I bought my Speedy Pro sapphire on holiday in 2021. I got a really good deal on what was a fairly hard to come by watch at that time, but it was kind of an impulse purchase and I actually quickly fell out of love with it. I found it painful to wind and the bracelet was always either too tight or too loose, so it mostly just sat unused. Then I saw a guy in RU-vid say to turn the watch upside down to wind - game changer. And then I saw another guy talk about an update to the bracelet with a single on-the-fly step. So I bought the new clasp from Omega - £200 And that's how I fell back in love with it. It's just about the biggest watch that I think looks good on my 6.5" wrist. If you're not going into space, get the sapphire. The movement really is gorgeous.
Hey congrats on the new purchase! I definitely could relate when you talked about the speedy being a bit boring. When I first got my 3861 hesalite after seeing so many photos/videos online, I was a bit underwhelmed and it felt kind of 'flat.' Having it for a little over a year now, it has really grown on me. After owning a watch a little longer, you being to appreciate the design and wearing experience that much more. Glad you finally got the reference you wanted! Enjoy it, my friend!
And the logo doesn't disappear. That applied logo looks great in the right light, but usually it's non-existent. I'm surprised more people don't talk about this.
SS looks better to me imho. Love that caseback and love the no scratches look on the crystal that you would otherwise have to keep using polywatch for.
I think you've downplayed the differences between older Speedmaster and the latest Speedmaster. They are vastly different in quality and performance. The later 3861 movement hacks, has a bigger power reserve, a power reserve that goes way beyond it's stated reserve (they just don't guarantee accuracy being the stated reserve but most will run for 10+ hours beyond that claimed reserve) the accuracy of the coaxial in reality for most owners is within 10 sec/month, you were lucky if it was within 10 sec/day on the 1861. Even the case material is different, much harder and less prone to scratching. The 1861 is a 90s watch and feels like it, the 3861 is fully up to date to the present day and all the technologies we have today. The dial is more in keeping with the original and has incremental markers that are in sync with the frequency of the movement. I could go on but you get my point. To suggest you can buy an old Speedy and the new bracelet and effectively have the same watch, just no, way way way they are not even close.
I have owned the 1861 hesalite version (panda) for decades, chuffed to bits. Besides the clasp, I got nothing to complain about, albeit I wear it with rubbers, no whatsoever urge to upgrade as to me those aren't really an upgrade. Wearing a mechanical watch, accuracy has never been the top notch priority to me, so long as it's + / - 10 seconds a day I am good though I do prefer it being + rather than -. For accuracy, I would slap on the GS / gshocks. Not to mention, I would only wear it for a day or 2, another will be rotated over the wrist day after, that's just me. Speedy to me, it has always been the aesthetics, how it wears over my wrist. oh, I ran a automobile workshop and it earned quite a fair bit of my wrist time, hardly any noticible scratch. There is one in fact from my wife, she nicked it off me and scratch against something over the side of the case.... wish she took some other ones...
Got the same model when I turned 30 and man it’s such a great design and so classy I love wearing it… I’m not super hard on my watches so the aluminum bezel doesn’t bother me but I def would get annoyed by the hesalite so went with SS for same reason.
Great purchase, hope you end up keeping this one! I purchased my first luxury watch last year-the Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage-wasn’t falling in love with it, and a few weeks later traded it back in toward a sapphire Speedmaster. It is what I really wanted in the first place but I fell for all the dive watch hype. The sapphire Speedmaster will be with me for life and will go to my son someday. Would love to get another couple luxury watches someday, but if not I can live with this!
Was looking forward to this video after seeing you post the Speedy in the Discord server. Neat to see your take on the Speedy, and your journey with the model. My wallet thanks me for not having interest in the Speedmaster, lol. Very cool watch!
I honestly can't stand the applied logo on the sapphire version. Originally, I wanted the hesalite with the "hidden" logo in the crystal, and the all brushed bracelet, and the lack of a milky ring... but kind of wanted that applied logo on my version. That is until I recently tried replacing my Seamaster 2531.80 with a 2220.80 and absolutely hated how the logo disappeared in most light. Needless to say, I wound up holding on to my 2531.80 and have an ever greater appreciation now for the hesalite Speedmaster.
