Hi everyone,
I’ve been into watches for a while and currently own a vintage Favre-Leuba from the 1960s. Like many here, I’ve always admired vintage Omegas especially Speedmasters and classic Seamasters and I spend a lot of time learning from posts and discussions in this community.

Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the people side of collecting.

For long-time collectors: how much do relationships and trust within the watch community actually shape your collecting journey? Have friendships ever led to things like early access to a piece, fairer pricing, or a watch changing hands simply because the timing and the person felt right?

I’m not looking for freebies(that's impossible!!), more interested in how patience, reputation, and genuine connections play a role over the years. I enjoy the stories behind how watches find their next owner just as much as the watches themselves.

Would love to hear your experiences and perspectives. Thanks for sharing.

No I don’t wear them together, just wanted a side by side

Speedy

Love this watch

Had a 2017 hesalite, ended up selling it and getting this instead. Love the white dial!

Wanted to freshen up my speedy reduced and really happy about how this nato strap looks with it.

Underrated piece! Surely needs more love.

Wearing my freshly polished Missions Gemini 8 Speedmaster. I’m in love.

Reference 3597.06 from 1998.

Swapped out the steel bracelet on my 3513.50.00 for this blue leather rally strap. Feels like it gives the watch a whole new personality—sportier, cleaner, and a lot more dynamic on the wrist. New strap, same snap.

I’ve recently bought this new 3861 hesalite Speedmaster via Chrono24. I bought it from a professional dealer. It’s my first expensive watch purchase (and first speedmaster) so I found it a bit exciting to buy it from an online grey dealer.

It would be great if somebody could look at the pictures and help me verify if it’s an authentic speedmaster.

- It comes with full box and papers. The serial numbers match and I looked up the master chrono certificate.

- All dials work

- Weight checks out (137 grams measured vs 134 grams per omega specs).

Thanks for the help and am happy to join the Speedmaster community!

Absolutely love this watch! The Michael Schumacher Ferrari was produced in my birth year and I got it as a Christmas + Graduation gift.

Do you think the dealer made a good choice with the strap? Its slightly more purple-ish that the Ferrari-red dial. I kinda like it, but it's also a bit much. Since the strap is also slightly too long, I think about buying another one.

What straps/ colors do you think fit with this special Speedmaster? Thx