them “not quite the real deal” and will tell you that you only end up selling and buy a Professional in the end so do it once and get it right from the start. Personally, I hate the “Mk II” (why mess with that beautiful 1960s case?) but I like the smaller size of the “reduced”. Those self-winding movements are a pain to work on though and not as bulletproof reliable as the manual winders. But more waterproof. So: pros and cons.
Ideally you need to try on all three types just to see how they fit and feel. All three have their fans but many will tell you there’s only one true Speedmaster: the Professional. It’s also the most expensive, natch."
Hope I'm not too far off with that little precis
Is watchfinder.co.uk any good? Parkers have a couple in, too. Anywhere else?
THANKS
Last edited by Rev-O; 2nd March 2021 at 18:32.
No no! 'Tis really I!Originally Posted by MartynJC (UK)
I'm just not up on buying secondhand Speedmasters. Smiths, yep. Know them and that market. Can advise at length!
Just wondering if there are reputable vendors that tz'ers can recommend.
(NOT a stealth WTB, although PMs welcome.)
Just had a chat with him and it's definitely a Professional that he's after.
(I do have an old WTB out for a 1979 model, birth year for him, but now he said he'd consider any age.)
Sorry if this is a slightly odd post but I'm just on the lookout for pointers to good sellers or even good watches for sale.
I tried to tell that a Smiths W10 is just as good (black dial, manual wind movement, acrylic crystal) but, no, he wants a Speedmaster.
Cool. I’d say the Speedy Pro is the one to get.
I think there was a thread on resellers recently - can’t put my finger on it at the moment. You could try https://watches.co.uk
Thing is a new version of the Speedy Pro has recently been released so this may push the second hand prices up a bit.
another seller: https://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/...-42-30-01-005/
Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 2nd March 2021 at 00:03.
THANKS!
If I were after one now, I'd go for a well regarded Japanese seller or similar either directly or through ebay. I've used Timepeaks a few times and been very happy with the result.
https://timepeaks.com/en-gb/search/?...er&sbox=header
Thanks Matthew, not heard of them before. Is there VAT / duty to pay on import?
Yup, but look at the prices, it balances out. It's a market with slightly different priorities to the UK so occasionally there are silly bargains and other stuff is madly overpriced. I've not had a single problem with ebay from Japan either and I've got a soft spot for very early quartz so I've taken enough daft risks.
I bought a specialist 35mm camera (maybe 2, now I think about it) from a Japanese eBayer and it (or they) was a trouble-free transaction.
My Speedmaster Pro came from eBay (but a proper Jewellers selling on there) - It was bought in a bar one lonely (travelling on work) evening.
Probably not the right way to buy a Speedmaster, but I'm more than happy with mine, but it's had an STS service since then when the mainspring broke - Came back looking like a brand new watch!
I had been looking for a while, though, and had a decent idea what I was looking for/at.
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
I recently found a seller in Japan who seems to have an abundance of speedies.
Last count he has 128 of them for sale
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/closer0924?_bkw=speedmaster
Is it me?
What's wrong with SC?
Or a WTB refresh?
I have had a few, all from SC, all good price.
Have I taken my eye off the ball? Is SC now bereft of Speedy Pros?
To answer my own question, maybe a degree of patience is required to find a suitable one, but now that the precise age requirement is removed......
I favour the Speedmaster reduced 3510.50 because I'm far happier with the size, it measures around 39mm which suits me far better than the 42mm Speedy Pro moonwatch. However, if I was OK with the size I`d go for the moonwatch every time, I`ve worked on a few and I like them. Buy a post 2000 model with luminova lume, plenty around that are still in good condition. Avoid battered cases and damaged bezels, bezels are easy to replace but owing to the restriction of parts supply you'll have to send the watch to an Omega accredited repairer if this is needed.
Someone on the forum will have one that they're willing to sell, keep posting a WTB and don`t be too fussy about the year/age.
My Speedmaster is a 1997 model and (aside from coincidentally being the year my son was born, perhaps it'll be his one day) one of the things I really like about it is the way the lume has aged.
Obviously, it's a preference thing and you may like the newer (and better) lume, but for me, an older model has more appeal and my '97 has that without being stratospheric value wise.
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Thanks All
I, too, like the reduced but I'm think the movement has a DD chrono module bolted on? They're certainly good value and 32-38mm is my sweet spot so that would suit me.
The Reduced is a lovely little watch, they wear fantastically. I dare say that if I had tried one before buying my Professional, I would have ended up saving myself some money and buying one. However, in that hypothetical situation, I'd imagine that after the honeymoon period was over I'd still have lusted over the Pro.
In regards to the movement in the reduced, in my experience there tends to be conflicting opinions on just how hard it is to work on and service, depending on which watchmaker I've spoken to.
Either way, you can't go wrong with any of the models that you are considering.
There was a chap on Pistonheads who used to have really good deals on new Speedmaster Pros. Hackett Watches maybe? It's been a while since I looked.
I’ve noticed a marked shift in the price of the Professionals when I’ve looked over the last few weeks. I think, as others have said, a wtb here is the best start. Yes, they have a larger case size but do wear well due to the shorter lug to lug length.
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Maybe due to the new co-axial version released pushing up the 1861 version prices. And the range now jumped up approx. £1.5K for the new version.
Im in the market for one too, my nephew has a big birthday coming up and his partner has been in touch to ask me to find one, Im a bit confused on the model numbers these days, the classic Pro was always the 3570.40, now the references seemed to have changed, I guess its slight evolution changes? The one in the link is 311.30.42.30.01.005
Cheers..
