Omega Speedmaster Reduced vs Speedmaster 38 || Which small Speedmaster is the BEST?

In this video Chris reviews the Speedmaster Reduced and newer 38mm to see who takes the throne in the small Speedy race.

[@yogzm5645]

I tried the speedy 38 yesterday at omega and absolutely loved it and my friend couldn’t stop commenting on how nice it looked. That was despite trying on the seamasters and other speedy moonwatches alongside it. I agree that the 38 is thicker but it wasn’t noticeably thicker. It really is a beautiful watch

[@chipnerd]

Thanks a lot for this detailed comparison, very clear in highlighting all the important little differences.

[@TheWatchScientists]

You are very welcome!

[@chrisbarbz9238]

Love the in-depth look and awesome contrast of the different Speedies. Well done!

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thank you! Are you looking to buy a Speedmaster?

[@chrisbarbz9238]

@@TheWatchScientists In fact I am!

[@TheWatchScientists]

Which one are you inclined to get? :)

[@chrisbarbz9238]

@@TheWatchScientists I'm eyeing the Pro model actually. 🤩 Might even go for the hesalite cause I'm romantic like that.. 🤪 But I realized what I really want right now is a Seamaster specifically the vintage one, which is the main reason I fell inlove with the Speedy because of that case. But the Speedy is definitely in the top 5 of my list.

[@Rich-fv5ey]

Great side-by-side comparision. Thank you.

[@TheWatchScientists]

You are very welcome :)

[@Weisnet1995]

Couldn't agree more - I do own a '91 Speedy Reduced with beautiful custard tritium lume and out of all my chronographs it is the most flattering on my wrist; I think the proportions are spot on! Great comparison none the less :)

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thank you! :) Oh man I do love the mint look of mine but some tritium patina sure does sound great too.

[@Wet_Electronics]

I didn't know about the increased height! That's a dealbreaker for me so big thanks for pointing that out.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Definitely a deal breaker especially because it is a smallish watch so that throws off the proportions

[@mkwon7047]

Informative and very easy to listen to.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thank you! :)

[@josedecardenasbelmont6742]

I have the Speedmaster 38 in the black dial (same as the video), great watch, but agree it's a little thick. I wasn't comfortable buying a reduced just because I couldn't find it pre-owned in Mexico (from a reputable source). The bracelet is a little difficult to size (I'm in between links and it doesn't have a micro adjustment like the reduced), but put it on a nato strap and looks amazing, more for an everyday look. Great video!

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thanks for sharing!

[@davidinda5922]

Buying ore-owned in Mexico is almost imposible :( . Es complicado.

[@TerrySteiner]

Everyone forgets about the 40mm Racing models. The most under rated modern Speedy. I know it is discounted but so is the reduced. It has the same movement as the new 38mm.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Definitely I just wanted to showcase the small size Speedys because I love my reduced. And i always had a problem with the Racing models due to the thickness

[@mariangroeneveld7401]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@TheWatchScientists]

You are welcome

[@behonestwithyourself3718]

I like the applied indices and the date. I wish they made a 40mm of that size. Id like to try on a 38. Nice looking watch!

[@TheWatchScientists]

I agree with the date especially nicely hidden at 6 o’clock.

[@eyebidder]

The butterfly closure is very difficult to open so be aware! I'm going to change out the bracelet to something with a more user friendly clasp.

[@cosmodoc]

I totally fancy the 38!

[@gsvrey]

What do you think of the differences between the reduced versions? The “newer” one has a deploying clasp, no numbers for the seconds, etc

[@TheWatchScientists]

As you say it is newer, has the updated clasp, no numbers and importantly a sapphire crystal. So it is an improvement over the older version but probably also more expensive

[@kjeldpedersen666]

I would never get rid of my beloved Reduced. Perfect dimensions for me, and it really looks much as the original Moon Watch. But it’s worth considering that the Reduced model is expensive to get serviced. Because of the sandwich movement it’s difficult for watchmakers to adjust it precisely. My watchmaker, although an earlier AD, had to send it to the Swatch Group. It ticks wonderfully now an probably will for years. But this fact is worth taking into consideration, as the 38 model is more expensive but also has longer service intervals...

[@Watchmade]

The 38mm are very much welcome. Had the Reduced before, feels more original.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thanks for the comment:)

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

i like the subdial detail on the 38, and bezel of the reduced.

