Man, let me tell you about this watch I’ve been eyeing – the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, the Sapphire version. I’ve always been a watch guy, you know, but this one’s special. It’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of history.
So, I started digging around, trying to find the best deal because, let’s be honest, these things aren’t cheap. I hit up all the usual spots online. First, I went to Chrono24. It is a pretty good place. I saw a whole bunch of these Speedmasters listed. Some were going for as low as $5,000, and some were way up there, like over $27,000! I guess it just depends on the condition and who’s selling.
Checked out eBay
Then I checked out eBay. It is also a good place. Lots of options there, too. I found a few that were around $6,000. eBay’s always a bit of a gamble, but sometimes you can score a real bargain. I made sure to look for sellers with good ratings, though. Don’t want to get scammed, right?
I also found out that the retail price for a brand-new one is about $8,000. That’s straight from OMEGA. If you’ve got the cash and want that fresh-out-of-the-box experience, that’s the way to go.
Compared to the original
Here’s the cool part – OMEGA still makes a version that’s almost the same as the original Moonwatch from back in ’69. Same size, same crystal, even the same hand-wound movement. It is pretty neat. They call it the Speedmaster Professional, and it is going for about $6,000 on some sites.
I read up on the specs, too. It’s got a “Certified Master Chronometer” label, which means it’s super accurate and can handle magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. No idea what that means, but it sounds impressive, right? It’s also got a silicon balance spring and a rhodium-plated finish. Fancy stuff.
Decided to go for it
After all this research, I decided to pull the trigger. I found a seller on eBay with a good reputation, selling a used one for around $7,000. It was a bit of a splurge, but I figured, why not? It’s a classic.
When it arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Ripped open the box, and there it was. It is really beautiful. I mean, pictures don’t do it justice. It’s got that black dial, the chronograph, and that see-through back so you can see all the gears and stuff moving around.
I’ve been wearing it every day since. It feels good on the wrist, not too heavy, not too light. And it keeps perfect time, as you’d expect.
- It’s a conversation starter, too. People notice it.
- They ask about it.
- I get to tell them the whole story about how it went to the moon and all that.
It’s more than just a watch to me. It’s like a little piece of history on my wrist. And, hey, if I ever need to time a rocket launch, I’m all set!
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