If you are a Speedmaster collector or are thinking about buying one, you have probably come across the Omega Speedmaster 3591.50 Apollo 11 25th Anniversary. This is not just another limited edition watch. There are very specific reasons why this reference continues to hold and even appreciate in value while other limited editions come and go. I have been dealing in Speedmasters for over 20 years and have owned and sold multiple examples of this reference. Let me break down exactly why the 3591.50 is one of the strongest value holds in the pre-owned Speedmaster market.
What Is the Omega Speedmaster 3591.50?
The 3591.50 was produced by Omega in 1994 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. It was produced in a limited quantity and came with a very specific set of extras that make a complete kit extraordinarily difficult to find today. The watch itself is based on the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch platform powered by the 
Omega Calibre 861 manual wind movement — the same movement that went to the moon.
1. True Limited Production
This is not a case where Omega said “limited edition” and then made 50,000 pieces. The 3591.50 was produced in genuinely limited numbers tied to the 25th Anniversary of Apollo 11. Omega was not yet in the habit of producing massive limited runs in 1994 the way the industry does today. The result is that finding one in good condition — let alone with a complete kit — is legitimately difficult. Scarcity drives value and the 3591.50 has real scarcity.
2. The Apollo 11 Connection Is Permanent
The Speedmaster’s connection to Apollo 11 is not going away. NASA certified the Speedmaster Professional as flight qualified equipment and it was worn on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin when he stepped onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. That is a historical fact that will never change and never lose its significance. Any Speedmaster directly tied to that event — especially a 25th Anniversary commemorative — carries permanent historical relevance that generic limited editions simply do not have.
3. The Complete Kit Is Nearly Impossible to Find
This is where the 3591.50 separates itself from almost every other reference. A complete kit includes:
- Original outer and inner boxes
- Warranty card
- Apollo patch
- Apollo pamphlet
- Apollo postcard collection set
- Manual
Most of these items were discarded or lost over the past 30 years. Finding a 3591.50 with even partial kit is uncommon. Finding one with a complete original kit including the Apollo postcard set is extremely rare. That rarity directly translates to value. A watch without kit might sell for considerably less than a complete example — and complete examples are becoming harder to find every year.
4. Original Tritium Dial and Hands
The 3591.50 came from the factory with original tritium lume on the dial and hands. Collectors who understand Speedmaster history know that tritium dials represent a specific era of Speedmaster production that is now frozen in time. Omega no longer uses tritium. You cannot replicate an original tritium dial. When the tritium has developed natural patina that matches across the dial and hands — what collectors call a matching patina — that originality commands a premium. A refinished or replaced dial kills the value of any collectible Speedmaster and the 3591.50 is no exception.
5. Calibre 861 — The Moon Movement
The 3591.50 runs on the Omega Calibre 861, the movement that was certified by NASA and worn to the moon. Omega eventually replaced the 861 with the 1861 and later the 3861. Collectors consistently place a premium on original 861 powered watches for exactly this reason. The movement is not just a technical specification — it is part of the historical authenticity of the watch.
6. The Pre-Owned Market Rewards Patience
I have watched the pre-owned Speedmaster market for a long time. The 3591.50 does not spike and crash the way hype-driven references do. It moves steadily. Buyers who purchase a complete kit example in excellent condition and hold it are not losing money. The supply of complete kit examples only decreases over time as boxes deteriorate, accessories get separated, and watches get polished or serviced improperly. Meanwhile collector demand for historically significant Speedmasters is not shrinking.
What to Look For When Buying a 3591.50
If you are considering buying a 3591.50, here is what matters most:
- Original unpolished case — Polishing destroys the sharp lugs and kills collector value
- Matching tritium patina on dial and hands — Any mismatch suggests a replacement
- Complete kit — Every accessory adds value, missing accessories subtract value
- Service history — A properly serviced 861 movement by a qualified watchmaker is a positive, not a negative
- Box condition — The original boxes on 3591.50 examples are 30 years old and show deterioration. Some deterioration is expected and acceptable. Missing boxes are a significant value reduction.
The Omega Speedmaster 3591.50 Apollo 11: Final Thoughts on Value
The 3591.50 holds its value for reasons that are not going to change — genuine limited production, permanent historical significance, an increasingly rare complete kit, original tritium dial, and the moon-certified Calibre 861 movement. If you find a complete example in honest unpolished condition it is one of the strongest value propositions in the pre-owned Speedmaster market.
If you are interested in a 3591.50 currently available at TamboWatches, you can view our current listing here. All watches sold by TamboWatches include a one year warranty and are described honestly with full condition disclosure.
For more information on the Speedmaster Professional history, visit the official Omega website.
TamboWatches is not an Omega authorized dealer and is not affiliated with Omega or the Swatch Group.
