Hot Takes: Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 “Ed White”/“Cernan” in Stainless Steel (2020) Review

cvalue13

First of all, welcome and congrats!

Second, regarding the pin paint - good catch on my error: the center pin of the chronograph handset on mine is also painted, like yours (while the subdial pins are not painted). As mine was one of the earliest delivered, I wouldn’t think any change has been made in this respect.

Big congrats again on the 321!

cvalue13

Realized that, as of this past Monday, I’ve now had this watch for two full years. Unbelievable how time flies.

If forced to get rid of all but one watch (save for family heirloom pieces of course), the NEW321 is still the one watch I would keep.

That said, a few critiques I’ve developed/realized that over these two years:

(1) I’ve since come to realize that for timing events the use of a dive bezel is more than sufficient/accurate for my purposes (timing cooking, toddler time-outs, duration of exercise, etc.), and more legible to my aging eyes. This is a matter of personal utility.

(2) the polished finishes of the bracelet make for something altogether beautiful (I get several compliments), but to my tastes a bit flashy/jewelry-esque; I still wear it without a flinch, but it does cross my mind at times. I would consider having the entire watch (bracelet and head) brushed if I knew of a trusted source of that work (and had the patience for the effort). This is a matter of personal taste. (Which reminds me it’s cool enough now to make the seasonal switch to leather.)

Nonetheless, the NEW321’s overall beauty, design, and stealth uniqueness, altogether scratches most deeply all the functional and sentimental attachments I have to mechanical watches. It’s legibility of the time (distinct from the chrono hands) is matched only by dive watches with far larger/less elegant handsets; the overall aesthetic is special; and even self-purported “watch guys” typically cannot discern that it is anything other than a standard Speedmaster - which is to me an enjoyable feature/litmus.

Notably, almost all of these preferences might be equally satisfied by a very top quality vintage Ed White. And a vintage piece would more deeply scratch certain of my sentimental attachments to mechanical watches. But, it’s difficult for me at present to wade into the learning curve of locating, identifying and getting a vintage piece of the quality that would deliver these higher sentimental Values. And, counterbalancing the obvious charms of a vintage Ed White are for me the NEW321’s other offerings that satisfy some of my unique requirements - a central one being that the watch is intended to be an “heirloom’ piece for my youngest son, every scratch or use before him having been his dad’s alone. Then there’s warranty, etc., etc.

No solutions, only trade-offs!

Happy holidays, all!

Travelller

While I've only had mine for four months I have to agree with you on all points. Even in the dark this one's so special with the long lumed markers... just wow. 🥰

I went to dinner the other night with a very good friend. He's a "non-WIS" executive and asked me what I thought about the Daytona... (sigh). I decided to wear my 321 and to bring a Speedmaster Professional to try to persuade him to avoid the "dark side of the Force", so to speak ... .
But the look on his face when I said "a new Speedmaster Professional will set you back 7K€ ...the one on my wrist ...14K." He's staring at both and (naturally) can barely discern a difference in the cases, let alone the dial... 😜

Seoul_KIM

Similar experience I had. My wife bought me 3861 hesalite which is the first speedmaster to me. Two months later, I bought 321B Cernan while my wife was travelling with my in laws, and I sent her a picture of me wearing both on my left wrist. She asked what's the point of copying the same watch's picture twice and put up over my wrist...🤣

cvalue13

Realized that, as of this past Monday, I’ve now had this watch for two full years. Unbelievable how time flies.

If forced to get rid of all but one watch (save for family heirloom pieces of course), the NEW321 is still the one watch I would keep.

That said, a few critiques I’ve developed/realized that over these two years:

(1) I’ve since come to realize that for timing events the use of a dive bezel is more than sufficient/accurate for my purposes (timing cooking, toddler time-outs, duration of exercise, etc.), and more legible to my aging eyes. This is a matter of personal utility.

(2) the polished finishes of the bracelet make for something altogether beautiful (I get several compliments), but to my tastes a bit flashy/jewelry-esque; I still wear it without a flinch, but it does cross my mind at times. I would consider having the entire watch (bracelet and head) brushed if I knew of a trusted source of that work (and had the patience for the effort). This is a matter of personal taste. (Which reminds me it’s cool enough now to make the seasonal switch to leather.)

Nonetheless, the NEW321’s overall beauty, design, and stealth uniqueness, altogether scratches most deeply all the functional and sentimental attachments I have to mechanical watches. It’s legibility of the time (distinct from the chrono hands) is matched only by dive watches with far larger/less elegant handsets; the overall aesthetic is special; and even self-purported “watch guys” typically cannot discern that it is anything other than a standard Speedmaster - which is to me an enjoyable feature/litmus.

Notably, almost all of these preferences might be equally satisfied by a very top quality vintage Ed White. And a vintage piece would more deeply scratch certain of my sentimental attachments to mechanical watches. But, it’s difficult for me at present to wade into the learning curve of locating, identifying and getting a vintage piece of the quality that would deliver these higher sentimental Values. And, counterbalancing the obvious charms of a vintage Ed White are for me the NEW321’s other offerings that satisfy some of my unique requirements - a central one being that the watch is intended to be an “heirloom’ piece for my youngest son, every scratch or use before him having been his dad’s alone. Then there’s warranty, etc., etc.

No solutions, only trade-offs!

Happy holidays, all!