Looking for a speedmaster moonwatch? Info inside!

[markh]

+1 on all that but when all is said and done with the rep versions I have, I'll probably only be $500 all in. Including the gen bracelet. That's a far cry from a decent gen moonie. Sure you can get one at a relatively low price but you also have to account for condition. Plus, there are so many versions over the years, not sure which I'd want to go for.

I too remember when the gens were going for under a grand and should have bought at the time but didn't. The gen moonie will probably be a purchase for me in the future but it will definitely take some saving up. So, in the mean time, I can enjoy a rep. I've bought 3 of them to compare but will only end up keeping one. I'll be selling 2 of them to recoup some funds

 

[drbollocko]

$500 is not too bad markh, sorry I thought you were more down than that, my mistake. I hear you on the gen prices, with a bit of hope that they've levelled off for now, price rises can't keep happening from Omega, they've gone a bit over the top in the past few years.

Anyway keep us posted on how it goes, with a bit of luck there will be a decent hand wind proper subdials domed crystal rep around the corner, but they've been saying it's on its way for years now!

 

[markh]

Yeah. $500 isn't bad.

I have all 3 versions in my possession now. If I could combine them I'd use the crystal and case back from the quartz, the dial from the 21j and maybe the case and bezel from the handwind. I'd also use the winding stem from either the quartz or handwind.

I'll put 'em all side by side and take some pics soon.

Any info on if any of the parts are interchangeable on any of these versions?

Thanks for tagging along for this ride!

 

[LHOOQ]

Any info on if any of the parts are interchangeable on any of these versions?

A long, long time ago, I can still remember when Novesh made a great post comparing a couple of rep Speedies with a gen. That doesn't really answer your question, but it's worth a look. I wish I'd mentioned it earlier!

 

[markh]

Found his post. Unfortunately, all of his pictures are gone...

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/...tch-comparison-38861?t=38861&highlight=novesh

Good info though.

I think I'd be very happy with the 21j if I could swap out the winding crown and crystal. It has the most accurate dial of the 3 imho.

I'm still going to post pics when I get some time so you guys can see the comparisons.

 

[markh]

Strange.....from the photos on Watch Eden it looks like the only model with the sunken subdials is the Asian Automatic.

I can confirm that of the 3 watches I have the only one with sunken sub dials is the 21j. It came from Silix. The other 2 are flat.

 

[markh]

I believe you should be able to get 2mm thick double-flanges from parts suppliers, if you think they'll help. But can the 633 endlinks accommodate them? Unfortunately, my 1171 is at home, so I can't check.

I got the 2mm ones. Bought a couple versions from Ofrei for a couple bucks a piece. Had to try a couple different ones but got some that fit. Had to push a little to get them in. It wasn't the 633 endlinks though that were the problem. It was the hole in the last link of the bracelet. Got em in though and it made a huge difference. I need to lube them a little so they swing a little more freely but I like it.

 

[Five of Clubs]

On a related note, my 1479 bracelet has been repaired and is back on my Speedy. I took the opportunity to re-brush the finish since the previous owner had done a criminal amount of polishing.

 

[LHOOQ]

Speaking of Moon bracelets... I was tracking a 1447 on eBay over the weekend. That's the first Speedy bracelet with solid endlinks, and the immediate predecessor of the 1450.

I thought I could snag it for less than USD 500. It sold for GBP 360. [Low whistle]

 

[luckie]

Great thread but one question. Why did you change the crystal for a plexi one? I think I missed the point of this action.

 

[LHOOQ]

Great thread but one question. Why did you change the crystal for a plexi one? I think I missed the point of this action.

In my opinion, a flat crystal is the single biggest tell on any Speedmaster rep. Some people sweat over the subdial spacing, but you need to be up close to notice that. A wrong crystal is something you can spot from far away.

 

[luckie]

So the crystals that come on them are flat. OK another question or 2, do any of them have domed crystals? Where dd you get your plexi from?

 

[markh]

my quartz version from watcheden came with a domed crystal. the subdials are waaaay wrong though and i don't mean the spacing. there are 3 subdials and two of them are identical.

so far the best dial of the 3 i have is the cheapest. the 21j is pretty good except for the subdial spacing as usual. pretty flat crystal though.

