If there is one thing that every watch collector can agree on, it is that everyone should own an Omega Speedmaster Professional, which is colloquially known as the "Speedy" or "Moonwatch." This Swiss chronograph was issued to all NASA Apollo astronauts and in 1969 became the first watch worn on the moon. The watch also took center stage during the Apollo 13 mission when the returning astronauts needed to do an emergency engine burn to prevent the spacecraft from skipping off the Earth's atmosphere and hurtling into deep space. But since the flight computer was turned off to save power, astronaut Jack Swigert used his issued Speedmaster chronograph to time the critical 14 second burn.

The Speedmaster is also a great looking watch with an easy-to-read, no nonsense dial. It is the definition of a "tool" watch or one that is used as a precision instrument.

Part 1 covers 4 legitimate alternatives to the Speedmaster that cost more than $600.

When considering affordable alternatives, we are going to mostly need to consider quartz based movements which give the critical chronograph function. However, even at this price, we can still find one that has a legitimate connection to NASA and was worn in space. For the rest, we are going to look at value while still maintaining the key features of the Speedy.

Let's start with a watch that has actually been on the moon and is not a Speedy.

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph Moonwatch

Imagine owning a watch that landed on the moon for less than $600. You can do this with the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph Moonwatch. On August 2, 1971, astronaut David Scott (seventh man to walk on the moon) stepped onto the moon wearing not his issued Speedy (which was damaged) but his personal Bulova. This fact remained a secret until 2015 when the watch was removed from his safe deposit box. The current Bulova Lunar Chronograph is a faithful replica of the Bulova chronograph used on the 1971 Apollo 15 moonwalk. As far as pedigree, this watch is just as much a moon watch as the Speedy.

The solid stainless steel case is 45mm in diameter and 14mm thick. It houses a high frequency quartz movement which Bulova claims gives the watch superior accuracy. It also includes a date window at 4:30.

The outer bezel has a tachymeter scale while the black face has a handset similar to the Speedy. The sub-dials include the running seconds, a 1/10 of a second stopwatch, and 60 minute totalizer. A sapphire crystal covers everything, and the watch has a water resistance rating of 50m.

The watch can be purchased with a stainless steel bracket with a deployment clasp or a combination leather band that also includes a black nylon strap that features a commemorative patch. The MSRP is $540, which makes the Bulova Lunar Pilot much more affordable than the Speedy and no less of a true moon watch.

Certina DS-2 Chronograph

Certina is a Swiss luxury watch brand that has been making watches since 1888. In 1959, Certina created the DS or "Double Security" feature of suspending the watch movement inside a reinforced case. This increased both shock protection and water resistance, and the DS line of watches was born.

The Certina DS-2 Chronograph is an attractive version of a three sub dial chronograph with an overall case diameter of 41mm by 12.95mm thick. It is constructed of 316L stainless steel and comes finely finished. The DS case offers 100m of water resistance, which is quite good for a chronograph.

The bezel is a black aluminum tachymeter ring. The dial markers and hands are covered in Super Lumi-Nova, which provides excellent visibility at night. There is a date display at the 6 o'clock position along with three evenly spaced sub-dials. The sub dials display the running seconds along with a 30 minute and 12 hour totalizer for the chronograph. Something you will notice is a 1/100 of a second track around the dial. This is because the DS-2 Chronograph uses a high accuracy quartz movement that Certina calls the PreciDrive. On the face are two second hands which when activated measure seconds and 1/100 of a second. That's right. The bright orange hand makes a complete revolution once per second. The incredible speed and processing power of the PreciDrive allows this split seconds hand to precisely hit each of the 100 marker indices during a one second span. Timing events to within 1/100th of a second is easy.

The crystal is scratch resistant sapphire, which is also treated with anti-reflective coating. The MSRP for the Certina DS-2 is $450. While it is a quartz, you are getting one of the best with the ability to accurately time with 1/100th of a second of accuracy.

Tissot PRS 516 Chronograph

Founded in 1853, Tissot has a long association with motorsports as a sponsor of Formula One car-racing teams Lotus, Renault, and Sauber. The PRS line was designed for the racetrack which not surprisingly means putting an emphasis on accurate chronographs.

The 42mm case is made from stainless steel and is a thin 12.1mm thick. The bezel is made of ceramic and is engraved with a tachymeter scale. Ceramic bezels are much more durable compared to steel or aluminum, which is why Rolex switched to all ceramic for its submariners.

The evenly spaced sub-dials include registers for running seconds, 1/10 of a second, and 30 minute totalizer. The Tissot PRS 516 is powered by a high accuracy Swiss quartz movement.

The hands and indices are easy to read and stand out from the dark dial. The chronograph second hand is also painted a high visibility red. The hour markers and hour and minute hand are illuminated with Super Lumi-Nova. There is also a date display at the 4 o'clock position.

