The Speedmaster went to the Moon. The Daytona is named after a racetrack and is the most sought-after chronograph in the world. They are the two chronographs every collector considers, and they could hardly be more different to own. In our stock the Speedmaster typically costs $8,080 and the Daytona $40,920.
At a glance
| Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN | |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 42 mm steel | 40 mm steel |
| Movement | Calibre 3861, hand-wound, about 50 hours | Calibre 4131, automatic, about 72 hours |
| Accuracy | Master Chronometer, 0/+5 seconds a day | Superlative Chronometer, −2/+2 seconds a day |
| Crystal | Hesalite (acrylic) or sapphire | Sapphire |
| Bezel | Aluminum tachymeter | Ceramic tachymeter |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 100 m, screw-down pushers |
| Known for | Worn on the Moon, 1969 | Motorsport; Paul Newman |
| In our stock | 444 watches from $1,670 | 285 watches from $14,300 |
The Speedmaster family is large (Moonwatch, Racing, '57, Dark Side of the Moon); the table shows the classic Moonwatch. Check the reference on the listing.
Living with them
The Speedmaster asks for a little attention. You wind it by hand every day or two, which many owners enjoy. Its 50 m of water resistance is enough for rain and hand-washing, not for swimming. The hesalite version has the warm, domed crystal of the original; the sapphire version adds a display back so you can see the movement.
The Daytona is a watch you can forget about. It winds itself, runs three days off the wrist, and you can swim with it. It is smaller and sits lower than the Speedmaster, and its ceramic bezel does not scratch.
Price and availability
This is the real difference. A Speedmaster Moonwatch can be bought at close to its list price, new or pre-owned. A steel Daytona is very hard to buy at retail and sells for well above list on the secondary market, which is why its price in our stock is several times the Speedmaster's.
Which should you buy?
Choose the Speedmaster if you want history you can wear, you like winding a watch, and you want the better value. Our Speedmaster buying guide explains hesalite vs sapphire and the other lines.
Choose the Daytona if you want the most desirable chronograph made, automatic convenience, and strong resale. The Daytona buying guide covers the references.
Shop the Omega Speedmaster and the Rolex Daytona.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Speedmaster as good as the Daytona?
As a watch, yes: both are precise, well-made chronographs. The Daytona is automatic, more water resistant and far harder to get; the Speedmaster has the history and costs much less.
Why is the Daytona so much more expensive?
Demand far exceeds what Rolex produces, so steel Daytonas sell above list price on the secondary market.
Do you have to wind a Speedmaster every day?
The Moonwatch is hand-wound with about 50 hours of power reserve, so winding it once a day keeps it running. Some other Speedmaster models are automatic.
Can you swim with a Speedmaster?
It is rated to 50 m, which Omega considers suitable for splashes, not swimming. The Daytona is rated to 100 m.
