I bought the 2021 Speedmaster (Picture Intensive)

[Spikedlee]

Hey guys. Just thought I would share some shots of the new 2021 Speedy I picked up today at the Chicago Omega boutique. I currently own a 005 Hesalite I purchased back in November for about $1K below MSRP thinking I might as well get a deal on one before it was discontinued. I never expected I would like the new upgraded model enough to pay MSRP AND Chicago sales tax!

After viewing enough photos online this week of the new Hesalite and sapphire versions of the watch, I knew it was worth seeing in person. I called the Omega boutique in downtown Chicago where I live this afternoon and luckily they mentioned they had just received both versions in stock yesterday. However, the sapphire models all had deposits on them and only hesalites were available for immediate sale. They did say it was fine for me to see both and try them on before their new owners came to pick them up.



Here is the sapphire and Hesalite side-by-side

The biggest surprise for me outside of the fact that the new bracelet tapers even more than my Ed White bracelet does, is how much better the new stepped dial looks than the current one. It adds a level of dimension creating a visually striking appearance, and the font on the dial is just bolder and stands out so much more.






My current speedy next to the new one





The new Speedy on my wrist

What was also cool was how much smaller the new box is compared to the discontinued model:



There is no more loupe, paper weight, astronaut strap, etc. Stuff you will never use anyways which I like a lot.

Hidden in this box is a watch holder that turns into a mini-portable watch case.






It took me about 20 minutes of checking out the new watch to decide that I wanted to buy it. We pay 10% tax in here in Chicago so the total was shy of $7K. Discounting really wasn't an option with the watch being brand new, but I didn't feel like waiting a while to let stock build up to get one.



My one and only gripe is that for micro adjustment, there is a tapered notch in the last link of the back side of the clasp:



They should have made this uniform in width to properly blend with the bracelet, especially only giving us 2 micro adjustments. Unfortunately for me this is the only configuration to allow for that "perfect" fit.

Overall, I think this watch is awesome. I already own a few Rolexes and have really felt like the excessive Rolex hype has made things a bit stale so I do enjoy this ability to have better access to inventory and also really enjoy the details that went into this new model.

In summary, I would definitely recommend this new watch to anyone looking to buy it. The style difference between the hesalite and sapphire were not drastic enough for me to consider the sapphire outside of the applied Omega logo which I really like. I hope this thread helps you guys make up your mind on the watch. See it in person if you can as the pictures will never do it justice.

[ZOOK]

Congratulations!

Thank you for sharing.

[C0d]

Congratulations and wear it in good health.

Thank you for sharing all the photos.

[mmalek1]

How is the bracelet weight and how does it feel compared with the .005?

[bonovox]

Congrats! Thanks for all the detailed pics.

[Jster]

Great post! Thanks for all the eye candy photos. That’s a terrific watch. Enjoy!
Omega is on a roll.

[nr1416]

Awesome post, thanks for sharing that and a huge congrats!

Sent from my SM-G975W using Tapatalk

[EricH]

I went in to the Chicago Boutique today as well. I was one of the ones that had a deposit down on the sapphire. Sorry we missed each other!!

The brushed and polished bracelet, sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback are my preference so it was definitely worth the extra for me. I didn't think to even ask to see the Hesalite version but I should have.

I too have owned the previous version (sapphire) and to the question about the bracelet and weight, I feel that the new one is a little lighter because of the bracelet but also much more comfortable. I would equate it to the comfort and feel of a Rolex jubilee bracelet.

I love this watch!

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by mmalek1

How is the bracelet weight and how does it feel compared with the .005?

The stock 005 bracelet is like a brick compared to the new one which is way lighter and more comfortable. The weight is comparable to the Ed White bracelet. The new bracelet is just slightly thicker than the Ed White which I like.

[alllexandru]

Big congrats for this!!
Thank you for sharing this moment with us and for detailed photos.

More photos under natural light / sunny day are welcomed

Enjoy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[henrylee]

Congrats!!

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by alllexandru

Big congrats for this!!
Thank you for sharing this moment with us and for detailed photos.

More photos under natural light / sunny day are welcomed

Enjoy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Will be taking all of those tomorrow :-)

[djona]

Looks great!

[logo]

Nice, congrats! Its late and my eyes are playing tricks on me, but is that an Ed White bracelet on the 005 hesalite? That looks great too! Mind if I asked where you sourced this from and what the part cost is? Looks like it fits the 005 well.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by logo

Nice, congrats! Its late and my eyes are playing tricks on me, but is that an Ed White bracelet on the 005 hesalite? That looks great too! Mind if I asked where you sourced this from and what the part cost is? Looks like it fits the 005 well.

