Omega 3861 Speedmaster Moonwatch review

[beshannon]

Omega Speedmaster 3861 Review

When a watch sticks in your brain, it can be a very good or very bad thing. This hobby can be obsession inducing and in the current environment a very stressful thing. I have always been fascinated by space, time, astronomy, physics, telescopes etc. I am fortunate to live near both Air and Space museums.



The Omega Speedmaster (aka Moonwatch) is the only watch I have ever owned, sold and bought back although in this case a slightly different iteration. My 1861 was a beautiful example that simply was not getting wrist time for all the wrong reasons. I tried different straps, the bracelet and I think in the end I simply took the watch for granted. So I sold it and moved on.

Rather than focus on technical differences which can be researched by those interested, I am focusing this review on the aesthetics, wearability and joy of the watch.



When I started looking at the current versions of the 3861, I knew that I wanted something as close to the 1861 Moonwatch as I could get. The 321 and the current market ruled that out immediately.

What struck me was the beauty of the subtle changes made to the case and bracelet. The new METAS spec Master Chronometer is fantastic just as I expected from my experience with my Aqua Terra. Performance is good on the wrist at +2 per day. I had a chance to compare to the current 1861 and really felt that the new 3861 version was more suited to me now.





The 3861 manual wind is 42mm but still does not wear like it. The crown is still too close to the case for comfortable winding but the winding is smooth. The pushers are solid and function flawlessly. The real magic is in the new bracelet, which is already polarizing. Some think the taper is too much. The taper is exactly what sealed the deal for me. It is comfortable and lightweight to wear without that pinch feeling I get from my GMT Master II and its rather thick clasp. In addition, the canvas strap and deployant that I added just continue the versatility of the Speedmaster. The Hesalite crystal is glare inducing in certain lighting situations, a tilt does the trick and the charcoal black dial looks beautiful.







Omega really shines in the display presentation of the watch. The nice touches such as the Velcro straps on the lid of the display box, the internal storage for the warranty cards, cleaning cloth and extras that becomes a watch storage travel case. A very nice overall package that adds to the joy of ownership.





The added gift of the pen and moon shaped note paper add to the feeling that owning a Moonwatch brings.





A complete package for me, I was very happy to get one from my local boutique. Although there are many versions of the Speedmaster, some would argue that there are too many, this is the watch for me and I intend to hang onto this one.



Thanks for reading.

[Stevec14]

Very nice. The speedmaster with 3861 is great value and an excellent watch. Congrats and enjoy

[brandrea]

Fantastic review my friend … I’ve been waiting on this one

I’m really pleased to see you focus on the things that make owning this reference special to you. It sounds like a natural fit.

I’ve been wanting to try one on at an AD here, and you’ve inspired me to do so.

Congratulations

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Fantastic review my friend … I’ve been waiting on this one

I’m really pleased to see you focus on the things that make owning this reference special to you. It sounds like a natural fit.

I’ve been wanting to try one on at an AD here, and you’ve inspired me to do so.

Congratulations

Ditto. Brian always says it better.

Fantastic watch!! I absolutely love the advertising with the moon footprints!! The note paper and pen is just about the perfect icing on the cake. That thing is gorgeous altogether and I will probably have to go try one out myself even though chrono’s aren’t really my thing.

Thanks for the write up!!


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[Ravager135]

Fantastic post. How it should be done. I'm coincidentally wearing my Speedmaster today. Along with my GMT-Master II, I find both to be the most practical watches in my collection for daily wear.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Ditto. Brian always says it better.

Fantastic watch!! I absolutely love the advertising with the moon footprints!! The note paper and pen is just about the perfect icing on the cake. That thing is gorgeous altogether and I will probably have to go try one out myself even though chrono’s aren’t really my thing.

Thanks for the write up!!


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

Too kind brother

You’re absolutely right … he’s trying to make chrono lovers out of all of us

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

Very nice. The speedmaster with 3861 is great value and an excellent watch. Congrats and enjoy

Thanks and I agree

Originally Posted by brandrea

Fantastic review my friend … I’ve been waiting on this one

I’m really pleased to see you focus on the things that make owning this reference special to you. It sounds like a natural fit.

I’ve been wanting to try one on at an AD here, and you’ve inspired me to do so.

Congratulations

Trying to find meaning for owning thousands of dollars worth of steel

Originally Posted by MrGoat

Ditto. Brian always says it better.

Fantastic watch!! I absolutely love the advertising with the moon footprints!! The note paper and pen is just about the perfect icing on the cake. That thing is gorgeous altogether and I will probably have to go try one out myself even though chrono’s aren’t really my thing.

Thanks for the write up!!


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

They warrant a look for sure

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Fantastic post. How it should be done. I'm coincidentally wearing my Speedmaster today. Along with my GMT-Master II, I find both to be the most practical watches in my collection for daily wear.

Originally Posted by brandrea

Too kind brother

You’re absolutely right … he’s trying to make chrono lovers out of all of us

Interesting point. How many own a chrono for no other reason than to own it? I like the history tie in and the ongoing NASA these. The fact that it is a very good looking functional timepiece is a bonus.

[AEC]

Thanks for the thoughtful review, Brian

I'm glad to hear you're happy with your Speedmaster Pro.

[Chromosome]

Stunner! Enjoy in good health

[alllexandru]

Nice read, thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Congratulations !!!

[ProCoach]

Excellent review on a beautiful watch! Thank you.

[1William]

Congratulations. Great watch and thoughtful review. I agree with your observations on the watch and am wearing mine as I type this. Enjoy.

[drjrhc]

Congrats! Terrific choice and review!

I think the new bracelet is the biggest change for me. It is very lightweight, and comfortable on the wrist. Aesthetically, I find this one more pleasing that the outgoing model.

I too have bought, sold, rebought, sold and now will keep this next one. Which canvas strap did you add? I want to get a couple of gator straps from Delugs and the black deployment leather from Omega at the appropriate time.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by drjrhc

Congrats! Terrific choice and review!

I think the new bracelet is the biggest change for me. It is very lightweight, and comfortable on the wrist. Aesthetically, I find this one more pleasing that the outgoing model.

I too have bought, sold, rebought, sold and now will keep this next one. Which canvas strap did you add? I want to get a couple of gator straps from Delugs and the black deployment leather from Omega at the appropriate time.

Thanks, I added the Omega canvas and deployant

[drjrhc]

Awesome. Have the black canvas and white stitching one on the deployment too. Bought it on eBay for a pretty decent deal. Have been wearing it on my Seamaster. Would love to see how it looks on the Speedy too.

Cheers!


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[beshannon]

Adding some additional images

I love the way the new chrono second hand bends downward as the crystal does to eliminate bending due to refraction



I have always liked the charcoal black dial with the slightly mottled effect



The bracelet clasp is simple but elegant



Functional but I just wish the crown were a bit larger and/or farther from the case for winding

[spacemanvt]

gorgeous

[RW16610]

Great review of this excellent piece! The Speedmaster Professional is a must have. Enjoy in good health, Brian!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Adding some additional images

I love the way the new chrono second hand bends downward as the crystal does to eliminate bending due to refraction

…

I always thought that was light refraction from the crystal, very nice indeed

Now I’ve really got to see one of these.

Remind me again Brian, what is your wrist size?

[1665fan]

I’m pretty sure it bends so it doesn’t hit the crystal…. Nice pickup!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I always thought that was light refraction from the crystal, very nice indeed

Now I’ve really got to see one of these.

Remind me again Brian, what is your wrist size?

6 5/8