Let me introduce you to my Omega Speedmaster date.
I have had this watch with me for about 7 years. I have a very special love for this watch since it was the first fine watch that I bought with my own money. I bought this watch the day I graduated from college. While normal people get an expensive yet ugly ring to commemorate this important achievement, I myself, got me this beautiful time telling machine.
This Speedmaster in particular is powered by a modified ETA/Valjoux chronograph movement that in theory is supposed to be very accurate and reliable.
As you can appreciate in these photos, the watch looks like it has seen better days. case, basel and bracelet show sings of hard usage. All I can say is: I buy my watches to wear them and not to keep them at home. I swim and sleep with my watches on and I also have fun with my watches. For 7 years I have taken this watch to multiple trips to Europe, Central America and within the continental U.S. with no problems at all. It has been a faithful companion and a reason of pride for many years.
At the time of this purchase, I had enough money to buy a used Rolex Submariner or a brand new Speedmaster. I have to admit that it was a tough choice, but I know it was the right one. The Omega came with 3 years international warranty , a very nice box and a great buying experience. I was paying cash and the sales person was able to knock off $400 off the asking price.
Every other bank teller in my city has a Rolex Submariner -or a knockoff.- I just wouldn't feel right if I see that everybody else in the block wears the same watch. For every 1000 Submariners I see on wrists, I see maybe 1 Speedmaster.
You are probably thinking that I am comparing apples to oranges. The Rolex that I should be comparing the Speedmaster to is the Daytona. You are totally right, but the Daytona was way out of my budget back then, even for a used one.
Needless to say, this watch makes me feel like a million bucks every time I have it on me.
This version of the speedmaster has everything that a watch-lover would want in a watch. It is a mechanical automatic watch, It was a power reserve of 44+ hours. It has a chronograph and a tachymetre that I would probably never use in my now sedentary life. Best of all the Speedmaster looks awesome!
The case size is perfect. It measures 40mm wide and its complemented with the most comfortable bracelet I have ever had in watch. The crown feel sturdy and heavy. The stop, reset and go buttons feel like no other chronograph I have handled in the past. The clasp is beautifully crafted and it gives you a good sense of security. Everything about this watch just feels solid and perfectly made. The weight is distributed evenly to your wrist through the comfortable bracelet that makes you forget you are wearing a watch.
One of my favorite features of this watch is the domed sapphire crystal. This is, in my opinion, the best characteristic detail of this watch. The domed crystal reflects and diffuses the light onto the mirror polished hour makers in a way that make them look like shiny diamonds. I don't wear this baby everyday but when I do, it still mesmerizes me and hypnotizes me with its beauty.
It doesn't matter how long I have had this watch for, or how many dings and scratches the case has. I still stare at it for very long periods of time.
It also still keeps decent time. At the moment of this writing and 7+ years since I bought it, the watch runs about 4min/week slow. Keep in mind that I have never serviced it. I also have to disclose that I do not wear the watch for more than 1 week long since I rotate it with the other watches. I tell you this because it might hold better accuracy in the long run.
The face of the watch feels very busy sometimes and the hands have poor contrast against the white/silverish face. This is the only not so great thing about this watch. I do not think the black version has this problem.
Thank you for reading.
