3861 New Style Speedmaster Bracelet Fitted on 1861 Case (Pictorial)

Spikedlee

Hey guys. So I picked up the new hesalite 3861 over the weekend and got a bunch of questions from people if the new style bracelet will fit on the old style 1861 case.

Because I own both watches, I decided to perform the bracelet swap to answer the question and show you guys the fitment. To skip the long story, the answer is YES the new bracelet will fit the old 1861 case with no problem. I used the spring bars that came with the 3861 for this exercise and the end link fitment seemed almost perfect.



Please see the below shots:

This is a back shot of the new 3861 case with bracelet mounted:



Here is the 1861 on TOP and the 3861 on BOTTOM:




Here are some side-by-side case comparisons of both watch cases (1861 on right 3861 on left):






You can see how the side profile lug shape is different on the 3861. You will also notice the 3861 case height is slimmer.

And BEHOLD, here we have the 3861 bracelet mounted on the 1861 case:







And here is this configuration on my wrist:







I estimate Omega to charge $800+ for this new 3861 bracelet independently should you want to purchase this as a separate item to upgrade your 1861 case. The alignment of this bracelet to the case is pretty much perfect from what I can see and wears quite comfortably, although I personally still prefer the Ed White flat link bracelet but I have confirmed that the case and hole position of the new 3861 case will NOT allow for the flat link to be installed. I tested this with both the Speedy Anniversary end links as well as my Uncle Seiko end links with two types of spring bars.

Best of luck to all of you on your decisions to either invest in a 1861 or new 3861. Either way you cannot go wrong but I hope this pictorial will help you regardless.

Cheers,

M

ducatiti

Terrific thread! OP or anyone, any update or better option now for the Apollo 11 bracelet on the 3861? I've been using a thinner spring bar and the OEM end links that came with bracelet. A bit worrying but I am using Omega spring bars for peace of mind. Just checking in if there is now a better option other than US or Forstner end links....

SpdMastr

IMO the Forstner end links are a good option; they fit well and you should be able to use the original spring bars. Here’s my 3861 with the A11 and Forstner links:

Rocketeer61

I also have a 3861 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary bracelet on my Apollo 11 40th Anniversary 1861, but that's another story.

johnny5

Hello,

I’m reviving this to follow up on the end link question. On my snoopy, the end links of 3861 bracelet sit a bit higher allowing the top of the bracelet to fit more flush against the lugs, preventing the issues outlined above.

I have an 1861 on the 3861 bracelet but don’t wear it daily, as I have other watches but I was reading into this.

Has anyone tried using the 1479 uncle endlinks on the 3861? They look like they may solve the problem if they fit?

https://unclestraps.com/products/omega-us1479-end-links

T ThierryB

I have the US1479 for my SMP300M, and own the Speedy 3861. The bracelets look similar but the center link is narrower on the 3861 bracelet vs the US1479. So you won't be able to use this end link, it will be too wide in the middle to hug the 3861 center links.

johnny5

That’s helpful information. Thank you.

I honestly have no issues with the 3861 bracelet on my 1861 and the omega boutique actually did the install. No marks or anything on the leading edge of the lugs.

but— I thought I’d try to find a solution since seeing the photos on this thread. I also think if you wear your watch too loose, it’ll probably exacerbate the issue.

will keep watching to see what develops.

Rocketeer61

I put my Apollo 11 50th bracelet on my 1861 Relaunch. The combo fits my wrist perfectly and looks like it should. The bracelet from the Relaunch is now on my OG 1861 and it also fits perfectly.

B buihh

I guess you had to do some adaptations on the end link of the a11/50th… right ? It is not a direct fit as I read on another thread

Rocketeer61

I put my Apollo 11 50th bracelet on my 1861 Relaunch. The combo fits my wrist perfectly and looks like it should. The bracelet from the Relaunch is now on my OG 1861 and it also fits perfectly.

Rocketeer61

Here's the thing: the 1861 bracelet has those tiny tabs that hold the end links tight against the lugs. The tabs put little dents in the lugs that are very visible if you swap the bracelet for a strap. The 3861 lugs are slightly different and the 1861 end links will require the thinner Omega springbars to fit together, but you'll still get the dents. I removed the tabs from my 1861 bracelet and it fit my Silver Snoopy 50th with the thicker springbars and only slight gaps between the end links and the case. Not getting the dents is worth the gaps, at least for me.