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Make: Omega Model: Speedmaster Professional Movement: Omega Calibre 861(Lemania 1873) Dial: Black Complications: Chronograph Material: Stainless Steel Crystal: WR: Width: 42mm Height: 14mm Lugs: 20mm Lug to Lug: 47.5mm Date Purchased: April 8, 2004 Purchase Price: $1084 Source: Time Zone Sales Corner Status: In Wearing Rotation

Wow. Technically, my first RMW (Rich Man’s Watch – watches over $1k), but just barely. Also the most I have spent to date on a watch, by more than double. Wow. This has been on my “wish list” for some time, and I did not think that I would own one so soon, nor would I be so instantly pleased with it. As I write this I have had the watch in my possession for less than 24 hours and I am already thinking OWN (One Watch Nirvana – that watch that can be the one piece a WIS owns).

Why the Speedmaster? A few reasons, first it’s a chronograph, and I love timing stuff, just for the sake of doing it. I am also a fan of black dials, so that was a natural, and I liked the layout of the dials. Then there is the historical aspect with the Speedmaster being the first watch worn on the Moon and the substantial history with NASA and the Omega Speedmaster line.

I managed to find a local (the only local) Omega dealer in Spokane and tried one on back in early March, 2004. That was what sank me – I knew after that that I did want one and it even more quickly became one of my “grail watches”. I procured enough funds to go used and after two weeks of not finding one this one came up on the sales corner. It is in great shape, some signs of wear on the back of the lugs (most likely from inexperienced bracelet removal/strap changes) and there is a small mark on the case between the lugs where the bracelet used to sit. Otherwise, it’s great. I received some information that I could have done better, gotten this one for less or a better one for the amount I paid. But, for what I was seeing available in my range, I have to disagree.

The seller has just had the watch serviced and it is running strong. In June I added the Omega bracelet found on eBay to complete the watch. Totally satisfied with this purchase, without question.

This watch is from 1985 and is showing it’s age some. The lume on the dial has faded and is very weak, and there is a spot on the dial as well (which was there when I bought the watch, but had not noticed it. The hands have some patina and poor lume as well. So, this one will be off to the spa some day soon for a new dial, hands and crystal.