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3861 to 321 why not?

WatchTimes
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My first Speedy was a pre moon 321 which I sold as I got it cheap and was shocked what it was worth (I was very new to watches)

A little over a year ago I got a 3861 for my birthday and wear it quite a bit but I have lusted after the new 321

I have been debating selling my 3861 and upgrading to the 321.
I am not keeping the 3861 if I do this as to me they just look too similar.

Any good reason to not get a 321?
I will wear it a couple times a week most likely in my rotation like I do the 3861

I have 6.8 in wrists and while I think the 3861 looks fine on my wrist the 321 sizewise I think will look better.
 
bsowers34
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That's the question, isn't it? I have three new 3861s including the new FOIS, and have just about decided that it is close enough to a 321, and I have that and the white one for what a new 321 costs. If you can get one, I was offered one from the OB on NYE but had to pass.
 
ErichPryde
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WatchTimes WatchTimes
I have 6.8 in wrists and while I think the 3861 looks fine on my wrist the 321 sizewise I think will look better.
It's not "really" a smaller watch, if this is your argument. When caseguards were added to the speedmaster's case, Omega created an asymmetrical case with integrated guards. The measurement across the watch from one side of the bezel to the other is the same at 39.7mm for both watches. And I believe the 321 has a slightly greater lug to lug, at 48mm vs the ~~47.5mm L2L of your 3861.

That said- It sounds like you already owned and previously wore a 321 and you liked the way that it fit- I guess I am just cautious of the approach--- if you LIKE the 321 better, that's good enough.
 
ErichPryde
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bsowers34 bsowers34
That's the question, isn't it? I have three new 3861s including the new FOIS, and have just about decided that it is close enough to a 321, and I have that and the white one for what a new 321 costs. If you can get one, I was offered one from the OB on NYE but had to pass.

It's definitely a Prestige item that really only wins you points for yourself and for a very specific group of Watch/Speedmaster appreciators.

Not sure what the general consensus is on this but I personally think the 321 movement is more attractive visually (the 3861 is beautiful, don't get me wrong) and although I like the FOIS dial just fine, the more subdued faux lume on the current 321 is more to my taste.
 
bsowers34
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
It's definitely a Prestige item that really only wins you points for yourself and for a very specific group of Watch/Speedmaster appreciators.

Not sure what the general consensus is on this but I personally think the 321 movement is more attractive visually (the 3861 is beautiful, don't get me wrong) and although I like the FOIS dial just fine, the more subdued faux lume on the current 321 is more to my taste.
What I need is a 1966 birth year one. Not happening soon unless someone here parts with one. And nothing wrong with scoring points for yourself, I think that's what we're all here for.
Edited:
 
Evitzee
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Even though the diameter of the 321 is not different than the 3861 it wears smaller because of the lack of crown guards, that's my experience. It feels more compact on the wrist. If you like the 321 for what it is I don't think you have to go through any gymnastics to try to justify it. I don't think the 3861 with crown guards looks that similar to the 321, there is plenty of room in a collection for both if money is not an issue (one gets you modern precision, the other gives you all the historical vibe of a movement developed in the 1940's). I have three 3861s and an Ed White 321, and I'll take the 321 every day of the week, it's just a more pleasant watch to wind, set, wear and tell the time. The quality just feels a cut above the 3861.

IMG_1452.webp
 
Mute
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I would do it just to be able to, every once in a while, look at that beautiful 321 movement.
 
Screwbacks
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2020 reissue of 321 is expensive being limited. my minty all original 321-CB66 (all parts correct) is much harder to find nowadays.😎😉
 
N
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I have both the 3861 and the 321.

If I got the 321, I wouldn't have felt the need to buy the 3861.

However, since I got the 3861 first, I am happy to own both. The 321 is a special watch. IYKYK.
 
chrisinohio
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I'll never forget selling my 1966 321 for 2500 and thinking I'd made a mint! Ha! That was 20 years ago.
 
WatchTimes
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chrisinohio chrisinohio
I'll never forget selling my 1966 321 for 2500 and thinking I'd made a mint! Ha! That was 20 years ago.
It was about 14/15 years ago I sold mine and I got 4500 for it.
 
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