Either an A11 50th anniversary bracelet or after market Uncle Seiko or Forestner flat link that’s been modded with an Omega clasp.

[Cru Jones]

Congrats! Thanks for the photos.

[AEC]

Nice Omega , and thank you for the detailed report. I'm really tempted to run out and purchase mine right away!

[1William]

Congratulations. Thank you for the review and detailed photographs.

[samson66]

Congratulations on the new addition

I'm confused by the micro adjustment on the bracelet and clasp. From the photos it almost looks like a version of the easy link Rolex uses. Are my eyes deceiving me? Is it like that or simply a standard two hole micro adjust? A close up pic of the inside of the clasp would be appreciated if you don't mind. Thanks!

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

[Jeanf]

Great looking watches! Did you have (or need) a « purchase history » with the AD to buy yours?
(Bought other watches/jewelry etc...)

[enjoythemusic]

Congrats!!! i really get a giggle every time i see the shaft and balls at the 12, looks modern sensual.

137219196_2047873575349013_7520427604278203258_n.jpg

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by logo

Nice, congrats! Its late and my eyes are playing tricks on me, but is that an Ed White bracelet on the 005 hesalite? That looks great too! Mind if I asked where you sourced this from and what the part cost is? Looks like it fits the 005 well.

It's an Anniversary bracelet on the 1861 which is pretty much the same as the new Ed White bracelet. I sourced it privately from someone on the forums but have confirmed through authorized dealers that they can order it for you as well for a total cost of $710.

If you want to order the bracelet, here are the official reference numbers:

020STZ011626 – Complete bracelet including folding clasp and end links, consisting of

020STZ011628 – Folding Clasp
020STZ011629 – Bracelet
020STZ011630 – End links

The only issue is that the solid end links will not fit the case perfectly which is why I opted to utilize Uncle Seiko end links from their flat link Speedmaster bracelet which forms to the 1861 case flawlessly and is very inexpensive.

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Congrats!!! i really get a giggle every time i see the shaft and balls at the 12, looks modern sensual.

Attachment 1196091

Haha I never noticed that but now I cannot unsee it!!

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by Jeanf

Great looking watches! Did you have (or need) a « purchase history » with the AD to buy yours?
(Bought other watches/jewelry etc...)

Not at all! Major difference between Omega and Rolex. No games! If they have one and you want it, it can be yours on the spot!

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by samson66

Congratulations on the new addition

I'm confused by the micro adjustment on the bracelet and clasp. From the photos it almost looks like a version of the easy link Rolex uses. Are my eyes deceiving me? Is it like that or simply a standard two hole micro adjust? A close up pic of the inside of the clasp would be appreciated if you don't mind. Thanks!

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

Thanks Mike! It's not, it is a standard two hole adjustment, its just that the link has a weird taper notch versus being flush in width like the older watches so it looks different. Take a look:



I believe the reason the clasp was engineered this way was to get the thin taper appearance. If the clasp was chunky like the previous models, it would have been easy to just make the links flush in width.

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by EricH

I went in to the Chicago Boutique today as well. I was one of the ones that had a deposit down on the sapphire. Sorry we missed each other!!

The brushed and polished bracelet, sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback are my preference so it was definitely worth the extra for me. I didn't think to even ask to see the Hesalite version but I should have.

I too have owned the previous version (sapphire) and to the question about the bracelet and weight, I feel that the new one is a little lighter because of the bracelet but also much more comfortable. I would equate it to the comfort and feel of a Rolex jubilee bracelet.

I love this watch!

Congrats Eric! Looks like we did miss each other! Everyone at that store was very welcoming and nice. I am glad we could be part of the first group to get them! From what I understand boutiques are the first to get them, and ADs should start seeing inventory arrive in a little over a month with any type of discounting on models to not even happen until the fall.

[subtona]

Congratulations. Thanks for the thoughtful posts, pics and replies.

Love that hesalite

[MrJKLFoams]

Congratulazione! So no more loupe, nato and some other history booklets?

[Spikedlee]

Originally Posted by MrJKLFoams

Congratulazione! So no more loupe, nato and some other history booklets?

Thanks! That is correct. No extra straps or goodies. I think Omega heard enough feedback over the years on the overkill of the previous box.

[Spikedlee]

Some additional comparison shots of the old versus new Speedy: