Educate me on the Speedy

[sarir97]

I'm looking to get one of these for my 40th birthday (used, preferably minty). From a collector's point of view, what should I be looking for? Any particular caliber? Thanks much.

[jmsrolls]

My favorite modern Speedy Pro is the 3572.50 with the upgraded cal. 1863, hesalite crystal, and sapphire display back:



A real plus is to get one with the ref. 1498 or 1499 bracelet with the vintage taper. Although discontinued with the introduction of the 3573.50 "sapphire sandwich", nice pre-owned examples are relatively easy to come by.

As for vintage, I like the 105.012 cal. 321 as worn by Armstrong and Apollo moonwalkers:



Of the current models, the 3570.50 would be my pick.

Regardless, every serious watch collection has to include a Speedmaster Professional. No other watch has its history and mystery.

Fr. John†

[sarir97]

3570.50 it is. Thanks for the info. How much should I expect to pay for a minty one? I looked in the classifieds but none to be found. Should I go to the bay?

[jmsrolls]

Check out www.watchrecon.com and then if you go to ebay, these guys usually have nice examples and stand behind their watches:

jmryshi
sabashioyakiz1
kaberui

My first Speedy Pro came from Jungo (jmryshi) back in 2004 when his feedback score was <100.

I don't keep up with pre-owned prices so I can't help you there. Ebay and watchrecon should give you an idea of the range.

Fr. John†

[Roley]

3570.50

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by Roley

3570.50

This is the basic version of the classic. It has the important improvements but no extras, and IMO is the closest to the original. There a plenty of them out there in good used condition.

[karmatp]

Prices have gone up and they don't come up that often on the forums. You should go to the Omega boutique since you are in Scottsdale, but don't buy, just browse the Speedy's. They won't give you a penny off, but be patient and you will find the right one for you.

Stick with a 3570, you won't be disappointed.

[Kringkily]

sent you a pm :)

[sarir97]

Just put a bid on a 3560.50 30th anniversary complete package. I know I know... not 3570.50 but it's close enough. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Wifey doesn't know but I'm surprising her for my own birthday. :-)

[sarir97]

Dang outbid. Prices have gone up!

[Tudor66]

I recently acquired a 1974 Speedmaster professional - 1974 model, with a Cal.861 movement. In my case I was drawn to the vintage aspect of the watch.

This same seller also found a 1969 Speedmaster watch in his box of watches, he is servicing it for me now, then I will decided if I have to have it as well. These old watches have very interesting looking dials compared to some of the newer ones for me, but all of these speedmaster professionals, older and newer are very nice watches...

[quito]

My other one...2998 6

[gaopa]

Another 3570.50 vote. It was Fr. John who steered me in that direction and I'm glad of it! My 3570.50 is one of my keepers. Cheers, Bill P.

[1675-David]

I went the 861 vintage route, love plexi, the long "r" on speedmaster and the cool stretchy bracelet, Someday I will uppgrade... to the pre-moon version... good luck with your search

[sarir97]

What's the difference between the 3560.50 and the 3570.50 besides the case back? Would anyone pay the premium for this "limited" edition watch?

[emale]

Originally Posted by sarir97

What's the difference between the 3560.50 and the 3570.50 besides the case back? Would anyone pay the premium for this "limited" edition watch?

No difference other than the caseback. Its just not worth the premium.

If you are looking for a limited edition speedy pro, get one with a different dial., the blue gemini, panda apollo 35, meteorite, chronometer speedy pro ( they do cost quite a bit, though).

[alam]

I'm in the purist camp, so my choice was the 3570.50...

The original configuration...

Later switched to a Omega deployant clasp and racing strap

[sarir97]

The more I read up on Speedies, the more I'm torn between the purist 3570.50 and the non-traditional display case backs, of which of 3592.50 seems the nicest given its golden hue. There is a nice one up for sale on EBay now... Grrr! What to do?

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by sarir97

The more I read up on Speedies, the more I'm torn between the purist 3570.50 and the non-traditional display case backs, of which of 3592.50 seems the nicest given its golden hue. There is a nice one up for sale on EBay now... Grrr! What to do?

