Wrist Game or Crying Shame: Speedmaster 60th Anniversary

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where you get to act like Caesar in Gladiator and choose the fate of an embattled subject. Today, we will look at the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition. But first…

If we take last week’s results as a guide, you are all ice cold! I say that because the Rolex Explorer II 16570 Polar cruised to a 72% Wrist Game win. It seems that a price encroaching on $10,000 isn’t too rich for your blood. Today, let’s see if you’re willing to vote in favor of something more limited in nature but currently less popular. Enter the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition.

Another Limited Edition Speedmaster

I know, I know…. Limited edition Speedmasters must be one of the watch world’s favorite punching bags. Then again, they’ve largely been incredibly popular and successful for the most part, so I’d say that it’s Omega that’s scoring the knockouts. But not all of Omega’s attempts at rare(ish) offerings have sustained the same amount of fervor originally seen upon release. I’d say that the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition is one such example.

2017 Seems Like a Long Time Ago

Although it was only three years ago, 2017 in Baselworld terms feels like donkey years. It was at this show that Omega debuted its triad of 60^th Anniversary re-edition watches in the guise of the Seamaster, Railmaster, and Speedmaster. These names got their start during that year. But these reissues were no imitation designer perfume versions of their legendary predecessors. Instead, I’d say that their execution served as a coming-out party for the brand and a sign of things to come in terms of finishing and overall detail.

Highly Faithful Reeditions

For instance, Omega chose to scan actual 1957 versions of each of the three watches in order to create brand new cases that were dimensional copies of their ancestors. So, a watch like the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition became a true replica of the highly rare and expensive 2915-1. Likewise, the dials were replicas down to the oft-maligned faux patina. Even details like the old Omega crowns and red boxes with corduroy interiors made the cut. We declared all three models as absolute successes upon seeing them and duly went on to review each one of them.

Large Production

Omega produced a fairly heady number of these watches. 3,557 individually numbered pieces of each model were made along with a special 557 Trilogy sets comprising all three. These sets had the unfortunate distinction of carrying the words “Trilogy xxx” on the dial. We believe the solo version of the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition sold quite quickly, but they’re still easily found on the used market and often in unused condition.

Clunky Bracelet

As one of the greatest rock bands “Poison” once said, “Every Rose Has its Thorn,” and the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition is no exception. A real fault of all the reedition models is the bracelet. From the topside, it looks glorious and there’s little to complain about in terms of finish. On the flipside, Omega adorned it with a clumsy massive clasp that spoils the vintage charm of these watches in the same manner of a needle being dragged over your precious vinyl. Sympathizers avow that this bracelet is no worse than anything found on a modern Omega, but that just feels like doling out a pass. This bracelet stinks.

Prices Remain at or Below Retail

Blame it on the bracelet, the overly faithful vintage looks, relatively high production run or smaller sub-39mm case size, but the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition is a watch that hasn’t risen above its initial €6,600 retail price on the secondary market. And that makes it the odd Speedmaster out amongst other limited variants that find themselves extremely sought after despite some of them having dogs on their dials and others hidden love-letters to Japanese superheroes.

Amazing on the Wrist

And even though I personally own a few limited-edition Speedmasters, I find this Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition to be amongst the most tasteful and beautifully executed. Trust me, it just sings on the wrist when coupled with a strap. Plus, it has the robust manual wind 1861 inside and a Hesalite crystal. Yes, its undesirability on the open market is curious indeed.

For Sale in Germany

Perhaps the market’s poor judgment can end up being your gain. And that’s what you have to decide today. Our Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition comes to us via Chrono24. The seller is Time Elements and they’ve provided the pictures for today’s article. Time Elements is located in Öhringen, Germany (hint: don’t wear your blue and white Bavarian shirt there).

Contains Everything

The Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition listed looks to be barely worn and comes with all of its kit. That includes the aforementioned bracelet, large red box, supplementary leather strap, and NATO. There’s also a plethora of dead tree included detailing the limited edition number and other information. The watch is listed for €6,490 which is below retail. I found others for less without boxes or papers and purchasing one of those just strikes me as silly.

And now it’s time to vote on the Omega Speedmaster 60^th Anniversary edition and whether you think this one is worth taking home.