Omega Speedmaster vs Rolex Submariner

Omega Speedmaster vs Rolex Submariner: At a Glance

One of the most well-known chronographs in the entire world is the Omega Speedmaster. It became known as the first wristwatch ever worn on the Moon. These days, this cherished collection comes in a variety of styles, from the traditional Moonwatch to expensive timepieces. The first Moon landing in 1969 is the event that most enthusiasts link this Omega watch with. The Speedmaster is now much more than simply a “Moonwatch,” though. Numerous models are included in the collection, ranging from manual chronographs to extremely accurate quartz watches with analog and digital displays to automatic watches with cutting-edge Co-Axial movements. Omega Master Chronometer calibers, which have magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gausses, are seen in high-end watches. Omega regularly reissues the Speedmaster in special limited editions. Due to their incredibly limited availability, these series frequently sell out rapidly.

Omega produced a variety of Speedmaster models, but the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is still the most popular and well-known. This watch is the one that has the right to be called “famous.” On July 20, 1969, the first astronauts to set foot on the moon were wearing Omega Speedwatch Professional timepieces. Not only did the watches go through a drawn-out and difficult selection procedure, but so did the astronauts. NASA put a few mechanical watches through rigorous testing. These included vibrations, high and low pressures, extreme temperatures (ranging from 0 to 200 °F), and much more. The Speedmaster Professional was chosen for the Gemini and Apollo mission crews in March 1965 because it had the finest performance.

One of the first dive timepieces was the Rolex Submariner. Today, the luxury tool watch is still regarded as the gold standard. In 1953, Rolex introduced the first Submariner. With its distinctively oversized illuminated hands and indexes, rotating bezel, and improved water resistance, Rolex originally designed the watch as a specialized tool for professional divers. Regardless of whether you choose a vintage or more modern model, the Submariner is the ideal accessory for both formal wear and informal wear despite its useful tool watch style. Because of its flexibility, the Submariner has earned a place in the Rolex Hall of Fame.
Due to the Submariner’s enormous popularity, Rolex upgrades it frequently. The most significant changes, however, are typically made inside the case, as we experienced with the eight new Submariner models Rolex introduced in 2020. As a result, you won’t notice much of a change in the watch’s design. These watches have brand-new in-house calibers installed, despite the case design being barely different from earlier models. The timepiece continues to bear the status of “diving watch archetypal” due to its enduring appeal.

Design

Omega has updated the movement, bracelet, and case of the Speedmaster Moonwatch over the years, but the watch’s original appearance and feel have not changed. Many people in the watch industry value the classic tool watch design that has stood the test of time. The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is renowned for its extreme dependability, legibility, and comfort.

Over many years, the Rolex Submariner has steadily improved. The Submariner only improved as new horological technology, many of which Rolex patented, came into use. The Submariner’s recognizable appearance is one thing that hasn’t changed. While watches have evolved to be larger over time, the Submariner, which debuted in 1955 as a 36mm watch, grew over time to reach its current larger-than-average size of 40mm.

Bracelet

The bracelet design of the Omega Speedmaster is undoubtedly a source of debate. Omega bracelets used to either not taper or taper just a little. A tapered strap enhances the comfort of the watch in addition to being a decorative element. The upgrade Omega made to the Moonwatch is good news. The bracelet now has a considerably more distinctive style and is more comfortable. A much-appreciated improvement in this new version is the narrower 5-link bracelet, which tapers rather beautifully to a smaller clasp.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch bracelet has a 20mm lug width that tapers down to a 16mm lug width, a five-link design made of stainless steel, and a thinner, more modern deployment clasp.

The Oyster bracelet on the Submariner is constructed of 904L. Which is one of the most comfortable and stylish bracelets on the market.
The Oyster bracelet is made for maximum comfort and long-term use. It has a lovely brushed surface with polished edges, and it fastens with a folding safety clasp with a safety latch. A Glidelock clasp allows the wearer to change the bracelet’s size in 2-mm steps. The watch therefore fits equally well over wetsuits and on bare wrists. The clasp has a safety mechanism to prevent unintentional opening and is slightly larger than those present on earlier iterations.

Movement

Omega commits to tradition when it comes to the movements found inside Speedmaster watches. Currently, the hand-winding caliber 3861 powers the Moonwatch. It is a direct descendant of the caliber 861, which was used as the model for the Lemania 1873 and debuted in the Moonwatch in 1969. The power reserve of the caliber is 50 hours. With Omega’s co-axial escapement and a silicone balance spring, the caliber 3861 is a contemporary version of the 861 and is resistant to magnetic forces up to 15,000 Gauss. Additionally, the movement has received Master Chronometer certification from the Swiss Federal Office of Metrology (METAS).

The Caliber 3235 is inside in current submariner models. The brand-new generation of Rolex’s standard time and date movement, Caliber 3235, replaced Caliber 3135 which powered older Submariner models.
The accuracy is at -2/+2 seconds per day precision, which is more than twice as accurate as a COSC-certified chronometer. The words Superlative Chronometer are therefore printed on the dial. The Caliber 3235 is covered by 14 patents, and over 90% of its components, according to Rolex, are new. The Caliber 3235 has a 70-hour power reserve.

Price

Both the Omega Speedmaster collection and the price range are incredibly wide. The Speedmaster Date Automatic, which costs about $2,500 USD, is the most cheap variant. However, you can upgrade to the well-liked Speedmaster Reduced, whose style pays homage to the renowned Moonwatch, for just $1,000 USD extra.
A typical Moonwatch model, such as the ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001, will cost you about $6,000 USD if you want the real thing. Depending on the specific timepiece, prices for special editions such as the Silver Snoopy, Speedy Tuesday, and Apollo 11 models range from $9,000 to $45,000 USD. Similar prices apply to moonwatches manufactured of Sedna or Canopus gold, two of Omega’s exclusive rose and white gold alloys.

A current Submariner reference, such as the ref. 114060 or ref. 124060 from 2020, will cost you about 15,500 USD and 17,000 USD, respectively if you’re interested in buying one. The Rolex Submariner Date models with the reference numbers 16610LN, 116610LN, and 126610LN all include a date display, as you can probably assume. These versions are listed for between $16,300 and $17,500 USD on websites like Chrono24. Since green Submariner Date versions are especially popular with collectors, you may anticipate that the “Kermit” and “Hulk” will be valued between $23,000 and 433,000 USD.

Omega Speedmaster vs Rolex Submariner: Reasons to Buy