After admiring the Speedmaster range of watches for a long while I bought my Speedy new in 2014. As we all do, I loved it, but there was just something that wasn’t quite right.

Eventually i realised that I was used to autos - most of my Omegas are Seamasters which auto-wind. I find the crown guards obtrusive when winding.

So, I have a dilemma. Do I sell and buy a FOIS, or keep it and learn to love it (once wound and on my wrist it’s ‘oh yeah baby’”?

Additionally I have just purchased a Mitsukoshi dial (no hands) that I’m going to have built into one or other. Do I keep the Speedy standard and play with a FOIS or what?

 

= Cal 1861
= manual wind

 

I’m not 100% that the mitsukoshi dial will fit in a FOIS, so you may not have that option.

FOIS is also a manual wind...

 

A FOIS is still a manual wind.

I really don't see how spending 15 seconds a day winding a watch is a burden. I enjoy winding a manual watch in the morning, it's part of the hobby.

 

Yes the FOIS is still manual wind, but sans crown guards. As to the dial swap, it’s already been done. It’s not a major drama, just that given a choice I’d not have to crown guards when winding!

 

The Mitsu did fit in the FOIS? Thanks for confirming.

 

We need to see a picture of that please

 

Even better...

 

I should also mention that sometimes the 1861’s crown’s winding action is quite sticky (there’s a better word, but it’s early and I can’t think of it) out of the box. I found my Speedy Pro, for instance, a bit of a challenge to wind at first and, like you’ve noticed, the crown guards make it more of a challenge.

After about the first month or two, the winding action loosened up a bunch and it was no longer an issue.

 

Exactly. Mine went from being something I had to think about as I was doing it to a mindless task.

 

I’m wondering if it’s only hard due to stiff gaskets.

 

My Ultraman is very stiff, hope it will loosen up.

 

Mine is the opposite, really easy versus my standard Pro.

 

Winding? It's such a joy on the straight lugs, and the on the asymmetrical cases it gets tougher. So with your FOIS...it should be a fun ritual, not a chore! Sometimes I just keep winding on my SM300 just for fun. I really like the feeling of that interesting resistance as I wind.

And as others have said, with the 321/861/1861 you should know better it is manual!

 

I really enjoy winding my Moonwatch in the morning. It only takes a few seconds and it adds a calming effect to my morning routine.

 

That's what she said...

 

@gpssti4 , if the watch is not a pleasure to wear then move it on. If you like the look of the FOIS and think the lack of crown guards would address the issues you have with it (whether modded or not), give it a try.

Don't feel bad one way or the other. If it's causing angst, then you're not getting the greatest pleasure from the hobby.

In any event, you can always buy another speedy if you end up missing it.

....that, or do what most here would do. Keep both!

 

I have a Speedy “Yemen” and sent it to Simon Freese to service it for the same reason a hard to wind crown.
He tested the watch said it was all OK and didn’t need servicing as they are all like that.
I am putting it up for sale BTW if anyone is interested.

 

Thank you for your frank and honest reply.

It’s not that I don’t like the watch, I love it, it’s just the winding that makes me turn off a little.

I do like your second suggestion - maybe I’ll go with it.

 

Don't be a Sally. If it's really hard for you to wind the watch, have your wife wind it