Comments:
Some items are simply perfect ...
... but one might need a while to realize that:
For many years, I considered the Speedmaster Professional to be a nice, but a bit boring. Maybe there are too many of them around - but why has it been so successful? After having pursued an ideal of a perfectly legible chronograph with pleasant proportions, a reliable but also unique and beuatiful movement that is also a top performer, at a price that would not prove as a burden too heavy to bear, I found the reason why the Speedy is so popular: because it is so good.
After my in-depth review of the current Speedmaster with the cal. 9300, I realized that this watch was nearly perfect for me, but only nearly: the legibility of the monocounter was problematic, and the proportions and the movement design did not please me. So I was able to secure the last Speedmaster Professional with the predecessor movement, the cal. 3313, in Austria. This one is perfect in all respects!
Since it is a discontinued model, there won't be any in-depth experience review of it here, but I will post a picture or two, every now and then.
Regards,
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2014-04-18 08:42:29
For many years, I considered the Speedmaster Professional to be a nice, but a bit boring. Maybe there are too many of them around - but why has it been so successful? After having pursued an ideal of a perfectly legible chronograph with pleasant proportions, a reliable but also unique and beuatiful movement that is also a top performer, at a price that would not prove as a burden too heavy to bear, I found the reason why the Speedy is so popular: because it is so good.
After my in-depth review of the current Speedmaster with the cal. 9300, I realized that this watch was nearly perfect for me, but only nearly: the legibility of the monocounter was problematic, and the proportions and the movement design did not please me. So I was able to secure the last Speedmaster Professional with the predecessor movement, the cal. 3313, in Austria. This one is perfect in all respects!
Since it is a discontinued model, there won't be any in-depth experience review of it here, but I will post a picture or two, every now and then.
Regards,
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2014-04-18 08:42:29
There is a saying in my country, that the Speedmaster watches...
..."like to bring their siblings home" 
How true it is.
Congratulations on this uncommon piece. The date window is so discreet that the watch can easily pass as its hand-winding brother at two feet distance. And looking forward to those occasional pics you can share.
Ruckdee
How true it is.
Congratulations on this uncommon piece. The date window is so discreet that the watch can easily pass as its hand-winding brother at two feet distance. And looking forward to those occasional pics you can share.
Ruckdee
You have some very serious read, Marcus. ;) Congratulations on this one.
Yes, I also and always wondered the same about the Speedie, and I think I will go for a vintage, unless the Alaska project changes my mind...
Best!
Nicolas
Funnily, there are not many books dedicated to space law specifically ...
... the one I used as a background for the picture is one published in former communist Eastern Germany, and I had it in my shelves without ever having read it. 
The 1948 edition of Oppenheim-Lauterpacht is still my favourite textbook on International Law. Fact-wise, it might be outdated, but its methodic appraoch and concise precision in defining and explaining is still first rate.
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2014-04-19 11:45:07
The 1948 edition of Oppenheim-Lauterpacht is still my favourite textbook on International Law. Fact-wise, it might be outdated, but its methodic appraoch and concise precision in defining and explaining is still first rate.
Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2014-04-19 11:45:07
That was one of my most favourite topic, when I was at the University.
Very tough, but how fascinating!
You should read it. 
Best,
Nicolas
Until recently, I considered ...
... scholarly literature on international law from the point of view of socialist/communist states to be definitely outdated . Now I am not so sure anymore ...
Marcus
Marcus
Congratulations Marcus, but I have a question...
Why did you choose this model over the legend it tries to emulate? Was it the presence of the date? Or do you simply favor the cal. 3313?
I'm really curious as I'm considering my first Speedmaster.
Thanks and congrats once again.
Kamy
You answered your own question already ...
... at least for the largest part.
My reasons for preferring this automatic co-axial variant over the "original" were:
1) date. I know, that I have the date also on my cellphone. But this is valid also for the time. I would not need a watch at all if I read all this information from the phone. And I see no sense in spending a lot of money for a watch that dictates me to pull out the phone from the pocket whenever I need to know the date. Yes, I could memorize the current date, but I prefer dedicating my brain capacity to more important things - reading PuristSPro, for example ...
2) size: For me, the 44.25mm diameter of the automatic Speedmaster is perfect. the 42mm original case is not bad either, but I prefer the slightly larger one.
3) automatic movement: I once had a Lémania Speedmaster, a beauty with white dial and moonphase and pointer calendar. The only thing I really hated was the daily winding. The Speedmaster's crown is very well protected by the unique design of the case flank. However, this makes it also difficult to grip for winding, especially with a chubby hand like mine. A selfwinding movement is much more convenient for daily wear, at least for me.
4) movement: In my personal opinion, the Omega cal. 33x3 movement is one of the very best chronograph movements of the turn of the century. I think it is massively underrated, for no apparent reason and I am also convinced it will be desperately sought after in a decade or so. It is solid, highly accurate, convenient in use and also - pleasant in design and proportions, permitting to build very thin chronographs, which is also very important for me. The 3313 Speedmaster is even a bit thinner than the handwinding Speedy with sapphire crystal!
