Man, I’ve always been fascinated by watches, especially those luxury ones. Recently, I got hooked on the idea of getting an OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. I mean, the history behind it, the fact that it went to the moon, it’s just so cool. So, I started my little project to copy one, not to sell or anything, just for my own satisfaction and to see if I could do it.
First thing I did was dive deep into research. I spent hours, and I mean hours, looking up everything about the Moonwatch. The different models, the materials, the prices, everything. I found out that they come in ceramic, gold, and even platinum. The prices are all over the place, from like $5,900 to over $16,000. Some models, like this one Sedna gold one, ref. 304.63.44.52.01.001, that looks super classy with a brown leather strap, are way out of my budget, but it’s good to know what’s out there.
Then I started thinking about the look of the watch. This specific model has a polished-brushed five-arched-links-per-row bracelet. Sounds fancy, huh? I tried to find something similar in my old watch parts box. I found some but not the exact one, so I made a mental note to check out some watch repair shops later.
Hesalite or Sapphire?
One big decision was whether to go for a watch with Hesalite glass or sapphire crystal. Both have their own charm, and both come with a stamped caseback with the OMEGA seahorse medallion, which is a nice touch. I learned that the classic Moonwatch usually has Hesalite, but many modern ones have sapphire. I like the scratch-resistance of sapphire, so I decided to go with that for my copy.
During my research, I stumbled upon some interesting tidbits. Apparently, the value of these watches, even the Hesalite ones, has increased a lot, like over 10% in just 18 months. I even heard that OMEGA might increase their prices again in early 2024. Made me think, if I were to buy a real one, now would be a good time. But for my project, it just reinforced my decision to make a copy instead of buying.
Now, about the movement. The real Moonwatch has a manual winding movement. It’s the one that went to space and all that. But most modern Speedmasters have automatic movements. For my copy, I had an old automatic movement lying around, and I thought, why not? It’s not the same, but it’ll do the job for this project.
Putting it all together
- Finding the Parts: I visited a few local watch repair shops and flea markets. It was like a treasure hunt. I managed to find a decent case, a dial that looked similar to the Moonwatch, and some hands that fit the style. The bracelet was a bit tricky, but I found one that was close enough.
- Assembling the Watch: This was the most challenging part. I had to be super careful not to damage any of the parts. I used some basic watchmaking tools I had ordered online. It took a few tries, and I definitely messed up a couple of times, but eventually, I got it all together.
- The Crystal: I found a sapphire crystal that fit the case perfectly. It was a bit of a splurge, but I wanted to stay true to the modern Speedmaster style.
After many hours of work, my OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch copy was finally ready. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But it looks pretty darn good if I say so myself. It doesn’t have the history or the prestige of the real deal, but it’s mine, and I made it. It’s a reminder of this whole journey, the research, the hunting for parts, and the actual assembly.
This whole experience taught me a lot about watches and about myself. It showed me that with a bit of patience and a lot of research, I can create something I’m really proud of. It’s not just about the end product; it’s about the process, the learning, and the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe next time, I’ll try copying a different model, who knows?
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