I bought a 3861 hesalite last year just because I wanted a 3861 version in the collection. I don't get all excited about things like the exact shade of dial black, the snailing difference between a sapphire dial and a hesalite dial, the non-pyramid shape of the lettering, or even whether the dial has an applied or printed Omega symbol. And I don't need, or want, a sapphire back or sapphire crystal. It's a fine watch with longer run time and better accuracy. The bracelet is a huge improvement for me, just a more jewelry like appearance, and better fit and finish than the older style which was more substantial but pretty clunky. In fact, I've put the 3861 bracelet on a modded 1861 version which fits perfectly, and put the 45th Snoopy black Cordura strap on the 3861. I have the older clasp, but once the bracelet is properly adjusted I've never felt the need to have to adjust it during hot or cold weather, for those that like a couple of mm adjustment, have at it. Plus I like the slightly shorter clasp of the original version which looks better to me. Some prefer the new bracelet, others the older, just personal preference.
Ah, price, a lot of people bitch and moan about the new pricing, but the old days are gone, Omega has moved upstream and adjusted pricing accordingly. If you believe it is out of whack buy a used older version, or buy another brand. But a basic chronograph at the $7,000 level are pretty reasonable now, look at the competition. And shop around, you can pick up new ones well under the current retail price. There is a well respected European dealer who has a BNIB 3861 sapphire sandwich on the Sales Forum here for US$5,900 delivered to a US address which is well under the $8,000 MSRP.
