The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Apologies if this is old news, but I came across this today while looking for release dates for the Ploprof reissue -

http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?i ... no_cache=1

It's the new Co-Axial Speedmaster, but what really caught my eye was the size - 44.25mm!! At long last a decent sized Speedy! Not only that, it's 100m water resistant, got sapphire crystal (instead of the usual scratch-happy hesalite), a DB ( ) and a nicely hidden away date with a black date wheel that doesn't disrupt the classic Speedy dial at 6!

THIS could well be the PERFECT Speedmaster in my opinion............ and something that I'm going to struggle enormously not to buy. I've long loved the Speedy, but always found something that put me off - the size, the crystal, manual wind, etc - but this one is spot on in my book.

PS - Mind you, I've just noticed it's equiped with the 3313 movement, which if I remember rightly has some serious horror stories attached to it (mainly around fragility), so it's a shame they didn't stick something else in it. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe I've just found my reason not to buy it.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Ah yes, the "Perfect Speedmaster" a similar statement to: "the smartest kid in special ed." No thanks. (BTW I really dislike Omegas if one cannot tell)

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

Thanks Driver, that answers something I've been wondering about for a few days - I walked past an AD window and saw a Speedy with a date at 6, and wondered if there was something I was missing. I'd better go down there and check it out!

I love the Speedy but have always hesitated because of the size and, to a lesser extent, the lack of a date. I prefer sapphire crystal, and I love the DB, so this one looks like a winner BUT what you say about the movement is a bit of a worry. Anyone got any more info on this?

Not an Omega expert, but here's my understanding of the 3313 issues.

The 3313 (in fact all 33xx) is based on a Frederic Piguet base movement and both Omega and FP (partially owned by Omega) are at fault with what happened. There's a fundamental problem with the movement in that it's a bad design. Early examples had horrendous problems with basic chrono running and resetting functions, and when the design was changed to solve that they introduced problems with the winding mechanism (manual and automatic). Supposedly those were solved with a design update around 2006, but the column wheel activation is still week and there are also pallet jewel issues.

The bottom line in this movement (in my opinion) is that the problems can't be fixed because they are design related, and for that reason, I would leave it alone.

Thanks Roff!

That's precisely the sort of info I was after, tells me everything I need to know. Speedies aren't cheap enough for me to want to take risks with that sort of thing. I'll leave it alone.

I had not noticed that addition. It looks like they took the case of the Broad Arrow GMT and put in a Professional dial (and date!). That is a nice package.

I have been kind of lusting after the Broad Arrow GMT, but have hesitated due to the problems with the movement. The GMT has the 3603 movement in it, but it is based on the 3313 so I would guess it has the same issues.

Thank you Roff for shedding more light on the subject. I did not know whether there was a real issue or whether the outcry was from a small number of very verbal people. Sounds like the former. I will stay away from it, then. One less watch to buy is always a good thing. Now I just need to think of some reasons not to buy the 163 other ones I want.

Mofongo

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

That's what I heard too. Shame.

Well maybe when Omega get round to making an in-house chronograph, they'll keep the rest of this package the same (case size, dial, sapphire, DB, etc) and just ditch the 3313 movement from it. THEN it might finally be the perfect Speedy.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

It's a logical step - this is close to in house for them given the partial ownership of FP, so it's not a huge step to go completely in house when they finally give up on the 33xx movements. They haven't made any modifications to it for about 3 years now, so likely not going to try anything else.

Great post driver, I never noticed that Speedy upgrade either. Makes a lot of sense and seems like they got everything right except the movement.

I really like the way all the swiss companies are modernizing their iconic models. IWC with the Big Pilot and Big Inge, Rolex with their Deep Sea, Panerai with their new in house movement 1950 case models etc etc. Too bad Breitling seem like they are going the other direction and doing everything wrong

Back to the subject, if Omega ever fix the movement issue that would be a great pick up and I would find myself tempted, untill then I will stick with the PloProf reissue. Which I noticed you mensioned, are you thinking of picking one up as well? Its a fantastic piece!

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Certified watch nut.

Thanks Driver!
I'm with you guys on the movement being a deterant towards picking one of these up. I was hell bent on grabbing a POC until I started hearing all of the horror stories about the movement issues. So I put it off. I too have always been drawn towards the classic look of the Speedy, but it was always too small for my taste. Sad to see the movement is the same and it has all those wonderful upgrades.
Now all it needs it a 10 year movement warranty!

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

Great post Driver, the watch looks good! I had no idea about the movement troubles, very interesting, great info everyone!


My first thought also was that looked liked the Broad Arrow GMT which I've liked for a while. Be interesting to see how it performs over time.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Funnily enough Altair, I AM seriously thinking about a Ploprof. Since my BP I've really got the bug for these "classic reissues". Just can't seem to find any information about release dates, or UK prices.

Yes it's a real shame about the movement in that new Speedy. Like I said in the first post I remembered some horror stories about it, but I've done a bit more research now and it definitely doesn't bode well. Such a shame as I think that Speedy looks absolutely superb. But I guess the upside is that eventually we'll see a full in-house Speedy which could (finally) be The Perfect Speedmaster!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

D8, just saw this post on TZ and thought it might interest you:
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... 6467&rid=0

No date, but still an interesting prospect if there's any substance to it.

Nice find Otto!

OK, NOW I'm drooling at the prospect of the "perfect" Speedy!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I'll be there in the queue too