Omega Speedmaster over Rolex Datejust

[Johnsonian]

DP's 30th is next month and have been mulling over getting him a watch to mark it and torn between two.

He is a history buff, but works in scientific research, so the Omega Speedster "moon watch" stood out as it is sort of a cross between science and history. Would go for the sapphire version (not the hesalite) as I have read the hesalite is quite prone to scratching.

Other option I've been looking it is a Rolex Datejust - he would like the simplicity of it, especially the blue version.

Am more geared towards the Omega, but not sure as Rolex is more renowned. AIBU to pick Omega over Rolex?

Omega (sapphire version) Speedmaster goes for £7,500 whilst Rolex Datejust is about £12,500. Not sure if Rolexs tend to be a bit overpriced due to their excellent marketing and brand image, or if the £5,000 premium would actually result in a superior, and more robust, watch?

Anyone on here have any experience with either (or both) of these mens watches?

If he's a scientist, have a look at the Rolex milgauss

I prefer the Rolex - has he tried both on? I found the bracelet of the omega quite clunky and cheaper feeling compared to the Rolex.

The styling of the moon watch is fabulous though! Echo what PP have said, unless you have an existing relationship with an SA you may find there's a wait on the Rolex. If you're not bothered about future value and it's a watch for life, then the omega sounds like a good option that you could actually buy in time for his birthday (although some omega watches are being drip fed into the market to create more hype - like the current white faced version!).

I’ve got watches made by both, I don’t think Rolex is appreciably better built but as you say their marketing is top notch. The moon watch will always be sub-zero cool IMHO, although I specifically bought a hesalite version. The sapphire sandwich is nice, but it’s not a moon watch, the hesalite was chosen for space flight due to its physical properties and although it can mark its very easily polished by hand. Depends on how much of a geek your DH is 😁

They’re decent watches, but the best? No 😁

The Rolex is more expensive because the bezel is made of white gold. You can get a version in stainless steel and save money.
It's water resistant to 100m,the Speedmaster is only 50m.
I have owned both, they're both excellent and historic watches, I suspect that the Rolex may hold its value better.
Someone mentioned the Milgauss, this is now discontinued but it would also be worth looking at the IWC Ingenieur, this is also designed for engineers.
Attached is a picture of the Rolex with the stainless steel bezel, and one of the Speedmaster.

Rolex, hands down, every time.

The Speedy Pro is an iconic watch, yes, but its water resistance limits it significantly IMO. 50m isnt enough for swimming/showering etc and being a manual wind without screw down pushers etc, the seals would need to be regularly checked to maintain WR. Plus, the way Omega have hiked their prices recently, Moonwatches are now overpriced for what they offer and don't retain value particularly well due to being so easily available. Plus the new bracelet and clasp are on the sharp side and can be uncomfortable for some wearers.
The "proper" Moonwatch is the Hesalite variant, and although hesalite is prone to small hairline scratches etc through wear, its also a lot easier to restore to "new" condition by applying polywatch and buffing the scratches out. If you chip a sapphire crystal - you need to replace it, so hesalite is actually the more robust (and cheaper, and iconic) option.

The Datejust in the meantime is a classic and pretty much the only luxury watch you'll ever need if you don't want to collect them.
Steel and fluted is the iconic combination, and they are no longer sailing high above retail price on the secondary market. Plus 100m WR makes them fine for swimming showering etc etc.
They are all round the better watch imo.

That said, as someone has said beforehand - if he is a science guy - Milgauss is a fantastic option and currently cheaper than blue Datejusts.
You can buy an unworn Milgauss for £8,295 and they offer the same spec and build quality minus the date but with a farriday cage to protect from magnetism.

And ignore the more money than sense people, get your OH something that will last a lifetime, and enjoy!

Surely this is something he needs to choose. I don't think these sorts of items are suitable as gifts because the person who's going to own it needs to do the research as to which item is suitable for their needs and preferences otherwise they have to put up with something unsuitable as it was a gift.

But on aesthetics, I like the one on the left, but to me it looks exactly like this one:

https://www.fossil.com/en-gb/products/fenmore-three-hand-stainless-steel-watch/BQ2860.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8r7c0skdz0nB08Mp0PBH78w9JKbwJhfKdYbj56WxDPevusUEtG5p9BoCfNIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

So I'd prefer that one and £12,411 please.

Seriously, I don't understand expensive watches. All watches tell the time. Plus as I understand it, Rolexes etc need servicing regularly, at a cost of £££s and you'd be worried about wearing it while out in case you get robbed, so it all just sounds like hassle for no reason other than you can be pleased with yourself that your watch costs more than a decent second hand car.

It's water resistant to 100m,the Speedmaster is only 50m

Only a very niche subset of scuba or free divers will need that distinction and I'm sure that exactly none of them will be doing it in a £12.5k watch.

