I don't think it is any stretch of the imagination to think that Omega will be discontinue the very old Cal 1861. Technology does move on with better hairsprings, better magnetic protection and better timekeeping. This is probably a good time to move on with an upgraded movement.
Obviously a veiled threat to all those Mitsukoshi Moders to stop messin’ around with their baby. Only the Boys in BIEL are allowed to cook strange stuff up. Here’s their latest “boil-in-the-bag” Speedy. When ready it has to then be baked for half an hour After which time you will get a nice mess like this
I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t move to the new 3861 movement (more decorated and with the co-axial escapement) that was announced a couple of months ago. That way they could jack up the price. There was a thread on it: https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-new-3861-movement.91465/ (Just avoid the arguments about whether an 861 movement was ever on the moon.)
I think what they're getting at is more that space travel tech can change, but the Speedmaster will always be a classic look
Don’t mess with the look - that makes me chuckle Given the last image to my eyes has DON & Applied Logo... Surely this is early marketing for the new 321.....
It'd be a massive waste, IMO, if Omega spent all that money to develop the 3861 and then not put it in production watches. I fully expect for it to replace the 1861.
I doubt Omega is going to start mass producing the 321 for the regular "pleb" Speedmaster. They're just upgrading it with the anti-magnetic 3861, but without the gold parts... and that's your new tech with the same Speedmaster dial. I remember the CEO or someone else from Omega saying their entire lineup will be anti-magnetic by 2020. Hopefully, the upgrade would result in a thinner Speedy or at least with a sapphire caseback standard as one of the large contributing factors that makes the Speedy thick is its iron dust cover.
I think it’s getting switched to the 3861. It just makes sense from all we have heard about getting the entire range in line with metas over the last few years and with this debuting in an anniversary piece celebrating 50 years it just seems like a good time to make the change.
Do you think the would be significant increase in price. The standard moonwatch has already increased in price twice this year! What do you think the impact will be on the models with the older tech?
It may indeed be the 50th anni watch since as you say it has an AML and step dial (can’t see the bezel dot but would assume DON) but they have already stated it won’t have the 321 and the way it is worded suggests to me they will use the 3861. Basically it looks like a 145.012-67 reissue with a newer movement. This could well be either the 50th steel watch it even just an updated regular production Speedy. Gives them an excuse to add another grand. Or two.
