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Upgrade 1861 to 3861 - yes or no?

M
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I bought my Speedmaster in 2018 for £3500, love the watch, however, a recent trip to my local Omega boutique, and being sold on the 3861 by the salesperson, I’m really considering the new Speedmaster. I just don’t know if I can justify it.

I like the new bracelet - I’ve stuck mine on a NATO - the stepped dial, and the dial seems a little lighter (?), DON and the the more accurate movement / better magnetic resistance - however I like the fact mine ISN’T a coaxial movement, and they’re essentially the same watch.

i could probably sell mine for maybe £4k, then £1500 gets me the new one.

Or I could buy an Uncle Seiko 1479 bracelet and have 95% the same watch for £100.

Is the 3861 really that much of an upgrade for me to consider this?
Edited:
 
SkunkPrince
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That the new movement is fabulous does not mean the 1861 is no longer fabulous in its own right. You can always do what you want with your money and time, but I suggest you should not feel compelled to "upgrade".

When I owned a Speedmaster with an 1861 movement it always ran +2 on my wrist. One could almost say you could set time by it. 😀
 
Evitzee
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Nothing wrong with the tried and true 50+ year old 861/1861 movement, it's a workhorse and very reliable. I wouldn't even consider replacing a basic 1861 with the 3861 because of the upgraded movement. I had an Apollo 11 50th with the 3861 (great accuracy and 60+ hour reserve) but traded it for an Ed White 321 which is an even lower movement technically speaking. This hobby is loaded with emotion, no one can answer your dilemma except you.
 
D
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The big conundrum.
One i struggle with myself. I like that my 1861 can be serviced with relative ease by a competent independent watchmaker should I choose which I value a lot and mine runs within the accuracy tolerance of the new Metas movement anyway.
I quite like the Piramid printing of the text of the 1861.
Then again I absolutely love the step dial of the 3861. Unfortunately the Hesalite(much preferred version) version has the printed Omega logo so if I can overlook the set out of the printing on the 3861 I would be in a good place which I think I could manage😉

As I only have room in my collection for one watch that is a Chrono, this makes it problematic for me as it has to be an Omega on a strap above all else even if i like the 3861 brushed bracelet.

To be, or not to be🙁
I think I'll wait until the bugs are ironed out with the new movement and re-evaluate👎

Don't get me started on the printing on the Caseback🙁
 
D
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
That the new movement is fabulous does not mean the 1861 is no longer fabulous in its own right. You can always do what you want with your money and time, but I suggest you should not feel compelled to "upgrade".

When I owned a Speedmaster with an 1861 movement it always ran +2 on my wrist. One could almost say you could set time by it. 😀

Yeah, the 1861 may be old, but it's not obsolete👍
 
D
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M marty1990
I bought my Speedmaster in 2018 for £3500, love the watch, however, a recent trip to my local Omega boutique, and being sold on the 3861 by the salesperson, I’m really considering the new Speedmaster. I just don’t know if I can justify it.

I like the new bracelet - I’ve stuck mine on a NATO - the stepped dial, and the dial seems a little lighter (?), DON and the the more accurate movement / better magnetic resistance - however I like the fact mine ISN’T a coaxial movement, and they’re essentially the same watch.

i could probably sell mine for maybe £4k, then £1500 gets me the new one.

Or I could buy an Uncle Seiko 1479 bracelet and have 95% the same watch for £100.

Is the 3861 really that much of an upgrade for me to consider this?

Maybe just get the Uncle Seiko bracelet and sit with it for a while in the short to medium term😉
 
avidmark
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Maybe the 3861 is technically more superior. But the 1861 has more heritage and pedigree. I heard someone on this forum refer to the 1861 as the last true descendent of the Moonwatch. I'd rather have one with a legitimate connection to the space program than an upgraded one with a co-axial escapement and Master chronometer certification. Just my opinion.
 
A
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avidmark avidmark
Maybe the 3861 is technically more superior. But the 1861 has more heritage and pedigree. I heard someone on this forum refer to the 1861 as the last true descendent of the Moonwatch. I'd rather have one with a legitimate connection to the space program than an upgraded one with a co-axial escapement and Master chronometer certification. Just my opinion.
I'd agree with this. Only big difference for an aesthetic perspective is the bracelet. My 1861 runs at +1 second a day, so no purpose of upgrading. But I did buy the new 3861 bracelet.
If your watch is accurate, I'd stay with the 1861.
 
Crunchie
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I think we’ve had this discussion before, either on this site or another.