The sapphire crystal is covered in anti-reflective coating and offers 100m of water resistance. A solid stainless steel bracelet is finished in a very attractive brushed finish with accents in high polish. The MSRP for the Tissot PRS 516 is $435, which is about the same as the Certina DS-2 listed above. Together these two watches offer an elegant and highly functional alternative to the Speedy.

Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance Chronograph

Known for their highly functional Swiss Army knives, Victorinox also produces a line of mechanical and quartz watches. At first glance, the Alliance Sport Chronograph might be mistaken for a Speedmaster. But one look at the iconic Swiss cross at 12 o'clock signals to the world that this is no Omega but a genuine Victorinox.

The 44mm diameter case is forged of stainless steel. The black aluminum bezel is marked with the tachymeter scale. The watch is very thin at only 11mm and sports a sapphire crystal that is anti-reflective coated.

The sub dials display the running seconds as well as a 30 minute and 12 hour totalizer for the chronograph. This setup is very similar to the Omega Speedmaster. There are luminescent hands and indices which resemble folded Swiss Army knives. A nice touch and homage to the Victorinox heritage.

The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement and water resistance to a respectable 100m. The watch can be had in a leather or stainless steel bracelet. The MSRP is between $375 to $400. This is a lot of watch for the price, and for those who are fans of the Swiss Army knife (and maybe even carry one daily), the Alliance would make the perfect wrist complement.

Orient Neo70's Panda

Orient has been making high quality watches in Japan since the 1950s. Acquired by Seiko in 2009, Orient has gained a cult following by offering high quality watches with in-house Japanese made movements at an affordable price.

The Orient Neo70 Panda is a Japanese Domestic Market watch but widely available online. It comes in different dial colors including a nice dark grey. The case size is 42mm in diameter and 11.7mm thick. It is made of stainless steel and has unguarded crowns and pushers. The watch advertises a water resistance rating of 100m.

The dial has three Panda sub dials which include a running seconds, 60 minute totalizer, and 24 hour indicator. The indices are simple stick markers with lumed pips underneath. There is also a date window at the 4:30 position. The hour and minute hands are skeletonized, which helps you see the sub dials underneath as well as lumed. The profile is similar to the Speedmaster as the top mineral crystal is slightly wider so has that Speedy "UFO" look when viewed from the side.

The bezel does not have a tachymeter scale and instead substitutes a 60 second track with 1/5 of a second indications. This quartz movement drives the second hand in 1/5 of a second increments, which gives it a sweep like motion – just like an automatic movement. This is a really nice touch for a quartz.

The movement is also solar powered. You won't have to worry about changing batteries every two or three years. Just expose the watch to sun or artificial light, and you'll be good to go. The MSRP is about $285, and you can find them on several dedicated Japanese buying sites as well as new on eBay.

Seiko Neo Sports SSB031

Seiko has been making watches in Japan for over 125 years. Their reputation is stellar, and they are known to produce a tremendous variety of models. So it's not a surprise that we can find one that comes very close to the Omega Speedmaster.

The Neo Sports SSB031 line is a 40mm stainless watch that measures in at only 11mm thick. The crystal is mineral Hardlex, and the watch is rated at 100m of water resistance.

One look at the dial, and you will agree why many have nicknamed this watch the "Seiko Speedmaster." The indices are silver outlined white trapezoids with red accents at 12, 3, 6, and 9. The sword hour and minute hands are lume filled, and the second hand sports a pleasing red color.

The sub dials show the running seconds, a 60 minute totalizer, and a 24 hour indicator. The bezel has the standard tachymeter marking.

The Neo Sports SSB031 is powered by a mecha-quartz movement which in its simplest terms means that the time keeping function is pure quartz accuracy while the chronograph is a hybrid. If you look inside, you would see levers, hammers, wheels, and heart pieces just like in a mechanical movement. When you push the button, you get a crisp and audible start to the chronograph. The second hand ticks at 1/5 of a second increments just like a mechanical watch. When you reset the chronograph, you get the instant snap back of the hands to the 12 o'clock position. Pretty nifty, and Seiko was a pioneer of this technology.

The bracelet is stainless with solid (although slightly on the thin side) with a deployment clasp. The MSRP is affordable at $185. The Seiko Neo SSB031 is a budget friendly but highly functional Speedy alternative.

Alpha Speedmaster

Amazingly at the sub $200 price we get to our first mechanical option. Of course, it won't be a Swiss or even Japanese movement. Alpha is a Chinese watch company that specializes in creating homage watches.

The Alpha Speedmaster is a mechanical chronograph that looks very similar to a Speedmaster. It is made of 316L stainless steel with a 42mm diameter and 16.5mm thick. Water resistance is 50m. Naturally, the bezel sports a black tachymeter scale.

