Wow, that looks great!
I love how swapping straps can change the look of a watch. There are so many great options out there that I sometimes wish that Omega had a quick change mechanism that allows me to easily swap out straps from time to time.
The straps I purchase are hand made and with quick release spring bars so the straps are easy to change in seconds when you want to sport a different image...
Thanks!
After owning the FOIS a couple things stand out to me:
1.The case. I love the slender case lines with the no crown guards and it is by far my favorite feature of this watch. I also like the additional polished beveling which is beautifully done by Omega.
2. The dial. Specifically the longer hour marker indices. It is something you can easily miss in photos, but compared to the current day Speedmaster Professional, it is actually quite a different look.
3. Putting this watch on a flat link from Forstner or Uncle Seiko and you have something that closely resembles the new Cal.321 Ed White for a fraction of the $$. It is no wonder Omega stopped production on these. I think they want to keep some of the exclusivity with the slender case on the 321s.
4. The FOIS still doesn't scratch my itch for the Speedmaster Professional but it will make a great companion to it. I had been debating the FOIS vs. a new Speedmaster Professional for a while. The push for the FOIS was when I found out it would soon be discontinued and it would be now or never if I wanted a new one. I still plan to pick up the new 2021 Speedmaster Pro hesalite in a few months when they are more readily available. Owning the FOIS for a short while made me realize there are in fact a lot of differences between the 2 watches that I can justify owning both. You have the 39.5mm vs. 42mm case styles, Hesalite vs Sapphire, Alpha vs stick hands, applied vs painted logo, dial indices long vs short, different style chrono hand, step dial, the list goes on! They're so similar but so different.
5. A few minor gripes, the case back is not the most comfortable and it always leaves markings on my arm, I dont know if anyone else has the same feeling as me. I am thinking about changing it out for one of the vintage flat style plain Speedmaster casebacks. Also wondering if it will feel any thinner on the wrist by switching out the caseback? I am also considering having my watchmaker change out the running seconds hand to a stick style to match the other 2 subdials.
6. The Forstner flat link is amazing for the $. I had an Omega 1039/516 on my pre moon professional, and this offering from Forstner is nearly identical in looks and feel. Very very happy with this bracelet.
Don’t change the running seconds hands! It’s one of the best features, a form-follows-function upgrade. It separates the time of the day hands from chrono hands visually, like some of the racing models did (chrono hands were orange). And also things like that that subtly attack the order and symetry are what good design is about, it crates dynamism, when used for practical puropse it creates positive tension.
Interesting point about attacking the symmetry. It’s stands out so much to me, it makes it both immediately recognizable but also sometimes a distraction. I’m in the process of swapping the caseback on my FOIS (#10,4##) for an exhibition case. I considered changing the subdial hands and adding a lollipop chrono second hand but didn’t pull the trigger.
What are everyone’s thoughts on MODs in general? I know there are some that would never buy a Frankenwatch but the counter argument is “buy/wear what you like”. For those against MODs: is it because it’s not true to the design or is there more of a concern if it was done the right way? Something else?
that different hands cause you a distraction is good, that was my point: it has that function. The intent was to differentiate the two different functions on the dial quickly. And by that the purely visual harmony was lost to an extent. Speaking only from visual pount od view (as if watches were not useful objects) only harmony is not the alpha and omega of aesthetics. “Errors” have their function in what excites us. Limiting our mind to consuming only symmetry is just that - limited perception. And taking into account that watches are functional objects and not static aesthetic jewelry and that their very nature is that they are never symmetrical (hands show time - if we wanted symmetry we’d have hands of same length and pointing to 10, 2 and 6 all day) the differentiated design of time of day hands and chronograph hands excite me because that shiws simeone used their mind and a certain logic as well as he created visual interest out of the main parh of boring symetry.
Totally agree that the “errors” and minute differences, visually appealing or not, are exciting and what bring joy to the hunt.
I get the point and design of matching the subdial alpha hand to the main hands, but to me it adds no true functional value: the running second hand is the one that’s moving. The chrono registers are blatantly obvious after the first use.
What are everyone’s thoughts on MODs in general?
Everyone is welcome to do whatever they want with their watch, but personally I prefer originality and don't intend to ever modify a watch. I bought the watch because I like it, and I value its authenticity. But it certainly doesn't bother me if others make modifications, it's just not for me.
What are everyone’s thoughts on MODs in general? I know there are some that would never buy a Frankenwatch but the counter argument is “buy/wear what you like”. For those against MODs: is it because it’s not true to the design or is there more of a concern if it was done the right way? Something else?
I considered an exhibition caseback but decided I would appreciate shaving 1 mm off of the height more than seeing the movement.
Thats a wrong assumption that the original Sapphire caseback from the Speedmaster is thicker than the solid caseback. Infact its the other way around on the modern ones.
M Mra12345Got mine back today from Omega. Tested and is now holding seal against condensation so far. Looking good on the flat link.
