Omega Speedy - what’s the best and why?

Hi all,
I have been passively looking at Omega Speedmaster professional’s for the better part of a year and the time has come to pull the trigger. I have seen feedback on different Speedy groups about the new models having quality and performance issues intermittently. I understand being tuned into a group like that will result in me seeing potentially more negative feedback but the question remains; what is the most reliable watch movement for the speedy platform?

I’m looking for either a Sapphire or Hesalite (no preference) and my budget would be around 6-7k. Looking for minimal maintenance, workhorse movement and good timekeeping.

3861, hesalite, pre-owned, done.

With that sort of budget it seems like you have a lot of Speedy options open to you, so probably your personal preferences should be most important. I kinda assume you're talking about the "moonwatch," but there are some other Speedy pros out there that are super cool and worth a look.


To SC1's point (with which I agree) even if you run into an issue with this movement (which doesn't seem super likely) You're going to have room in the budget to get it taken care of. The same would be true of an older watch, like an 1861 powered one- and that's generally considered a very reliable workhorse movement. But it isn't going to be nearly as accurate as the 3861, and I also understand that the hacking seconds feature available on 3861 isn't available on 1861.


I'm not saying you'd "WANT" to spend that money on (or wait for) repairs- but it definitely could be *less* likely to need service if you get a newer watch. Or, at least, that's my feeling- if I purchased an older reference Speedmaster I'd personally budget for potential service unless I specifically knew otherwise from the seller.

The speedy I most have my eyes on is 3594.50, and it has an 1861 movement. I'd be pretty satisfied with that movement, but I'd budget for maintenance.

2998-X(105.002-Alpha). Because.

This. Would only add, that hesalite is the way to go. Buy a tube of poly watch and you are set.

Said it before, saying it again...

Hesalite scores chicks.

Don't know but every chick I am fending off always says the same thing, "Hesalite makes me ovulate."
So I guess it's hesalite.

Well of course that's gonna work but when the cash is short the hesalite is long.

There is not a good and a bad choice. You just have to study the pros and the cons of the models and decide which you like most.

861 & 1861 seem more old school at my eyes and more easily serviced by independent watch makers. On the other hand the 3861 is more accurate as a more modern co-axial movement.

I belong to the owners who went with the 1861 model as a more traditional and classic moonwatch.

I also believe that the 861 is more traditional and classic than the 1861, but it's more difficult to find a model in Nos excellent condition.

From what I've heard... it's also the softest stuff on the block.

😗