On a related note, my 1479 bracelet has been repaired and is back on my Speedy. I took the opportunity to re-brush the finish since the previous owner had done a criminal amount of polishing.

Looks really good! I gotta say I'm a little jealous. Which gen did you go with? Is it a newer one or a vintage one?

Speaking of Moon bracelets... I was tracking a 1447 on eBay over the weekend. That's the first Speedy bracelet with solid endlinks, and the immediate predecessor of the 1450.

I thought I could snag it for less than USD 500. It sold for GBP 360. [Low whistle]

Hmmm... Not familiar with the 1447. I'll have to investigate. But you're right

 

[Five of Clubs]

Where dd you get your plexi from?

The plexi on my rep (from the first page) is a 34.0mm Sternkreuz HW that I bought from Cousins UK. The shape is reasonably close to the gen hesalite and completely changes the appearance of the watch on the wrist.

Looks really good! I gotta say I'm a little jealous. Which gen did you go with? Is it a newer one or a vintage one?

That bracelet is an Omega 1479/812 and they were standard issue on Speedmaster Professionals from the mid-1990s (IIRC something like 92-96). I really like that there are no polished sections, and the smaller links and taper give off a bit of a vintage vibe that I really like. I also like the solid link construction, so no rattle. However, the 1479 has the nickname "hairpuller" that I can confirm is well-earned.

Better picture:

 

[markh]

Hey 5. I meant the watch itself. Not the bracelet. Which decade or so is your watch from (model #). I'm kinda looking at gen ones and didn't know which versions/movement I want.

However, the 1479 has the nickname "hairpuller" that I can confirm is well-earned.

That part cracks me up!

In my opinion, a flat crystal is the single biggest tell on any Speedmaster rep. Some people sweat over the subdial spacing, but you need to be up close to notice that. A wrong crystal is something you can spot from far away.

What's funny is that the Speedy Reduced (small) version's subdial spacing is very close to rep subdial spacing...

 

[Five of Clubs]

Hey 5. I meant the watch itself. Not the bracelet. Which decade or so is your watch from (model #). I'm kinda looking at gen ones and didn't know which versions/movement I want.

My Speedy is a 3570.50 from around 2007 with a c.1861 movement. Here is a quick and dirty rundown of the common, modern variants of the Professional:

3570.50 - Hesalite, lume dial, closed case back, 1861 (latest basic Moonwatch)
3870.50 - Same as 3570 but on strap/deployant
3572.50 - Same as 3570 but with display case back
3573.50 - Same as 3570 but sapphire instead of Hesalite and display case back (aka the Sapphire Sandwich)
3873.50 - Same as 3573 but on strap/deployant
311.30.42.30.13.001 - Same as 3573.50 but with chocolate dial
3590.50 - Hesalite, tritium dial, closed case back, 861 (previous version Moonwatch)
3890.50 - Same as 3590 but on strap/deployant
3592.50 - Same as 3590 but with display case back
3594.50 - 1957 Reissue with silver bezel, Broad arrow hands and different dial

I think I got all that right? If anyone sees a mistake let me know and I'll edit it!

The last two are my favorites and I slightly regret not saving a little longer and getting a 3592.50 instead. However, I very well might end up with a 57-Reissue in the future.

EDITED TO ADD: Some of these versions are no longer made.

 

[LHOOQ]

What's funny is that the Speedy Reduced (small) version's subdial spacing is very close to rep subdial spacing...

You'd think some factory would have made a really good rep of the Reduced by now. But I get the feeling that you can't quite squeeze an A7750 into a 36mm Speedy case.

 

[markh]

Ok. So here are some pics. Nothing spectacular, just wanted to show what I have now...

Here is one of all 3. They all came with virtually the same bracelet. I didn't compare quality on them because I don't like that bracelet and won't use it anyway...

Close up of the 21j

Close up of the quartz

Close up of the hand wind ("Lemania")

And what I'm wearing now... 21j on maratac nato

 

[luckie]

The 21J looks the best IMHO. I'm not a nit picker though, LOL

 

[mclarendude]

Love the manual wind! looks nice!