When I came to these forums I loved the pictorial reviews by Dave Gates. I have read every single one of them. My compact rep collection is laughably small compared to Mr. Gates' one but I enjoyed his reviews very much.
I have made 2 small pictorials of this watch but they were basically just eyecandy. People liked my full reviews of the PO 3rd generation and GMT Master II so why not become "the Poor Man's dlgates" again and make one of the Speedy as well? :lol: Regulars have seen the pics in this review in the wrist check threads many times, but I managed to shoot a few new ones too.
I bought this watch 8 months ago, from a fellow RWG / TRC member in brand new state. Actually, it was just a friendly effort by a fellow member to get it for me from EU and avoid possible customs hassle. Since then it has been a special "connoisseur piece" for me. Scratches are very handsome and only add character to sports watches but this is the only one of my watches that's still in 99% new condition. I find it too precious to wear as a daily beater.
It might sound pretty laughable since it's just a replica, but I'm pretty sure this particular model isn't easily available anymore and if I had to choose just one rep to keep, I would choose this watch without hesitation.
Actually, this particular replica *IS* still available (kinda), but the new rep versions come with different 9'o'clock subdial and flat sapphire crystal. The dial and hands seem to be a little different as well. The appearance is quite a bit different from mine. HERE's BlueFin's pictorial of his new version.
Although this is my favourite replica it's also the "least accurate" of them all.
Why?
Because this watch isn't actually a replica of the Omega Speedmaster "Broad Arrow", but almost exact copy of the older model Speedmaster with "BA hands", which is shown in the next picture (the right one). If you neglet the different subdial spacing, the only visual difference is the Speedmaster logo and the missing text "automatic" on the dial.
If you specificially want an accurate BA replica I recommend the Broad Arrow with Asian 7750 movement which has the datewheel placed at 6'o'clock. If you service the movement you should be ok with it. You can read more about those models from my Omega Guide (the link can be found from my signature).
On the left you'll see a Broad Arrow Moon Base which is quite similar to my watch, except it has the moon base feature and different dial text (and lighter blue hands and markers). Both of these watches come without date function. There are also more different variations of the "Broad Arrow" theme in the Speedmaster (and even Seamaster chronograph) line, so if you're afraid that someone might "call you out" because of the lack of datewheel... I think it's very fat chance. Broad Arrow isn't even largerly recognizable model like say, Rolex Submariner, "Bond" SMP or Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch.
So what makes it so special, then?
First: It's a hand wind watch which is kinda special and exotic for me. Old days, walking sticks and hats come to mind. Times before digital and quartz watches. Good times, times before Darth Vader and his Emperor. :lol:
Second: It has an acrylic mineral crystal a'la genuine Omega Moon Watch. Yes, it might get some scratches in the long run but those are always easy to buff out. If you have never owned a watch with raised/domed acrylic crystal you probably don't have an idea what I'm talking about. The light reflects differently from it and it somehow gives the dial different, "pure" appearance.
Venus no-date hand wind movement seems to be quite reliable and robust movement since I haven't seen many RWG/TRC members reporting any kind of problems with it. Mine has been very accurate and good, and the power reserve of full winded watch is something between 30 and 48 hours. Ziggy's excellent technical review of the Venus hand-wind movement is available HERE.
Actually my only concern is to source spare parts for it... IF I'll run into some problems in the future.
The default function of the 6'o'clock sub register is just a small hour hand. In genuine Speedys this hand should be centered and pointing at 12'o'clock when the chrono is resetted. The whole hand has been "completely killed" on my watch, by a fellow watch guy. I killed it because the "wrong" subdial bugged me. But then again I'm sure most people wouldn't give a rat's ass.
In case you have guts to attempt this yourself, Ajoesmith wrote an excellent tutorial how to "kill" the 6'o'clock subdial hand. It can be reviewed HERE.
The stopwatch big seconds hand is a bit jerky (as you can read from Ziggy's review) but the chrono has been working without any kind of problems for me.
Another extremely attractive feature is the gorgeous transparent glass caseback. The Venus movement is decorated nicely and it gives this watch very substantial feel. When you show people the moving rotors, crown wheels and the excellent details... they're all "oohs" and "aahs" around it. Needless to say average Joe could never even imagine having something like this on a fake watch. Of course the movement doesn't look like the genuine Lemania movement that's used in Speedmaster but how many WIS Omega people you think you'll run into? And even if you do, so what? The guy who killed my 6'o'clock sub register hand works in a Omega AD watch store. Yes, really. :laugh: And I can tell you he was stunned to see this rep.
The markers can look violet, dark blue, navy blue, turquiose or even black, depending how the light hits them. Also the dial looks either pure white, ivory or creamy in different lighting.
The bracelet is heavy, solid and very good copy of the real thing. It has brushed finish with those polished "stripes". The clasp is shorter than in my PO but it has those typical Omega pusher buttons and it opens and closes easily. This clasp doesn't seem to suffer from the same quality problems than "Bond" SMP replicas. My SMP clasp & mushroom were broken almost immediately but thankfully I managed to fix the clasp myself back then.
As you can see I have polished the clasp. But you can give it the flawless brushed finish back in 2 minutes with Scotch Brite Pad.
Conclusion: This is half-fantasy watch and if you accept the fact you'll get a gorgeous watch in its own merits you'll be very happy with it. I also own one of the most desired and expensive replica watches, completely modded MBW Red Sub, but I still consider this watch as the "King of the Hill" of my rep collection. Definitely the best 250 Euros I have ever invested.
If you're interested in purchasing this particular model, don't contact me, I have no idea where to get it. Contact your dealer. Quickly. Some of them might still have a few of this old model left.
I made this review during the long and boring work hours last week (so I practically got paid for it). :lol: It was a lot of fun.
Thanks for reading.
