Tag Archives: Moonwatch

Omega Speedmaster Professional Tropical by AWCO

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 Tropical

Anybody in for some chocolate?

Roel, owner of Amsterdam Watch Company, is one of the most passionate Speedmaster collectors we’ve come across in the Netherlands. While he often has stellar examples for sale in his lovely shop and on his website, his private collection is even more so to die for. We’ll leave it up to Roel to go into depth if he so chooses [and we’d be happy to feature them], but for today he choose to share a few pics of one of his daily beaters – a ’69 Speedmaster with a wonderful tropical / chocolate dial.

Follow Roel’s journeys in the world of vintage watches on Instagram: click (Roel) and click (AWCo).

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 Tropical

Speedmaster Seven II: Mark

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)..

: Omega Speedmaster Automatic ‘Holy Grail’ 376.0822

: Omega Speedmaster Professional Gemini IV 40th Anniversary 3565.80.00

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!

: Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13

: Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13

: Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13.001

: Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13.001

: Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.13.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional Racing Japan 3750.40.00

It’s been a while folks.. How’ve you been?

Our day-to-day business has been keeping us very busy in the past few weeks but we’re back with a vengeance! Please welcome the newest addition to the SpeedyWatches.com family: the Racing Japan 3750.40.00!

Omega Speedmaster Professional Racing Japan 3750.40.00

If you’ve been following SpeedyWatches, you’ve seen our post with the loose dial of the Racing Japan 3750.40.00.. Our friends at Ace Jewelers keep one in their safe, waiting for that one customer who wants to build his or her own Japan Racing Speedy. But today we’re not featuring a custom Speedmaster, but the real deal: a true Racing Japan 3750.40.00 sold in Japan in 2004 with the goodies to back it up.

As the only differences between a regular 3570.50 and 3570.40 are the dial and hands, the provenance is very important if you’re into such things. In this case, make sure the serial number is in the right range and that the card is stamped by a Japanese retailer. Extras like the hang tag with the distinct serial number are a nice bonus.. And if in doubt, an extract from Omega’s archives should do the trick. While obviously equally wonderful, to some of us the story and history adds that little something extra 🙂 .

Omega Speedmaster Professional Racing Japan 3750.40.00

Quick & Dirty pics were shot at the Ace Jewelers photo studio.
Contact Ace Jewelers if you’re interest in a brand new Speedmaster!
The book in the background, Moonwatch Only, is available at Ace Jewelers.

New Speedmaster Box – Live Pics

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Today our friends over at Ace Jewelers received their very first new Omega Speedmaster box – the one filled with goodies that we wrote about earlier.

The fun starts with the outer box as pictured above. On the center we find the Speedmaster Seahorse. It opens to both sides and it is covered by a black cardboard sleeve.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Inside we find this stellar fabric-covered work of art, perhaps the best bit of the new Speedmaster box. This one too is fitted with a Seahorse medaillon. The lid is secured by two hinges. Apparently the Speedmaster is now not only the Moonwatch, but a Legendary Moonwatch. Cool.

Two new bookles, one about strap changes and one about the Speedmasters history, are found at the bottom of the outer box.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

An overview of the inside. The straps, changing tool and extra pushpins fit into the big lid at the top. The loupe fits in the smaller lid at the left.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

The loupe is fitted with a tachymeter scale in Speedmaster style. Next to it is the NASA-style velcro strap and on the far left is the NATO-style strap. Both are very nicely done. In terms of quality, the NATO feels a few steps above your average strap.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Branded strap-changing tool and Speedmaster Seahorse coin. The little sachet holds the extra pushpins – four of them.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Detail of the NASA-style strap and the NATO strap. The NATO is fitted with a signed buckle and nice angular keepers.

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005

Last but not least – the Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005, now fitted with a screwed bracelet!

Check out the Ace Jewelers eBoutique for the latest info on pricing. Ace Jewelers is Authorized Dealer for Omega.

Speedmaster Sapphire Sandwich : the 3873.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3873.50.31

With the news of the updated Speedmaster Professional references and price increase, we thought a post regarding a ‘old’ Speedy Pro would be fitting. Our choice for today is one we’ve written very little about – the Speedmaster sapphire sandwich on alligator, the Speedy Pro 3873.50.31.

While most aficionado’s prefer the classic 3570.50.00 (to be replaced by the 311.30.42.30.01.005), there is something to be said for the Speedmaster Sapphire Sandwich. The increased heft, the possibility to admire the movement in all its glory and the scratch-proof crystal all are valid point which may sway one towards the 3873.50.31 – soon to be replaced by the 311.30.42.30.01.002.

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3873.50.31 caliber 1863

A bit of background: the Speedmaster Sapphire Sandwich got its nickname by having a sapphire glass on both the front as well as the back, while the classic Speedmaster Professional uses a hesalite (plexi) crystal and a closed caseback. It is fitted with caliber 1863 instead of the 1861 used on the Speedies with closed back.

The difference between the 1863 and 1861? The latter uses the ‘Delrin‘ (nylon) chrono brake, while in the former this part is executed in stainless steel. In the picture above, it is the part held by the bigger screw beneath the three brass coloured gears. It is said that the Delrin brake was introduced (in 1974) to enhance reliability, but in real life an advantage to either side is more of an academic question – we’d love to hear how many timing operations need to be performed for an opinion to slide to the 1861 in favour of the 1863 or vice versa. Omega simply reintroduced the metal brake for more visual appeal for Speedmasters fitted with a see-through caseback.

Side note – while the bracelet is the obvious choice, the Speedmaster looks great (and chic) on alligator!

Check out our preferred AD Ace Jewelers for the latest pricing on Speedmasters.