Great addition back into your collection! Personally I much prefer aluminum and steel bezels over ceramic now. I've been in the game for a very long time and I used to be all about ceramic bezels back in the day. If a semi expensive watch didn't have a ceramic bezel, I wouldnr even consider it. After owning so many watches now, there's something special about the way that steel or aluminum bezel inserts age with you. I love the scratched up look and how it ages with a good chronograph. It reminds me of a bygone era. Adds character to the watch. Whereas ceramic watches will always have the same sterile look. A little more boring imho but I can totally see the utility and practicality purpose of it! While I love my 124060, I actually prefer pre-ceramic subs now. This is actually one of the reasons why I'm picking up a speedy. For the aluminum bezel!!
Can't agree more. I want my heritage to live with me, I'm sure my son will be happy to have a the kinda beat up speedy of is dad. It's beautiful. What's the point of leaving a watch like new.. ceramic.. indestructible stuff.. so boring. I love character and history. The damm scratch on the hesalite too deep to be polish was when I was working, the dent on the bezel was when your little sister took my watch to play with it, that's life.
@@1337BlueBirdexactly. Those are scratches that dad made during his adventures and in his personal life. Your son will think of you when he looks at how the watch has aged. The bezel is an important component of that. He will wonder how dad made this scratch, how did he scuff up this part? Awesome perspective from your end. Ceramic unfortunately does not allow you to build history in this way.
I love the look of the Speedmaster. I’ve owned 2 and sold them. Winding it is a pain because the crown is sandwiched so closely between the pushers. They’re so cool though.
I would love to know exactly what parts are changed for watches that are meta certified and aren't meta certified. This extends to a lot of Omegas range and one or two Tudor watches. Do they put in a different material hair spring? escapement? gears? I have a suspicion that nothing is changed because most modern movements in 4000+ watches are already fairly anti magnetic.
Was checking out my friends sapphire speedy, the bracelet was my favorite part, it was perfect. I like the logo better on the sapphire too. I’m now thinking it would be “a fine addition to my collection.”
My only concern with my Speedy is breaking a pusher. Surprised you haven’t done so in the warehouse. But similar to the Explorer, it’s so boring it’s amazing. Welcome back!
I had a seagull 1963 with plexiglass and I always was aware of it on my wrist as I was afraid of scratching it. I knew if I was worried about scratching a $150 watch that I would be super worried about scratching a $6k watch. I am very happy I got a sapphire sandwhich for my speedy
I went vintage. 1971. Desk job, so not such an issue with scratches on hesalite. The new ones are great, but there is just something special about the early ones.
I’ve had 2 speedies over my 15 year watch enthusiast career, both 1861, 1st was hesalite, 2nd the SS. I’ve had it in the back of my mind for years to upgrade my SS to the 3861 for 2 reasons - the new movement is basically amagnetic and the bracelet with the adjustable clasp. I just need to do it already.
I adore my Speedmaster. Probably one of the only watches I would never sell. The one thing you didn’t mention about the SS is the visible ring that can be seen around the crystal compared to the Hesalite. This was the factor that made me choose mine over the SS at the time. Having said that I own an 1861 and a some point I will buy a 3861 to go alongside it and it will be a SS 😊
Well done! Great video! We've all rebought watches (me even multiple times). I don't own a Speedy -- that's why I was interested in this video -- but I agree with you: the sapphire is the way to go
I thought I obsessed about watches and watch buying decisions and all the little details that go into that. I was wrong. You win. Congrats on the new watch. Take a valium and enjoy it. Then do some breathing exercises or something and try not to think about it again. Cheers!
Speedmaster is an iconic watch but I don’t feel the need of buying the Speedy or any watches have chronograph cause I don’t feel the need of using the chronograph function. Nevertheless I am happy for Harrison and anyone who bought the Speedy. Cheers
Funny thing, I did a very similar move after watching your videos. I preferred the sapphire 3861 but couldn’t justify $1k extra and went with the hesselite. I really like the bubble look of the hesselite but missed the see through caseback. Wound up putting on the Spiralwinder caseback after seeing your video. Enjoyed the watch that way for a while but still felt a little too common and wanted something more unique . Wound up selling it and downgraded to a 3954.50 relaunch with the 1861. Really love the steel bezel, distinguished looks and broad arrow hands, also big plus the 3861 bracelet fits it perfectly
New bracelet does fit as I updated my 861 1976 speedmaster with it, originally got it with an omega oyster style bracelet same as on Soyuz special edition, but that bracelet was very rattley , Excellent watch never had an issue in a decade of owning it , but I do work in an office environment.
