Vintage Omega watch Speedmaster Reduced 3510.50 Automatic Chronograph circa 1990s

SPECIFICATION

Reference: 3510.50
Movement: Omega 1140
Age: Circa 1990s
Case Size: 39mm
Case Thickness: 12mm
Lug to Lug: 44mm
Lug: 18mm
Condition: Pre-owned
Box and Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION

• In fantastic pre-owned condition, with light wear from use
  
• Case and bezel have some very minor marks and scratches
• Original Omega signed crystal
• Omega signed crown
• Lume has turned a beautiful pumpkin colour
• Fully serviced 46 jewels automatic chronograph movement
• Paired with its original signed stainless steel bracelet that fits up to a 7 3/4 inch wrist

In the late 1980s, Omega wanted a way to get the Speedmaster on more wrists. Enter the Omega Speedmaster Automatic, also known as the Speedmaster Reduced.

 A few aesthetic changes distinguishes the Speedmaster Automatic from the Moonwatch – spread-out sub dials, the word "Automatic" under Speedmaster at 12 o'clock – but the DNA of the Speedy is still undeniable. There's the recognizable black dial and black aluminum tachymeter bezel, Hesalite crystal, and those distinctive twisted lugs. For those who love the history and look of the Speedmaster, but the 42mm, lyre-lug case might be a bit too large this Speedmaster Reduced is here for you. Discontinued in 2009, it's become something of a cult hit for enthusiasts who just want a practical, wearable Speedmaster.

ABIT OF TRIVIA

There were a few versions of the Speedmaster Reduced during its two-decade production run. Omega offered the it in stainless steel, solid yellow gold, and two-tone steel and gold. There were also bracelet versions and leather strap versions, in addition to different dial colors. OMEGA even made date, perpetual calendar, day-date, and moonphase versions of the Speedy Reduced chronograph.

The most common models are the no-date stainless steel ones with black dials and black bezels. The first generation included the references ST.175.0032 (leather strap) and ST.375.0032 (steel bracelet). Because OMEGA changed its coding system in the late 1980s, this version of the Speedmaster Reduced is also known as the ref. 3510.50.00.

In 2006, omega introduced the upgraded Reduced (ref. 3539.50.00) with a sapphire crystal instead of a Hesalite crystal and a slightly redesigned dial. However, by 2009, OMEGA had stopped producing the Reduced collection altogether.

The movements of the no-date Speedmaster Reduced watches went by different names over the years. First calibre 1140 (1988), followed by Caliber 1141 (1996), then Caliber 1143 (1996), and finally Caliber 3220 (2000). Regardless of the name, the movement is virtually the same – a time-only ETA 2892-A2 base fitted with a Dubois Dépraz 2020 chronograph module. This setup gives a combined thickness of just 6.5mm. For comparison, a Valjoux/ETA 7750 'the modern workhorse' comes in close to 8mm. 

OUR THOUGHTS

Omega launched the Speedmaster reduced in 1988 as a more practical and versatile take on the legendary Speedmaster design. Measuring 39mm, it offered a slightly more compact fit than the traditional Moonwatch, giving it broad everyday appeal. Powering the watch is the Omega calibre 1140 automatic movement, designed for effortless daily wear with the convenience of self-winding reliability. A fantastic piece of Omega history, freshly serviced and running beautifully, brought from the past into the present, ready to be enjoyed well into the future with confidence.