Speedmaster Professional First Timer

[TheGMTExplorer]

Hi Gents/Ladies,

I'm in the market for a Speedy to add to my collection and wanted to get some opinions. I was going back and forth on getting the current gen or a prior gen and have landed on getting the current gen (at least that is what I'm leaning towards). I have a dealer that can get me the current gen Sapphire sandwich for around $6,700 out the door, or the heslite for $5,700, both brand new, in box, papers, etc.

I'm leaning towards the current gen Sapphire Sandwich, but I'm open to hearing other opinions. Also, what do you guys think about the the pricing?

Thanks in advance!

[texasmade]

Current gen SS is way better than the prior gen SS. $6700 is a decent price. Best price I've seen for BNIB 3861 SS is $5900 on Omegaforums.

[trippinjimmy]

I’d get the current gen. Better bracelet and so much easier to wind. 1861 was a thumb shredder!


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[Ravager135]

I wear the 3861 sapphire crystal Omega Speedmaster Professional. I cannot recommend it enough (and I owned the previous generation 1861 Speedmaster with a Hesalite crystal).

The downsides many have covered. It's not easy to wind. It's not the most waterproof watch so I recommend a diver as well if you spend a lot of time around the water. All that aside, I wear the Speedmaster to work (I am a physician) more than any other watch I own. The only other watch I own that comes close to being worn as frequently is my GMT-Master II. I think the current generation model with the sapphire crystal is the standard by which Omega should hold its other products to.

[TheGMTExplorer]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I wear the 3861 sapphire crystal Omega Speedmaster Professional. I cannot recommend it enough (and I owned the previous generation 1861 Speedmaster with a Hesalite crystal).

The downsides many have covered. It's not easy to wind. It's not the most waterproof watch so I recommend a diver as well if you spend a lot of time around the water. All that aside, I wear the Speedmaster to work (I am a physician) more than any other watch I own. The only other watch I own that comes close to being worn as frequently is my GMT-Master II. I think the current generation model with the sapphire crystal is the standard by which Omega should hold its other products to.

Thanks for the insight. While the 50m rating is not a deal breaker, I wish the watch was more water resistant. I currently have an Explorer II and a GMT-Master II (16710), both of which I plan to wear when around water.

[Top G]

I have the previous gen. I agree with the complaints of the pain to wind it. The bracelet isn't that great either and the new one is far more comfortable. I do prefer the overall look of the previous generation though... I think its the aluminum bezel rather than the ceramic that grabs my attention. I can't really justify the extra coin to trade either.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Top G

I have the previous gen. I agree with the complaints of the pain to wind it. The bracelet isn't that great either and the new one is far more comfortable. I do prefer the overall look of the previous generation though... I think its the aluminum bezel rather than the ceramic that grabs my attention. I can't really justify the extra coin to trade either.

The new ref is also aluminum


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[AEC]

Sounds like you have everything worked out on the current-gen watch, and you just need to choose which crystal. My vote is Hesalite just because I love the way the watch looks with Hesalite.

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by TheGMTExplorer

Thanks for the insight. While I wish the 3861 was more waterproof, I have an Explorer II and a GMT-Master II (16710) that I plan to wear around water.

Speedmaster is waterproof more than enough for anything except diving.

[Top G]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

The new ref is also aluminum


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I don't know why I have it in my head that its ceramic. I must have read that somewhere as part of a different reference if you are correct.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Top G

I don't know why I have it in my head that its ceramic. I must have read that somewhere as part of a different reference if you are correct.

Only current production models that are ceramic are Ed White 321, platinum 321, Snoopy 50, and the moonshine gold Speedmasters.

[Top G]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Only current production models that are ceramic are Ed White 321, platinum 321, Snoopy 50, and the moonshine gold Speedmasters.

[TheGMTExplorer]

Thanks everyone for your input! Will be picking up a 3861 sapphire sandwich later this week.

[kentheevil]

Another vote for the 3861 and I used to have the 1861 hesalite. I love the speedmaster but never fully love the 1861 until the 3861 sapphire came out. Slightly thinner, better bracelet, and a worry free crystral.



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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TheGMTExplorer

Thanks everyone for your input! Will be picking up a 3861 sapphire sandwich later this week.

Congratulations in advance

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by kentheevil

Another vote for the 3861 and I used to have the 1861 hesalite. I love the speedmaster but never fully love the 1861 until the 3861 sapphire came out. Slightly thinner, better bracelet, and a worry free crystral.



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Agree completely with the above. Congrats to OP.

[Tools]

Omegas rated to 50m are perfectly fine for use around water, and even complete submersion, such as swimming, for short periods of time.

You can't go wrong with any choice of Speedy. I like modern sapphire as everything seems to scratch the plexi crystals.

Here is one of my favorites. It still gets a lot of wrist time.

speedy2copy-1.jpg