Looking for an Omega Speedmaster that fits your small wrist? Look no further than the Omega Speedmaster Reduced.
The 1950s were a transformative era in watchmaking that saw such innovations as the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms dive watch, Rolex GMT Master, and, of course, the Omega Speedmaster. It was the age of the tool watch, and the iconic chronograph was at the center of it all.
The Speedy has been in continuous production since 1957, and even though it was initially developed as a motorsport watch, it is more commonly known for its role in space travel.
It was qualified by NASA in 1965 for all manned space missions and was the first watch worn on the Moon, among many other accolades.
With such an impressive resume, it is no surprise that Omega would produce countless iterations of the legendary watch, including the cult favorite Speedmaster Reduced.
As the smaller cousin to the famous Speedmaster, the Omega Speedmaster Reduced model appeals to many small-wristed watch lovers. But is it the right “fit” for your wrist or watch box?
Let’s break down the collection to find out.
Table of Contents
What is the Speedmaster Reduced?
Navigating the Omega Speedmaster portfolio is a daunting task. Still, to better understand the appeal of the “Reduced” model, we must first look briefly at its early history because it was not the first, nor the last, model to sport a smaller case size.
Early Speedmaster references, such as CK2915, CK2998, and 105.003, have cases measuring under 40mm. It wasn’t until the Speedmaster Professional was released in the 1960s that the collection transitioned to a larger 42mm case, which remains the standard today.
The Speedmaster Pro also introduced the collection to many upgrades, such as crown guards, twisted “lyre” lugs, and the distinction “Professional” on the dial.
The Speedmaster Reduced model followed two decades later, in 1988, as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the massively successful Speedmaster Pro.
It is similar in design and function to the 42mm model but with a handy automatic movement and a more compact 39mm case, which, in reality, measures slightly smaller if you don’t include the crown or chronograph pushers.
Speedmaster Reduced Features
Unlike the Speedmaster Pro, the “Reduced” model is only available with an automatic movement, which winds itself from the motion of the wearer’s wrist. As a result, the collection is commonly referred to as the “Speedmaster Automatic.”
Comparing the dials of both models, side-by-side, you’ll also notice the distinction “Professional” has been replaced with “Automatic” to signify the self-winding movement.
Furthermore, the Speedmaster Reduced relies on a series of ETA-based movements, whereas the calibers powering the Speedmaster Professional are based on Lemania movements.
While both types of movement are celebrated for their reliability and accuracy, the ETA-based calibers tucked inside the Speedmaster Reduced are more economical to produce.
Depending on who you ask, the Lemania movements are superior, but using them over ETA movements would defeat the purpose of creating an affordable alternative to the Speedmaster Pro.
What has collectors the most divided when it comes to the Speedmaster Reduced are the dial and side pushers. The pushers are not perfectly aligned with the crown, and the sub-dials are spaced further apart on the dial.
These design elements are a direct result of the ETA-based movements and are a deal-killer for some, but we’re willing to look past it in favor of the unique case size and entry-level price point.
For most of the model’s production run, the Speedmaster Reduced was outfitted with a Hesalite crystal, a variation of Plexiglas.
With the introduction of the caliber 3220 in the 2000s, the model also received a shiny new scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, which is more durable and has a noticeably different appearance than Hesalite. Choosing one over the other ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Omega also released editions of the watch on a matching metal bracelet or a leather strap and in stainless steel, gold, and two-tone. There are even iterations on the secondary market with a date prominently displayed on the dial.
As you can imagine, the Speedmaster Reduced is a fascinating watch to study and collect. Omega discontinued the model just before 2010, bolstering its collectability and cult status among passionate collectors.
Speedmaster Reduced Pros and Cons
The most obvious pro of the Reduced is the convenience of an automatic movement. If you wear your Omega regularly, you won’t have to hassle with winding it or resetting mechanisms such as the date.
Additionally, the various calibers powering the scaled-down Speedmaster have modest power reserves, allowing you to set your Omega down for a day or so while keeping perfect time.
Even years after it was discontinued, the Speedmaster Reduced remains an excellent value on the secondary market, often falling well below the $5,000 price point for the stainless steel models. It has all the appeal of a classic Omega chronograph without the higher premium often accompanying the larger Speedmaster Pro.
Depending on your preference for size and weight, the 39mm case could be a potential con because the Speedmaster Reduced traditionally speaks to collectors with smaller to averaged-sized wrists.
However, it isn’t unusual for collectors with larger wrists to sport smaller watches simply because they prefer it, particularly in today’s market, where smaller watches are making a serious comeback.
Speedmaster Reduced Alternatives
If you’re interested in alternatives to the Speedmaster Reduced that measure under 40mm, the current-production Omega catalog is also home to the Speedmaster 38, developed primarily for women, and the vintage-inspired Speedmaster ’57 and Caliber 321 models.
Conclusion: The Reduced Offers More Than Meets The Eye
As you can see, there is much more to consider about the Speedmaster Reduced other than its case size. It occupies an interesting space in Omega’s rich history as the quirky 39mm edition of the Speedy Pro also happens to be relatively affordable in today’s market.
If you have questions or comments leave them below!
Not all speedy reduced have offset pushers and crown. Some have a modular chronograph movement and some have an integrated chronograph movement, depending on production date. They offer significantly different wearability when it comes to case height and visual appeal… respectfully
My Speedmaster professional Moonwatch was sent to Switzerland for an intervention (restoration) in 2/20. Three months later they notified me that it would be returned in four months (for the price of a base Toyota Corolla). COVID struck the next month. Three months later, Omega updated the return date to 12 months. My Speedy was my daily companion for 30 years (minus regular servicing), so I bought a Reduced to fill the void until its return. It was received a year later as promised, but I continue to wear my Reduced, and the Speedy stays in its original box. Yes, the Reduced is that good.
The movement in the soeedmaster reduced vary. The eta 2892 base modular chronograph is the one with the pushers that aren’t aligned ..
There are also 7750 based reduced models that have pushers aligned per the norm.