[@TheWatchScientists]

The 38 has some very nice designs (especially if you want something that’s not too close to the professional) but the thickness really throws me off

[@TheWatchScientists]

Great username btw 😂

[@h0llyw00dhoward7]

Definitely the 38mm. This might sound weird but I feel like the 38 is it’s own Speedmaster and on top of that it has qualities (parts) that the reduced doesn’t have. If I’m going to get the Moon Watch then that’s what I’m getting.

[@macarenacarrillo1076]

Do you know if speed master reduced bracelets would fit the speed master 38 model? Aside from the clasp, are the lug holes the same?

[@TheWatchScientists]

I would guess no, since these watches are almost a decade apart. Also websites like Uncle Straps, which sell bracelets for the reduced don’t mention that it fits on the 38 (i think they would if it did)

[@larsson1899]

Immer gute Videos , weiter so. Von wann ist Deine Speedmaster Reduced ? Schaut echt noch klasse aus , schon eine Revision in der Vergangenheit gemacht ? Wenn Speedy , dann auch nur die Reduced, ,mit den 39mm und dem Automatikwerk die Perfekte Uhr.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Vielen Dank! Sie ist von 1999 aber wurde erst 2003 verkauft. Ich habe sie als „mint“ gekauft und sie war wirklich perfekt. Die Service Geschichte ist leider nicht bekannt, allerdings läuft sie perfekt +- 3 bis 4 Sekunden. Auf meinem Handgelenk sitzt sie auch perfekt 😊

[@larsson1899]

@@TheWatchScientists , klingt gut. Bei den Gangwerten ist dann allerdings keine Revision nötig, top Werte 👍. Schon echt Wahnsinn wie die Preise bei der Reduced angezogen haben. Ich bin auf der Suche nach einer, sollte dann aber eine Revision in naher Vergangenheit bekommen haben. Leider gibt's auch viel Mist bei dem Modell, oftmals total runter poliert. Viele Grüße

[@TheWatchScientists]

Ja das ist schade, vor allem weil der Kontrast zwischen poliert und gebürstet sehr schön auf diesem Gehäuse ist. Viele Grüße!

[@MrBarbarouse]

Does the reduced has more presence due to that extra 1mm and the plain black bezel?

[@TheWatchScientists]

I think it looks a bit more broad because it sits flat and seems wider

[@keithchegwin1222]

I think the light blue one is my favourite

[@TheWatchScientists]

It's lovely

[@ChrisKuiperBelt]

There is so much misinformation about water resistance in the watch community, I honestly don't know where it is all coming from. If a watch has a 30M resistance rating and it's from a reputable brand, they have actually tested it at 30M pressure. No not that 'exact' watch probably unless it is a 'divers resistance', where they test your exact watch. Regardless, 30M resistance is ok for EVERYTHING so long as you don't dive down near 30M. Pressure is pressure, it doesn't matter where it is coming from or what is causing it, air or water. If the water coming out of your shower head was anywhere near the pressure at 30M, it would literally rip your skin off. Obviously for serious diving, get a dive watch with a screw down crown. The screwing down of the crown does NOT improve the water seal itself unless there is a second gasket on the underside of the crown, which there may or may not be depending on the design. The screw down crown prevents a 'slipping seal' from occurring, which can lower the effective pressure resistance of a seal. My credentials are as a mechanical engineer, and if you don't believe me then go buy a 30M cheap Seiko off Amazon and go swimming, even free diving with it. Someone did a good post of water resistance myths here: www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/zw86rq/myth_busting_i_talked_to_my_watchmaker_about/

[@TheWatchScientists]

I don’t think it has so much to do with misinformation, we’re very aware that it could take it but just overly cautious because of the prices of these watches. So from a psychological perspective we prefer to have a bigger buffer to feel like nothing’s going to happen. At least that’s the case for me. Then with Chrono’s I’m even more cautious because of the pushers. That’s why for myself as a rule, I don’t go swimming with watches that aren’t at least 100m WR even if this is being overly cautious (Nele)

[@ChrisKuiperBelt]

@@TheWatchScientists To each their own, I'd just be more worried about accidently hitting your watch on some hard object and taking a chunk out of the bezel instead of if it will survive a swim or not.

[@omizzy]

What about the servicing issues of the reduced?

