Review - Omega Speedmaster Reduced 3510.50.00
Writing about the Omega Speedmaster Reduced 3510.50.00 is like trying to write about a classic muscle car. Words fail you and you fall back on cliche - classic, understated, collectable, impressive. It’s because of this that I took so long to start writing about my own Reduced - or Automatic, if you will - and why it’s one of the most important timepieces in horology.
The Speedmaster Professional is the moon watch, the one work by Buzz Aldrin on the first moon walk. The Speedmaster Reduced Automatic is the post-moon watch. It is a beautiful reduction of everything we love about the Pro with none of the manual winding hassle. With a stark black face and beautiful white baton hands, the Reduced allows you to own a piece of history while making the leap into a new era.
Made of brushed and polished stainless steel, the 38mm case is a bit understated by the white lettering and chapter ring make sure no one misses a beat. Based on the Omega 3220 calibre, an ETA base with the Dubois-Debrois chronograph module, the reduced looks great on a band or steel bracelet. The crystal, made of acrylic to mirror the Professional, scratches easily but can be buffed out without problems.
The watch has two pushers, one at two and another at four, and a crown at three. The movement handwinds but it is completely automatic and lasts about 40 hours when not on the wrist. The dial is eminently readable and the sub-registers offer an instant read on elapsed time.
The bezel has a tachymeter scale and the chapter ring marks second and split second intervals. It is comparatively waterproof, but don’t go diving in it.
The bracelet consists of polished and brushed links with a solid, if unadorned, clasp. While the Pro often benefits from a leather band, the Reduced looks great with its attendant bracelet.
Cons? Not many. The case may be a bit small for some big watch fans and the hours register only goes up to 12 and the sub-registers are not lumed. Big whoop, right? The time is extremely readable in the dark and if you need to time something for more than 12 hours, maybe try a sundial.
Priced anywhere from $2400 to $1800, the Speedmaster Reduced Automatic is not just an also-ran to its bigger brother. It is actually a completely separate and exciting watch, full of history, aesthetics, and tradition.
Quality: 4/5
Style: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
- John Biggs
June 15th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Why is it called the “reduced?” Is it smaller than the Pro?
By the way, you’re making it very hard for me to remember that I don’t like chronos!
June 16th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Nice and pics, and review, thanks!
And yes, I believe it’s a couple mm smaller than the pro, and of course automatic. As such, the geometry of the registers is a bit different too.
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
June 16th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
You failed to mention one annoying aspect of this movement - it has a lot of what I would call “slack”. That is, when you set this watch you have to allow for the fact that the minute hand will not move for about 30 - 40 seconds after you push in the crown. So you have to stop the watch at the 20 - 30 second mark and set the minute hand on the upcoming minute marker and then push in the crown at the 20 - 30 second mark.
Omega says this normal for this movement.
June 19th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
Beautiful watch. One of my favorite Omegas. I do like sapphire crystals, though. I’m clumsy, and like not having to look down at my watch in horror every time I slam my wrist into something.
June 20th, 2006 at 12:19 am
James, re: “slack,” this is true with almost every mechanical watch I’ve encountered and can be rectified by moving the minute hand 20 or so minutes beyond the time you want to set your watch to and then moving the minute hand back to desired time.
June 20th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
The omega speedmaster day-date is a much better watch. The blue dial one looks amazing.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:12 am
I am interested in this watch. What did you mean by “The movement handwinds and lasts about 40 hours without winding.” I thought automatics are set and forget - as long as you are wearing it everyday, it should not stop?
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:42 pm
lovely watch, just bought one and I am absolutely delighted with it, love the pro as well but it is a little too large..now all I need is a nice stainless rolex submariner…
November 30th, 2006 at 10:09 am
great watch but sapphire instead of a haselite would be better as haselite scraches easily,moreover not many of us will go in space ,and have to worry about the anti shattering properties (of haselite) to protect our eyes.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
All
Check out the newly released “reduced”. Same size but new dial is similar to the Pro (ie. No arabic numbers at the sticks) and they have now added the a sapphire crystal
February 25th, 2007 at 6:18 am
I have just ordered the new reduced. The dial is slightly different, the sapphire crystal gives a more solid feel to it and it also has a 100mtrs water resistant rating. Can’t wait to get it!
Can any other owners tell me what sort of water resistance that equates to as there are wildly varying reports.
Cheers
March 1st, 2007 at 8:15 am
Hi,
great watch - but. Yesterday I received my long-waited cal321 ref 145.012 from 1967.
Now - that’s what I call a watch.
Hi to all.
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Excellent review. Only one comment. One distinguished feature the Reduced has and the Professional does not: The second hand hacks. That is, when you pull the crown out, the second hand in the right dial will stop. This is particular useful wehn you want to reset the watch time according to an accurate time signal.
Regards,
Sergio.
