I wanted to get some opinions on Speedmaster purchase choices... Just for fun.
I have read some other threads similar but they are old and the newest model just came out and instead of reviving the old threads, I thought I'd start a new one.

Which models would you rather have? Brand new 3861 with all the bells and whistles of a new movement and throw back looks of the vintage models (and a big price tag) or a true vintage Moon watch from the 60's/70's? or even an older but more modern model?
This is all subjective and personal preference and I just would like to know why you would purchase the new one over an older models or vice-versa.

I have had a few different models in the past and I always have the same conundrum... which model to buy?
My decisions have been made for multiple reasons but usually in this order: Aesthetics, reliability and collectability/rarity.
I like the look of most of them but my preference is the tritium dial models, twisted lugs and open case backs.

My first was the Apollo XI Speedmaster "deluxe" with the 863 movement and sapphire case back (345.0808/ 3592.50). It clicked all the boxes for me. I had an issue wearing this one often for fear of damaging it but it was by far my favorite and I regret parting with it every day (I needed to downsize and moved the ones I wasn't wearing).
The next one I bought was a modern big box 1861 with sapphire. I bought it for reliability as opposed to aesthetics. I rarely wore it as It really seemed mundane. The reliability and durability was there but it was kind of boring... I didn't look at it like I did my 863 and I missed checking out the movement so I sold it as it wasn't getting any wrist time.
I bought an early 2000's 3572.50 hesalite sandwich to try to find a happy medium which I really liked as it nearly checked all of the boxes but I still didn't look at it like I did with my my Apollo XI...
I have a modded albino based on a sapphire sandwich right now and it keeps me happy for a while.

I search often for another Apollo XI model but with the prices of these going through the roof, would I buy another or would I just buy the newest 3861??
That could be a tough decision to make...
What would you do?

pics of a few I've owned.

 

nobody ?
This is an intresting question to me as I had the same dilemne in the past weeks. I had the opportunity to buy a 3592.50 Apollo XI with 863 caliber in a very good condition. I also tried the new speedy with superlative 3861 caliber and new bracelet.
So new or old ? It was a hard choice.
New : top of the art movement, reliability, improved bracelet
Old : the charm of tritium, rarity and hesalite sandwich
The nice tritium dial and overall condition of the 3592.50 won the decision.

gilel

 

old and older and older and oldest for me
plus nonprofessional manual speedmasters
i probably would buy a 3861 in 2023 or 4

 

T SWISS MADE T

 

I love my 3861. I bought a sapphire sandwich because I’d never owned one before. I’ve owned several closed back hesalite 1861s in the past and still have one in the family, which I gave my 18 year old son to mark a special occasion.

I know many will disagree, but I love the fact that the 3861 is a co-axial’d 1861 - essentially hot-rodded by Omega to be more long lasting and more accurate plus I like the fact that every individual piece gets the full battery of tests with an individual certificate. I really rate the bracelet and love the clasp. I also like how they have attempted to take the flatness out of the sapphire crystal making it more dome-like, which does create a similar edge milkiness effect of the older hesalite version.

 

I love them all. This question is like asking someone to pick their favorite child.

 

3861

 

The answer here is “both”

 

that is no doubt about it, but which one first?


should be about a week apart

 

Vintage, please. Whenever I wear my ‘71 Speedy, I think about watching the Apollo launches as a child. It’s living history for me.

 

What a beauty!

 

Best bang for your buck is a mid 70's piece. Good example have a great broken in look, the lume tends to age well, and they are some of the most affordable out there. THrough the mid 80's are basically identical, but what sounds cooler? a 70's or 80's watch?

 

Thank you. I’m pretty fond of it. It’s fully original and has one of the rarer bracelets, the 1175/640.

 

The 3590.50, made from the late 80s through the mid 90s is also a good value. Last model to use tritium and the 1479/812 bracelet is very sturdy and has a nice vintage look.

 

As an 80’s kid, I am a bit biased
My 145.022 ‘85

 

Vintage for sure.

 

I also like new. Can’t go wrong with a variety of Speedys. I love the 3861 bracelet.

 

It's really difficult to help the OP with this since we are not comparing different type of watches. So basically, it's only estetics we are talking about. Cal 861/1861 are proven to be bullet proof, and I don't think 3861 will be far off. I get the appeal of something worn, nice warm tritium dial, with a lot of story and scratches, but in the end of the day, it's not your story watch is telling (if we are talking vintage). For me, it's far better to buy something new and then make your story trough scars, scratches, nicks, patina and years of wear.

I'm a sucker for Moon landing tales (aren't we all here?) so for me the best bet would be modern, NOS 1861 hesalite. Modern, PRO Speedy with AK47 type of movement inside it. And wear the hell out of it!

 

One of the last tritium 3572 with 1863 movement.



I have tried latest model, but it left me cold. I guess mainly because of I really like cream markers and white luminova is too big contrast for me.

 

Don’t own a Pro anymore (have a Mark 40) but from the Pro family would probanly pick a 3692 over a new one