Helmut

Chaps, my HEV button has gone missing. I was going to loctite the bugger on but before getting round to doing it, the little blighter has already done a runner.

Does anyone know where I can get hold of one please??

It's the Seamaster Pro Chrono 300m.

Anyone know the Otto Frei code for the item and if he holds them in stock?

Thanks

Great review, By-Tor. Nice to see a comparison.

I got my Chrono last week from Josh and it's not left my wrist!

It most certainly does have an old fashioned 'purposeful' feel to it and the quality is second to none. I have had mine next to a gen and it is almost impossible to tell them apart. I would say this is one of the most accurate reps around and only when you have it next to a gen can you spot the minor flaws.

My pal who has a gen says mine actually keeps better time than his!

Whilst bored here on a Friday night, I did the usual surfing around for time pieces. I came across a Seamaster model I'd never seen before;

The Seamaster Ploprof 600

A very specialised pro dive watch certified down to 1300'. Not everyones cup of tea but it would be a nice one in the collection.

Searched around for more info on the odd looking thing and came across other highly specialised dive wrist work. One that I would consider to win the 'most imposing crystal' award would go to the Rolex Deep Sea Special;

Now that would certainly be a conversation piece!

From what I can glean, it was designed with the help of Jacques Piccard for use in the Trieste descent to the Marianas Trench. Not cheap either. Only a handful were made and only a few remain and they fetch upwards of £75000! Talk you way out of a rep with one of them!

The site is here. Its in Swiss but can be Babelfished. Lots of very interesting history on dive watches and some nice pics of the more extreme arm clocks.

I particularly liked the Seamaster 120 near the bottom of the page.

I really like the old traditional 1960's 'divers' watch look. Functional, solid and just a bit mad.

C'mon rep makers, go out on a limb and give us some of these barking mad jobbies!!

Thanks for that. I'll ask him next time round.

Excellent write up, chrgod!

I too have ordered one from Josh last weekend. Really looking forward to getting it.

Depending on how the bezel, crysyal and case back look, I may pop off to Offrei and 'mix and match' with some gen parts.

I didn't know about the extra pre delivery cleaning/service? Where are the details for it please?

Very nice. Can we expect it for sale soon?

Which model is it? Is it a fantasy? It doesnt look disimilar to some of the earlier Sinn models.

I saw an XXL Railmaster at the dealers today. F**k my boots, it's HUGE!! It must be like wearing a wall clock on your wrist.....

It was sat next to a Speedy Pro and it made that look like a lady's ticker!

I think most of them sell a bastardised version of the reduced (see By-Tors great review).

Cheers for that, baltic. I was going to ask about the case back. Sounds good that the gen fits.

Many thanks.

thats what the genuine automatic reduced version should look like.

that replica is like a mixture of the moon and the reduced.

Thats the conclusion I have come to too.

Thats good to know, madmex.

Ok, $64000 question. Who has the full size Pro with correct (ish) case in stock?? ......and will the case allow the fitment of a gen hesalite and bezel?

Regards

Nope. I think you're getting the "reduced" confused with the "moonwatch."

Look at the crown on the reduced ("latest one" in your post), it sticks out... it also has the numbers on the hour indices... that's from the reduced only.

The subdial spacing is correct on the reduced, but the word "Professional" should not be on there.

Look at the hands too--they're correct for both versions (being different in each case--look at the seconds hand).

By-Tor wrote a review of his "Speedmaster reduced" check it out.

It's what I'm inclined to think too.

Having read By-Tors excellant reviews and looked closely at the reduced and normal Moon, it's all getting a bit confusing.

Ok, I'll try and explain.

The usual Speedy Pro moon rep has the incorrect subdial spacing which inturn means the 9 and 3 stick markers are short. Hands are as per the gen as is the remainder of the dial markings..no second numbering around face and two dots either side of the 12 marker. From our dealers, I've read the case dimensions are 40mm across the case and 10.5mm thick. These dimensions equate to a pre 1965 Speedy (non pro).

The gen Reduced has a case size of 38mm and the same face as the 'new' one I've mentioned in my first post. Numbered seconds on the face, thin sweep hand and the thin crown guard. These facts (apart from the case size) means the current Speedmasters the dealers have are all Reduced despite having Professional in place of Automatic below 'Speedmaster'.

So, my conclusion so far is that there are currently three Speedmaster Moonies available from the dealers.

1. 40mm case with all the correct Reduced features. Case a bit too big. Professional instead of Auto. Subdial spacing is accurate to gen Reduced.

2. 40mm case with the wrong crown guard, face and hands. Subdial issue. Case of a reduced, face of a Pro.

3. ??mm case with correct face and crown guard. Subdial issue.

