Omega Speedmaster 3861 Vs Cartier Santos Medium
Currently I have the Rolex explorer 124270. Looking to add on either the Speedy or Santos medium in my collection. Which would you prefer ? and what's the reason for choosing that. Chronograph or the Classic?
62 comments
Sort by
Kelvin Heng
Just a watch enthusiast who appreciates craftsmanship, precision, and timeless design. It's more than a timepiece – it's a style statement.
Singapore
Member since
Last active: 2 weeks ago
15.24 cm
Both of these are on my short list, and the loose plan is to add one this spring and one within 2 years.
I will be adding the Speedy as I don’t have a chronograph, however, if I had the Rolex Explorer, I would get the Santos. Those two pair as the perfect two watch collection. Two GADA sports watches that can be dressed up or dressed down, one white dial and one black dial.
The black Speedy and the black Explorer do not pair as well.
Both of these are on my short list, and the loose plan is to add one this spring and one within 2 years.
I will be adding the Speedy as I don’t have a chronograph, however, if I had the Rolex Explorer, I would get the Santos. Those two pair as the perfect two watch collection. Two GADA sports watches that can be dressed up or dressed down, one white dial and one black dial.
The black Speedy and the black Explorer do not pair as well.
Agreed! The combination of both white and black dial complement well together. 💯
Speedy all day everyday. Perhaps because I intend to pick one up within 2023, but back to you I feel your explorer is closer GADA-wise to the Santos than the Speedy is, and the latter would be a better complement.
Great idea for getting the 2 of them! haha 💸💸 Chronograph is cool, although I think will seldom use that function but nice to look at it. hmmm interesting tank... the black tank will be sleek and cool
Speedmaster, for sure. Why? Because I'm an Omega fanboy & I'm not really into square cases.
hey . i absolutely love the speedy . and omega with its heritage cant be beat . they make amazing looking watch . the santos is nothing to scoff at but in my opinion, the moonwatch wins .
Speedy all day everyday. Perhaps because I intend to pick one up within 2023, but back to you I feel your explorer is closer GADA-wise to the Santos than the Speedy is, and the latter would be a better complement.
yeah, made sense. You can never go wrong with the speedy. Speedy is a strap monster too!
Speedmaster, for sure. Why? Because I'm an Omega fanboy & I'm not really into square cases.
Soon I will be an Omega fanboy too hahaha
Both great, but I have a Speedy and never been a fan of Roman numerals, so Omega is my choice. However, you choice is what counts!
Speedmaster. Looks sharp and professional in all attire. A square Cartier can come off pretty dainty and fragile.
hey . i absolutely love the speedy . and omega with its heritage cant be beat . they make amazing looking watch . the santos is nothing to scoff at but in my opinion, the moonwatch wins .
yeah I love its heritage and history behind it. Amazing time piece. Seems like speedy is the way to go
If you want the Omega, get it now. The prices goes up on February 1st.
If you want the Omega, get it now. The prices goes up on February 1st.
Oh Dear, I will probably rush to the boutique store soon! Thanks
If you have a black dial 36mm Explorer 1 as an everyday sports watch, the white dial Santos Medium is the perfect size for more formal occasions.
I have the Speedy Moonwatch (which I love) but I find myself wearing my smaller watches more often.
But buy what you like. I've had friends try on my Speedy and rush out the next day to buy their own. It's an iconic piece.
Own both. As others said, Speedy is an everyday watch. Santos, while technically a sports watch wears and looks like a dress. Some people have no issue wearing it everyday, which cool, but ultimately it’s your call. Also, the speedy can take a hit, while the Santos scratches tremendously easy.
Speedy is being sported as we speak 👌💪🔥
Speedy for me. I do like the Santos, but if I could only have one, it's the Speedy!
Of course, The Speedy. Why choose a chronograph? Hmmm...😉
Wow thanks for the detailed comparison between these two watches. Appreciated that you wrote a long personal opinion about it. It really helps me to understand more about the two different models. Both of the watches look great on you! classy. Currently I do have a small collection so probably speedy is the way to go. Reason is that I did not have any chronograph. I think sapphire caseback might be a good choice, interesting to see the movements. You just sold me the idea of getting the speedy! I will keep the santos on my radar and add in my collection in the future. Thanks again for your input. Cheers
You are very welcome. FWIW, I think you're making the right choice. As a fan of chronographs, I feel that every collection should ideally have one, and the Speedy is great choice. I've had mine since May 2021, and still enjoy looking at the movement.
I would choose the Speedmaster because it is a watch with more heritage and history, it offers me for its value a more interesting movement than just one of 3 hands and I think it is a better option as a sports watch unlike the Santos that it is not clear to me if it is a dress or sports watch with bracelet included.
Both are awesome. But you will need to decide on your lifestyle. What do you see yourself doing for the year, then save up and get the other for next year.
I would choose the Speedmaster because it is a watch with more heritage and history, it offers me for its value a more interesting movement than just one of 3 hands and I think it is a better option as a sports watch unlike the Santos that it is not clear to me if it is a dress or sports watch with bracelet included.
Always interesting to hear people’s opinion. Yup agreed on that, would say chronograph movement is more interesting. I guessed Santos probably towards more towards dressy side? Perhaps like the DJ smooth bezel. in between dress and sports.
Speedy is being sported as we speak 👌💪🔥
Speedy for me. I do like the Santos, but if I could only have one, it's the Speedy!
Nice wrist shot 🔥 looks great on you. I guess you can never go wrong with the speedy!
Both are awesome. But you will need to decide on your lifestyle. What do you see yourself doing for the year, then save up and get the other for next year.
thanks for the advice! Probably will get the speedy first and santos in the future.
Santos. why would I get an $8000 watch when I can get the almost the same thing (in the moonswatch) for a fraction of it?
I would choose the Speedmaster because it is a watch with more heritage and history, it offers me for its value a more interesting movement than just one of 3 hands and I think it is a better option as a sports watch unlike the Santos that it is not clear to me if it is a dress or sports watch with bracelet included.
Speedmaster has barely 50m water resistance, a manual wind, some version comes with an outdated plastic crystal and thats considered a ”true sport watch”?
Great poll. Two classics and a hard choice.
Even though I’m a Cartier lover - I’ll go for the Moonwatch - mainly as it fits well on my smaller wrist.
Speedmaster has barely 50m water resistance, a manual wind, some version comes with an outdated plastic crystal and thats considered a ”true sport watch”?
I said that it seemed to me a better option against Santos, which in my view does not define what type of watch it is (we must have better reading comprehension).
I said that it seemed to me a better option against Santos, which in my view does not define what type of watch it is (we must have better reading comprehension).
Ok buddy, noted that from your POV that a 100m water resistance with screw down crown is not considered a sport watch just because it has no heritage of being one 👏🏻
Ok buddy, noted that from your POV that a 100m water resistance with screw down crown is not considered a sport watch just because it has no heritage of being one 👏🏻
As I said the Santos has a look of dress kind of watch, but it behaves like sports at least for me it's not clear!
I own the Explorer and a Speedmaster. Think they make a great pair. Always loved the Santos and thought about pulling the trigger on one. But after owning the 124270 for almost a year I think that it would make the Cartier redundant. From my perspective the 100m water resistance was an imporant factor when I was chosing between the Explorer and Santos. In the end the Explorer felt like the better long term choice and complement with a dressier Cartier instead.
Both are great watches so you won't go wrong with either. 🙂