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The Omega Speedmaster is a superb watch. That’s most likely not a controversial assertion. However is it a terrific first Swiss look ahead to these seeking to begin their approach alongside the winding path of their horological journey? After some reflection on mine, I’d say it’s. Let me clarify why.
The Omega Speedmaster is an icon. It is available in a number of variations with automated or hand-winding calibers, completely different case configurations and dimensions, in addition to varied dial colours. There’s, fairly actually, one thing for everybody. We’ve seen vital worth will increase from manufacturers with iconic designs, similar to metal sports activities watches from Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Cartier. The Omega Speedmaster presents some of the iconic designs in horology and remains to be comparatively attainable with out annoying wait lists (for regular-production fashions). Even higher, once you forged your eyes to the secondary market, we will see a large number of Speedmaster references that provide vital financial savings in comparison with new choices.
An unstable period
Let’s briefly forged our minds to Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and international geopolitics. A dominant participant on the earth of watches, Rolex is a cultural phenomenon. Demand for Rolex sports activities watches was already excessive earlier than COVID-19 struck. Nonetheless, through the spike in curiosity within the passion through the COVID-19 disaster, the demand for metal Rolex sports activities fashions appeared to develop uncontrolled. The demand for these watches outstripped provide, and, amongst different points, led to a level of resentment amongst some potential consumers as they discovered it unattainable to purchase a Rolex watch.
This was, partially, fanned by the commensurate development and curiosity in watch-related content material on on-line platforms, significantly social media. Then, because the disruptive risk of COVID-19 appeared to dissipate a bit in 2023, we noticed manufacturers double down on vital worth will increase throughout completely different mannequin traces. In 2023, for instance, we devoted an evaluation piece to the value hikes introduced into impact by manufacturers like Jaeger-LeCoultre. In that function, we famous: “The Omega Speedmaster Skilled shall be priced at €7,500 as of February 1st (it was €7,100). The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface? It’s now €13,100 as a substitute of €9,100 not even a yr in the past. That’s a worth improve of almost 44%. It nearly appears like Rolex is preserving it sane for its sports activities fashions with will increase of roughly 2%. The catch right here is you could’t purchase them anyway.”
Rising watch costs and the Omega Speedmaster
These points are nonetheless current in 2025. Demand for watches has cooled down, and worth will increase sting a bit. Final yr, I requested, “Are Rising Watch Costs Altering The Enjoying Area For Lovers?” and appeared on the rising costs of Tudor watches. My colleague Jorg additionally explored this subject in his article “A Nearer Look At The 2024 Tudor Value Will increase — Will They Have An Impact On The Model’s Success?” Now, although, we’re in a special financial and geopolitical panorama, with the administrations of superpowers inspiring international uncertainty. With all this afoot, and even taking into consideration the truth that the Omega Speedmaster has seen worth will increase, it stays, in my thoughts, a fairly compelling look ahead to the asking worth.
So, let’s get again to the topic at hand — the Omega Speedmaster. It’s inside this context that I make the case that buying an Omega Speedmaster as your first Swiss watch is an excellent thought certainly. Certain, for those who’re after an “funding,” there are higher choices on the market. Nonetheless, the Omega Speedmaster is offered in a number of worth segments throughout the secondhand market, and it has a wealthy horological historical past that’s nearly with out peer within the twentieth century.
Why the Omega Speedmaster is a continuing in an inconstant world
If I had been to return in time and put myself within the sneakers of that doe-eyed fanatic who purchased his first new Swiss watch in 2019, I might buy a used Omega Speedmaster. What did I purchase again in 2019? I purchased a brand-new Doxa Sub 200 Sharkhunter on the manufacturing unit beads-of-rice bracelet. It was a incredible watch that suited my way of life, nevertheless it didn’t stick round. I ended up promoting the watch a few years later and getting a blue Tudor Black Bay 58.
I ought to have purchased an Omega Speedmaster. Again then, on the secondary market, a Speedy didn’t price all that rather more than a brand-new Tudor Black Bay 58, no less than right here in Australia. Whereas the Tudor Black Bay 58 is a incredible watch, it doesn’t have the identical stage of design readability and custom that an Omega Speedmaster gives. What do I imply by “design readability”? Properly, for those who’re aware of classic Tudor Submariners (which the 58 riffs off), you’ll observe that the Black Bay 58 has parts from a number of Tudor Submariner references inside its make-up. There’s a whole lot of blended DNA there, so to talk. The unguarded crown and coin-edged bezel could be very Fifties, the dial is Nineteen Sixties, and the handset is Seventies.
The Omega Speedmaster has a core design ethos
The Omega Speedmaster has seen many iterations over the a long time, however the elementary core DNA is there. Sure, you could find quirky examples that don’t mirror that core DNA so clearly, however there was a design ethos with the Speedmaster that’s simple. Now, if you end up a rookie watch fanatic, contemplating a core design ethos when shopping for a watch will not be so necessary. However the extra you get into this passion, I really feel it’s honest to say the extra it issues.
We haven’t even mentioned specs or particular references of the Omega Speedmaster but. Typically talking, although, as one’s first Swiss watch, I might err in the direction of a 42mm Speedmaster with a traditional black dial and possibly even the 1861 caliber. Nonetheless, I do imagine there’s just about an Omega Speedmaster on the market for everybody, together with (for me) one thing just like the lately launched Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified. This explicit watch has been calling me since its debut, though it is vitally a lot not a conventional Speedmaster. It presents a whole lot of look ahead to the asking worth (though it will at all times be good if issues had been inexpensive).
Picture: Fifth Wrist
Concluding ideas
So, that’s my broad case for why a used (or new for those who’re so inclined) Omega Speedmaster is the proper first Swiss watch. It comes all the way down to the sheer variety of decisions on the market, the historic pedigree, high quality, and the enjoyment of proudly owning one thing really iconic. As soon as once more, I imagine that proudly owning one thing with a sure targeted design ethos is definitely worth the expertise.
I can see why RJ and others acquire Speedmasters. For me, I believe one could be sufficient, and I believe that it must be a Pilot Flight Certified. However what do you suppose, Fratelli? Would you suggest shopping for an Omega Speedmaster as one’s first Swiss watch? Let me know for those who would and what explicit reference you’d recommend within the feedback!
