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ninman
·So, I know I've made a few threads about buying my FOIS, having a huge amount of buyer's remorse and trying to return/sell it. Now that I'm over that and I've decided to keep my FOIS and have actually fallen in love with it, I thought I'd do a little write up about it and comparing it to my Speedmaster Professional that I've had for 4 years. So first to dispell 2 myths that I see floating around about the FOIS.
Myth 1 - The FOIS is smaller than the Speedmaster Professional and better for smaller wrists.
On paper, the FOIS has a smaller case size than the Pro, 39.7mm compared to the Pro's 42mm. However, those numbers are very misleading.
Here's a side-by-side photo of both watches.
Both watches have identical face and bezel sizes. The Pro has an asymmetric case that is 42mm at its widest point, which accounts for the crown guards that the FOIS does not have. However, when looking at, and wearing, it you do not notice the extra 2mm. The only part your eye sees is the face and bezel. So on the wrist it looks the same.
Further, the lug-to-lug of the FOIS is every so slightly longer than the Pro, and the lug profile of the Pro, combined with the slimmer caseback, makes it hug the wrist that little bit more, as shown in these photos.
In my opinion, if you're deciding between these watches and you want one that is more wrist friendly, then the Professional is actually the watch you should choose. However, I think both watches are actually ok for smaller wristed people, but the slightly slimmer caseback and the the more curved lugs, combined with the shorter lug-to-lug make the Pro just that little bit better for smaller wristed people.
Myth 2 - The FOIS is easier to wind.
In my experience, this is not entirely accurate. While you might think that the lack of crown guards makes for easier access and a better winding experience compared to the Pro, the difference is not as significant as you might think.
This is because the gap between the pushers and the crown, where the crown guards are, isn't large enough to really get your fingers in to start with. The part that makes crown manipulation harder is actually the bezel that overhangs the crown slightly on both watches.
So the FOIS really isn't that much easier to wind compared to the Pro.
If you're deciding between these two watches and you want one that will fit your wrist better, the Pro is the better choice, for that reason. However, if you want one that's got the vintage aesthetic of 1960s Omega Speedmasters, then the FOIS is clearly the winner.
Both bracelets are also very comfortable, although I personally prefer the flatlink because again it has that 1960s look. I really wish they'd make an all-brushed flatlink to go with the Pro, personally. I also wish they'd bring back long hour markers on the Pro, too, because it really does change the look and feel of the watch in a big way.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Let me know what you think. Cheers.
Myth 1 - The FOIS is smaller than the Speedmaster Professional and better for smaller wrists.
On paper, the FOIS has a smaller case size than the Pro, 39.7mm compared to the Pro's 42mm. However, those numbers are very misleading.
Here's a side-by-side photo of both watches.
Both watches have identical face and bezel sizes. The Pro has an asymmetric case that is 42mm at its widest point, which accounts for the crown guards that the FOIS does not have. However, when looking at, and wearing, it you do not notice the extra 2mm. The only part your eye sees is the face and bezel. So on the wrist it looks the same.
Further, the lug-to-lug of the FOIS is every so slightly longer than the Pro, and the lug profile of the Pro, combined with the slimmer caseback, makes it hug the wrist that little bit more, as shown in these photos.
In my opinion, if you're deciding between these watches and you want one that is more wrist friendly, then the Professional is actually the watch you should choose. However, I think both watches are actually ok for smaller wristed people, but the slightly slimmer caseback and the the more curved lugs, combined with the shorter lug-to-lug make the Pro just that little bit better for smaller wristed people.
Myth 2 - The FOIS is easier to wind.
In my experience, this is not entirely accurate. While you might think that the lack of crown guards makes for easier access and a better winding experience compared to the Pro, the difference is not as significant as you might think.
This is because the gap between the pushers and the crown, where the crown guards are, isn't large enough to really get your fingers in to start with. The part that makes crown manipulation harder is actually the bezel that overhangs the crown slightly on both watches.
So the FOIS really isn't that much easier to wind compared to the Pro.
If you're deciding between these two watches and you want one that will fit your wrist better, the Pro is the better choice, for that reason. However, if you want one that's got the vintage aesthetic of 1960s Omega Speedmasters, then the FOIS is clearly the winner.
Both bracelets are also very comfortable, although I personally prefer the flatlink because again it has that 1960s look. I really wish they'd make an all-brushed flatlink to go with the Pro, personally. I also wish they'd bring back long hour markers on the Pro, too, because it really does change the look and feel of the watch in a big way.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Let me know what you think. Cheers.
