So, I've decided it's time to get a new watch. It's been a great year at work and I have some money to burn.

I've always wanted the steel/black Submariner, but lately my eye has wandered towards the Omega Moonwatch.

Of course, I'm having a hard time choosing. Probably, I'll eventually have both, but one has to come first.

What says the Sigforum think tank?

Omega... The last watch you'll ever own

Both are great watches, but are designed for way different applications.

Determine if you want your first watch to be a rugged tool watch that is rated for depth. Or if you want your first watch to be a chronograph that went to the moon.

Good luck with your "dilemma." It's a great "problem" to have.

Best,

Jake

quote:

Originally posted by imadat:
Both are great watches, but are designed for way different applications.

Determine if you want your first watch to be a rugged tool watch that is rated for depth. Or if you want your first watch to be a chronograph that went to the moon.

Good luck with your "dilemma." It's a great "problem" to have.

Best,

Jake

Thanks, but the real "application" is just telling the time and enjoying the look and feel of the thing. If I need a chronograph I'll probably use my smartphone, or maybe my Seiko if I happen to be wearing it. As for depth, I'm considering getting SCUBA certified, but even then, not sure I'd wear a Rolex to dive with. I'd probably use my Seiko automatic diver for that.

So, here are my considerations.

- The Rolex is more expensive but will hold its value better over time. Neither is a huge factor as I don't intend to sell it and the price difference, while significant, isn't a deal breaker.
- The Rolex is what I've always wanted, but I now sorta feel like it's also what everyone defaults to. Maybe there's good reason for that...but the Speedy is a bit more unique.
- The Moonwatch lore is cool and all, but I'm not going to the moon anytime soon. I do like the look of the watch.
- If I get the Rolex, date or no date? I always assumed "date" but now I'm thinking it looks cleaner without the big Cyclops bubble. The Speedy has no date. I don't need my watch to tell me the date, and a diver certainly isn't worried about what the date is as it won't change while you're down there. So not sure why it needs it. It also saves a grand not to get the date feature.
- Gray market, used, or new? I'm usually the type who is fine with the gray market or used, but for some reason I feel like I want this purchase to be legit and virginal. Not sure why...

One is a manual wind built considering lack of pressure, the other is an auto wind designed for great pressure.

It's a matter of choice, which one speaks to you.

I'm a Rolex guy, bought my Sub Date in 82 - 16800 and my Yacht-Master (currently on wrist) in 2003.

Had a Daytona (new movement) for a short time, it was two tone black dial which wasn't right for me.

I'd own a Daytona over a Speedmaster, but that's me. You do what's right for you.

Submariner without a doubt...

I have owned quite a few vintage subs - used to restore the cases and on the 5513s I would adjust them the old fashioned way down to +/- 1 sec. per day variation.

I have also had a few pre-moon Speedmasters which I closely relate to because of watching the moon landing from a bed at the 71st Evac. Hospital, Pleiku, RVN.

I stopped liking/enjoying the Subs when they went away from the painted dials. In fact, I gave up on the GMTs, Explorers, etc. for the same reason - just do not like a green glow in daylight. The Speedmaster has been more faithful to the original design over the years.

I have been wearing a 1967 Speedmaster for several years and this is my final watch. Yes, I would like to have back some of the vintage subs, but the Speedmaster "speaks" to me and I enjoy hand-winding it each morning.

After Katrina, I noticed a lot of construction people (same as when the oil fields in Texas and offshore were booming) wore new Subs. When they got a bit of money, the Sub was the way to go. Never saw a new Speedmaster, because the "success" image was definitely with the Subs.

I also find it hard to speed over $6,000 for a sub when I used to buy and sell them for under $1,200 - first one was $300 and it could have been $175 but I didn't have the cash when I got out of the hospital.

Long way around, but the Speedmaster is preferred over the Subs.

PS: if you do go the Sub route, the clean dial no-date is the way to go.


.

Speedmaster without a doubt...

Why not both? You will be just like me - LOL.

My father gave me the Speedmaster 42 years ago, "yes" it has all the markings of the Moon Watch on the back, and I bought the Submariner about 8 years ago.

Both are great watches. Like others have said the Omega is a wind watch and the Rolex is an automatic.

You can't go wrong with either watch.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Why not both? You will be just like me - LOL.

Eventually, I will. Give it time.


Maybe the real question is, do I spend more now, so that later the Speedy seems cheap, or spend less now, so that I get used spending so much on a watch, gradually?

:P

Would it be too much to ask for links? I'm just curious how they look comparatively.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Would it be too much to ask for links? I'm just curious how they look comparatively.

Sure!

Rolex: https://www.rolex.com/watches/.../m116610ln-0001.html

Omega: https://www.omegawatches.com/w...rofessional/product/

quote:

Originally posted by showpro:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Why not both? You will be just like me - LOL.

Eventually, I will. Give it time.


Maybe the real question is, do I spend more now, so that later the Speedy seems cheap, or spend less now, so that I get used spending so much on a watch, gradually?

:P

To give you an idea:

1) Speedmaster (stainless moon chrono): Purchased ~1975 for $200. I don't know what year they quit selling them with the "first watch worn on the moon" on the back of the case, as I believe that makes mine "vintage". The last time I looked at a new one at a jewelry store they wanted $1800.

2) Submariner (gold & stainless): Purchased ~2003 for $6k. They sell new now for $13k at a jewelry store.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, showpro.

Both are classy! Good luck with your decision.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
To give you an idea:

1) Speedmaster (stainless moon chrono): Purchased ~1975 for $200. I don't know what year they quit selling them with the "first watch worn on the moon" on the back of the case, as I believe that makes mine "vintage". The last time I looked at a new one at a jewelry store they wanted $1800.

2) Submariner (gold & stainless): Purchased ~2003 for $6k. They sell new now for $13k at a jewelry store.

Hope this helps!

The Speedmaster Professional still says "First watch worn on the moon" on the back of the case. They sell for 5200 new, in a presentation case with some goodies, like a loupe, a tool, a coin, a couple of other straps. Must have been a long time ago that you saw 1800 dollars.

The steel Sub sells for 7500 new without a date and 8500 with.

I like to play with chronos. You get to have controls with it! I've had a speedy. I have a few other chronos now. I've had a sub in the past, I'll have another one day I suspect.

I'm no help huh? Here's a pic of my old one an 861! I'd vote Speedy, and definitely NOT new. Buy pre-owned. ~$3k

quote:

Originally posted by showpro:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
To give you an idea:

1) Speedmaster (stainless moon chrono): Purchased ~1975 for $200. I don't know what year they quit selling them with the "first watch worn on the moon" on the back of the case, as I believe that makes mine "vintage". The last time I looked at a new one at a jewelry store they wanted $1800.

2) Submariner (gold & stainless): Purchased ~2003 for $6k. They sell new now for $13k at a jewelry store.

Hope this helps!

The Speedmaster Professional still says "First watch worn on the moon" on the back of the case. They sell for 5200 new, in a presentation case with some goodies, like a loupe, a tool, a coin, a couple of other straps. Must have been a long time ago that you saw 1800 dollars.

The steel Sub sells for 7500 new without a date and 8500 with.

wow! I guess it has been quite some time...

if you don't want a date might I suggest the Milgauss?

https://www.rolex.com/watches/.../m116400gv-0002.html

Still a rolex but less common and different.