Jase
There was a time a member here provided many others with substantial discounts on Speedy pros but some had to spoil it for everyone else by drawing too much attention to the process.
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I wouldn’t rule out a Reduced (not a great name IMO) as the size is about right for my wrist. I’ve recently picked one up on this forum and it’s a nice watch. It’s also great with a whole range of different straps which keeps my interest going.
Yes, the movement is modular with a DD chrono module bolted on. Some watchmakers don’t like servicing them but mine is currently with Simon Freese who is going to fully strip down both halves of the movement and service the watch (at no extra cost to a more conventional chrono movement).
The 311.30.40.30.01.005 is with the 1861 movement. It was current until this year.
https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-o...31130423001005
the 3570.40.000 is a limited model with orange hands https://www.fratellowatches.com/omeg...sional-357040/
? maybe you meant 3570.50.000 - which is not a current model - but looking at the specifications the watch seems identical to the 311.30.xx.xx - I guess it’s the big box addition that makes a different model number
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/w...42-mm-35705000
Don’t you love Omega and their model numbers!
OP, have you tried "wristers of London"?
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Many dealers (in UK) via Chrono24.co.uk
I did a quick check on UK for speedy pros - for example:
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/spe...id18152716.htm
I love my reduced. Paul serviced it a couple of years back and it’s been running like a dream ever since.
But as he said above you’ll always find someone willing to move a speedie on. I’d definitely put a WTB up here and see what comes in!
You missed out the FOIS in your list of possibilities. Nice in between size from the Reduced to the professional. Something that smaller wrist people can pull off too without looking like a child is wearing it:)
Did you ask your brother if he liked the MK 2 with its “ perverse “ case? It may be a bit big anyway.
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Last edited by Stilgoe1972; 2nd March 2021 at 16:38.
no love for the mk2 ..shame on you all
No lugs, no love. That's my rule. :-)
Haha, I loved this line...no love for the mk2 ..shame on you all
That's a bit lugist.
In your opening post you said that the watch is for your brother... has he the same wrist size and dislike for the mk 2 as you?
Here’s my fatty Perverse MK 2 next to my FOIS . Ask your brother which one he prefers. He might like a porker :)
They are both cool IMHO
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Last edited by Stilgoe1972; 2nd March 2021 at 17:21.
I've a Pro and love it but it was a tough choice at the time between the Pro and Triple Date. 39mm case, cheaper to buy and an ETA 7750 inside so easily serviced. Not a bad looking thing either -
Plenty of different dial and bezel combo's as well - chrono24
He actually quite likes it, thinks it's ever-so-slightly Bauhaus or Scandinavian.
I think it looks like a melted slab from some 1970s made for tv sci fi series.
But he is my younger brother and needs steering sometimes.
Fairly busy dial and yet I think it looks amazing!I've a Pro and love it but it was a tough choice at the time between the Pro and Triple Date. 39mm case, cheaper to buy and an ETA 7750 inside so easily serviced. Not a bad looking thing either -
Plenty of different dial and bezel combo's as well - chrono24
The reduced is a very nice choice, but if you want the pro, and you have the wrists for it, I think it's worth going for it
Darren always has some classics, prices are strong though.
https://www.vintagespeedmaster.com/for-sale
Steve
Yes, thank you, it was the .50 I had in mind.
So confusing!
Cheers..
Jase
Thanks to the OP for raising this. Started looking last night and found one on goldsmiths second hand page for just under 3.5k. There goes the Rolex fund again
I'm actually selling a dozen of the buggers on various platforms and just posted this to drive up the prices!
I really like the MK2, but I quite like lugless watches generally.
M
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Do have a look at Broad Arrows too.
Both the original (with the pro movement) and the later co-ax too.
I like them (and have one) but they are quite modestly priced usually, simply because they are not the original Pro.
I customised mine, and indeed it is not hard to consider all types of custom as hand sets and differing bezel tyoes can be found quite easily and relatively economically.
Dave
Edit, Pic of mine added, customised with white-painted hands
Last edited by sweets; 3rd March 2021 at 11:35.
The broad arrow is a nice one yes, and actually I think the most affordable speedmaster in the professional case.
Worth giving it a look, a nice change from the original moonwatch with its steel bezel insert and handset
Tell him my MK2 maybe going soon
And mine :)
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You are cruel!
@Wandril:Do have a look at Broad Arrows too.
Both the original (with the pro movement) and the later co-ax too.
I like them (and have one) but they are quite modestly priced usually, simply because they are not the original Pro.
I customised mine, and indeed it is not hard to consider all types of custom as hand sets and differing bezel tyoes can be found quite easily and relatively economically.
Dave
Edit, Pic of mine added, customised with white-painted hands
The broad arrow is a nice one yes, and actually I think the most affordable speedmaster in the professional case.
Worth giving it a look, a nice change from the original moonwatch with its steel bezel insert and handset
Probably the most affordable Speedmaster and also the nicest dial IMO. Swap the bezel and hands for the standard Moonwatch items and you will have a very nice Speedy with a clean dial (no Professional script) and the long hour markers.
I agree, that was the other customisation that I was considering, the applied logo dial is very attractive. In the end I decided that I wanted something a little more unique. I am still considering whether to replace the bezel with a black one.
D
Would be an interesting mod, I would be curious to see it! Like a broad arrow professional in a way
lovely pairIn your opening post you said that the watch is for your brother... has he the same wrist size and dislike for the mk 2 as you?
Here’s my fatty Perverse MK 2 next to my FOIS . Ask your brother which one he prefers. He might like a porker :)
They are both cool IMHO
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