First Omega - FOIS or 3861 Pro?

nicolamilton

I would choose FOIS too.

timmyk86

Thanks for the input. The FOIS does look super nice. Glad to hear magnetising isn't a massive issue.

Does it matter that the 3861 is objectively a 'better'/newer movement?



That bracelet is really nice. Which one is it?

timmyk86

Thanks for the input. The FOIS does look super nice. Glad to hear magnetising isn't a massive issue.

Does it matter that the 3861 is objectively a 'better'/newer movement?



That bracelet is really nice. Which one is it?

Alfista88

Sounds like there's 3 important parts of your equation: (a) how the watch makes you feel, (b) magnetism, and (c) which is a better buy at those prices.

Having owned a FOIS and a standard 1861 Speedy Pro, my vote is for the case shape of the standard Pro. It's a personal preference, but I've always liked Omega's lyre lugs. Between both a FOIS and a 60th anniversary Seamaster 300, I found straight lugs boring. The unprotected crown on the FOIS is so, so, sooo nice to wind though!

For magnetism: my FOIS never got magnetized, but I've had other watches with more delicate watch movements get magnetized frequently. A few different OB's have told me 1861 Speedmasters are the most common watches they see come in for de-magnetization, but wouldn't worry about it in any modern Speedmaster though. Even if it does get magnetized, it's a quick trip to an AD or boutique and they'll de-mag it in a minute or 2.

Accuracy-wise, both of my 1861's run about 10+ seconds every single day. This is my primary reason for wanting to upgrade to a 3861. For a luxury watch in these price ranges, I don't want to put up with the user experience of having to set my minute hand back 1 minute every few days. People will say "get it regulated".... but I'm of the school that prefers a product to work optimally out-of-the-box, than have to take something in for tuning as soon as I buy it. If I'm an equipment/procurement manager at NASA back in the 60's, I'd order the watch rated to keep chronometer specs out of the box, than a watch I'd have to test on every delivery, and then go through the chore of pulling watches out of each batch to a local watchmaker to regulate just so it doesn't gain a minute every few days.

Price-wise, I think that's a terrible price proposition for a pre-owned FOIS. These were going for 3,200 USD (2,300 GPB), brand new, out of the box when I got mine ~3 years ago. I'm sure you can find some forum members who are happily willing to part with theirs for less than the price you're being quoted.

padders

The FOIS is actually pretty good in low light, though you do lose the chrono hand lume of the Pro. The dial plots are much bigger than those on the Pro and the hand lume while skinny does its job rather well. I always found the lume on the Pro to be very poor so I wasn't expecting much but the FOIS ain't bad at all really. I will stick my neck out and say that the lume is better than the Pro, but neither hold a candle to a 2254 SMP. I even prefer the shiny hands which I know some think are less legible than the white painted versions.

wilderbeast

I had a similar dilemma to you with FOIS v Speedy Pro. I went with FOIS just as it was discontinued, but also because it felt much more “right” on the wrist when I tried them both on. The Forstner flatlink is a dream pairing and I love the slightly dressier nature of the FOIS. It suits my smart casual style and looks great with a suit for work. I also feel it is a major strap monster!

Butik

Between these two FOIS would be my choice - looks much more "luxury" to me. The only flow is lower legibility of the polished hands, at some light angles they disappear on the black dial. But as many already said - you don't use your wristwatch to tell the time 😉

What I did with mine was adding display caseback - well I am crazy about watching the movements, I know some will hate my mod.