Most people shopping for a pre-owned Speedmaster are really deciding three things: hesalite or sapphire, the current Moonwatch or the one before it, and whether they want the classic Moonwatch at all. Here is what separates them, from someone who handles these every week.
What is the Speedmaster Moonwatch?
The Speedmaster Professional, better known as the Moonwatch, is the chronograph NASA qualified for spaceflight in 1965 and the watch worn on the Moon during Apollo 11 in 1969. It is 42mm, it is wound by hand, and the design has barely changed in decades. That continuity is the point. A Moonwatch from twenty years ago and one from last year are recognisably the same watch.
Hesalite or sapphire?
This is the first decision, and it is a matter of taste rather than quality.
Hesalite is a domed acrylic crystal, the type flown in space. It has a warm, slightly distorted look that many owners love, and it scratches easily, but light scratches polish out in minutes.
Sapphire is far more scratch resistant and has a clearer, flatter look. Sapphire versions usually add a sapphire caseback so you can see the movement, which makes the watch a little thicker.
Hesalite is the traditional choice and usually the cheaper of the two. Sapphire is the practical choice if you would rather not think about scratches.
What changed in 2021?
In January 2021 Omega released an updated Moonwatch (310.30.42.50.01.001 hesalite, 310.30.42.50.01.002 sapphire). It looks almost identical at a glance, but the details changed:
- A stepped dial, a nod to the vintage models
- The "dot over 90" on the bezel, another vintage detail
- A redesigned bracelet that tapers more and is noticeably more comfortable
- Refined hands and case shape
- A significant upgrade inside the case
The earlier generation (311.30.42.30.01.005 hesalite, 311.30.42.30.01.006 sapphire) was made from 2014 until 2021. Before that came the 3570.50, made from 1997 to 2014. The 3570.50 and 311.30.42.30.01.005 are essentially the same watch. The main differences are the box and accessories, not the watch itself.
So which generation should you buy?
The current model is the better watch to wear every day, mainly because of the bracelet and the upgrades inside. The earlier generations cost less and are the more traditional Moonwatch, which is exactly what some buyers want.
If you are torn, try both. The difference in the bracelet alone is obvious within a minute on the wrist, and it is the single best reason to buy in person.
What about the other Speedmasters?
The Moonwatch is the heart of the range, but not the only option.
- Automatic Speedmasters, such as the Day-Date and the smaller Reduced, wind themselves and are usually the most affordable way into the Speedmaster family.
- The Dark Side of the Moon is a larger ceramic Speedmaster with a completely different, more modern feel.
- Special editions, such as the Snoopy models, sell for well above a standard Moonwatch and should be judged as collectors' pieces.
How much does a pre-owned Speedmaster cost in Australia?
Most steel Moonwatches we sell sit between AU$7,000 and AU$12,500, depending on generation, crystal and condition. Older examples sit at the lower end. Gold versions and special editions are a different market altogether.
What moves the price within that range:
- The generation: the current model sits at the top
- Sapphire versus hesalite
- A full set with box and warranty card
- Condition of the case, and whether it has been over-polished
- Stretch in the bracelet on older examples
Is buying a pre-owned Speedmaster safe?
Yes, if you can inspect it before you buy. Every watch we list is checked and authenticated by the Horologist in the Dymocks Building before it goes on sale, and comes with a 12 month mechanical warranty covering the movement.
As with any pre-owned watch, the real risk usually is not a fake. It is a genuine watch with replaced parts, a heavily polished case or a tired bracelet. Those are hard to spot in photos and easy to spot in person.
Where can you buy a pre-owned Speedmaster in Sydney?
At The Watch Business, Suite 7, Level 9, Dymocks Building, 428 George Street, Sydney CBD. Viewing is by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Call 0423 778 091 to book a time and tell us which Speedmasters you want to see. We will have them ready to try on. Finance is available to approved Australian buyers, and we take trade-ins if you are upgrading.
Not in Sydney? We ship Australia-wide, secured and insured, at our cost, and we can show you the watch first on a live video call.