Okay, so, I’ve been eyeing this OMEGA Speedmaster Chrono Chime for a while now. You know, the one that’s like a tribute to the original Moonwatch? Yeah, that’s the one. It’s a classic, and I’ve always wanted a piece of that history. Plus, the whole “limited edition” thing makes it even more tempting. It’s like, if I get this, I’m part of an exclusive club, right?
So, I started digging around, looking for the best way to get my hands on one without, you know, selling a kidney. I heard about these “original order” versions, which are basically replicas, but really, really good ones. Some folks online were saying they’re practically identical to the real deal, especially those mimicking the old Speedmasters like the 105.012 and 145.022. I got excited that this is doable.
I found a seller, this guy who seemed to know his stuff. We chatted a bit, and I told him exactly what I was looking for. He sent me some pictures, and man, it looked good. The details, the weight, even the feel of the Hesalite crystal – it all seemed spot on. It even has this manual-wind movement, just like the originals. And the water resistance? 50m, not bad at all.
The seller also mentioned something about a “Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 1932” movement, which is apparently some super complicated, high-tech thing that OMEGA developed. I didn’t really understand all the technical jargon, but it sounded impressive, but the guy was honest and said that this one I’m getting doesn’t have that advanced movement, and it’s okay. Oh, and he showed me one with a high-beat movement, similar to the Zenith El Primero, which allows for 1/10th of a second accuracy. That was pretty cool, but I decided to stick with the classic Moonwatch style in the end.
I ended up pulling the trigger and ordering it. It took a few weeks to arrive, but when it did, it was worth the wait. It came in this nice box, and the watch itself was just… wow. I mean, for something that’s not technically the “real” thing, it’s incredibly well-made.
I’ve been wearing it for a few days now, and I’m loving it. It’s comfortable on the wrist, and it just looks so damn good. I even compared it to some pictures of the authentic ones online, and honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference unless maybe you’re a serious watch expert with a magnifying glass. I even saw someone online asking if a Silver Snoopy version for $170 was worth it, and I felt pretty good about my decision. I mean, the real Chrono Chime is like $700,000!
Here’s what I did:
- Researched: Spent hours online, reading forums and articles about OMEGA Speedmasters and these “original order” replicas.
- Compared: Looked at tons of pictures and videos of both the real ones and the replicas, trying to spot any differences.
- Contacted Sellers: Reached out to a few different sellers to get a feel for their products and prices.
- Negotiated: Asked a lot of questions and made sure I was getting exactly what I wanted.
- Ordered: Finally made the purchase and waited patiently for it to arrive.
- Inspected: Carefully examined the watch when it arrived, making sure everything was as described.
- Enjoyed: Started wearing the watch and appreciating its craftsmanship and history (even if it’s a replica’s history!).
Final Thoughts
So yeah, that’s my experience with getting an “original order” OMEGA Speedmaster Chrono Chime. It was a bit of a journey, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. If you’re thinking about getting one, just do your research, ask a lot of questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. But if you find the right seller and the right watch, it can be a really rewarding experience. You get the look and feel of a legendary timepiece without having to break the bank.