Omega Speedmaster vs. Rolex Daytona First Watch

Miskokrstic · 2016-08-31T19:22:43Z

First luxury watch dilemma: Omega Speedmaster vs. Rolex Daytona. A 25-year-old collector seeks advice on budget, grails, and timing.

Miskokrstic

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

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Miskokrstic, a 25-year-old recent college graduate, seeks advice from the WatchProSite community on his first significant luxury watch purchase. Torn between an Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space and a future Rolex Daytona, he grapples with budget constraints and the dilemma of buying a 'good enough' watch versus waiting for his 'grail.'

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Hello all,

I am 25, and over last few years, watches went from something i was "kinda" interested in, to a complete obsession. It got so bad that over the last year I probably check in on the feed every hour or so just to see whats the latest and greatest. I have even joined the club of people who always notice what watch somebody is wearing.

Given the obsession, I am running into a little bit of an issue. I am two years our of college, and starting to believe that it is about time to get a real watch. Over the last two years or so I have been looking at the Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space (pictured below), along with Daytonas which is something to get down the road in a few years. Over time others have creeped in, Reverso, Submariner, Grand Seiko, Speedy Pro...

Given that I am only two years out of college (not working in investment banking either), even the Omega is too much for my budget... and I am fine with that. I run into issues with

1) Whether this is the one to pull the trigger on?

2) Does purchasing the Omega now mean that Daytona (the real grail as of right now) will have to be pushed further down the road?

3) Is getting something that is "good enough" better than waiting for "the one"?

Have any of you had such experiences? Any thoughts would be appreciated

And lastly, thank you for all your great posts! Please never stop

Key Points from the Discussion

It's often advised to buy the piece you truly desire from the start, but tastes can evolve. A vintage Omega Speedmaster 3570.50 (Hesalite) is recommended as an excellent first step to wear and learn, before committing to a Daytona with its associated baggage.
Buying a 'good enough' watch now, like the Omega, can allow for additional watches sooner and prevent frustration from a long wait for a grail piece like the Daytona, which might also change over time.
Waiting for the Daytona can be a long and potentially maddening process. Starting with a Speedy provides a solid foundation for a collection and makes the eventual Daytona acquisition sweeter, even if other 'grails' emerge.
A vintage Omega Speedmaster, particularly a c.321, is a respectable choice that holds its value well, allowing for minimal loss if sold later to fund a Daytona, without delaying the grail purchase timeline.
The Omega Speedmaster is a great piece and 'enough' of a real watch. Buying it now leaves funds for future acquisitions, and it can be resold without major losses if the Daytona remains the ultimate goal.
Consider a Grand Seiko for its value, interesting design, rarity, and reasonable maintenance costs. Tastes evolve, so a first purchase might not be a lifelong keeper, as evidenced by personal experience with a Rolex Explorer.

The Discussion

amanico

Aug 31, 2016

This is just that it didn't steal your heart like the Daytona did. So, save for the one you really like. When short in money, no time for the second choices. Best, and welcome here! Nicolas

Bill

Aug 31, 2016

The omega is no slouch. It is a watch that has history, allure, class etc. It will serve you well and is 1/2 to 1/4 of the price of the Daytona. If you can swing it enjoy a nice vintage Omega Speedy it should retain it value and you can sell in in a couple years when you have the balance for your ideal Daytona "Basic steel no bells and whistles - the best choice - hardest to find". Stay away from the modern watches and enjoy the journey over the next couple years. And in your club there will not

KMII

Aug 31, 2016

No Grand Seiko, vintage or otherwise Something tells me that you are not the person who will stop with one watch, Daytona or otherwise. In which case you might want to consider starting with the Omega, as it may allow you additional watches sooner. If you save up for the Daytona for several years (laudable) and then have an itch for more, which you will also need equally long to scratch, that may be frustrating. As I said, may - you will know yourself best and often in such cases the decision ha

Andy

Aug 31, 2016

Plus the wait will be long for the Daytona while you save and get more interested with more watches while being here.....Welcome to this mad house by the way..!! Here is a comparison picture.....and to be honest the details in the Daytona are far superior to the Speedy so you can see where the extra money goes. But I don't mean the Speedy is less of a watch just not as well finished. Do your research and you'll be well on your way. Andy.

Mike H

Aug 31, 2016

...if you want it, BUT... get it only AFTER you have already got your Daytona first. Listen to the advice of amanico, he said it all . Unless you have got your Dayto first, you will always look at your Speedie as the one that you are not totally in love with and you will continue to think of the Dayto each time you will look at the Speedie. For me the choice is clear even if it takes a bit more time. My 2 cents, Mike

syf

Aug 31, 2016

... very quickly if you settle for something less desired.

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