Question about Speedy Alaska Project

[Sous]

Hey all.

First time posting in the Omega forum, and I was hoping to get some opinions from owners of the Alaska Project Speedmaster.

A local AD has one in stock, and unfortunately I didn't have time to look at it. I haven't been in this shop in years, and was just passing through to see if they had a Speedmaster Pro in stock, which they do. I'm hoping to get back sometime this week and get a look at their selection.

Anywho, as an everyday watch, on the bracelet, how is the AP watch? I do a lot of driving, and if it's the middle of July, and the sun is bearing down on me, when I take a quick glance of the watch, would I see the time easily, or just get a glare off the white dial?

I remember reading a comment back in 2009 on the other popular forum that all it would be good for is to sit and look pretty, and the white dial would make it useless as an everyday watch. Does anyone have real life daily experience with the watch to belie that statement?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

[jmsrolls]

Had one for a few weeks. The strong point of the standard Speedy Pro is its legibility. The week point of the Alaska is its illegibility.

And the accessories, although cool, are really only good for taking up space on a shelf in the closet.

[Kringkily]

The AP is a bit harder to read and a black dial with easily readable markers would be your best choice. Although the AP is a very nice looking watch.

[Sous]

Thank you much for your thoughts, Fr. John and Kringkily

Maybe if I had more money to spend, I would buy both the Pro and AP, but since I don't, and reading that legibility can be an issue, I'm certain the AP is off the list. It is a great looking watch, though.

I spent some time trying to convince myself that I wanted a new Rolex, but I just can't get into the new designs--they're either too wide looking, as in the Sub, or just too shiny, like the Datejust. And frankly I can't bring myself to pay the used prices many Canadian sellers are asking for older models.

I did notice that I keep coming back to the Speedmaster. I've owned three in the past, and if it weren't for extenuating circumstances I would have kept them.

[Sous]

Fr. John, I noticed on the WUS forum, that you also have the "First Omega In Space" limited edition Speedmaster. What's your opinion on legibility versus the Speedy Pro? Is the FOIS a good daily wearer? The steel hour/minute hands look like they might blend into the dial too easily.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/foi...ed-797627.html

[tinger]

Even though I need reading glasses, I dont find the AP too difficult to read.
As other posts above, the Speedmaster pro is more legible.

I had a FOIS, its a gorgeous watch.
Some might not want to wear leather in the summer.
Only flaw I find with the watch is the sapphire crystal.. wish it was acrylic.

[Sous]

Originally Posted by tinger

I had a FOIS, its a gorgeous watch.
Some might not want to wear leather in the summer. Only flaw I find with the watch is the sapphire crystal.. wish it was acrylic.

Thanks for this input, tinger

Oddly, I prefer straps in the summer, and bracelets in the winter.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by Sous

Fr. John, I noticed on the WUS forum, that you also have the "First Omega In Space" limited edition Speedmaster. What's your opinion on legibility versus the Speedy Pro? Is the FOIS a good daily wearer? The steel hour/minute hands look like they might blend into the dial too easily.

As everyone knows, the legibility of the standard Speedy Pro is extraordinary but I've been pleasantly surprised by the FOIS. In some conditions, the hands seem to disappear but a slight move of the wrist brings them back into view and the legibility is quite good.

It's getting its share of wrist time, even more than my vintage 105.012 Speedy Pro. As a matter of fact, I'm wearing the FOIS today:



The 1125 bracelet makes for a nice vintage look and is very comfortable. I replaced the OEM strap with an oil tan Hadley Roma immediately upon arrival. The HR is much less expensive to replace and I like the look. A Hirsch heavy calf with curved ends is incoming and could make for a nice combo with the Omega fold-over deployant.

As for being a daily wearer, I don't know why not. I was concerned about the lack of a crown guard but the pushers and crown are recessed affording them some protection. From a practical standpoint, the FOIS is probably more of a daily wearer than my vintage 105.012. The rhodium plated, 18 jeweled 1861 movement represents 50+ years of developmental evolution for the Lemania chronograph movement in the Speedy Pro. Availability of trained watchmakers and parts for the make the future servicing of the 1861 movement more assured than for the cal. 321.

Although a fan of the hesalite crystal, I have become accustomed to the the look of the sapphire and the "gray halo" is not that noticeable anymore.

But I still do not care for design on the case back and am tempted to break the red dot in order to install my custom Sigma 7 back.

The FOIS is apparently a popular issue as mine arrived in January numbered in the high 1600s. My dealer's initial order of six units went out the door rather quickly requiring him to reorder. The ATL Boutique says the FOIS doesn't stay in their stock for more than a few days.

My wrist is a round 7 1/2 inches but the 39.7mm case still looks good and wears comfortably. Those with smaller wrists (men and women) who were tempted by the Speedmaster Reduced will find the FOIS to be their solution.