A ceramic bezel on a Speedmaster Pro would look off..I’m fine with the aluminum bezel. That said, the steel bezel found on the original Speedmaster, or the recent Trilogy and revised ‘57 would be my preference.
Congrats on getting the Speedy again Harrison!! 2 questions, how's the distortion of the dial when looking at it from an angle vs the hesalite? I love the old school charm of that distortion. You also mentioned the Japan used market several times and a lot of the watches I check the cheapest ones seem to be from Japan, are they reliable vs the US used market? Any shady practices, overpolishing, or anything you heard of from over there? Sometimes I am cautious to buy from outside the US. Thanks!!
Speedy's just pop out for a while, but they're never gone for long. Me, I'm on my 6th (I think, I lost count), but I've had this last one for nearly 9 years. My first was a 2009 SS, my last is a 1999 3572.
Got my 1861 hesalite last week.. 3rd Speedy. 3rd time lucky. Totally love it. Best one in my opinion. For several reasons a better choice than the new one I do get why you went for sapphire though.. it totally makes sense for you P.s. the bracelet really pulled my hair on the new one when i tried it. Do you not have that issue?
Great video! Your comment that the Speedmaster can be underwhelming in person is spot on, even for someone like myself whose most worn watch is an Explorer. For me, that largely seems to relate to the matte dial and I think if the Daniel Craig prototype white dialled steel 3861 is released, that may be my perfect Speedmaster. Curious, did you happen to buy the 3861 with the updated easy-adjustment clasp? I may have missed that if mentioned. Also would love a comparison video, especially if you can include an Ed White 321.
Seems like you’ve liked the Speedy forever now. It’s awesome that you have it back. Great look, work horse, and sapphire is the way to go. Aluminum/ceramic who knows. I won’t wear my nice watches to work. Would kill myself if I ding it at work.
Bought mine 2 years ago Master Chrono , my reward for 43 years working in Telecommunications and will also be passed onto my son in the hopefully distant future 🙏
Bought it again huh? I saw that coming from miles. Even I own a Speedmaster and I am not an Omega fan per se. For me this is their Magnum Opus and only reason purchasing an Omega time piece.
It makes plenty of substance and I’m not underwhelmed . Less is more. I never bought watches for crack and dopamine but for a grail for a family Heirloom and nothing is more beautiful and low key that says something about the person that wears a watch that has history and a well built watch that one can use to their end of days and build character with . I guess I’m different then the watch crack heads that just keep flipping watches and never being satisfied and look to deep into it and not see the tool of it. . I use the watch and chronograph for my job so it’s a proven tool by history . I have other grails to me at least and I’m not flipping them . I’ll just wait as long as it takes to get another . I’m Not a watch collector , I am a passionate watch enthusiast. I just don’t see how some People can buy a watch and flip it for another and then want the one they dumped a year later . Do you like the watch for real or not or is there gonna be another video where you flop it again and this starts all over again . Mine is going to my son when I’m gone no flipping
Haha I'm presuming your Speedmaster purchase was the inspiration behind last weeks value video? I'm a big believer in just buying the one you want, if you don't you'll never be fulfilled. That's my main gripe with Tudor watches, they seem to be homages of older Rolex models. I think it's the biggest con in the Industry. PS you made the right decision with the sapphire sandwich, its the best version.
Forstener have alternative bracelet NASA astronauts choice for the Speedmaster at fraction of the cost of Omega oem I chose the Presidential bracelet thier latest clasp and its superb
Sorry - based on your comments, I predict you still don’t really like Speedmasters. Too many things are wrong about the modern version. Prior models is where it’s at for me. 1861 hesalite in my case. Still like my 1990 auto version also. The new bracelet is certainly not an upgrade.