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Choosing Racing 9900 vs Moonwatch 3861

Lu..
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Been going back and forth between these 2 models....

Racing..has date complication, time zone functionality, micro adjustment clasp and ceramic bezel.....

Moonwatch...has cleaner minute/second graduations, 2+mm thinner, 2+mm smaller in dia, and iconic status....

For those who were in the same dilemma which one did you choose, can you share the main factor of your final decision and any regrets?

Moonwatch hesalite 1250.jpg Racing 1250.jpg
 
Foo2rama
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Both are great.

Comes down to if you really really want a date ( ie don’t have other watches)

Automatics are over rated esp if you have multiple watches.
Edited:
 
S
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I was in a similar situation and eventually opted for the Moonwatch because of its smaller size
 
padders
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If it matters at all, you will lose far more on the Racing, those were expensive to start with and the residuals are comparatively poor vs the manual wind models. The size of the Racing isn't for everyone either.

Personally I like the utility of an auto movement and I like having the date field so I am not as anti as some. Indeed I own an Auto Speedamster in the Pro form factor (a broad Arrow model) and I love it. But the market does not!
 
Bugbait
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1. Which watch looks better to you?
2. Do you prefer an automatic or manual wind watch?
3. How important is a date feature?
4. Does having a version of the "moon" watch matter much to you?
5. How much does resale value matter to you?

That should help you narrow it down.
 
scapa
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I've owned both. Lots to like about the 900-based models (accuracy, pusher action, date), but they're pricy both ways, and the size, weight, and thickness mean they're not for every wrist. The updated Moonwatch ticks a lot of boxes, IMO. If you're not sold on an auto it may be the smart money choice,.

But luxury watch purchases aren't about the smart money...
 
R
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The applied indices, hacking seconds, automatic movement and slightly larger size make me prefer the Racing version over the Professional.
 
MTROIS
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Size-wise, it seems to me that the Moonwatch is more suited for your wrist... but please follow your heart!!

I also feel that readability of the minute and hour chrono counters is better on the original, but that may not be shared by all around here.
 
arkman
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MTROIS MTROIS
Size-wise, it seems to me that the Moonwatch is more suited for your wrist.

I agree. I think the Moonwatch sits better on you wrist. Also, if this is your first Speedmaster, I would likely go with the classic.
 
Omegafanman
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A 3861 with an older 9300... I wear / like the 9300 a lot... but I think based on your choice selection if you buy the 9900 racing date first, then at some point you will still probably be buying a manual Speedy … Nice problem / choice to have whatever you decide.
.
 
01 - Copy.jpg 02 - Copy.jpg
llvhhui
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Moon watch all day. I just got a new 3861 moon watch. The new bracelet is amazing too.
 
Evitzee
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If this is your first Speedmaster I'd go with the classic one. If you like it you can branch out and get other versions later on.
 
Donn Chambers
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Lu.. Lu..
Been going back and forth between these 2 models....

Racing..has date complication, time zone functionality, micro adjustment clasp and ceramic bezel.....

Moonwatch...has cleaner minute/second graduations, 2+mm thinner, 2+mm smaller in dia, and iconic status....

For those who were in the same dilemma which one did you choose, can you share the main factor of your final decision and any regrets?

Moonwatch hesalite 1250.jpg Racing 1250.jpg

you realize that the “time zone functionality” on the Racing model is just the chrono hour & minute counter, right? It will only track a Timezone if you 1) start the chrono at either noon or midnight of the Timezone AND 2) keep the chrono running. If you stop it at any time, the Timezone synch is gone.

you can do the same thing with the standard Speedy as well, just using the hour subdial to get the hour of the Timezone.

Neither option is as convenient as a GMT, so I wouldn’t consider that a significant benefit of the Racing Speedmaster.
 
Lu..
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Omegafanman Omegafanman
A 3861 with an older 9300... I wear / like the 9300 a lot... but I think based on your choice selection if you buy the 9900 racing date first, then at some point you will still probably be buying a manual Speedy … Nice problem / choice to have whatever you decide.
.

I was looking at reference (311.30.44.51.01.002) in another thread, it checks a lot of boxes, but it is thicker than the Racing model. Does it sit high on your wrist versus the 3861, or no noticeable difference since all Speedy's do not look tall.

Evitzee Evitzee
If this is your first Speedmaster I'd go with the classic one. If you like it you can branch out and get other versions later on.

Yes this would be my first Speedmaster and premium luxury watch. Have lots of watches all sub $1K.

Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
you realize that the “time zone functionality” on the Racing model is just the chrono hour & minute counter, right? It will only track a Timezone if you 1) start the chrono at either noon or midnight of the Timezone AND 2) keep the chrono running. If you stop it at any time, the Timezone synch is gone.

you can do the same thing with the standard Speedy as well, just using the hour subdial to get the hour of the Timezone.

Neither option is as convenient as a GMT, so I wouldn’t consider that a significant benefit of the Racing Speedmaster.

Correct, but I believe the Moonwatch's hour hand can not jump to quickly set the time if you travel to another time zone.
 
Donn Chambers
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Lu.. Lu..
I was looking at reference (311.30.44.51.01.002) in another thread, it checks a lot of boxes, but it is thicker than the Racing model. Does it sit high on your wrist versus the 3861, or no noticeable difference since all Speedy's do not look tall.



Yes this would be my first Speedmaster and premium luxury watch. Have lots of watches all sub $1K.



Correct, but I believe the Moonwatch's hour hand can not jump to quickly set the time if you travel to another time zone.

ahh. Did not realize it had the jumping hour hand. That IS a useful feature.
 
Rado63
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If the dimensions of both of these watches were the same I would get the automatic 9900 racing version. I like the racing version liquid metal bezel, the two counter dial design but the three o'clock register indicates the minutes and hours of the chronograph timing. That's very sophisticated. It's an automatic, and has a date. But I feel it is too thick , and too wide, when compared to the moonwatch. I love the technology in the Racing, but prefer the fit of the moonwatch.
 
revmiguel
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My choice was between the 3576 (standard moonwatch case/size with moonphase and date) and the 44mm moonphase version with aventurine dial. Price was definitely a factor. But the biggest deciding factor was size. 42mm sat just right on my wrist, and 44mm (plus the thickness) was just too big. I think the 3861 looks much better on your wrist as well. You will miss the date, but you can use the chronograph hand as a date. Like Rado63, if the dimensions were the same, I may feel differently.
 
Lu..
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revmiguel revmiguel
My choice was between the 3576 (standard moonwatch case/size with moonphase and date) and the 44mm moonphase version with aventurine dial. Price was definitely a factor. But the biggest deciding factor was size. 42mm sat just right on my wrist, and 44mm (plus the thickness) was just too big. I think the 3861 looks much better on your wrist as well. You will miss the date, but you can use the chronograph hand as a date. Like Rado63, if the dimensions were the same, I may feel differently.

thanks for the phenomenal suggestion 😎👍....it never dawned on me to use the 30 minute recorder as a date.....
 
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