If you are shopping for an Omega Speedmaster Reduced, there is a good chance you are confused about what you are actually looking at. The “Reduced” name gets applied to several different references that look similar at first glance but are meaningfully different watches. I have owned and sold more Speedmaster Reduced examples than I can count over the past 20 years and the question I get most often is this — why does one have a date and one does not, and which one is the real Reduced?
The answer matters if you are a collector. Let me break it down.
What Is the Omega Speedmaster Reduced?
The Speedmaster Reduced was introduced by Omega in the 1980s as a smaller, automatic alternative to the manual wind Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. At 39mm it was more accessible on the wrist for people who found the Professional too large, and the automatic movement made it more practical for everyday wear. It carried the Speedmaster name and the iconic tri-compax chronograph layout but it was a fundamentally different watch from the Professional in almost every way.
The Original Reduced — No Date
The original Speedmaster Reduced, reference 3510.50, had no date. This is the version most serious collectors refer to when they talk about the Reduced. It features:
- Black dial with either tritium or LumiNova lume depending on production year
- No date window
- Omega Calibre 1140, 1141, 1143, or 3220 depending on production year
- 39mm case
- Black aluminum bezel insert
Early examples of the 3510.50 came with tritium lume on the indices and hands. Omega transitioned to LumiNova across their lineup in the late 1990s so later production 3510.50 examples will have LumiNova instead. The early tritium examples develop a warm natural patina over time that collectors find highly desirable and generally command a premium over later LumiNova examples. This is the reference that purists gravitate toward and it consistently holds stronger collector value than the date versions.
The Date Versions — The 3511 Family
Omega produced a whole family of date Reduced variants under the 3511 reference number — the 3511.50, 3511.70, 3511.80 and others — each with different dial colors and configurations. There are more variants than most people realize and they are not all equally common or equally interesting.
All of the 3511 family share the same basic characteristics:
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Polished-Brushed steel bezel or Gold instead of the black aluminum insert
- Omega Calibre 1155-1152 automatic movement with date
- 39mm case
The dial color and specific configuration is where they differ. The 3511.50 is the most commonly seen. The 3511.70 with the green dial is one of the rarer variants in the family and is the example shown in this post. It was produced in connection with Omega’s golf sponsorship in the early 1990s which gives it a specific backstory that most other date Reduced variants do not have.
The date versions as a family appeal to buyers who want practical everyday functionality. The date complication makes them more wearable for someone who is not a collector first. However from a pure collector standpoint none of the 3511 variants command the same premium as the original no-date 3510.50.
The 3511.70 Limited Editions — Golf and Racing
Here is where the 3511.70 gets more interesting than most people realize. Omega produced two documented limited edition variants of the 3511.70 tied to their sports sponsorships in the early 1990s.
The Golf Edition was produced in connection with Omega’s sponsorship of the European Masters golf tournament in Crans-Montana. A limited run of 300 numbered examples was produced for the French market. The case backs on these numbered examples were engraved with the Omega European Masters name and the date of the tournament. These numbered Golf editions are genuinely rare and seldom appear on the market.
The Racing Edition was similarly produced in limited numbered quantities tied to Omega’s motorsport sponsorship including connections to the Campionato Italiano and European BMW racing series.
Both limited editions are numbered. If you come across a 3511.70 with an engraved case back showing a tournament name and number it is one of these documented limited runs.
What most people do not know — Omega also produced a standard non-numbered production version of the 3511.70 with the same distinctive green dial for the general market. This is the version shown in this post. Production numbers for the standard version were never published by Omega making it difficult to quantify exactly how many were made. What is clear is that the green dial 3511.70 in any version is considerably rarer than the more common no-date 3510.50 and does not appear on the market frequently.
Side by Side — The Key Differences
Looking at both watches together the differences become obvious immediately:
The 3510.50 has a black dial, tritium lume with warm patina, no date, and a black bezel insert. It has a more purposeful tool watch character.
The 3511.70 has the date window at 3 o’clock which breaks up the dial symmetry, a polished steel bezel, and in this example a striking green dial that makes it a very different aesthetic proposition entirely.
Neither is better in an absolute sense — they serve different buyers. But if you are asking which one a Speedmaster collector considers the “real” Reduced, the answer is the no-date 3510.50 every time.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you are a collector focused on originality and long term value — the no-date 3510.50 is your watch. The tritium dial, the clean layout, and the collector pedigree make it the stronger hold.
If you are a daily wearer who wants a practical automatic chronograph with Speedmaster DNA at an accessible price point — the date version like the 3511.70 makes a lot of sense. The date function is genuinely useful, the green dial on this example is striking and unusual, and you are getting a well built Swiss automatic chronograph for considerably less than a Professional Moonwatch.
Both represent good value in the current pre-owned market. The key is knowing which one you are buying before you spend the money.
What to Look For When Buying Either Reference
Regardless of which version you choose, here is what matters on any Reduced:
- Case condition — look for unpolished lugs. Polishing kills collector value on any Speedmaster reference. Polishing can be acceptable if done professionally.
- Dial originality — on the 3510.50 specifically, check that the tritium lume matches across all indices and hands. Mismatched patina suggests a replacement.
- Movement condition — the no-date Reduced came with the Calibre 1140, 1141, 1143, or 3220 depending on production year. The date version came with the Calibre 1155-1152. Service history matters on all of them. Ask for documentation.
- Bracelet stretch — Reduced bracelets are known to stretch over time. Check the clasp and overall bracelet condition carefully.
- Crystal condition – Most no-date Speedmaster Reduced models use a hesalite (acrylic) crystal, while the date versions typically use sapphire. Hesalite scratches more easily, but most light marks can be polished out. A few later no-date Reduced references—most notably the 3539.50—are exceptions and use sapphire.
Final Thoughts on the Omega Speedmaster Reduced
The Speedmaster Reduced is one of the most misunderstood references in the Speedmaster lineup. Knowing the difference between the original no-date and the later date versions is essential before you buy. Both are legitimate watches with real appeal — they just serve different buyers with different priorities.
If you have questions about a specific Reduced reference or want to know more about current availability at TamboWatches, contact us here or visit our current inventory.
For more information on the Speedmaster lineup, visit the official Omega website.
TamboWatches is not an Omega authorized dealer and is not affiliated with Omega or the Swatch Group. Sam Tamborello is an AWCI member and has specialized in Omega Speedmaster for over 20 years.
