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davidswiss
·God that looks trashy, has a small animal has been sick over the dial ?
Introducing: The New Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8 — Featuring The...
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SpeedyPhill
·🍿
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Missions
·And these will be likely be available unlike the Snoopy.....what a joke.
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McBeardy
·Think this is the only release this month or we expecting more?
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pspagano2099
·your post really helps demonstrate the different "demographics" being targeted here: The people that absolutely love the timeless speedy pro look think that the tin tin and other limited editions, which make fairly minor changes to the Speedy- as you said "nothing special but a different dial", are THE watches to own. Meanwhile, there's a whole other demographic that wants to see a modern omega lineup. I have to agree with @Evitzee that this watch targets and probably appeals quite well to those that aren't attracted to Omega's vintage designs.
The other issue here is going to be size. I'm 6'2" and have a slightly over 7" wrist, and I think anything much over 43mm is pushing it. I've largely always thought that even when I wasn't thinking about it. Another reason this watch is just plain not targeting me- It's targeting the "larger, sportier watch" demographic. I think that's totally fine and I'd love to see one in person (perhaps my stance would change).
I do like some of the retro-vintage designs that omega has come up with (obviously my omega of choice right now is the Summer blue heritage) and I appreciate that not everyone likes those. When it comes to the speedy though, for me it really is an icon representative of the 1960s, the space race, NASA- so much more than that. THIS Apollo 8 is not a moonwatch- and that's fine- but this community is probably ~75% "omega means speedy,and oh I think they make a seamaster line that looks ok, right?" these modern-modern designs aren't going to appeal to most people here.
that's ok- it's awesome that omega is sucking in a new demographic, and it doesn't take away from what the vintage crowd has.
I honestly love both the classic/vintage and modern designs that Omega offers, but the modern designs like this seem to only be available in comically oversized cases (with the exception of the 39.5mm ceramic PO). This watch is a perfect example of something that would be incredibly cool as a 42mm Speedy. I would go so far as to say a 42mm ceramic Speedy could be the "it" watch of the year.
Instead, Omega insists on investing in ridiculously niche models that most people, even walk-in, non-enthusiast customers, aren't going to go for. Enthusiasts mostly don't want oversized watches and non-enthusiasts aren't going to pay 15k for something this niche. Hell, my AD even admitted a lot of walk-in customers have been complaining that the watch they want doesn't come in a size that fits them comfortably. It gets to a point where you have to ask yourself, who are they making these for? It's not like they're selling like hotcakes. You inevitably see models like this pop up on the grey market for a significant discount, meaning dealers aren't having much luck moving them. So what demographic are they pulling in?
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Kingkongsfinger
·Hopefully some more new watch releases soon............
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FSG
·My honest reaction to this new model, price and announcement: WTF…
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vbrad26
·I've actually always though the watch was cool. The thing I'm having a hard time with, as others have pointed out, is that this is just a glorified re-release with a pretty substantial markup.
Everyone thought the Moonswatch was a money grab. And maybe it was, but at least it was something somewhat original and got people excited.
This is neither, making it a far worse offense in my opinion...
Everyone thought the Moonswatch was a money grab. And maybe it was, but at least it was something somewhat original and got people excited.
This is neither, making it a far worse offense in my opinion...
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI've actually always though the watch was cool. The thing I'm having a hard time with, as others have pointed out, is that this is just a glorified re-release with a pretty substantial markup.
Everyone thought the Moonswatch was a money grab. And maybe it was, but at least it was something somewhat original and got people excited.
This is neither, making it a far worse offense in my opinion...
Did you feel the same way when Omega updated the regular Speedmaster from the 1861 to the 3861?
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M'Bob
·Aesthetically questionable, uninspired and unimaginative new release.
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vbrad26
·Did you feel the same way when Omega updated the regular Speedmaster from the 1861 to the 3861?
I think I see what you're getting at. But no, I don't. I see that as an evolution of a staple product.
This is not that in my opinion. Is a larger case, little rocket and some finer details REALLY worth $4k more?
The math just doesn't math for me. That's all.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI think I see what you're getting at. But no, I don't. I see that as an evolution of a staple product.
We can all choose how we see these things I guess. Some of the comments in this thread just don't make sense to me personally, but they don't have to. People will have all the feels they have, and we are all different.
To me, this is a movement upgrade not unlike the example I used - the 1861 Speedmaster to the 3861, something that you appear to discount as it wasn't mentioned:
Is a larger case, little rocket and some finer details REALLY worth $4k more?
In addition they have changed a few other things, much like they did on the 3861 regular Speedmaster. That's it.
I don't see it as the egregious rip-off and abomination that others here do, but modern Omegas are not my thing anyway, so maybe I'm less invested in what's coming around the corner from Omega then others are.
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scapa
·I think I see what you're getting at. But no, I don't. I see that as an evolution of a staple product.
This is not that in my opinion. Is a larger case, little rocket and some finer details REALLY worth $4k more?
The math just doesn't math for me. That's all.