My answer this time will be the same as then - the new version is a technically better, slightly more expensive watch. The old version has a closer connection to NASA and the moon.

Unless the money is a huge factor, it all comes down to your connection with the watch you already own.
Have you worn it while you watched your children being born, crossed continents with it, timed a barbecue with friends or family who aren’t here any more?
 
savka
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I very seriously considered upgrading when the 3861 was announced because I love the new bracelet, slightly slimmer dimensions, and stepped dial. That feeling didn’t last after I tried it on my wrist. I realized I like the charcoal dial of the 1861 better in many ways — the color, the smaller and more proportional logo, and the 4 (vs 2) sub second marks.

If I were in the market for my first Speedmaster, I’d go 3861. But having owned the 1861 for several years, it just didn’t feel right. So, now I love my 1861 more than ever (though I always wear it on an Uncle Seiko flat link or 1479 bracelet and will buy the new Omega bracelet as soon as they upgrade the clasp).
 
the_drunk_dial
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Why not buy both? If you need to trade in the watch you have in order to justify the purchase, then it’s not wise.

The new bracelet is nice, but personally, I prefer the Speedy on a leather strap or nato. If you really like the bracelet, why not just order the bracelet?

Where does all this madness end? You really think this will be the absolute end-all, best bracelet Omega will ever make for the Speedy? Of course, they want you to think that.

Years from now, they’ll make another version with subtle differences, and people will be convinced that THIS is the best facsimile of the Speedmaster.
Edited:
 
D
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Just buy the 3861 bracelet and put it on your old watch. You've owned it since 2018 and surely have some history with it by now.

The new bracelet fits very well on the old case, did it myself.
 
STANDY
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The new watch can not be technically better if it’s been having technical issues. (Read the several threads on this)

The new one has a different wording on the case back…
No soft iron inner case back….

So ask me this question in 5 years maybe yes go the new 3861.
But now it’s going to be 1861
 
BlackTalon
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D Duckie
As I only have room in my collection for one watch that is a Chrono, this makes it problematic for me as it has to be an Omega on a strap above all else even if i like the 3861 brushed bracelet.
My thought is you should get a bigger apartment/ house so there is more room for your collection... 😎
 
M
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For me I would only spend big money on a true upgrade, not an incremental upgrade.
 
avidmark
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This is exactly what Omega wants. An existing Speedy owner wanting to buy the new model because Omega is telling us it's better. Just like anything else. Is it really better though?
 
SkunkPrince
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avidmark avidmark
This is exactly what Omega wants. An existing Speedy owner wanting to buy the new model because Omega is telling us it's better. Just like anything else. Is it really better though?
There are a lot of products where newer technology is employed. Is it better? In many cases, yes, and in many cases, no.

For example I have (and just sold one) vintage radios. I live next to high-tension power lines, which nearly obliterate a radio's ability to receive shortwave broadcasts. Of all the radios I have from 1934 (family piece) to post-2010, only one, a German table radio from the early 60s, was able to perform well on shortwave bands (which are pretty much useless in the US these days anyways).

Are cars with computer-controled fuel-injected engines better? Heck yeah. I wouldn't use a vintage car as a daily driver.

Is a coaxial escapement better? In some respects it definitely is. But I think many would agree it doesn't make the older escapement obsolete. Though from a purely timekeeping perspective, any mechanical escapement is obsolete.
 
rob#1
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I’d stick with the 1861 and get a nice three hander or dive watch to complement it (for those days that you don’t need to time an egg boiling or an engine burn while in space).
 
7enderbender
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I personally went the opposite route and picked up an 1861 while I could still get one for a reasonable price. I compared side by side and didn’t like the new model at all. I prefer the more substantial, heavier and stiffer bracelet. I get the “vintag-y” idea behind it, but even compared to the old 1990 Speedy bracelet I have feels better made than the new one.
Dot over ninety is a nice touch. Step dial is vintage correct but I actually prefer the sleeker non-stepped and the slightly lighter dial color.
The new movement is a toss up. Yes, probably more accurate and such out of the box but I’ve also seen too many reports about assorted issues. Is the escapement still true to a “Moon Watch”. Well, I’m sure you can argue over that with regard to each iteration post 1969…

I’m sure others will argue the exact opposite of all this and there is no right or wrong. I wouldn’t change it. To me the 1861 is still the best version of modern days, including the best bracelet. Don’t tell, but I would’ve paid a premium over the new one.
 
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