To sum up, it was a purely subjective decision.
Regards,
Marcus
My reasons for preferring this automatic co-axial variant over the "original" were:
1) date. I know, that I have the date also on my cellphone. But this is valid also for the time. I would not need a watch at all if I read all this information from the phone. And I see no sense in spending a lot of money for a watch that dictates me to pull out the phone from the pocket whenever I need to know the date. Yes, I could memorize the current date, but I prefer dedicating my brain capacity to more important things - reading PuristSPro, for example ...
2) size: For me, the 44.25mm diameter of the automatic Speedmaster is perfect. the 42mm original case is not bad either, but I prefer the slightly larger one.
3) automatic movement: I once had a Lémania Speedmaster, a beauty with white dial and moonphase and pointer calendar. The only thing I really hated was the daily winding. The Speedmaster's crown is very well protected by the unique design of the case flank. However, this makes it also difficult to grip for winding, especially with a chubby hand like mine. A selfwinding movement is much more convenient for daily wear, at least for me.
4) movement: In my personal opinion, the Omega cal. 33x3 movement is one of the very best chronograph movements of the turn of the century. I think it is massively underrated, for no apparent reason and I am also convinced it will be desperately sought after in a decade or so. It is solid, highly accurate, convenient in use and also - pleasant in design and proportions, permitting to build very thin chronographs, which is also very important for me. The 3313 Speedmaster is even a bit thinner than the handwinding Speedy with sapphire crystal!
To sum up, it was a purely subjective decision.
Regards,
Marcus
Thank you for your response Marcus. We're definitely in agreement...
... regarding the size! I too prefer the larger case.
Anyway, congratulations once again and I hope you wear it in the best of health...
Kamy
Perfection . . .
. . . for the wrist . . .
. . . with a twist! There have been so many automatic Speedmasters, but none so faithful to the original concept as this one.
. . . with a twist! There have been so many automatic Speedmasters, but none so faithful to the original concept as this one.
Congratulations, Marcus.
Thrilled,
Art
I wore this at the Omega Boutique
It's my favorite modern Speedmaster--mainly because it is PERFECTLY legible, and oozes Omega character.
The profile of the case is possibly love/ hate being sort of bowl-like.
It still calls to me, as a perfect daily driver chrono.
Agree however, that there's something 'not enough' or 'pedestrian' about most modern Speedies.
7750 inside, is one 'downside...' Snobbery may be the real 'downside'...
I go back and forth about that. This is a really, really great watch.
And it is muuuuuch better looking in person.
The outer tach is about 75% more subtle than this pic--almost not noticeable unless you are trying to see it.
The matte dial is superb, and the bracelet absolutely killer.
I prefer the overall dimensions, over the coax speedy pro w date.
Thanks for the candid wrist shot, Mostel! . . .
. . . coincidentally, I stopped by the local Omega boutique yesterday, but didn't notice the new Mk II in stock.
. . . for the original.
Yes, it most definitely is a ringer . . .
. . . for the original.
Cordially,
Art
Well, I have considered the Mk. II as well ...
... since there are several nice colour versions available, with just a hint of red/orange, gold etc. My problem with it is the 70s design. I always was convinced that in the books on the history of industrail design, the Seventies would be always marked as a big error, as a decade that would at best be deleted from design history. Being glad that I had survived it without permanent damage, I noticed with horror that the Seventies "design" exp3eriences a big renaissance now, which I can only credit to a general helplessness, or lack aof creativity and phantasy of current designers.
No, to be honest: The Mark II is not a bad reinterpretation of that era, with nice proportions and great features and price. However, if I would consider any fried egg-design casework, I would rather take the vintage approach and search an original.
Finally, having had so many chronographs with big case heights, to accomodate a 7750, I really want thin cases.
Marcus
No, to be honest: The Mark II is not a bad reinterpretation of that era, with nice proportions and great features and price. However, if I would consider any fried egg-design casework, I would rather take the vintage approach and search an original.
Finally, having had so many chronographs with big case heights, to accomodate a 7750, I really want thin cases.
Marcus
along with the Seamaster it has to be the most well known Omega
people that know nothing about watches often know that James Bond wears an Omega smp and a lot know that the Omega Speedmaster was worn on the moon so it has to be one of the most publicly publicised watches in history.
as a brand Omega has had a huge amount of publicity with the Olympics although i think amongst the public Rolex tops that bill.
as an example, a friend of mine has a Tag Heuer and wants a new watch. her only thought is a Rolex because of the name. i've tried to explain that Omega, Cartier etc have equal quality watches, but theres no changing her mind. good job she's loaded
i really like the look of the 9300, but appreciate your comments on the mono counters legibility. for a 'modern' Speedmaster i have to agree that the 3313 is legibly perfect. the date is well placed so that it doesnt stand out too much, the rest of it looks just like a moonwatch. who could ask for more?
enjoy
Graham
I absolutely love it, but cannot wear it right now ...
... since it has entered my timing test scheme, forcing it onto the table for the next two weeks. This Speedmaster is a really wonderful timepiece, and I ask myself why I haven't bought one long before.
Marcus
Marcus