Is it 4k or 5300.00 more? A 50% plus markup is pretty significant,, even with the upgraded movement and extra finishing, I owned the original briefly and liked it a lot, but never really felt it was an everyday watch. This version feels still niche-ier to me, but perhaps as likely to find an audience as before among those who put a premium on ceramics and a SoTA movement.
IIRC, I paid around CAD 8300.00 from my local AD. This fella is a bit pricer at... CAD $19,400.00. But I ain't in the market for high-end modern Omegas anymore.
Anyway, the Hodinkee article has the following info regarding pricing:
Given that the previous iteration housed the caliber 1861, the use of the 3869 also represents a milestone in that the Dark Side of the Moon now beats with a METAS-certified movement. With this upgrade, the watch maintains its previous proportions of 44.25mm in diameter and with a decrease in thickness from 13.8mm to 13mm. The price has increased rather significantly from about $9,000 to $14,300 which can be attributed to the new movement and high level of finishing.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/t...ts-serious-upgrades-including-a-rocket-shaped
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ErichPryde
·I think I see what you're getting at. But no, I don't. I see that as an evolution of a staple product.
This is not that in my opinion. Is a larger case, little rocket and some finer details REALLY worth $4k more?
The math just doesn't math for me. That's all.
Did you feel the same way when Omega updated the regular Speedmaster from the 1861 to the 3861?
I hate to add to the fire here, but one of the major "justifications" for the ~25% price increase (as measured 1863 vs 3861SS current retail) was the move to co-axial. Unless I'm mistaken, The older Apollo 8 was co-axial, and this is a ~33% price increase over the prior model with what sure looks like minimal changes. But- you're the watchmaker, and you may see it as different.
(EDIT: per the post above me and per Archer's response, this went from 1869 to co-ax. and if that's the case, the price increase does not seem terribly out of line. The difference is mostly in people's heads- the 3861 changes were ok because it was gen update to an icon, but this is not ok because this watch is some trashy lego toy. And no I don't think that, but it sure seems to be the perception.)
There are plenty of limited edition 1861s out there that are gorgeous and worth collecting, and it seems like the community has simultaneous reactions "the number of limited editions omega does cheapens the brand" and then when it's not a limited edition that fits a particular aesthetic the reaction is "they should have made a limited edition I actually wanted."
I personally think the reaction here is overblown and good evidence that you can't make everybody happy and that not every watch is for everyone. This watch is going to appeal to someone.
I guess- man, it's nice to be able to be so picky about luxury items that cost this much.
Edited:
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerThe older Apollo 8 was co-axial,
It was not. The 1869 was a lever escapement movement...
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ErichPryde
·It was not. The 1869 was a lever escapement movement...
Yes, I corrected my post. My fault for sourcing a bad piece of info.
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ErichPryde
·I honestly love both the classic/vintage and modern designs that Omega offers, but the modern designs like this seem to only be available in comically oversized cases (with the exception of the 39.5mm ceramic PO). This watch is a perfect example of something that would be incredibly cool as a 42mm Speedy. I would go so far as to say a 42mm ceramic Speedy could be the "it" watch of the year.
Instead, Omega insists on investing in ridiculously niche models that most people, even walk-in, non-enthusiast customers, aren't going to go for. Enthusiasts mostly don't want oversized watches and non-enthusiasts aren't going to pay 15k for something this niche. Hell, my AD even admitted a lot of walk-in customers have been complaining that the watch they want doesn't come in a size that fits them comfortably. It gets to a point where you have to ask yourself, who are they making these for? It's not like they're selling like hotcakes. You inevitably see models like this pop up on the grey market for a significant discount, meaning dealers aren't having much luck moving them. So what demographic are they pulling in?
There's a whole culture out there that doesn't care whether or not their watch fits under a cuff properly and is perfectly happy to see the cuff bunched up against the watch. Your "comically oversized" is just their "I saw it on the expendables 19 and it looks cool."
Omega doesn't need to target us- we're already buyers of the Seamaster and Speedmaster lines. So what demographic are they targeting? Probably the young tech types that are watching popular culture movies and have money to burn. Obviously Omega thinks there's someone there to be drawn in, and I doubt their market research is shallow.
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rebar
·Surprisingly, my wife said “it’s kinda nice”.
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vbrad26
·To me, this is a movement upgrade not unlike the example I used - the 1861 Speedmaster to the 3861, something that you appear to discount as it wasn't mentioned:
Ehh I wouldn't say I discount it as it is obviously a big part of the changes. But perhaps I'm not giving it as much credit as I should?
The price hike from the 1861 Speedy to the 3861 Speedy was not huge if I recall. And the the 1869 was just a mostly aesthetically modified 1861, yes?
So I see the 3869 as just a aesthetically modified 3861, which to me almost equates to just slapping some bumper stickers on it and calling it a day lol. But I'm admittedly ignorant to all of the technicalities.
Bottom line for me is....1861 Speedy cost $5350 and 1869 A8 Speedy cost $9750 ($4400 difference).
Now, a 3861 cost $7000 and the new A8 3869 is $14,300 (a $7300 difference).
So just shy of a $3000 difference for a rocket hand and some better lazering.
Edited:
