What Speedy would you consider

[Aaron]

Righto Guys,

I might possibly be a new Speedmaster buyer and was interested in hearing your thoughts on the Hesalite(acrylic) Vs Sapphire crystals especially after hearing a couple of interesting points from father John .

Now remember I am no stranger to Omega having had many over the years and thought a Speedy might be a nice change.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing some pictures to.

Regards Aaron

[Houston]

In truth I like both my friend but given your poll which featured two options, I went for the 3573.50 as my choice for a one and only Speedy Pro. Nothing wrong with the 3570.50 but given a pick of the two, I'd really like to have the display back. It almost gives you two watches for the price of one even if it's a little pricier than the 3570.50.

What I also like is the clarity of the sapphire crystal. From a distance and in a picture one may not always be able to tell the difference but get closer and that clarity just draws your eye to the dial. Now that I reflect back on the occasion when I first placed the Speedy on my wrist, it was the 3570.50 incidentally, I was stunned by its' slim outline. The 3573.50 may be a little deeper but only just. Once on your wrist or indeed when taking pictures, with or without mirrors ;D ;D , it will be as svelt a watch as you would wish. All the history of the Speedy Pro will feel like it's there on your wrist.

I went for a complete experience in aesthetics and picked the 3573.50. I'd have settled for a 3873.50.31 as well which is the strap version since a black alligator strap looks amazing on the Speedy but my dealer mentioned to me that a 3573.50 was coming in to them and available at a 30% discount if I wanted it. Deal done. Picked it up on December 8 last year. I wanted to have a look at the town they were in. Last time I was there was over ten years ago. I forgot it was December so hit the Christmas crowd and had to queue up to get into the car park

Whichever you go for, you'll know that the Speedy Pro is the most amazing watch you will have bought


Be well Amigo


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[jmsrolls]

As most forum members know, I like hesalite and display backs:

And I prefer "previously owned" therefore my favorite of the modern Speedy Pros is not listed among your choices, the now discontinued 3572.50 hesalite/sapphire.

Although discontinued, nice LNIB examples are still available and would be my preference over either the 3570.50 and the 3573.50.

Unlike the 3573.50, the 3572.50 has the correct engraving on the display back: "Speedmaster Professional - First Watch Worn on the Moon". Omega marketing added "and Only" to the engraving on the 3573.50 which is not a true statement.

Fr. John+

[Houston]

It's definitely true as a " First and Only " official watch to be worn on the moon and certainly on July 20 1969.

And here was I thinking we had left this debate back in time


Be well bro


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[jmsrolls]

cafezinfandel said:

It's definitely true as a " First and Only " official watch to be worn on the moon and certainly on July 20 1969.

I agree so Omega needs to revise the engraving to read:

"First and Only Official Watch Worn on the Moon on July 20, 1969"

;D

A few years ago, Bulova used this photo in a watch magazine ad:

with text to the effect that Bulova went to the moon with Buzz.

This is what was cropped from the photo Bulova used:

Admittedly a Bulova timer was on board Apollo XI but this was the EVA timer that failed requiring Armstrong to leave his Speedy on board to time the EVA.

Had Bulova been truthful, this is the photo that should have been used in the ad:

Just a little truth in advertising is all I ask.

Fr. John+

[Magnus]

I'm for Sapphire. Preferably on the gator strap. I don't need another all SS watch...

[Bob]

:)Aaron
How Ya doin Mate. I chose the 3570 because it's as close to the original moon Speedy you can get

Hesalite is not a concern with me as itis very easy to polish should any minor scratches appear. Toothpaste and a soft cloth will do the trick.


Kind Regatds
Bob

[Houston]

Well Fr John


Given that there has been only one watch that was flight-qualified for use on manned space flights in the period that covered the moon landings, anyone investigating Speedmaster ownership would I have thought, either found out or known that.

for posting the Bulova ad which looked as though it was intended to mislead. While it was in error in respect of what it omitted to say, I'm sure it fooled no one and anyone looking to buy a watch with associations to space travel would not I dare say be distracted. I don't think anyone recognises the Bulova as having been the watch that went to the moon any more than it is perceived that the Speedmaster was not the watch " flight-qualified " for and which fulfilled the purpose. " First and Only Official Watch etc etc " just sounds pompous and unnecessarily wordy. After all, the facts are already known and as the Speedmaster is universally recognised as being the official watch worn on the moon, it is also by no means taken that no other astronaut did not wear something else. Nor do I think this matters. What I am saying is that the Speedmaster is already recognised as being the official Moonwatch, the watch that indeed made history and not only on one occasion. That a Waltham and possibly something else may have been worn in an unofficial capacity is to me, neither here nor there. The marketing highlights the Speedmaster as being The Official Moonwatch, the official timepiece of NASA astronauts which of course it was. That is all.

I take it that purists are now not going to suggest that the cal 1861 or 861 Speedy Pros are not Moonwatches and only the cal321 has a right to that exclusive title.

I'm pretty certain too that current 3573.50 owners and indeed prospective ones, on this forum or elsewhere are sufficiently knowledgeable of the history of the Speedmaster and agreeable with the characteristics of this and other Speedmaster watches.


Be well now brother


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[MacDaddy]

@fr. John,

You've got me laughing on the floor! Too much! Hope all is well buddy!

As eveyone here knows, I'm a purist to the space program and while I would love to have a see-through back on my Speedy, I went with the 3570 Hesalite to have the Flight-Qualified version. I haven't had any problems and wear it everyday. NASA wanted a plastic crystal because it is extremely durable and won't shatter. Picture banging the sapphire into a door buck and SMASH, you've got a million pieces all over the floor and cutting into the dial!

God forbid, but it's a reality. Picture having to not only replace the sapphire crystal, but the dial and hands as well. I've heard of this happening before.

I knew I would probably only own one Speedy, so I went with the flight model.

I wouldn't mind making my own Frankenstein project with a glass back though.

[talktime]

I'd like to have one, but would prefer the Cal 321 model myself...

I would not wear it every day, so the plastic crystal would not bother me.

But, there is no more appropriate watch to wear when at Johnson is there?

So, I'm in no rush to get one- I'll get one someday...

(also a big fan of the space program; the Apollo missions in particular)

[GJ]

I voted Hesalite....



Yeah, I know.... ;D ;D ;D
I am one of the purist guys...

[Houston]

You mean you're one of the "old" young guys ;D ;D ;D

OK Pal


Be seein' ya


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[GJ]

You bet buddy...

[jmsrolls]

cafezinfandel said:

I take it that purists are now not going to suggest that the cal 1861 or 861 Speedy Pros are not Moonwatches and only the cal321 has a right to that exclusive title.

Now that you mention it Br. ZIN, there are "moon watches" and then there are moon watches, the 105.012 and perhaps a 105.003 qualify on the Omega side.

Most certainly, all Omega moon watches are cal. 321, at least for now.

Fr. John+

[Houston]

A Speedy Pro is a Moonwatch Bro John and surely should be considered as such irrespective of whether a cal321 resides in it or otherwise. The cal861 and 1861 are flight-qualified after all and would have been used had NASA required more Speedmasters and the moon landings continued.


Be well Bro


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D