Omega Speedmaster Professional: thanks to my Father and Jack Forster

I am not quite sure why I had overlooked this amazing timepiece for so long. Quite possibly, it was that I really had neither use for, nor desire of owning a chronograph. And the size put me off a bit at 42mm. So far, my 36mm Rolex Explorer I has been my favourite watch.
Thank you, Jack, for your great review of the Speedmaster Professional from May 2007, which I read many times. A friend of mine, on another forum, recently announced that he was getting a Speedy as well. So, one Sunday afternoon I went downtown and paid a visit to the Omega Boutique to take a further look. As soon as I tried it on, I knew that it was the watch for me.

My Calibre de Cartier, as beautiful a timepiece as it is, was just spending time in it's box. After my purchase and initial enthusiasm, I found myself wearing my Rolex Explorer. Soon after I had purchased my Calibre, a friend expressed interest in it, and told me that he would buy it from me if I ever wanted to sell. So came about my financing of the Speedmaster Professional.

After owning this watch for just one week, it is the only watch I want to wear. The watch has a very time-proven and robust manual wind movement, which I have wanted for a long time. Also, the hesalite crystal gives it a patina which, to me, is apparent even when it is brand new. It just makes the watch feel as though I have worn it for years. Aesthetically, the design is second-to-none. The layout of the dial and subdials, as Jack describes in his reviews, is so balanced and proportionate. No part of the text, markers, or subdials intrudes on another. Although the lume coating on the markers and hands is quite thin, it still shows remarkably well in the dark. The luminiscence, for me, is strong enough even after it fades during the night, to be able to read the time after 6 to 8 hours. Luininescence is not really a big deal to me on a watch, but if the watch does have it, then it should be done properly. There is nothing about this watch I can find that is not done exceptionally well.

Having said all this, I would love to share some photos with you of my new Speedmaster:

My Father, who is one of my main inspirations for acquiring this watch:


The Sales Associate at the Boutique presented me with a copy of "Lifetime" Issue 4, the Moon Edition, from 2009:


The Omega mens ring, which I acquired when the Vancouver Boutique opened in 2009 for the Olympic Winter Games. I feel that it suits the watch perfectly:


Some excellent shots taken by my friend Ian:

The Speedy alongside the gold pin given me by the Boutique, and my recently acquired Seamaster:












This Speedmaster really has me feeling that if I could only wear one watch that it would be the one!

Cheers,
Carl

Welcome to the club --there's really no watch quite like the Speedmaster and for the purist the one to have is obviously the Moonwatch.

Mine was the first good Swiss watch I owned after getting out of grad school. I grew up during the Apollo era and wanted one in the worst way --for many, many years --and I'll never forget the day I finally put mine on. I've had many other watches since and many have come and gone but the Speedy Pro ain't going anywhere. It's been the one constant in my collection through many years and I still get a kick out of wearing it --you can't ask for more than that.

Jack

Enjoy your Speedy! Very nice watch.
You made a really nice post about the watch and I know there is enough
to write about the piece, since there it has só much history.
Sorry you let your Calibre go, but that's the way things go in 'Watchland',
as I mentioned in your post at the Cartier forum.

GEO

beautiful timepiece and a real icon! IMVHO the Speedmaster is the best chrono in it's price range.
Maybe I can add it to my collection one day.

Wear yours in health and with happines!

cheers, Wim

Wim K.
Glashütte Original Forum Moderator

Dream as if you'll live forever,
live as if you'll die tomorrow. (James Dean)

el tiempo es la base de nuestra existencia
un día a la vez, siempre cerca de usted



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2012 01:31AM by Wimster.

The Speedmaster, Seamaster and the Omega ring forms a nice collection...
I love the Speedmaster. It was my 2nd branded watch that I bought many years ago....I got the one with the see-through back as I love the Lemania movt.
Congrats! Wear in good health.

Cheers!

chua
Panerai Forum Moderator