Which would it be?

2570 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Houston, Dec 7, 2007

Houston

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2007

Hey Pals

As some of you may know the Speedmaster Professional post Moonwalk and until the early 80s had the cal861 movement in Red Gold. Well not of it but where we currently see Rhodium was once Red Gold. It looks great as I'm sure you've seen from Fr John's pictures.

You won't find them with display backs of course. These are converted examples with the cost of conversion somewhere in the region of $400 I would say since a display back would cost approximately $300 assuming you can find one.

That would bring up the cost of an early 70s Speedy to something akin to the price of a pre-loved LE. Even the 30th Anniversary " Hello Houston... " model now goes for no less than $2200 these days.

Hence my question is - which would you go for? The Conversion or The LE? Or perhaps you would consider a young 3573.50 instead?

So which guys and why please?

Y'all be well now pals :001_smile:

ZIN

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

aaron

· #2 · Dec 7, 2007

Hey Zin,

You know what I would go for,the 3573.50.00 sapphire sandwich.
:001_rolleyes:

It might not be for the purist,a moon watch,but hey my space days are now over and I won't be going to the moon.:001_tt2::001_tt2:

I just love the whole overall look of this model and I just love the display back.:thumbup1:

Houston

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 7, 2007

Hey Good Buddy

Pls don't 4get to vote :thumbup1:

I'm sure the traditionalists won't hold your love of the 3573.50 against you amigo. I certainly won't since I :001_wub: mine. This is one watch I ain't giving up:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Have a good weekend on the rancho :001_smile:

ZIN

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jmsrolls

· #4 · Dec 7, 2007

3

Well, Br. ZIN, you know how I voted

Fortunately, I was given a "RG" cal. 861 beater (c. 1982) for starters:

And with spares from my parts drawer, I ended up with this:

which gets the most wrist time of my three Speedies.

As to cost, I suggest monitoring "the bay" and over time a "beater" and all the necessary parts should be available - probably for less than $1500. (And why pay $400 for a display back alone when a new case with crystal, bezel, crown, pushers, and display back can be had for $640.)

I've owned several LEs but creating my own makes it more special, not to mention the fact that PW1 is LE 1/4 and PW2 is LE 1/1.

Fr. John+

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Houston

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 7, 2007

Bro

You are the Speedy Pro Custom King, this side of the moon :thumbup1:

Heck, make it the other side too :thumbup::thumbup:

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Thanks for the pictures - saved me digging them up

Be well and lotsa blessings now :001_smile:

ZIN

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Fergie

· #6 · Dec 7, 2007

I voted other. By that I mean I'll have Fr John's if he were ever to sell it and I had the money to buy it :biggrin:

Houston

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 7, 2007

It's astonishing what some sellers think they can get the market to pay for 70s Speedies.

I've seen a couple in the UK asking $3300 and $3600 respectively.

How greedy can you get?

Needless to say I have never and will never be buying or indeed be anywhere near them.

Sorry pals, thanks for letting me vent. If I could, I wold name them too :001_rolleyes:

Y'all have a nice day now :001_smile:

ZIN

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J!m

· #8 · Dec 7, 2007

I voted "OTHER" because I want an unaltered cal. 861 :001_wub: for my collection...

No, you can't see the spectacular movement at will, but a few nice pictures to refer to can tie you over...

Houston

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 7, 2007

Well it sure isn't a scientific sample but I was even at this highly early stage not expecting this vote.

Still undecided of course ( between 1 and 2 ) but likely to settle for the historic element in 2.....

Be well pals :001_smile:

ZIN

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hewybaby

· #10 · Dec 7, 2007

Houston said:
Hey Pals

As some of you may know the Speedmaster Professional post Moonwalk and until the early 80s had the cal861 movement in Red Gold. Well not of it but where we currently see Rhodium was once Red Gold. It looks great as I'm sure you've seen from Fr John's pictures.

You won't find them with display backs of course. These are converted examples with the cost of conversion somewhere in the region of $400 I would say since a display back would cost approximately $300 assuming you can find one.

That would bring up the cost of an early 70s Speedy to something akin to the price of a pre-loved LE. Even the 30th Anniversary " Hello Houston... " model now goes for no less than $2200 these days.

Hence my question is - which would you go for? The Conversion or The LE? Or perhaps you would consider a young 3573.50 instead?

So which guys and why please?

Y'all be well now pals :001_smile:

ZIN

A picky point, but something Omega themselves participate in on occasion, although they certainly know better.

It wasn't red gold. There is no gold - none - zero - zilch -nada in the plating. It is a copper alloy.

By the way, what makes red gold red? -- copper.

jmsrolls

· #11 · Dec 7, 2007

Sam is correct. . .

chemical analysis has proven that not only is there is no gold in the "rose gold" gilt, there is no gold in the "yellow gold" either.

That's why I always put the color of the gilt in quotes "".

On the other hand the rhodium is not a gilt but rather a plating that is much more resitant to corrosion. Rhodium is also much more expensive.

And IMO the rhodium of the 1863 movement and the 35th Anniversary dial go very well together:

Fr. John+

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Houston

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 7, 2007

Yes Gentlemen, you're absolutely right. I was a little loose with presenting the description since its' not something I keep at the forefront of my mind.

Truth be known I enjoy the rhodium most of all but once in a while it would be nice to ogle the others.

Y'all have a nice weekend now :001_smile:

ZIN

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G.J.

· #13 · Dec 7, 2007

I voted 70's Speedmaster, just because I was born in 1971.
Someday I will get me a 1971 Speedy...:001_wub:

Houston

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 7, 2007

Heh Heh

You know what I'm going to say pal since you keep landing yourself in it :lol:

Why wait?

You know what to do

:thumbup1::thumbup:

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Hey there's a question for you which I created a couple of hours ago :001_tongue:

Be well now pal :001_smile:

ZIN

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G.J.

· #15 · Dec 7, 2007

:001_tt2::001_tt2::001_tt2::001_tt2::001_tt2:

Houston

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 7, 2007

Careful pal

These things can be cut off :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

:lol:

Salvation lies in your hands. It's the dark side and perdition or

Walk In The Light Of Bienne :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

See ya pal, hope le famile is well :001_smile:

ZIN

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