FOIS vs 3861 for small wrist?

chnzwh · May 6, 2022

I have roughly the same wrist size (6.3") and I've owned a 1861 Speedy, CK2998 (which is the same size as the FOIS) and currently sporting a 3861 Speedy. I would say the 3861 and FOIS wear basically the same as they both have 47mm of L2L distance, which is 1mm shorter than that of 1861 Speedy.

Don't let the 42mm diameter stop you from getting a Speedmaster Pro, the watch actually wears like a 40mm. The additional 2mm takes the crown guard into account which doesn't add any bulk to your wearing experience.

wilderbeast · May 6, 2022

W watchwatchwatch
I'm thinking that being sleeker width wise doesn't matter as much for skinny wrists, its actually the height (i.e. lug to lug) of the watch is more the important dimension to minimize in terms of perception, no? Thus this makes me think from your feedback that the 3861 would be a better fitting/smaller watch for me.

Yes, I believe so. But ultimately it’s your call. You sound a little more disposed to 3861 anyway, and the new Moonwatch is a really beautiful execution of the iconic design.

hansmaulwurf · May 7, 2022

Hi,

the FOIS is a great watch and already discontinued - buy that one, see if you like it and get
warm every day or not incl. the size. You will not loose money with it.

BR
Hans

jjjones · May 7, 2022

I own the FOIS. At the time of buying, I loved the look of a speedy on a strap. Didnt care for a bracelet.
I ended up also getting a datejust on jubilee which made me fall in love with wearing watches on a bracelet.

The biggest problem with the FOIS is that it doesnt have an official bracelet. Ended up getting an oem 1125/560 bracelet for it which scratched the itch for a while (wasnt a perfect look and endlinks are not solid). Recently got the oem 321 speedmaster bracelet and forstner endlinks and quite happy with that. Would have loved for the oem endlinks to fit but it doesnt and this is the best youll get for the fois.

So just keep that in mind. the 3861 comes on an awesome bracelet, the fois doesnt. Youll need to fork out more for a bracelet for the fois and even then, it will not all be oem. Of course you can buy bracelets from forstner or uncle seiko if you dont mind aftermarket.

just my 2 cents

9thsymph · May 7, 2022

I have a 6.25 wrist and am very happy with the 3861. I don't have a FOIS for comparison, but I love my Speedy Pro!

Rodsch · May 8, 2022

I have also a small wrist, but the regular speedy Looks great on it

watchwatchwatch · May 9, 2022

hansmaulwurf
Hi,

the FOIS is a great watch and already discontinued - buy that one, see if you like it and get
warm every day or not incl. the size. You will not loose money with it.

BR
Hans

Though the value of the FOIS may be increasing, I would probably lose money on it because I would brush the lugs and change the hands to standard Speedmaster Pro ones to turn it into my perfect frankenwatch. This is why the 3861 hesalite might be a better choice for me, I wouldn't need to make any modifications to it at all, I like it exactly how it currently is, minus the extra 2mm in size caused by the crown guard.

But the FOIS is still calling my name. Even though I would need to make so many modifications to it (caseback, hands, lugs, bracelet), I think I would ultimately like the end product more because of the smaller size. And it would have that special one of a kind feel after those modifications, where my 3861 would feel like one of the many (and currently increasing number) out there. Perhaps someone can convince me this is a bad idea to modify a FOIS (esp brushing the lugs).

Doc Olives · May 9, 2022

W watchwatchwatch
Though the value of the FOIS may be increasing, I would probably lose money on it because I would brush the lugs and change the hands to standard Speedmaster Pro ones to turn it into my perfect frankenwatch. This is why the 3861 hesalite might be a better choice for me, I wouldn't need to make any modifications to it at all, I like it exactly how it currently is, minus the extra 2mm in size caused by the crown guard.

