- Frequently in the Omega
Forum we get a request for information about the
differences between the Speedmaster Moonwatch and the
Speedmaster Reduced (Automatic)... In order to have
this information in a editable/pointable area, I am
posting a reply to one of these queries
here.
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- -- Chuck
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- I have mixed emotions
about the Speedy Auto Reduced...
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- A year and a half ago if
I were to list the watches in the current line that I
wanted to own, the Speedy Auto Reduced, along with the
Schumacher Triple Date (non-arabic) were both on it
with the ones that remain on it. I still like both
watches but find my desire to own them has waned. Not
so much because they are not great watches, but that
there are other watches that I like better.
I've also found that I don't
mind winding watches, in fact I enjoy winding them,
I've also found great satisfaction in my Moonwatches
and the other Speedmaster variants I own.
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- In the case of the
Speedmaster Reduced, there are a couple of things that
I prefer on the moonwatch. I forget who posted about
this originally 6 or 8 months ago, but I hadn't really
noticed it until then. If you look at the dial of the
Reduced you notice a couple of things. First off the
Sub dials at 3 and 9 are switched from the moonwatch
and most other “Tri-Compax” layout
chronographs. Which makes it a little disorienting if
you have a couple of c.861's or c.321's, etc.... The
second thing to notice are the details within the
dials...
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Speedmaster
Automatic Reduced...
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Speedmaster
Professional Moonwatch...
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Note:
Both pictures are the same size and are taken
from Omega's site. The size difference of the
cases of these two watches are illustrated in
these images. Note how the pushers are nearly
totally out of the picture on the image of
the moonwatch.
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- If you look closely at
the reduced you'll notice that there are Arabic minute
markings every 5 seconds except at 15, 30 and 45...
Those markings are omitted because of a lack of space.
Also because of this lack of space the "tick" marks
placed every 5 minutes vary in length on the reduced,
while they remain the same length throughout on the
Moonwatch... Also notice how far apart the sub-dials
are in the reduced Speedmaster when compared to the
Moonwatch. There is a noticeable difference in this
distances between the two watches. None of these
things happen in the classic moonwatch. As the reduced
is smaller in case size all of this contributes to a
much busier dial than the moonwatch.
I won't say that any of
these items individually are a turn off, nor are they
a massive turn off when considered together, but I'm
not as eager to own one, and these are some of the
reasons. For what
it's worth, the reduced model seems to be easily
obtainable on the secondary market at a reasonable
price (well under $1,000 typically). But I wouldn't
consider it to have a great deal of resale value
either.
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- I suppose another way to
look at this (warning
car analogy ahead) is
to consider (wait for it!) the Classic late 1940's and
early 1950's MG sports cars (I warned you!). (yes, I
am that darn predictable!!) Most people consider the
MG TC to be one of the most beautiful Sports Cars ever
produced. MG followed up the TC with the TD, and TF...
Neither of which matched up to the TC in many peoples
eyes, nor in the eyes of collectors.
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- Having said that, I have
not heard anything bad about the accuracy or
reliability of the movement... It's a 46 jeweled
movement which is unusual because it has a fully
jeweled Dubois-Dépraz 2020 chronograph module
piggybacked on a fully jeweled ETA 2890-A2 watch
movement. I have not heard anyone complaining of hands
that don't reset to zero properly, fail to reset,
exhibit "Chrono Hour Creep" or maladies that sometimes
effect Chronographs... Nor have I heard anything
derogatory about the fit or finish of the watch
itself. Some would prefer that it have a screw-back
instead of a snap-on back, However...
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- On
the other hand… I've heard
privately from several different people who have
talked to watchmakers that the chronograph module in
the reduced is a exceedingly difficult one to
service... The time module, which is essentially a
SeMP (non-chronograph) movement is is not at issue,
however the word on the internet is that the
chronograph module is nearly impossible to service or
adjust for even the most technically adept watchmakers
who speed though other common Omega Movements (c.321,
c.x86x, c.1040, c.1041, c.1045, 7750's, etc.)... At
least one watchmaker is known to just mail the
chronograph module to Bienne and ask for a new module
complete, which Omega will send, no questions asked,
for a cost of around $140 US. Apparenly it is
significantly less hassle to pay that cost than to
work to repair the module. Hence it is wise to
consider this potentiality when purchasing a watch.
Many watchmakers will do a clean/lube and general
adjustment for $100~150 or so... If a chronograph
module is necessary then the parts cost alone has just
increased by $140 or so.
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The
Reduced is an decent watch, perhaps
even a good watch and for some people it is
the right choice. But it's not a moonwatch.
As for the price difference, I'm not sure why
the auto is priced less, other than it
probably cost Omega less money to obtain a
ETA movement than a Lemania movement, at
least until recently... Now that Lemania is
part of the Swatch Group (along with ETA and
Omega) this may change. It also is smaller in
size but only modestly so.
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The
Moonwatch is a classic and has been,
is and seemingly always will be in demand.
The TimeZone Omega Forum has been around for
nearly four years now and we typically have
several new Moonwatch owners post that they
just got their first Moonwatch nearly every
week. High demand means higher resale value.
As for the reduced you can typically find
several being offered at anytime on secondary
market and they typically go for less than
$1,000 in mint shape.
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- Which one you choose,
and which is best for you is best decided by
you! Again and as always my suggestion when
trying to choose between these or any two watches is
to try them on side-by-side for how they feel on your
wrist. If one is uncomfortable to you by comparison,
then you might wish to consider the other. I don't
think the size difference between the two is so great
for most people to push the Pro out of contention. In
fact we do get a lot of traffic from people who:
a) thought the Moonwatch was too big, but after
having the Reduced for a short time had regrets and
were looking to sell it, and b) bought the
Professional even though at the time of purchase that
it was too big and found that after time they really
got used to it and were happy they did. But these are
merely my observations, yours may be
different and almost certainly better for
you.
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- -- Chuck
Statement
of rights retained and permissions granted...
Permission is granted for
Damon, RJ, Derek and/or Frank N. to include within the
FAQ's they are writing as long as I'm given credit for
this work. Permission for personal, educational or
non-commercial use is granted. The author retains all
other rights not specifically mentioned
here...
For all other use please contact
the author.
- Disclaimer:
Opinions expressed are my own and knowing me should be
taken with a grain or two of salt...
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,
in June, 2000,