Speedmaster. The Speedmaster is legendary for its exploits. Its prestige derives from what it has done and where it has been on the wrist of its wearer (i.e. the spacewalks, the Apollo missions, the man on the moon, etc.), not simply because it was the watch worn by a movie star. And that’s not to knock the Monaco - it is a beautiful and unique looking watch in its own right. But it doesn’t carry the same provenance IMO, because its popularity is derived from the fact that Steve McQueen wore it in Le Mans.

 

Speedmaster. The Speedmaster is legendary for its exploits. Its prestige derives from what it has done and where it has been on the wrist of its wearer (i.e. the spacewalks, the Apollo missions, the man on the moon, etc.), not simply because it was the watch worn by a movie star. And that's not to knock the Monaco - it is a beautiful and unique looking watch in its own right. But it doesn't carry the same provenance IMO, because its popularity is derived from the fact that Steve McQueen wore it in Le Mans.

For me, the Speedmaster. For you, the one you think you will get the most enjoyment from. Don't buy a watch because WUS says you should, buy it because you think you should.

 

The one that you put on and makes your heart go pitter patter.

 

Thanks for the response. I agree the Speedmaster has had the better adventure but the Monaco has a cool history for auto chrono. and interesting history with brietling and square design.

Still leaning towards getting the Speedmaster

 

My personal choice would be the Speedmaster, by a huge margin. For me, it has a more compelling history, more pleasing design, from a more likeable brand. I don't even remember which movie star wore the Monaco.

 

I have read numerous accounts of buyer's remorse with the Monaco.

 

Similarly half of this board has bought and sold a Speedmaster Professional. Some more than once. None of that matters. Just go with what speaks to you.

 

If your a big NASA fan, then Speedmaster. Otherwise, no one is ever going to know the difference, so buy the one that you like. Try them on and see which one is better on your wrist. Then choose. The cool factor is high with both anyway!

 

First and foremost, welcome to WUS! Ultimately you know best which grabs you more. Personally, the Monaco has never appealed to me. The Speedy on the other hand, well, it's legend.

 

I'm not huge on the Monaco it sits very large on peoples wrists. I recently got a speedster and I've been looking at it everyday. Great watch, great wrist presence.

 

I agree with others, go Speedy. If I could afford to have 30 watches in my collection, only one or two would be square.
Plus, as iconic as the Monaco may be, the speedmaster is more so.

 

Speedmaster by a country mile

 

Speedmaster and yes I am bias and own one and also think it is one of the most legible chronographs besides being one of the best looking.

 

I don't do Square watches.

So I'm going Speedy 100%.

 

between the 2 black ones - Speedmaster, due to versatility and wearability.
Now if it was a blue Tag Heuer Monaco, then it would be a question of fit.

Blue Steve McQueen Monaco is stunning in person. It has a ton of wrist presence and one can't help but glance at the wrist constantly admiring the deep blue.
Alas, it also requires a large wrist and due to square shape and relatively tall crystal it may not fit every wrist.

 

It depends on you. But, the fact that you are asking for help deciding tells me that you care about intangibles, such as what others will think of it. Therefore, I say go for the speedy.

 

Monaco but in blue for me. I don't find anything about the Omega to be outstanding albeit the cost. The blue Monaco on the other hand is a one of a kind watch.

 

I have liked Monaco, especially in blue, every time I have seen it. But I have seen with a couple of friends and coworkers issues with their Tag reliability (perhaps just the luck of the draw). I would go with Speedy here, even though visually it doesn't appeal to me as much as the Monaco does.

 

The Monaco didn't make Steve McQueen cool and the Speedmaster wasn't the tool that landed a man on the moon.

Which one do you like the look of, see yourself wearing and give you an emotive reaction when you wear?

They are both awesome options, I would second the blue Monaco if you go that way or perhaps the Gulf model?

 

Yeah, the Gulf Monaco really gets me.

 

Both are awesome, but the Speedy is the clear winner.

 

If you want a chronograph watch with its history, buy Speedmaster.

I bought used Speedmaster Reduced few months ago, It is still running work and cool.

In fact, I wanted to buy a Speedmaster Pro but it is too big for my small wrist.

 

Really? I have a 6" wrist and the Speedy Pro is near perfect, even on bracelet. On a strap it wears even smaller. They call it a 42mm, but that's including the crown guard, so it really wears more like a 40mm.

 

The Monaco has never done a thing for me and I've owned a Speedmaster Pro Moon for 16-17 years now. Both have racing lineage and, of course, the Speedmaster was a racing chrono before it was used by astronauts and NASA. I like rectangular watches (like a Cartier Tank) but not square watches. That said, the white, red, and blue dial version that MCWEEDY posted on the previous page is pretty cool looking (for a square watch...).

 

These are the two I stare at on a regular basis, I'm conflicted also. But the Speedy looks so much like all my other watches I feel like the Monaco would ad a element to my collection I'm missing. Good luck

 

If you have a lot of other watches I'd say Monaco. If looking for more normal easy every day wear then the speedmaster. To me the speedmaster is kind of boring and it looks dated. It's been done to death and it would feel weird to wear something on my wrist with the nickname speedy ........ As for the Monaco, also hasn't done anything for me due to how it wears but I like that it has more pep in its step if you know what I mean and has at least some color. You'll have instant acceptance and adoration with either of those crowds no matter which one you get. For me it would be the Monaco.

 

Speedy. It will wear better. Those square watches are great in theory but to my eye they look much better on paper than on wrist. Good luck!

 

Probably one of my least favorite Omegas. I'd get the Tag. Or a Seamaster 300 master-coaxial 😁😁

 

I own both these watches, and enjoy both very much. Here’s a thing to consider: They are both great watches with considerable heritage, but while the Speedmaster looks good with literally ANYTHING, the Monaco is decidedly better suited to casual style attire.