The Breitling Watch Source Forums

You mean 3573 rather than 3575?

Anyhow, here are a couple of reasons:

1) Authenticity. Speedies with sapphire crystal are not issued by NASA and don't go into space. A further issue which bothers some people is that the case back of the 3573 claims 'first and only' watch worn on the moon, which seems to be generally accepted as being incorrect. The 3570 and 3572, by contrast, only claim to be the 'first'.

2) Appearance. I've owned both sapphire and hesalite Speedies, and the hesalite just looks better. Look at the pic I posted - the sapphire crystal doesn't have the same shape and sheen, and I didn't find myself staring at it as much as the hesalite. A subtle difference (I had to own one to appreciate it) but an important one.

Yes, thanks.


What other watches have been on the moon?


Interesting. The pictures I've seen of the 3573 make it look like the sapphire crystal is basically the same shape as the hesalite. I'll have to have a closer look in person. Is scratching an issue with hesalite?

'Generally accepted' in my previous post might have been overstating things a little, but there have been a lot of claims that the Rolex GMT Master made it to the moon as well.

As for the hesalite, it may be an optical trick but it certainly does look more domed to me than the sapphire does. Yes, hesalite does scratch, but scratches are easily polished out and can generally be avoided with some care. I never scratched my hesalite Speedy crystal, in fact I found it much easier to avoid scratches on hesalite than on polished SS surfaces like the bezel of a PAM 312...

Thanks, Otto. It's funny how things go - I haven't had much of an interest in the Speedie before, but now that I've been looking at it, I can see why it holds a lot of appeal for so many people. It's one I'll have to check out more.

@Jacksonstone I just prefer the durability that a sapphire crystal offers but mostly prefer the "sapphire sandwich" version because of the DB - the manual wind movement is a beauty without all that rotor in the way.

The one positive thing I've heard about the hesalite crystal is that almost any scratch (and there will be scratches) can be buffed out with polywatch.

It IS funny how things change - I never thought I'd like the speedy but it's growing on me...

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Nice review Mike,

So I guess you like your speedy, but be careful, I started out with one as my first "proper" watch, and now look where I am, Breitlings, Hamilton, B&R watches, Breitling jackets, ties, pens and a ton of other Breitling goodies, spending hours a day reading the assorted ramblings, complaints, questions, and general chat of a world wide bunch of watch nuts.


Ain't life great!

Ian

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

Great review Mike. A different approach but one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The speedy pro is a fantastic watch. I nearly pulled the trigger on one recently but went with the PO instead. I'd still like to add one to the collection one day soon.

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

Thanks guys - good to start discussions that get folks interested in somehting they might not have been other wise. I know I get a lot of knowledge and stretch my boundries a little when I read other's impressions of watches.

Tim - yeah it was a different perspective - more of how the watch resonates with me rather than the general public.

Another question: I don't see it mentioned anywhere in Omega's literature that the Speedy is COSC certified. Is it? If not, how is its accuracy?

I see that other Speedy models (co-axial, 50th Anniversary LE, Broad Arrow, etc.) are certified, so it would seem evident the standard manual Pro isn't. I'm still curious as to its accuracy, though, if anybody can speak to it.

sorry, mate - I haven't timed mine but I beleive you re correct in terms of which ones COSC and which ones are not. I know some place a premium on accuracy which I understand given the layout. I do, however, time watches that are COSC just to be sure they run within specs. For watches not COSC cert, like the 3570, I just let it be. good luck in your qwest!

My speedy is 12 years old and it runs about +10 sec/day, still full power reserve.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Sorry JS, I missed your last question until now.

Both of my Speedies were deadly accurate. The 3570 was +/- 0, measured over periods of up to 5 days. It was right on time every day of the period too, so it wasn't losing a second one day and gaining it back the next day. I didn't keep it wound continuously for long enough to measure over a longer period.

My 'Patch' model wasn't quite that good, but still very good: just over +1 sec/day.

I believe Roff has previously posted (can't find the post at the moment, and I hope I'm not misquoting him) that the Lemania movement is an inherently accurate design.

According the the Omega FAQ on Timezone, the Lemania 5100 is the base for the Omega calibre 1045. However, the current Speedy Pros feature the calibre 1861 or similar variants (e.g., 1866 for the moon phase). Timezone doesn't say what the basis is for that movement. Is it still Lemania-based, or did they switch over to a different base? If they switched, what is it based on now?

1861 is a Lemania 1873 base.