Both the Rolex Daytona and the Omega Speedmaster Professional are timepieces that have long since achieved the status of true icons in the watch world. Since both models come from prestigious brands and fall into the category of luxury chronographs, they are often compared, raising the question: Speedmaster Professional or Daytona – which watch is better? In this article, we examine the key features of both watches to help watch enthusiasts choose one of these top-class chronographs.

The most important points in brief

We will discuss some of the following topics:

·   History: The Rolex Daytona, introduced in 1963, is best known for having once been the favorite watch of racing driver Paul Newman. The Omega Speedmaster Professional, on the other hand, is not associated with motorsports, but with space exploration. It was the official NASA space watch from 1965 and was worn by Buzz Aldrin in 1969 when the moon landing was achieved.

·   Design and functions: Both models feature a chronograph function and are available in various materials (e.g., stainless steel, yellow gold, and white gold) as well as different color schemes. One of the biggest technical differences lies in the movement. The Omega Chronograph is powered by a hand-wound caliber, while the Rolex Daytona uses an automatic movement.

·   Prices: The Omega and Rolex collections comprise luxury watches with prices that vary considerably. For example, the cheapest Speedmaster Professional model costs around €7,200, while Rolex watches start at €15,900.

History: From the racetrack to the moon

As befits truly iconic luxury watches, the Speedmaster Professional and the Daytona each have their own individual stories, inextricably linked to the timepieces.

The story of the Daytona, whose name Rolex took from the US racetrack of the same name, began in 1963. The first version of the chronograph released at that time still had a manual winding mechanism and met with rather lukewarm interest.

That changed abruptly when legendary race car driver Paul Newman began wearing a Daytona watch in the early 1970s. Thanks to the influence of the popular American, who was also an actor, the Daytona received massive attention. Sales figures exploded, and the "Paul Newman" Daytona, in particular, with its black totalizers on a cream-white dial, quickly became a bestseller. The original watch that accompanied Newman throughout his motorsport career was auctioned in 2017 for the impressive price of nearly $17.8 million.

Anyone who thinks this impressive story can't be topped is sorely mistaken. The history of the Omega Speedmaster Professional undoubtedly surpasses that of the Daytona by a wide margin. While one watch witnessed the greatest races, the other embarked on a journey to the moon. The Speedmaster Professional was the official space watch of NASA from 1965 and was on the wrist of astronaut Buzz Aldrin during the 1969 moon landing. Furthermore, this luxury timepiece, which still bears the nickname "Moonwatch," was part of the first spacewalk in 1965 and the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.

Design and model variety of the Rolex and Omega collections

Rolex and Omega watches feature designs that every watch enthusiast recognizes at first glance. Both chronographs emphasize timeless aesthetics, combining sporty design elements with unmistakable elegance.

The Rolex Daytona manufactured today measures 40 millimeters in diameter and is available in these material variants:

·       Stainless steel (Oystersteel)

·       Yellow gold

·       White gold

·       Rose gold

·       Bicolor (steel and yellow gold)

·       platinum

It comes on a bracelet made of precious metal or a so-called Oysterflex bracelet, an elastomer bracelet with a core of metal spring leaves. The subdials stand out clearly from the dial in color on almost all references, thus creating a high-contrast aesthetic.

With a diameter of 42 millimeters, modern Omega Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” models are somewhat larger. They are also available in steel, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, as well as in two bicolor versions (steel and yellow gold and steel and rose gold), optionally combined with a strap made of precious metal, leather, rubber, or nylon.

Browsing through both collections, one encounters a wide variety of models from both Omega and Rolex, predominantly sporty and understated, but also including some more extravagant designs. Overall, the Rolex product line makes a somewhat more modern, "ornate" impression than the Omega watch series, which still retains a strongly functional, tool-watch character.

Features: State-of-the-art technology in Daytona and Speedmaster

Omega and Rolex are two watch manufacturers known worldwide for their technical achievements and the high quality of their movements. Whether it's a Rolex Daytona or an Omega Speedmaster "Moonwatch," you're guaranteed a timepiece that is completely convincing in terms of both craftsmanship and functionality. Nevertheless, we would like to briefly discuss the technical features of these luxury chronographs here:

Technical specifications for the Omega Speedmaster Professional

·       Hand-wound caliber 1861 / 3861

·       50-hour power reserve

·       Waterproof up to 50 meters

·       Unscrewable chronograph pushers

·       Super-LumiNova luminous coating on hands and indices

·       Antimagnetic

Technical specifications for the Rolex Daytona

·       Automatic movement caliber 4130

·       72-hour power reserve

·       Waterproof up to 100 meters

·       Screw-down chronograph pushers

·       Chromalight luminous material on hands and indices

·       Protected against magnetic fields

Costs: Price ranges for Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster Professional

Prices for the Omega Speedmaster start at a relatively affordable €7,200 for the stainless steel model with an aluminum bezel and nylon strap (Ref. 310.32.42.50.01.001). The most expensive option is the diamond-encrusted Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch" in white gold (Ref. 310.55.42.50.02.001).

The cheapest Rolex Daytona costs more than twice as much as the affordable steel Speedmaster. The Oystersteel watch with reference number 126500LN costs a hefty €15,900. Compared to the collection's absolute price giant, however, it's still a bargain. The rose gold, diamond-encrusted reference 126595TBR is priced at €140,100 by the Geneva-based watchmaker.

The good news for bargain hunters is: if it doesn't have to be one of the most popular models and you're open to pre-owned watches, you can find Speedmaster Professional and Daytona watches at lower prices on the secondary market with a bit of luck. HORANDO also regularly offers new and pre-owned models. Daytona and Speedmaster Professional models – authenticated and at attractive prices.

Overview: Daytona and Speedmaster Professional compared

The following table allows for a quick comparison at a glance:

Conclusion: Omega Speedmaster Professional or Rolex Daytona – a matter of personal preference

Admittedly, choosing between two truly iconic watches isn't always easy. In the case of the Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch" and the Rolex Daytona, the choice is all the more difficult, as both models boast top-notch quality, authentic design, and strong brand names. Ultimately, which watch is the better choice comes down to personal preference. Those who love the pure vintage look, are on a budget, and desire a timepiece with an incomparably impressive history should opt for the Omega "Moonwatch." However, if you're willing to invest a bit more, appreciate elegant features in sports watches, and perhaps even have a passion for motorsports, then the Rolex Daytona is the only way to go.

FAQ

Where can you buy Rolex and Omega watches?

Rolex and Omega watches can be purchased from the manufacturers or via specialist retailers, from independent (online) retailers, and from private individuals on the secondary market.

What should you look out for when buying luxury watches?

These criteria should be considered when buying a watch:

·       Reputable provider

·       Authenticity check

·       Scope of delivery (preferably complete with original box and papers)

·       Condition and functionality of used models

·       Insured shipping

Which Omega Speedmaster reference was on the moon?

Buzz Aldrin wore a model with the reference number ST 105.012 during the moon landing.

Which Rolex Daytona models are referred to as "Paul Newman" Daytonas?

The “Paul Newman” Daytona watches are characterized by their exotic dial design with a cream-colored dial and black subdials. The case and bracelet are traditionally made of stainless steel.