March 17th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Great review, I have just bought my speedmaster 3510.50 from a seller on eBay, what a great watch, good quality and functional. This watch will be an every day watch not like my fifty or so vintage watches
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Also just bought a Speedmaster 3510.50 on ebay. Looks to be in near mint condition and thought it a bargain at $815. Not nearly as clunky as my Rolex GMT which I love, but gets left on the winder a lot just because of its size.
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 am
The review said that the watch case is 38mm without crown/pushers.
But on the Omega website, it stated a 35.5mm case size.
Whos right?
June 13th, 2007 at 2:58 am
Question for anyone out there who may know what the answer is. I have an Omega Speedmaster reduced with a deep blue dial, and the serial number 54029971 on the case back. Why does this watch have a hexagonal shaped crown with Omega mark, and not the usual round Omega crown? Is this watch rare/collectible? Thanks for your replly/replies.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! ndebauzedp
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Very nice review and a great “understated” looking watch.
I am now interested in a Speedmaster reduced, on ebay there are a couple of platinum sellers who you can usually get a used one for $800 to $1000 bucks and if you get realy luck maybe a bit less.
Looks great and being an Omega would be a lifetime watch.
July 14th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
My dad gave me a Speedmaster Pro (Moonwatch) to me on my 21st. He bought it the year i was born (’73) for £70. I loved that watch and coveted it for a long time and was made up when it came my way. (hitting the reset on the second hand entertained me for hours)
As u can imagine i was quite upset when it was taken in a burgalry a couple of years ago (im 34 now) - the insurance company would not pay out since i had no proof of purchase (like this is a 34 year old watch). Hats off to my dad after a root around, he’d kept the original documents, so i got the replacement cost back - onto a high street jewellers voucher.
I didnt fancy trusting myself with £1700 watch - so ive kept the voucher for the last 18 months - 18 months is a long time for that to burn a whole in your pocket, so i deciced to replace it anyway
I went into the jewellers and they no longer stocked Omega in that particular store ( i went in and said i want a “moon watch”, when i was 7 i knew this was THE first watch worn on the moon… ) then the guy went, i have a “reduced” (he ment automatic, not professional) one in the safe.
Well it was on sale (£1000 RRP) and i paid £625 for it. I dont have to wind it up, its lighter, and to me its identical (the semi-dials are switched) but its my dads watch nevertheless. A timeless classic….beauty
The Professional is more expensive because of demand, it is the only watch worn on the moon, and its re-sale value retention is higher than the automatic…i wont be re-selling…im happy…
July 16th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Just received my one which I bought via e-bay for only 700 euros (1000 dollars). Looks brandnew. Came with a box as well which is remarkable for that money. I am over the moon with this watch despite it being an automatic. Don’t envisage space flight myself so no need for the big one. Tried on both in a jewellers but I found the moonwatch just a tad too big. Must say however that the day/date is my favourite. That’s gonna be number 4….
August 18th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
well written review! I have a Schumacher reduced and love it as well.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Who doesn’t love classic cars? Seems everybody does and hollywood has jumped on the bandwagon too. You see them in just about every movie and TV show now.
September 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I just got my new automatic…new model, ref 3539.50.00, (www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=305&pos=1&no_cache=1)…Man, am I happy….!!!
By the way,thanks for Ur review, long due someone putting the word out for this watch, I was getting sooooo tired of the usuall “snobbish” “Yeah,well, its NOT really THE moonwach,U know…”
Screw that, your car analogy was very ilustrative on this point…
October 27th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Also bought an Automatic on ebay and am thrilled with it. All of the beauty and functionality of the Professional without the (for me..)size. I wear it every day and get many compliments on its good looks and classic design.
December 29th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I had a schumacher reduced red dial for my 21st birthday present. Love it very much and is still beside me. =)
I’ve wore it for 3 yrs and I nvr love a watch that much. I’m a watch collector and I dont know why I love omega tht much. Now, I’m considering on buying the latest Omega speedmaster reduced. Is really beautiful piece.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Just got a brand-new “reduced” during my last US business trip, now that the Dollar is low ;-).
Lovely watch.It indeed comes now with the sapphire glass. It simply looks very ’sporty & sexy’ without being too pretentious. I specially like the clarity of the contrast deep-black display with the white pointers. Needless to say, it has ousted my 20yr.company-award Datejust Ro…. back to the safe.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
i am a big fan of omega. i have some speedmaster watches. i like the mars watchi have had it for about 7 years and it is still the best watch omega have made.
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November 26th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Great watch! I’ve had mine for 5 years, broke my arm under it with no damage to the watch just the arm. Speedmaster geeks always pile hate on the auto, but it is a great, reliable, and very functional watch for those of us not into the big dick contests of many “watch guys” who seem to want to wear larger and larger timepieces to make up for their declining home values.