The face looks just like a Speedmaster with a few notable exceptions. The second hand is bright red and the sub dials record a 24 hour clock instead of a 12 hour totalizer for the chronograph. The other sub dials display the running second and a 30 minute totalizer. The crystal is a domed mineral crystal that is similar to Hesalite.

Of course the Alpha logo is at the top, but it might make you wonder if a less reputable company could use a similar design to create a fake Omega Speedmaster. If you look carefully, you will notice that the sub dials are more spread out than the authentic Speedmaster. This is because only the Omega Speedmaster movement has the close dial spacing. The other giveaway would be the sub dial at the 6 o'clock position that shows a 24 hour clock instead of the 12 hour totalizer. So while you could make this watch look like a fake, the sub dial spacing and functions would be totally different.

Inside the Alpha Speedmaster is a hand-wound mechanical Seagull SG2903 chronograph movement with 42 hours of power reserve. While this is a Chinese movement, it is a proven design and provides accurate timekeeping. You can also view the movement through the display case back. The bracelet is solid stainless steel with solid end links.

The MSRP when purchased directly is $182. Not really cheap, but if you absolutely want a mechanical Speedmaster clone, the this is one of the only choices.

Timex Weekender or Standard Chronograph

Timex is a U.S. watch company founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut. In 1944, Waterbury was reformed into what we know as the Timex Corporation. Timex has many notable watches and became the first official timekeeper of the New York City Marathon. However, the watch has never been into space.

This has not stopped Timex from making a nice Omega Speedmaster-like chronograph that is uniquely Timex. And for a very affordable price. The Weekender watch is 40mm in diameter and only 9mm thick. The Standard Chronograph model is slightly larger and thicker at 41mm by 11.5mm. The fully polished case is silver toned brass, and the crystal is mineral. On the Weekender there is no tachymeter only a 24 hour military hour marking on the outside track. The Standard Chronograph does include a tachymeter track.

The sub dials track running seconds, a  minute totalizer, and a 1/20 of a second elapsed time. Unlike the Speedmaster, the Timex Weekender uses applied Arabic numerals which make it easy to read. There is also a date display at the 4 o’clock position.

A quartz movement powers the watch and all chronograph features. What gives the Timex Weekender and Standard Chronograph a unique look is the indiglo light. A press of the crown will make the entire face glow a pleasing color which is far better than any type of lume. Unfortunately, water resistance is only 30m.

The MSRP is a budget friendly $52 for the Weekender and $100 for the Standard Chronograph. These models are solid watches and in case you forgot the old Timex motto ... "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

Stuhrling Original Rialto 3975L

This American micro brand produces all of their watches in Hong Kong, which keeps the prices affordable. The one feature of Stuhrling is that they use Swiss or Japanese movements and this is no exception with the Rialto.

The Stuhrling Rialto 3975L is a dressier Omega Speedmaster inspired watch. It is constructed of stainless steel and measures 44mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick.

The back dial includes a tachymeter on the chapter ring under the crystal instead of on the bezel. This gives the tachymeter far more protection from being scratched as well as gives the entire watch a more elegant look.

The sub dials include running seconds, a 30 minute totalizer, and 24 hour time display. There is also a date window between the 4 and 5 o'clock indices. The branding is clean and thoughtfully understated. There are also lumed pips above each of the indices and the hour and minute hand are lume filled.

The crystal is mineral and the entire watch offers 100m water resistance. The band is leather with a buckle. The lugs are 20mm, which means that you can easily replace the band with a NATO strap or even aftermarket stainless bracelet.

The Stuhrling Rialto is powered by a Japanese Hattori VR32 quartz chronograph. This is a basic but proven movement used in many other Japanese brands. The MSRP is $80, which makes this an excellent value as a "DressMaster."

Sekonda Chronograph Watch 1157

Sekonda is a Chinese company that makes both fashion and sports watches. The Sekonda 1157 is a refined chronograph that evokes the Speedmaster look. The
dial is a rich deep blue surrounded by a rose gold colored brass case.

The case is 40mm in diameter and is 12mm thick. The tachometer is located under the mineral glass crystal. The hands and indices are polished brass and the sub dials arranged at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The sub dials include running seconds, a 60 minute totalizer, and 24 hour time display. There is also a date window at the 4:30 location.

The band is a brown leather strap with tang buckle. The water resistance is 50m so good for splashes, but it should not be submerged or used while swimming. The watch is powered by a generic quartz movement. Like most quartz movements, it is reliable and accurate. With an MSRP of $84, The Sekonda is an excellent value especially if you want something in brass.

Conclusion

There are some great affordable alternatives to the Speedy for less than $600. One is a legitimate "Moonwatch" while the others offer solid performance, construction and value.

If you have not read Part 1, click here to read about 4 legitimate alternatives to the Speedmaster that cost more than $600.

What do you think? Do you have any experience with the above watches? Did we miss some good alternatives? Leave your comments below.