R rekindleHi All,
I'm considering the Speedy Professional 3861 Sapphire Sandwich as a graduation present to myself. However, I have a few questions as this is my first proper watch and I intend to have it as my one and only watch for the rest of time (probably a lie).
I am coming from automatics and have never really tried a manual wind. How is it winding everyday? I feel a tiny bit concerned that I won't like winding it or forget to wind it entirely. I initially dismissed the Speedy due to it being manual wind but over the last few days, I've been considering it
Is the Speedy ideal for daily wear because of the manual wind? I mean it wouldn't be an issue in a rotation but what if it is the sole watch?
Is it possible to get the Loupe/Paperweight from the 1861 as an extra from the OB? As I really dig these and am curious if it's possible. I generally have read that only nato's/straps are offered as incentives. If that's the case, I'll probably end up at an AD.
Thank you!
Having a manual-wind makes the experience a bit more intimate. The whole idea that your mechanical watch needs to have a date, automatically wind, and go anywhere is a bit immature. The more a brand’s model claims to be able to do, the more over-priced gimmicky it gets.
Makes it a bit lighter and thinner as well..
Power reserve is around 60+ hours but it is recommend to daily wind for accuracy. It's a great watch and built for daily wear.
I would think the cost of a loupe is quite low so your OB will likely throw that in together with a strap, personally I would have a deployant clasp and order a custom made strap somewhere else.
The Speedy 3861 is an awesome watch and I love mine (it’s my daily wearer). I think the manual wind will be a non issue for you… in fact it makes you admire your watch in a daily basis. If you forget to wind occasionally, again due to the power reserve that’s also a non issue. As I say, I love mine.
The freebie wouldn’t bother me… at the price you are paying I rather get the grail watch I want rather than only go ahead if it includes a cheap gimmicky loupe or paperweight which you’ll probably only use infrequently at best. The watch is the most important bit, and the 3861 is amazing.
Winding a watch in the morning before strapping it on takes <15 seconds, just part of the routine. No biggie, no deal breaker. Best bet is to negotiate an Omega DP buckle and strap as a freebie, they would probably throw in a loupe, too.
R rekindleThe longer PR is great in case one does forget to wind it a certain day. But I am thinking that if winding becomes part of my routine such as either waking up and winding it as I get out of bed or while I make coffee etc.
The deployant is a consideration but I personally am more of a bracelet guy but the new rubber strap does have my attention. Any idea what sort of freebies an AD might give, if any?
4 4011021Buy it. Amazing watch. Perfectly suitable for a one piece collection. You will wind it every day just like you button your shirt or tie your shoelaces.
If you find it occasionally as a routine you don’t always have to wind it fully once a day, which would take a long time. So I usually wind it a couple of times a day whenever I wait for something. That’s my tip if you ever forget.
Per this thread https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-3861.149328
…some new Speedmasters (mine included) are quite hard to wind. I would say it’s an unpleasant experience and actively dislike doing it. It’s somewhat spoiled the experience of owning a Speedy for me and I’m toying with the idea of taking it to the AD to see if anything can be done to ‘loosen’ it a bit… my strong advice would be to try winding the specific watch you are planning to buy before you commit to doing so.
It is not an issue for me and I like the modern aesthetic - but How about a bigger diameter crown like the old models. I bet that would improve the experience.
Firstly, congrats! The Speedy could be the one and only watch you wear for decades.
To answer your question quoted above, I think the Speedy is an excellent watch for daily wear precisely because it’s manual wind.
With automatics, one problem I’ve had is that if it’s not keeping good time, I don’t know if it’s because of low power reserve. Being a desk warrior, I’m not as active as others so always curious if this negatively impacts accuracy.
So with manual wind just once a day, I can ensure strong power reserve all day.
Good luck!
The now discontinued FOIS, and the two LE CK 2998 editions, plus the NEW 321, all have cases without crown guards which makes these versions a lot easier to wind if that is an issue. I think the winding difficulty issue is way overblown, I've had many newly made or overhauled Speedmasters and none of them were that difficult to fully wind. And almost all of them loosen up to some extent as the rubber seals wear in.
The crown guard and tachymeter bezel do make the Speedmaster inconvenient to wind compared to other manual wind watches.
Not a deal breaker for me, but there are people who give up on the watch because of the inconvenience.
I avoided manual winds for the same reasons then realized I don't forgot to fill up the gas tank in my truck do I? It's kind of neat and it's great because if the reserve does run out setting it is fast since there's no date. I just wound mine on the wrist jogging the crown back and forth without letting go of it.
R rekindleDoes winding it while you're wearing it cause stress on the stem? As I read that it is most ideal to wind with the watch off your wrist but this may have been for the 1861?
It's not good practice to wind a watch while attached to the wrist, it puts undue stress on the springbars, bracelet, strap along with added load on the crown/stem. It's always best to wind it off the wrist, it's true for every watch.
So now it seems you are ready for a 3861, but which one? The classic Hesalite (the kind that went to the moon version tool watch) or the super duper sapphire sandwich?
R rekindleI will keep this in mind. I originally was thinking I could casually wind it through out the day with my index finger. But will probably just wind it off the wrist in the morning/evening.
I think I am leaning towards the Sapphire Sandwich because I am a massive sucker for transparent casebacks and appreciate the scratch resistance of day to day use. I am not much of a 'purist', I would prefer to avoid scratches and I prefer the slightly more 'blingy' appearence of the SS with the applied logo and the polished links on the bracelet. The only problem is... I have like 7 months till I can purchase the watch but I will visit the AD here and there