3 is at present the nearest to a Speedy Pro Moon. I believe its the one that baltic reviewed recently next to a gen. The two pictures at the begining of this thread are closest to a Reduced imho.

So, to summerise!

My initial title of 'New Speedies. Getting Closer to Gen' would now appear to refer to the reduced. I was hoping we would be a bit closer to a Pro Moon to be honest. Each time I'm about to commit to buying one, I get this anally retentive 'detail devil' tapping me on the shoulder prior to pressing 'purchase'! I guess I'm going to go with the one baltic has. (Can we have the Speedy Broadarrow case (42mm) with a Moonie Pro face please? Subdial will still be an issue but it will be closer in case size to the gen).

BTW, where did you get it from, baltic? Great review too, thanks.

Edited to add. Cancel that baltic, I've just read back through your posts and you got it from EL? Regards

Interesting...Any other changes you can see?

We now have second numbers around the face. I've not seen those on a full size Moonie. I think they are only found on the reduced. Some you win, some you lose!

Just had a quick gander at a couple of our dealers and it appears that the latest Speemaster Moonies are getting closer to the gen. I'm on about the apparent sub dial spacing;

Latest version

Earlier version

Both look identical but have a closer look at the length of the 9 and 3 stick markers. They appear to be the same length as the rest. It may be all the markers have been printed smaller so they can all be the same length to give the apparent view that the gen has.

Now, heres the question. Has the latest version got a larger sized face? (The cases are the same size). Both have the same movement so I'm guessing the subdial spacing is the same. If the dial is larger, this may mean the outer ring is not so obvious now. Win win situation in the step towards the gen.

Anyone got one yet? Next one on my list but would like a heads up.

Thoughts?

Thanks to Josh for the pics.

The new Navis Ive seen on a couple of the dealers sites appear to have the correct date window now. Just hope they have the correct 'temp' back.

Whos going to be the first to do a 'rep' of it?

I'm with TTK. The design isnt my cup of tea but the sheer craftsmanship is outstanding. He even made his own crown!! Just looking at the picture of the tiny thing in the minute lathe is a piece of work on its own.

Just about to buy a black face one for my wife.

I'll probably change the bracelet too. Whats the size between lugs?

Nice pics, Pug.

With it having an Asian 12J movement, does the second hand sweep as per the real one? It actually looks nicer than the new ETA version 2.

Very nice. And a steal too!

Breitling Bentley GT.

I too have closely compared the original and this rep and there is virtualy no difference. Almost spot on. I've even tried using a layer method of the original superimposed over the rep with Paintshop Pro. The only tiny (and I mean tiny) difference is the apparent depth of the inner part of the bezels (the white part). It appears slightly deeper on the rep (as it is with the navitimers too actually). It is very good though. It's now officialy on my 'watch' list.

Cheers speedy. Gives me a rough idea anyway.

I think dragon is on about the case back. It appears they have missed off the cross through on the t of Switzerland.

Thanks for the replies chaps.

Im happy about the cost of initial spares and the cost of an old strap. I can shop around for those at a later date. But what I would like to know is what you would be willing to pay for the watch in its present condition....taking that the movement is on the whole ok but requiring a service (I can get it serviced for a very good price from a friend of a friend).

I want the watch as a project but dont want to pay through the teeth for it so your estimates would be much appreciated.

Ok, heres the thought.

I've seen a gen 1968 Omega Speedmaster but it needs a bit of TLC. Here is the brief description of the watch;

The movement is very clean as is the dust cover and the seal is also in place and looks in good condition. The movement is 861 calibre and the crown and bottom pusher is missing. The crystal is scratched and needs replacing, the hands are also dirty but all intact and in place. The hour hand is red. The case quite a few knocks and marks and would benefit from a good clean.

It suggests the watch works but only if you shake it. It runs for a bit then stops.

It looks a bit rough but thats how I like 'em.

I've priced up the obvious missing bits/bits that need replacing from Ofrei and that comes to about $240/£130 (not including bracelet/strap).

A good servicing would be required but the movement appears in good order.

What would be a good price to pay for the watch??

The tracking numbers may well be real. It wouldnt be difficult for the site to just send a random 'item' to those locations to get said tracking number. Gives him a bit of credibility for the price of an envelope. The pictures of the watches seem like 'generic' as opposed of the actual items. Probably the sort of cheap tat you could pick up from the 'Lucky lucky' man from most Spanish resorts for a few euros.......if there are any items at all.

I'm quite happy in my comfort zone here thank you very much.

Cheers finepics. So long as I dont have to fiddle with the lickle gear fingies too much! Even with my fingers which are like pigs [censored], it should be straightforwardish.

Pugs, you have 4 months on me and on this subject its important. Ive learnt so much in only a few days.