Tag Archives: Interview

Speedmaster Seven II: Mark

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13

Last week we launched a new segment on our blog: the Speedmaster Seven. First up was our friend Bart, who answered our seven easy-going questions and gave us a glimpse into the collectors state-of-mind.

Our victim this week is Mark, a Speedmaster aficionado from the Netherlands. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions Mark!

  1. Do you remember the first Speedmaster you bought? When did you buy it and which type was it?

My first Omega, heck my first mechanical watch, wasn’t a Speedmaster but a Chronostop ref. 145.009, soon to be replaced by a cal. 1040 Seamaster ref. 176.007. The latter was gold plated which really didn’t suit me as it turned out. Queue the first Speedmaster: cal 1151 ref. 3520.50 Speedmaster Day Date.

  1. What ignited your passion for the Speedmaster?

The 3520.50 already kind of got me hooked on Omega. I did do some experimenting with Breitling, Heuer and Oris, none of which lasted long. Seeing a whole bunch of Speedmaster Pro’s (vintage and contemporary) at a small jeweller in Maastricht permanently got me hooked.

  1. What is the latest Speedmaster you bought?

311.30.42.30.13.001. The ‘chocolate dial’ or ‘faux tropical’ as I’ve seen it called. I really wanted a ‘sapphire sandwich’ Speedmaster and came across this one. Certainly no regrets there, the brown dial really is something different.

  1. What is the most distinct Speedmaster you own or have owned?

I like to think the 311.30.42.30.13.001 is pretty distinct in its own right. I’ve also owned the 3559.32 LE Schumacher Speedy and the Asian market only racing dial Speedmaster Pro, ref. 3570.40 (which I never ever should have sold), both aren’t seen that often.

  1. What is your collection like? For example, is it focused on Speedmasters, Omega’s, chronographs or ….?

My collection, if it can even be called that, is pretty tiny and consist only of the Speedmaster and a cal 2500 Planet Ocean at the moment. If I do get the chance to add some more watches the vast majority will be Omega.

  1. Do you have a Speedmaster grail watch? If so, which one is it?

Definitely the 376.0822, or as Chuck Maddox used to call it ‘the holy grail’. I’d also at some point like to own the blue dial Gemini 4 Speedmaster ref. 3565.80 and even an IWC ref. 377801 double chrono (sorry Omega)..

  1. Bracelet or strap?

I always buy watches on a bracelet. I do like to mix it up once in a while, I particularly like the Omega deployment clasp with the matching leather and rubber straps.

More images in the gallery below.

Thank you Mark!

 

Speedmaster Seven Questions I: Bart

Bart's 1972 Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022

Bart’s 1972 Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022

Today we’re launching a new segment: the Speedmaster Seven. Seven questions, aimed at giving our readers a little peek into the mind of Speedmaster collectors and aficionados. What drives them, what Speedmasters do they own and which ones do they dream of?

First to join the party is Bart, a 42 year old BI Consultant from Belgium, with whom we’ve been in touch since back in 2005 – how time flies:

Hi Bart, thank you for taking the time to answer our Speedmaster Seven questions!

  1. Do you remember the first Speedmaster you bought? When did you buy it and which type was it?

It was a Speedmaster Professional  ref. 145.022 ST69 with the Hippocampus on the back. I bought it in 1986, but I unfortunately sold it…(I learned an important lesson here)

  1. What ignited your passion for the Speedmaster?

I’ve been interested in mechanical watches since the eighties. I also like astronomy, aeronautics  and space exploration.  My taste in watches has changed several times over time and my collection nowadays is oriented towards vintage chronographs.

The Speedmaster is a true classic and certainly a must-have watch for someone with my interests.  I won’t re-list all its merits, but every time I put one of mine on, it puts a smile on my face and I proudly wear it.

  1. What is the last Speedmaster you bought?

I’ve bought a 1973 Speedmaster Mark IV ref. 176.009 in September this year.

Bart's 1972 Omega Speedmaster Mark IV 176.009

Bart’s 1972 Omega Speedmaster Mark IV 176.009

  1. What is the most distinct Speedmaster you own or have owned?

From the two Speedmasters that I own right now, the Mark IV is more distinct than the 1972 145.022 because that last one is more commonly seen.

  1. What is your collection like? For example, is it focused on Speedmasters, Omega’s, chronographs or ….?

My collection is mainly focused on vintage chronographs.  I’m essentially collecting movements.

I have affordable chrono’s (Citizen 8110a,Seiko 6139-600x) and less affordable (for me at least) chrono’s (Omega’s and Heuer).

This is my current chronograph movement list:

  • Omega 861 (Lemania 1872 derived)
  • Omega 1040 (Lemania 1340 derived)
  • Heuer cal. 12
  • Seiko 6139
  • Citizen 8110a
  1. Do you have a Speedmaster grail watch? If so, which one is it?

Yes I do! (of course) I’m really happy with what I have, but I would love to own the so called (nicknamed) Holy Grail, a ref. 376.0822, with the Omega 1045 movement, which is Lemania 5100 derived. I wouldn’t mind owning a Snoopy either.

  1. Bracelet or strap?

Speedmasters look good on everything, but on my 861 I prefer straps (Nato, leather) because of the versatility. I wear my Mark IV mostly on the bracelet which I like a lot.

More images in the gallery below.

Thank you Bart!