Do you need to understand it? Not that it’s particularly difficult to understand that not everyone has to like the same things. I don’t ’get’ camping, video games, or stamp collecting, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate that other people do.

The reason is buying something you like and can afford. I’m sure if he wanted a decent second hand car he could get one of those too.

Both watches are very unlikely to be used to their fullest potential by the owner. Both purchases will therefore be defined by “cache” and image.

The Speedmaster is quite simply, the Moon Watch. It is the watch which everyone associates with the Apollo programme, and it happens to be a very well made, outstandingly iconic tool watch.

Unfortunately over the last decade, some very dim but very social media aware folk realised that the way Rolex do business (a simple product line with no “limited editions” and not enough supply for demand) means that you can “flip” Rolexes on the used market. This then led to lots of gray watch dealers hyping up certain models as “grail” watches.

Rolex has always been a symbol of status, I get this is nothing new. But now there are people for whom a Rolex is the only option, nothing else is good enough. Rolexes are now bracketed by some as “investments” despite the gray bubble bursting last year.

As a result, I can’t really tell you anything @Johnsonian because it all depends on how he perceives things and objects, and what his personality and social circle is.

I can afford a Rolex, but I much prefer my Jaeger le Coultre (arguably the most underrated watch brand in its segment) and my Omega (I have a simple Aqua Terra but it is very well made and robust)

Neither of these watches will “appreciate in value” and aren’t “investments”, but I like them.

I agree with @InterIgnis I don’t understand why people go on cruises but I don’t jump on the cruise threads to explain you could go to Butlins for a lot less. The OP is asking for advice between two products not opinions about whether or not she should spend £12.5k on a gift for her significant other.

Rolex’s generally hold their value. Second hand cars ( unless you have managed to buy a rare one that appreciates) do not.

Please dont spread incorrect information.
Water resistance in watches is not based on depth, it is based on pressure.

a 30m WR watch will survive being rained on while worn. Not advisable for "daily wear"

a 50m WR watch will survive light swimming or being carefully rinsed under a tap but you do need to watch how you treat them.
Not advisable for "daily wear" if you go near water regularly with showers etc.

a 100m WR watch will be fine for swimming, snorkelling, water sports and etc. This is the kind of activity that covers most wearers and their daily lives.

a 200m WR and above watch is for diving.

I agree JLC Watches are very underrated and are very elegant for both men and women.

This. I wear one of my Speedys as a daily but don’t shower or swim in it for obvious reasons. When I go on holiday I only take one watch with me, a 90s Tag S/el, it’s both robust and worthless, the nice ones stay at home in the safe.

He's so lucky!! I have a very modest collection and have both, and Omega are 'technically' better in my honest opinion. Plus you don't have to play games with Rolex Authorised Dealers. You can walk in and buy one where as Rolex make you play silly games and add you to fake waiting lists. Saying that, the DateJust is where most people have to start to build up history with the AD. You can walk out with any of the non-steeel ones all day long. If you get this, and he decides he wants a popular steel sports like a Hulk, Kermit or Pepsi/Batgirl etc then he will have a spend history with the AD on record and should get bumped up waiting list for one that he really wants in future. Had to do that to get my Batgirl and after buying a Rose Gold Rolex the waiting list mysteriously went from 2 years to under 2 months! Either way, he would be a very happy man!!

And your aibu is....?

You're spending this much on someone you're not even married to?

Some relationships are just as strong as marriages but without the paperwork.
Its not uncommon for people to buy for their DP's.

What happens to the watch if they split up? Or he dies?

Neither. Grand sieko. In the 50s they started to enter the watch competitions...won every year so they changed the rules. The point of a watch is to tell the time, basically you want the most accurate. Hence grand sieko.
Modern watches are too big. Rolex look like something a gangsta rapper wears. So for something smaller, more niche.

For the money your spending why not by 2,3 or 4 top quality watches.

Gshock by Casio are almost unbreakable and have that rugged outdoor look
A classic grand sieko for every day
A nice dress watch like the Hamilton jazzmaster
A dive watch from cwc (who supplied the British military for years)

Then he's able to chop and change. Match his look/activity plus if he's doing something full on like sport, diy, etc he won't worry as much about damaging the gshock at £150

Personally I have 6 watches, with different types of straps/faces/styles the most expensive is no longer made is very limited in availability and worth about £1500 (I bought it new for £100!). The rest are £50 to £100 but unless you know your watches you would never know and I get compliments on all of them, especially the next dress watch I paid £6.99 in a charity shop and changed the strap for something more elegant.

Late entry, Zenith - exquisite brand, great history, more exclusive than Rolex (27K watches a year vs 1.2M)readily available.
Rolex used Zenith movements in the Daytona until 2006, when they figured out how to make their own chronograph movements.

Why isn't this boast post in shopping?

Forgot to attach the picture!

I have the same Rolex you posted and its beautiful - the pictures don’t do it justice.