But the FOIS is still calling my name. Even though I would need to make so many modifications to it (caseback, hands, lugs, bracelet), I think I would ultimately like the end product more because of the smaller size. And it would have that special one of a kind feel after those modifications, where my 3861 would feel like one of the many (and currently increasing number) out there. Perhaps someone can convince me this is a bad idea to modify a FOIS (esp brushing the lugs).

If your primary (or an important to you) concern is about maintaining/protecting the value of the watch for the future, then don't brush the lugs. But, if your primary concern is about having the watch you really want, spec'd exactly how you want it, then ignore any noise from anyone else and do whatever you want to the watch. It's not about historical accuracy or keeping it as close to original as possible; it's about you getting joy from the watch 👍

watchwatchwatch · May 11, 2022

Has anybody wondered why the FOIS seems to look bigger than a modern Rolex Daytona, but the dimensions are virtually identical? The Rolex Daytona is 40mm in diameter, 46.6mm lug to lug, whereas the fois is 39.7mm in diameter and 47.0mm lug to lug.

Or am I just tripping?

JayBe · May 11, 2022

Being a Rolex, it may be shrinking when facing the FOIS. 😝

Gateway · May 11, 2022

As someone with the same size wrist let me offer an unpopular opinion: both are too large. While they are great and desirable watches, the comparisons are pointing out distinctions rather than differences, If your mind is made up, and it sounds like it is, just get the one you find the most appealing.

dstfno · May 11, 2022

W watchwatchwatch
Has anybody wondered why the FOIS seems to look bigger than a modern Rolex Daytona, but the dimensions are virtually identical? The Rolex Daytona is 40mm in diameter, 46.6mm lug to lug, whereas the fois is 39.7mm in diameter and 47.0mm lug to lug.

Or am I just tripping?

From what I've read the Daytona is 38.5mm. So it is not you, it is in fact smaller and thinner than a FOIS.

DoctorEvil · May 11, 2022

W watchwatchwatch
Has anybody wondered why the FOIS seems to look bigger than a modern Rolex Daytona, but the dimensions are virtually identical? The Rolex Daytona is 40mm in diameter, 46.6mm lug to lug, whereas the fois is 39.7mm in diameter and 47.0mm lug to lug.

Or am I just tripping?

I've been lucky enough to try on a friend's Daytona and it does wear smaller than the FOIS. That's because it's thinner and the bezel is also broader, making the Daytona's dial appear smaller. Having said that, I still prefer the styling and heritage of the FOIS over the Daytona. I'd only ever get a Daytona if I was offered one at RRP, and then only as an "investment" 😁

Perseus · May 24, 2022

chnzwh
Don't let the 42mm diameter stop you from getting a Speedmaster Pro, the watch actually wears like a 40mm. The additional 2mm takes the crown guard into account which doesn't add any bulk to your wearing experience.

I'm surprised this wasn't brought up sooner. The FOIS dial and bezel are the same size as the pro. The difference is the integrated crown guards on the pro.

Owlsu · May 27, 2022

When I was buying a Speedmaster the guy in the AD brought me out a FOIS and a 1861 - I tried the FOIS and it was the first Speedmaster I'd ever actually seen in person and held, I then tried the 1861 and found practically no difference between them in size other than the lugs just looking different and the crystal looking different.

The 1861 was a disappointment though when it came to actually winding it. It was so easy and so nice on the FOIS to wind and it felt like a huge downgrade on the 1861 which was unfortunate as that was the watch I actually bought and I still find it hard to wind some days even now 6 years later. Not having crown guards made the FOIS crown feel like 2x the size of the one on the 1861 even though it isn't and you can easily grab the entire thing and turn it.

FOIS vs 3861 for small wrist?

chnzwh

wilderbeast

hansmaulwurf

jjjones

9thsymph

Rodsch

watchwatchwatch

Doc Olives

watchwatchwatch

JayBe

Gateway

dstfno

DoctorEvil

Perseus

Owlsu

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