Hey all, Greetings from Australia! I have been doing bucketloads of research and still can’t decide on a watch. Terrible I know. mom torn between the Seamaster Dive 300m. either black or white dial on a rubber strap. ORRRR Speedmaster. I got a little excited when I jumped on the Omega site and saw the Speedmaster Pro on a nylon strap for around $7k. I thought, awesome…good price! But maybe I’ll call before going to the OB to try it on. I call and yep, it’s the discontinued 1861 model. Crap. $7425 would have been great for a brand new Speedy. The reference 311. Etc (3861 model) is $2000 more which I find to be a fscking ridiculous price increase but whatever. Nothing I can do about it. New model is $9700 on a bracelet. I was offered 10% off on the Seamaster on the rubber strap without even asking for a discount. So now I’m torn. Seamaster or Speedmaster. I don’t need a diving watch but I don’t need a moon watch either. I just want one. Not too keen on a second hand piece and tax on importing from Chrono24 negates any savings at all. Help guys, can’t choose!
The new 3861 movement in the Speedmaster has had some issues that have required some owners to return their watches to Omega for warranty service. Not that unusual for a new caliber, but that fact could weigh in favor of the Seamaster at this point in time.
Have you tried both on the wrist? For me these days it all comes down to how well these watches sit on the wrist. I've bought some, unseen, that turns out to be too thick/awkward for my wrist that they end up not being worn too often.
Welcome to the forum Nowt wrong with an 1861, a proven calibre. Seamasters are great watches too, depends if you want a date function or a chronograph. Just try them on and see which one speaks to you the most.
Thanks guys. the Seamaster looked great on but haven’t tried the Speedmaster yet. Also, can’t find a 1861 model anywhere in store/new. Most probably becouse they don’t want to sell them for $7400 or they’re simply sold out. I like both the date and chrono. Seamaster does look a lot more casual/sporty. It is a hard watch to ‘dress up’.
Something to also consider is the "maintenance" required to keep your watch running. The 300M is an automatic watch and with a very accurate movement. No winding and you will probably need to adjust the time only once per month. The 1861 is a manual wind so you'll need to wind it daily and it's not as accurate (not even COSC certified I think). You'll need to correct the time probably at least once per week.
Don't decide on a Seamaster over a Speedmaster just because of the price. Get the watch you really want, not a substitute based on price.
Had a speedy for 8 years and love it. Darwin based so it gets wet often. Go the speedy and rock a Seiko for water sports until you have saved for the Seamaster also…. Such a strap champion Have a diver also that does the job up to 1000m
Haha thanks guys, wish I could afford both. I do love this too now. This is just lovely! https://www.watchswiss.com/brands/o...ean-600m-co-axial-master-chronometer-43-5-mm/
Bought my Speedmaster the day before the end of the financial year from above for a good price…. Was in 2013 and a lot less than todays asking price….
Seamaster for sure! Take a look at the posts in this forum, witch type has the most problems. You seldom see anyone complain about their Seamaster. It more accurate, it has a real crystal, you can have a cup of coffe without the crystal fogging up on the inside, you dont have to wind it and its less expensive. And its better looking
I’ve had plenty of cups of coffee and never ever has my crystal fogged up Generally I find it’s my brain that is fogged up before I have coffee, while the watch just ticks along regardless, and winding it is a pleasure. I do like the Seamaster, although I’d prefer it if it had sword hands and don’t really see the need for the valve .
HEV aside, I do like and prefer the fact that it's an automatic movement, crystal and not as 'common' as the Speedmaster. Not that every Joe Blow has a Speedy but those that do have Omegas normally for the Speedmaster. I like both but SMP might be the go. Will try both on at the AD in a couple of weeks and decide. Unless the Planet Ocean wins. Has anyone managed to fit a different bracelet on their Seamaster 300M? I prefer the rubber band or a nato strap look on that watch but wouldn't mind a bracelet, as long as it's not the one that comes with the watch. That thing is UGLY.