In summary Omega didn't produce any 321 caliber movement, these were made by Lemania. But who's considered the father of the Moonwatch? Albert Piquet? Marius Meylan? Swiss X? For the final time, both Gemini IV astronauts Edward White and James McDivitt wore a pair of Speedies, so 4 Speedmaster chronographs were exposed to space in June 1965. Will we finally see an updated detailed list of all space-flown Omega Speedmaster chronographs during the Gemini and Apollo era? Why scan Cernan's Omega Speedmaster 105.003 (NASA #28) and not Cernan's Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66 (NASA #67) worn on the lunar surface in December 1972?
If they truly want to do this movement timeless justice, they need to replace the gears, and other such components, with tougher, more durable metals. The reliability issues and difficulties in servicing these 321's are no secret to many in the industry. They need to make this an unabashed success, and a fitting tribute. Thank you, Armand.
Interesting vid, thanks. I really Hope it just doesn’t go in a raft of Speedy Tuesday type releases. Maybe it’s their way to create Daytona like desire for something that is borderline unattainable. I hope not. I’d love to see a standard moon watch (with the 321) with an open case back but I really don’t see that happening.
Standard speedy is available in open case back...saphire sandwich....I have it....it about 1000 more than the standard £4160 the last i saw ...but pre-owned not much more than the standard plastic crystal
@@robinc3307 Not with the 321 movement, that is the point of the open case back in this case and this video. To a lot of people the only "real" moon watch is the manual wind one with the halcolite cystal, as it's the direct descendant of it. This new manual wind 321 movement, is a replica of the original which would appeal to some watch collectors as a result. You have a lovely watch by the way! I'm just hoping this new movement will go in a regular speedy and not just the special editions.
@@robinc3307 replying to a vid on the the 321 movement specifically where the YTer asks which watches we'd like to see it put in and I type "I hope it goes into...." It's not too unclear man.
You are incredible in your breadth of knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing. I'll happily settle for the, albeit simple, caliber 613 on my wrist at the moment. This 321 re-issue celebrates the truly amazing accomplishments of Pre-Quartz Crisis Omega. Fascinating to me, but I'm sadly not sure how it will translate to the majority of potential buyers. A positive step regardless in my opinion. Omega has too many models and special editions, etc. A pity that something this significant could likely be lost among too many SKU's. Rolex doesn't do re-issues, but if they did it would be epic. Omega not so much. My next purchase will be an Omega Speedmaster Aqua Terra with the 8900 movement. An example of Omega continuing to move boldly forward, despite many buyers having little knowledge of the past (George Daniels). Thank you Armand.
@Super Dude it's nice to have the Air King back in the lineup, and no longer the entry level Rolex model. It's a real stretch, however, to consider this larger, quite different model a reissue, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
@Super Dude you my friend are clearly a horology god. And speaking of school(ed), aren't you late for your anger management class?? Thankfully this hobby is large enough for most of us to enjoy amicably, with room left even for your considerable self-importance.
321 movement aside. Will the case design, applied Omega logo, and full brushed rectangular link bracelet be available? My biggest turn off with the Speedy is the bracelet. If it were like the 1969-72 bracelet (solid link upgrade) that tapers down to 16mm at the clasp. That would be perfect.
Love the level detail you put in to your video's! Hopefully it will not be overly expensive as to me it will all look like a promotion stunt in that case... To get a lot of money in a short period of time! I love Omega as a brand, they make magnificent timepieces, but they make to many special editions for me and this will hurt their own brandname. So hopefully that won't be the case so all of us can enjoy this magnificent piece of history in the futut! :)
Are you serious that Omega has officially said that they will NOT use the 321 movement in the Apollo 11 50th anniversary models? That just seems crazy.
Thanks Armand. A couple of practical questions come to mind: was Lemania making all the calibers for Omega or was production done by Omega themselves, at an industrial level in particular since the 861, for their own? And how did or do brands like Vacheron procure themselves the 2310 or 2320 up until recently? Do they have a stock of embauches? I don't get it since Breguet is the old Lemania and still Omega had to reengineer the whole caliber.
The best thing they could do, since they have a special workshop set up for these watches, is to make them custom speedys, 2 cases, 2 bracelets, many straps, different dials, watch backs. This way they would produce a lot of watches and all of them will be limited editions, also with the limited production of that workshop, they will keep their prices and they won’t be sold at grey market
I’ve owned a 321 speedmaster since 1967 and am curious as to when the straight lugs were replaces with the beveled lugs. I thought the speedmaster used in the Apollo program were all straight lug versions.
My thoughts are that this is the last great opportunity for Omega to create a Rolex style super-hyped demand with a regulated supply of movements/watches. This model could be used in a number of ways to generate energy across the entire Omega brand for several years. But we will all have to wait and see how Omega uses this power.
I am a somewhat quiet and shy person, but my first reaction to the news of the reissue was: WOOHOO!! -followed by something like "I hope they don't make it too rare and expensive". Should I postpone my purchase of an 1861 Speedmaster? What do you think?
+ Amund Bjerve: I think that it's a difficult question as the 321 version has the potential to be much, much more expensive than the 1861. That said, I would be inclined to wait and see because, if it is more expensive, there is still the chance that you'll get a good deal on the 1861 if retailers them have trouble selling them.
There is a genuine question of what will happen to the value of the 861 and 1861 versions of the moon watch when the 321 finally takes off later this year. Personally - I am planning to buy the new Speedmaster Professional specifically because it will have the 321 caliber and NOT the 861 or 1861. Going forward......……..what will happen to the older versions that don't have the 321 movement ? Will the prices begin to drop ? And will the 1861 movement be phased out now that the 321 is back in production ?
Since they put the effort into duplication of the movement they should carry it over into the entire watch and braclet and duplicate the moon watch and include a display back with changing tool so you can have either your choice. In addition it should carry over to the current moon watch offering as a option with a limited serial numbered lot.
Can you compare in a very technical detailed manner the difference between the 1861 vs the 321? Down the the component level. Also was the 861/1861 tested in the same way as the 321? From what I've heard the 1861 is also qualified by NASA. Were the tests similar?
It's the material that changed. The 321 is copper-plated metal. The 861 has some copper plated metal with rhodium plated parts. The 1861 parts are all rhodium-plated. This and small improvements on spring materials build production, better water resistance. Yes NASA to this day tests and uses Omega Speedmaster Professional watches.
Very good video...I would love to see this in an Ed white style case, hesalite with a selection of bracelets, including a modern 1171. What I think will happen is that this will become omegas Daytona and only a privileged few will get them at retail and they will be on chrono24 for retail x 2.5 effectively excluding ordinary folk from having one.
It was more expensive to produce and a little more difficult to service/cost more for service. What makes it an icon movement is it's Steam-Punk 40's design. Although it's covered by the case back. It's a very classic looking movement w/out the need for decoration. That, plus 1940's technology that held it's own in space.