Here's a 3592.50 I once owned:





As beautiful as the yellow gilt might be, I prefer the cal. 1863 movement with its improved rhodium plating. The 3592.50 will typically have lume diminished tritium on the dial and hands. Another negative of the 3592.50 would be the 1479 bracelet.

I've owned a couple of dozen Speedy Pros and love the view of the manual wind Lemania movement:



(Left to right: cals. 321, 861, 863, and 1863)

Fr. John+

[sarir97]

I admit this watch will get next to zero wrist time. I'm only purchasing to add to my growing collection. So I'm looking for a watch that will have value for me, beyond its lore and mystique.

This watch below is supposedly a 1972 watch, which is my birth year. However, it seems to be less than 100% original. The hands don't match the dial, for example. What do you guys think?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=270726383384

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by sarir97

This watch below is supposedly a 1972 watch, which is my birth year. However, it seems to be less than 100% original. The hands don't match the dial, for example. What do you guys think?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=270726383384

Ugh!

Bad sign: "New caseback, will include old caseback that was pitted."

Look at the movement. Does that look like it has been "Fully serviced extensively"?

As for being your birth year, check out my post in this thread:

Omega Serial Number Chart

Bottom line: That's a lot of money to pay for an old watch that could require at least a decent service if not a complete overhaul and restoration. Figure spending another $500-$800.

Your total investment could run about what a NIB 3570.50 with full warranty would cost from my dealer.

My 2¢.

Fr. John†

[sarir97]

As usual, Father John, you are right. It seems every time I try to steer away from the 3570.50, you direct me back in the right direction.

However, I want your opinion on one other watch, just this one last time.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=270988182068

I can get a decent pre-moon watch, or the usual, of which there are millions on the market. As a collector of a watch that will get practically no wrist time, do you still suggest the 3570.50?

[karmatp]

You don't even plan on wearing it?

What is the point then...............

[Andad]

Originally Posted by karmatp

You don't even plan on wearing it?

What is the point then...............

Lighten up Trevvy - we all buy things for different reasons.
I can't rotate the watches I have now.

There is a Pepsi 3186 for sale at an easy $9K if you are interested.

[sarir97]

I said practically no wrist time, not zero wrist time. The point is to collect interesting and valuable time pieces... Nothing more.

[sarir97]

Above linked 321 purchased. Thanks to Father John for his kindly and patient advice. I'm now an official member of the Speedy club. Can't wait to not wear it!! :-) *joke*

[Andad]

Great choice.

I have a sapphire sandwich but am also looking for a nice 321.

I anyone finds one they don't want - shoot me a PM??

[sarir97]

Let's hear some opinions on what to do with the watch; should I
a) leave it as is
b) do a complete overhaul with cleaning of the case, disassembly and cleaning of the movement, new bezel, glass, dial, and hands (but of course keep the original parts)
c) just change out the bezel and glass, but keep the dial and hands (keep original parts)
d) a, b, or c with Thomas Preik display case back

I'm leaning towards c + d, but I'm not averse to a. My pocket book would certainly prefer it. :-)

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338609825.131867.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1338609933.318153.jpg

[jmsrolls]

As I mentioned to you, I wanted a daily wearer and wanted to preserve the original parts. I ended up putting the cal 321 movement in a NOS case with new dial, hands bezel, pushers, crown, and crystal. All the original parts are in the bank box.

I also added an OEM display back with the engraving removed. (Thomas Priek was not an option back then.)



Fr. John†

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by sarir97

Let's hear some opinions on what to do with the watch; should I
a) leave it as is
b) do a complete overhaul with cleaning of the case, disassembly and cleaning of the movement, new bezel, glass, dial, and hands (but of course keep the original parts)
c) just change out the bezel and glass, but keep the dial and hands (keep original parts)
d) a, b, or c with Thomas Preik display case back

I'm leaning towards c + d, but I'm not averse to a. My pocket book would certainly prefer it. :-)

Attachment 284834Attachment 284835

Great score!!! love the bracelet. Have it looked over by your watchmaker to make sure all is well. If it does'nt need a service then don't do it. That plexiglas can be easily polished out (search polywatch on this forum) and it will make a huge difference to how the watch presents. New tachy and hands are an option and that depends on how smart you want the watch to look. Personally I regret not replacing the hands on my speedie at the last service as I really noticed how grungy they had become after I polished the crystal!!