[@TheWatchScientists]

Can be difficult to service but generally Omega charges based on the fact that it’s a chronograph. So might be no different to other chronographs from Omega.

[@cebb-gj6wi]

Useful! What size is your wrist? :) Will be helpful for me to know, so I can compare.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thanks! 18cm as stated in the video :)

[@cebb-gj6wi]

Thanks for a response. Did you really say so? I must have missed it. You have 18cm but the reduce looks perfect on you! I have about 16,5 cm, and I think it looks kinda small on me in certain instances.. weird how that works

[@TheWatchScientists]

I didn’t say it but i wrote it on the wristshot. It also depends on the shape of your wrist and at the end of the day also your preferences.

[@truxton1000]

I like both, but the price of the new one?! I think this just shows that Speedmasters are really good value on the second hand market, I would never fork out 5600 on the new one though….

[@TheWatchScientists]

Yeah at that point it’s worth going for the Professional imo (Nele)

[@nele9378]

very informative video! The 38mm just doesn't do it for me, the reduced is a much better iteration imo

[@TheWatchScientists]

Thanks I agree ;)

[@JudasIscariot81]

Would it look too small on a 7.5-inch wrist?

[@TheWatchScientists]

I would say yes but it depends on your preference. My wrist in the video is 18cm (7.1 inch). If you consider getting one try to get you hands on one and see for yourself

[@JudasIscariot81]

@@TheWatchScientists makes sense. I will try just that. Thanks!

[@64Sq]

vintage always

[@TheWatchScientists]

I agree 😉

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

ruduce subdial spacing is way better. on the 42mm it looks too close together and they made the indices longer to fill the outside space.

[@TheWatchScientists]

I agree the spacing looks nice. Just to clarify the video shows the 38 versus the reduced. The reduced is 39,5mm

[@h0llyw00dhoward7]

I got the light blue dial with the navy bezel.

[@TheWatchScientists]

How are you enjoying the watch?

[@h0llyw00dhoward7]

@@TheWatchScientists I love it! I’m going to give that one to my oldest son when he graduate High School and when I get the 300m (green) that’s going to my youngest. I love Omega.

[@MrBarbarouse]

I prefer the reduced but last version with sapphire glass and updated clasp. I would prefer the 38 if it was thinner. That 14,7mm is too thick!

[@TheWatchScientists]

I don’t have an issue with the hesalite crystal but a better clasp would be great. The 38 is way too thick, i don’t understand how they can’t get it thinner than the modular movement

[@JamesAlexander14]

Both of them are too small for me. I’d stick with the Moonwatch!

[@TheWatchScientists]

Sure this is mainly for people that are already looking for a smaller and/or automatic version of the Moonwatch. Thanks for watching anyway!

[@stellarboy78]

Wish they did the 38 without the calendar. Would reduce the thickness, plus I won’t wear it every day, which makes the calendar function annoying to keep having to update it every time I take it out and put it on.

[@TheWatchScientists]

Go for a reduced in that case!

[@keefw361]

Speedmaster racing ober these two

[@ivanmirones9220]

Copied the placement of the three dials from the B. Lunar Pilot.

[@TheWatchScientists]

The theee subdials, now referred to as tri-compax, has existed long before the Lunar Pilot. It’s like saying it stole the round dial from the Rolex Submariner

[@ivanmirones9220]

@@TheWatchScientists I'm referring to the position of the three dials, they are spaced out as oposed to the original Speedmaster. This configuration is similar as the one used on the original Lunar Pilot worn by Dave Scott (1971)and reisued by Bulova and by the way ,Omega is also using the "Butterfly" clasp used on the Lunar P.

[@ivanmirones9220]

@@TheWatchScientists Compare the position of the three dials among the Original Speedy, Reduced Speedy and Lunar Pilot and you'll see.

[@TheWatchScientists]

The subdials are smore spaced out that is true but this is not designed by Omega but a consequence of the Dubois Depraz chronograph module. Also to me none of these things are „copying“, a butterfly clasp is used by countless watches (vintage Reduced does not btw). I doubt that Bulova invented it.

[@ivanmirones9220]

@@TheWatchScientists Exactly ,the reduced resembles the LP and on top use the BF. clasp.

[@joerichardson6107]

Best small speedy is the racing. Better movement also.

[@TheWatchScientists]

That is a really cool looking piece