Thoughts on the Omega Speedmaster 38 Co-Axial
Hi All,
Curious to hear people’s thoughts on the Omega Speedmaster 38 Co-Axial, specifically ref. 324.30.38.50.01.001 (the black dial with square date window).
Love the speedmaster from an aesthetic standpoint as well as the history behind it, but find the speedy pro simply to large for my wrist (6.5”). I’ve also looked at the speedy reduced, but am a little put off by the prospect of higher servicing costs for these. (If anyone has any insight to servicing costs for these vs. the speedy 38 that would be super helpful!)
Would also love to hear from any owners of the 324.30.38.50.01.001! Does it scratch the speedy itch for you? Is there anything you’d change about it?
Thanks in advance for any info!
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My first automatic watch purchase (in 2020) was a pre-owned Speedmaster Date (which I consider a "precursor" of sorts to the Speedmaster 38). I loved that watch - looks great, wears great. I always get compliments.
That being said - I find that after a 18 months, I really want a Speedmaster Pro (primarily due to personal reasons - the NASA story really does it for me). So, I'm actually about to sell the Speedy Date to cover part of the cost of the Pro. But, if it were not for the NASA tie-in, I'd probably keep my Date.
By the way, I tried on the Speedy 38 at the Boutique a year ago, and I loved how it fit on the wrist. The date change complication is a little funky (you need to push a button on the case to advance the date [this isn't the case with the Speedmaster Date]).
I also like how you can turn it into a "dress" chronograph (depending on the model).
I think @Max has a youtube video on the Speedmaster 38 from a few years ago.
Re:Servicing - I think you're gonna want to send the watch to Omega for servicing (because of the co-axial movement) - and that'll cost you $750. But, you should be able go 7-10 years between servicing (according to what the sales people at the Boutique told me).
I’d try them both on in a boutique and compare how they look on your wrist before making the decision. The 38 is a bit thicker, if I am remembering correctly, from needing room for the automatic rotor. Some end up preferring the narrower width and thicker watch. Others do that exercise and go the other way.
If you like the 38 better and having an automatic after trying them both on, go for it! If you prefer the Moonwatch and don’t mind manually winding, go for it. If it’s a tie/trade-off, you may want to go with the Moonwatch.
My first automatic watch purchase (in 2020) was a pre-owned Speedmaster Date (which I consider a "precursor" of sorts to the Speedmaster 38). I loved that watch - looks great, wears great. I always get compliments.
That being said - I find that after a 18 months, I really want a Speedmaster Pro (primarily due to personal reasons - the NASA story really does it for me). So, I'm actually about to sell the Speedy Date to cover part of the cost of the Pro. But, if it were not for the NASA tie-in, I'd probably keep my Date.
By the way, I tried on the Speedy 38 at the Boutique a year ago, and I loved how it fit on the wrist. The date change complication is a little funky (you need to push a button on the case to advance the date [this isn't the case with the Speedmaster Date]).
I also like how you can turn it into a "dress" chronograph (depending on the model).
I think @Max has a youtube video on the Speedmaster 38 from a few years ago.
Re:Servicing - I think you're gonna want to send the watch to Omega for servicing (because of the co-axial movement) - and that'll cost you $750. But, you should be able go 7-10 years between servicing (according to what the sales people at the Boutique told me).
Thanks for the reply! Totally agree on the date change complication and have the sense that with my use the date would just end up not getting set 😅
The date and the butterfly clasp are the two things that bother me about the 38 which are different on the reduced, which is seeming more and more like a better option.
Additionally, it seems like servicing costs for the reduced and the 38 co-axial through Omega might be fairly comparable. (Can anyone confirm this?)
Do modern Reduced models still have the buttons offset from the crown? I think that would bother me more than servicing costs.
That offset pushed me towards an Auto Date, but I was only looking at used models. I'm not sure the Auto Date really scratches the same itch though, plus I have small hands and find the crown miniscule and painful to use.