Omega Speedmaster Professional Owner Review : Sober, addictive and authentic

First of all, I won't talk about the Speedmaster's lunar history here; others have already done so, and sometimes very well. Instead, let's look at the Speedmaster as it is, that is, a hand-wound chronograph. In these functions, it fulfills its role very well; the chronograph is very readable and accurate, and the ritual of winding it every two days is more than pleasant. I've owned many Speedmasters (limited editions, 321s, triple dates, etc.), but if you want to enter the world of vintage, this 145022 from the late 1980s is the best entry point! (And all Speedmasters from the 1990s, for that matter). They offer an excellent compromise between vintage patina and modern quality, without the price of the 1960s models or the current ones! The patina of the Omega Speedmaster is a subtle, sometimes discreet, but oh so evocative chapter in the history of this legendary watch. It's a slow, organic, and intimate transformation—a testament to the passing of time, engraved not in stone, but on the dial, hands, and hour markers. Until the mid-1990s, Omega used tritium (marked "T SWISS MADE T" on the dial). This luminescent material, now obsolete, has the charm of perishable things. Over the years, the original off-white turns honey yellow, soft ivory, or sometimes caramel beige, depending on storage conditions. The patina of a Speedmaster is not an artifice. It is not intentional; it is the product of time, use, and light. It whispers stories without shouting them, and it is precisely in this muted elegance that it stands out: a nobility not displayed, but lived. When patina is noble, it is the discreet gold of time. This is why there will always be a vintage Speedmaster in my collection.