Speedy Pro or Date?

[GregH]

Hello,

Very brand new to the forums and has some questions for you folks. I am begining to consider a Speedmaster. The only *nice* watches I have are Russian Poljots so far.

Anyhow, I really like the Speedmaster, but wondered what your thoughts are between the Professional and the Date. I noticed that the Date has a different movement, and is a tad smaller. I also don't particularly like the slightly angled links in the bracelet. However I DO like the date function, since I'm pretty forgetful.

But my question is: since I'd be buying a watch w/ a rich heritage, would I be doing myself a disservice by not getting the Professional?

Secondly, is there any reliable resource that you have had luck with for buying a high quality watch used? Prefer online, as to be able to browse from afar.

Thanks guys!

[CajunMike]

Anyhow, I really like the Speedmaster, but wondered what your thoughts are between the Professional and the Date. I noticed that the Date has a different movement, and is a tad smaller. I also don't particularly like the slightly angled links in the bracelet. However I DO like the date function, since I'm pretty forgetful.

But my question is: since I'd be buying a watch w/ a rich heritage, would I be doing myself a disservice by not getting the Professional?

The date has a Valjoux movement and the Pro has the Lemania movement. Both are very good solid movements, so not really much edge for either there. The date is an automatic, while the Pro is a manual wind watch(you will need to wind it daily or every couple days). I think the date is now Chronometer certified, and has a better depth rating.

With that being said, you might think I am leaning to the Date, however, after trying them on and considering the history, there is no doubt that I would pick the Pro over the date. It has a more solid feel and the history of the watch is unmatched. Hard to beat the speedy pro. You might have to sacrifice the date and it probably won't keep as good time (not chronometer certified), but its just an iconic timepiece.

Make the decision for yourself. Get to an ad and try them both on. You will notice the difference and no doubt will come to the same conclusion.

Best of luck.

[GregH]

Thank you for the helpful and thoughtful reply! As a newbie, I have a few more questions. Are you saying that the Pro is not certified? I would have thought that NASA's baby would have all the accolades too. Or were they more worried about durability than accuracy over the course of days?

I have a manual wind Poljot and while it would be nice to have an auto, I can make due for another great watch. I know what you mean about the solid feel. I really liked the Tag Heuer Carrera until I tried one on, and it felt too light. If a watch is really supposed to be durable, and have longevity, I want the sucker HEAVY, like my Poljot.

Any thoughts on the used market? I know some of you have good resources out there :)

[eptaz]

Thank you for the helpful and thoughtful reply! As a newbie, I have a few more questions. Are you saying that the Pro is not certified? I would have thought that NASA's baby would have all the accolades too. Or were they more worried about durability than accuracy over the course of days?

I have a manual wind Poljot and while it would be nice to have an auto, I can make due for another great watch. I know what you mean about the solid feel. I really liked the Tag Heuer Carrera until I tried one on, and it felt too light. If a watch is really supposed to be durable, and have longevity, I want the sucker HEAVY, like my Poljot.

Any thoughts on the used market? I know some of you have good resources out there :)
There have been Limited Edition Chronometer c.x861 Speedy Pros, so the movement is capable of that type of accuracy, and a lot of Speedy owners report it with their standard Pros. But, the standard Pro has never been COSC, and it still isn't today.

The Lemania c.x861 movement in the Pro is one of, if not the most rugged chronograph movements ever, as the NASA tests (http://www.clubspeedmaster.com/space/tests.htm) helped demonstrate. But, as Mike said, the Valjoux 7750, which is the base of the Date movement, is also proven, rugged, and reliable. It is, however, a much more common movement, which has been used by many, many manufacturers over the years, and still today.

In my opinion, one of the best places to find a nice, preowned Speedy is on the Watchuseek or TZ Sales Forums. But first, take Mike's advice and visit an AD to see them in person, and try them on.

Good luck!

eric

[greyhound]

I have the Speedy Pro and the Speedy racing model which is automatic with a date. I really like both and I don't think you could go wrong with either of these.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/greyhound68/OMG1245.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/greyhound68/IMG_0327.jpg

[jmsrolls]

I've never bought a new Speedy Pro (and I've owned a dozen or so over the years) so check for a PM from me with some reliable sources for pre-owned.

Early on I thought I had to have an automatic Speedy with the date then I bought my first Speedy Pro.

Who cares what day it is with a moon watch on your wrist! :-d

Fr. John+

[Andrés]

If you get the Pro you´ll love it, and be very happy with it. If you get the date you´ll wish you had gotten the Pro... save yourself time and money and get the Pro.

[GregH]

Greyhound,

That racing verision is beautiful, and from what it sounds like, has the "bells and whistles" that I was referring to. I like the layout on the face of the dials and the date much better than the current "Date" as shown on the Omega website. Is the sizing of the case on the Racing the same as the Pro, or is it smaller, as is the newest Date?

Jmsrolls,

Thanks much for the PM, I'll look into your suggestions.

All,

Thanks much for the great info. I'm a huge fan of forums where everyone is helpful and nice. In the car-world there are definatly forums where I'd be afraid to ask rookie questions. Thanks for making it comfortable here!!!

[Andrés]

Is the sizing of the case on the Racing the same as the Pro, or is it smaller, as is the newest Date?

It has the same case (42mm diameter) with an automatic movement, a date and a different dial.

[blokejoneserd]

Ive been trying to make this comparison myself over the last few weeks. I think Id really like the Pro, since the date seems to almost be cluttered IMO. However, I hate not having a date on my watch. I used it more than you'd think.

Ive tried to look at pre-owned, and even get a good deal from local ADs. I even found the Pro on Amazon.com, although I don't know if it would come from an AD. I'd question if Amazon would work with grey market or non-AD sources. Anyone know?

I also don't like the fact that the Pro has a plastic crystal, but is this really an issue? How have these held up for those of you that have them?

I'd appreciate any feedback people could provide. Seems like nearly everyone on here has had or has a Pro at one time or another.

Bloke

[Fatpants]

Speedy Pro everyday of the week.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/fatpants_photos/P1010116-3.jpg

Alex;-)

[jmsrolls]

Ive been trying to make this comparison myself over the last few weeks. I think Id really like the Pro, since the date seems to almost be cluttered IMO. However, I hate not having a date on my watch. I used it more than you'd think.

Ive tried to look at pre-owned, and even get a good deal from local ADs. I even found the Pro on Amazon.com, although I don't know if it would come from an AD. I'd question if Amazon would work with grey market or non-AD sources. Anyone know?

I also don't like the fact that the Pro has a plastic crystal, but is this really an issue? How have these held up for those of you that have them?

I'd appreciate any feedback people could provide. Seems like nearly everyone on here has had or has a Pro at one time or another.

Bloke

Bloke, I've owned a couple of dozen Speedy Pros over the years and had the same reservations before I bought my first: no date and "plastic" crystal.

For that reason I went "pre-owned" from one of our preferred eBay sellers knowing that if the Speedy Pro wasn't for me I could flip it without suffering the depreciation hit of a new one.

Like most, I found the lack of date and scratches to the crystal to be non-issues.

And those are gray market watches on Amazon.

Fr. John+

[TNTTNT]

May be a series of questions in sequence may help.

Try them both on and buy the one you think looks best on you.

If they both look equally good, decide which is more important to you, movement history or having date.

If the previous answer was either, get cheapest of two.


I had several watches already, so for me the only reasons to get another was looks and general movement interest, so I went for the Pro. With hindsight the old Day Date looked better to me, so I should have gone for that one.