Yahoo Finance Shopping Time: Vintage Omega Speedmaster Prices Are Falling. Here’s 5 to Buy Right Now.
We are always scouring the web for the most amazing watches currently available, and each Friday we share five standout pieces with you.
We’ve been bringing you very good news lately, as the global watch market keeps racing back down to earth—not unlike the Omega Speedmaster that helped save the Apollo 13 mission. Using market data, we’ve shown that most Rolex models generally, GMT-Masters specifically, Patek Philippe’s Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak have all come down in price. And we’ve even created a primer on how to use market data to inform your collecting strategies.
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Today, we are delighted to report that the buyers market is also in effect for the coveted Omega Speedmaster, and not just any Speedy, but exceptional vintage models. These are the kind of Speedmasters that get traded among expert collectors. They’re rich with history, patina, authenticity and cultural relevance.
The Omega Speedmaster boasts an enviable history, from its space-faring exploits of the ‘60s and ‘70s, to its modern day stature as the defacto hand-winding chronograph. Though the watch originally hails from 1957, the design has evolved in a subtle manner, and remains largely the same to this day. This is a watch that simply refuses to age. The dial itself has stood the test of time in a unique manner, serving as a testament to the effectiveness of a practical, straightforward tool watch design. They become beautiful because they work. And the Speedmaster most certainly works in both form and function.
Despite all of those accolades, prices for exceptional vintage Omega Speedmasters—like the five we’ve curated below—are downright saggy. Watch expert and vintage dealer Alan Bedwell of Foundwell tells us that, “Well, they are sadly following the rest of the market down. The biggest issue is that fall out from the Philipps [Speedmaster reference] 2915-1.”
Bedwell is bringing up a very sore topic for the vintage Speedmaster community—not to mention for Phillips auctioneers and Omega itself. This now-famous Speedmaster reference 2915-1 hammered for over $3 million in 2021 and turned out to be a fake. Robb Report‘s watch and jewelry editor, Paige Reddinger, profiled Jose Pereztroika, who runs the critical blog Perezcope, which perused a rogue investigation into the watch, basically forcing a more formal investigation. As for the fear Bedwell mentions: If Omega can be fooled, then who can’t?
Bedwell goes on to say that, “It has spooked many amateur collectors, and put others off altogether with even very experienced collectors waiting to see how low they go before they strike! The prices being achieved 1/2 years ago are a distant memory now…this falling tide is dragging all boats down with it.” Not great news for sellers, but for collectors interested in vintage Speedies, this is a good moment.
Yes, vintage Speedmasters present a little bit of a dodgy market, but all vintage watch collecting involves a level of risk. As always, know and trust your seller. (Our guide to collecting vintage watches can help you get your bearings on that point.)
Below we bring you some of the best vintage Speedmasters available on the market right now.
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Omega Speedmaster 2998-6 | $39,500
This reference of the Speedmaster is interesting for a few reasons, and this specific example has a remarkable provenance. The 2998 was produced between 1959 and 1963, and as such uses a straight-lug case with no crown guards that measures slightly smaller as a result. This reference houses the famous caliber 321 movement and the dial design is transitioning from the original broad handset from 1957, to a slightly toned-down broadsword set here prior to receiving pencil hands. The hands of the sub registers have already transitioned to the straightforward stick type here, and the dial itself has moved to the step style at the perimeter. This family of references represents some important transitional elements that became foundational to the Speedmaster subsequently.
We mentioned that this specific example has an interesting provenance, and that comes from the original owner, who was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The watch was purchased originally in 1963 at an Air Force base located in France. The original paperwork for this purchase is a part of the full kit that accompanies this watch, which also includes the original corduroy lined box. This is a true collectors item, and the exceptional condition of the case is the cherry on top.
Omega Speedmaster 105.003 ‘Ed White’ | $10,850
The reference 105.003 represents another important step in the history of the Speedmaster. This reference has earned the ‘Ed White’ nickname for having been worn by the astronaut during his 36 minute EVA during the Gemini 4 mission. The Ed White reference utilizes a straight lug case that measures 38.5mm, and has no crown guards. This is a highly revered reference not only for its association with Ed White prior to him becoming officially flight qualified by NASA, but also for being among the final Speedmasters to use the straight lug case (later references use larger twisted lug case design that we know and love in the Speedmaster Professional range today).
This example from 1965 available from H.Q. Milton features a borderline tropical (faded to brown) dial with a mostly even brown color that has developed with age. Some variance around the 1 o’clock marker is worth noting, but overall I’d say that age has made itself known in a beautiful manner here. Another thing worth noting is the lack of a bracelet, which is reflected in the listing price. If you’re after a wearable vintage Ed White Speedmaster, this is a great candidate.
Omega Speedmaster 105.003 ‘Ed White’ | $14,450
Another amazing reference 105.003, a.k.a. Ed White. The truth is that these can age in markedly different ways, and be offered with a range of kit. You’ll notice the lack of much aging within the dial here, which is exactly the type of preservation that some collectors and enthusiasts prefer. This example is offered with an extract from the archives confirming a December 1967 production date. This straight lug case with flat link bracelet paired with the simple dial and caliber 321 movement make this one of the most handsome Speedmasters to be produced. Oh, and then there’s that same load of history that comes attached to it.
Omega Speedmaster 145.012-67 “Ultraman” | $49,900
The Ultraman Speedmaster received a modern release in the form of a Speedy Tuesday collaboration (offered in celebration of an Instagram hashtag used by collectors). That watch was based on this reference from 1968. The 1450.12 garnered the ‘Ultraman’ nickname thanks to its orange timing hand, serving as a nod to the Japanese television series by the same name. The titular character of the show wore an orange and silver outfit that resembled the steel case and orange hand detail of this Speedmaster. This specific configuration was not produced in high volumes, but an extract from the Omega archives confirms that this watch was sold with the orange hand.
As enticing as the dial is, things get even better on the inside. This reference sports the legendary Lemania caliber 321, which featured the use of a column wheel (which actuates the stopwatch) and a more elaborate bridge and gear train than the subsequent 861 movement. It’s the rarest of all vintage Speedmaster movements, and is largely considered the most beautiful. This example is accompanied by that important extract from the archives, though the service history is unknown. Condition is exceptional, with an unpolished case and a flat link bracelet, though it will also come with the 1039 bracelet with 516 end links.
Omega Speedmaster 145.012-67 | $14,750
Finally, we come to the reference 145.012, which was the last vintage Speedmaster to receive the caliber 321 before transitioning to the 861 (also a Lemania base) with the 145.022 in 1969. This reference sports the larger 42mm asymmetrical case with a twisted lug design and crown guards with recessed pushers first seen in the 105.012 This is the design that has survived largely unchanged to this day, and is the direct lineage of the Speedmaster Professional.
This example shows its age around the bezel insert and the handset, but the dial itself is in remarkable condition. The matte black base hosts creamy tritium lume markers that have remained mostly intact around the dial. The flat link bracelet keeps the overall look within its era, though a revised bracelet design was introduced in this era, as well. This is still a pre-moon reference, so there are no NASA markings on the caseback. This example is offered with its original box and papers, making it a highly collectible example of a very significant reference.
Please note that we are not affiliated with the sellers of the watches we recommend. We may point out aspects of a listing that we feel are positive, but only you can vet a seller. We can recommend viewing our video “How to Collect It: Vintage Watches” to glean some best practices, however.
