Are watch releases like cars?

the first speedy tuesday of 2022 was yesterday and they released the 1957 broad arrow in white gold with the cal 321 movement. There won't be another 2022 speedmaster professional release for awhile

There may very well be some additional "special edition" Speedmasters introduced over the next few years, but the basic 3861 based Speedmaster Professional will probably be around unchanged for several years, just as the previous 1861/1863 versions were.

I had picked up the 3861 sapphire sandwich in May of 2021 as a spur of the moment purchase, and it quickly  become one of my favorite watches.  The new bracelet not only looks great, but is super comfortable (just wish it had on the fly micro adjustments). I also really enjoy looking at the movement through the sapphire caseback, even 9 months later. Mine runs at +1 SPD, well within COSC standards, and the actual power reserve appears to be over 60 hours, substantially greater than the 50 hours claimed by Omega. Overall, I think it's a great watch.

I purchased mine new from the local AD with a small (approx 8%)  discount.  Since then, I have seen "like new" examples advertised on CWC (a Canadian watch forum) for more than 10% below what I had paid for mine brand new from the AD.

FWIW, there is (was?) a known issue with the 3861 movement in which the watch will periodically stop when the chrono is engaged  (just Google "3861 problem" for details).   From what I've been able to determine, the issue usually appears when the power reserve is low. In addition, it appears that Omega addressed the issue in 2Q of 2021, so it should no longer be an issue with watches produced since then, but something you may want to be aware of. I've seen it happen twice on mine, but both times it was after having been worn for for close to 2 full days without being wound, so the PR would have been low.

You’re lucky they offered you a discount.  That would cover sales tax here.  They told me they aren’t giving any at the boutique but are offering a 0% finance plan after 20% down for 48 months.

but that was more my concern was if “newer” base versions would be coming out to fix any bugs the watch might have. So if the latter half have taken care of that issue then that’s good to know.

I also considered getting a Preowned one as well as I have purchased a couple watches with good experience but the difference in prices that i have seen were so small that I just thought I’ll pay for the peace of mind of going to an AD.  
 

actually heading over now to take a look one more time before I decide.  Starting to get butterflies haha.  Thanks for your input.  Its definitely helping towards making my decision!

And you’re right. The bracelet is really amazing.  I really haven’t come across a bracelet like that before!

It's my understanding that Omega Boutiques won't give any discount, but that ADs will. When I bought mine, I had asked the owner of the AD if he could do something to "sharpen the pencil". He pulled out a calculator, and after a few keystrokes, he offered me a small discount. I countered with "if you can do it for $X with all taxes included, I'll add it to my collection right now". After playing with his calculator a bit more, he agreed, so I was able to get about twice the discount that had originally been offered. Based on the prices I've seen on the CWC site since then, it appears  that I probably could have negotiated a significantly more sizeable discount than I ended up with. 

I certainly would have liked to have paid less than I did, however at the time I didn't know how hard I should push, and had been reading on forums that discounts were getting harder to obtain. I knew that I wanted the watch, and I still feel that the watch is worth what I paid. I also like the idea of being the first owner, knowing that it's 100% legitimate, and totally pristine. 

Omega's tend to not hold their value as much as brands like Rolex, and there are several models that I would recommend always buying pre-owned. For example, I recently picked up a gently used Speedmaster Racing in excellent condition with box and papers for about 55% of full MSRP plus taxes (12% total taxes here).  I could never justify buying that model at full retail, but with the discount I was able to get by buying pre-owned, it was a no brainer.  It worked out to about 75% of what I paid for the Speedmaster Professional, for a watch that lists for 23% above the Speedy Pro.

Best of luck with your decision, and keep us posted.

Hello sir!

One thing to potentially consider is that future iterations of the Moonwatch will incorporate the new micro-adjustment mechanism that's been recently offered in the Chronoscope, per Fratello - and if anyone would know, it would be Fratello!

https://www.fratellowatches.com/omega-speedmaster-chronoscope-review/#gref

I've owned the sapphire sandwich moonwatch, and now the Chronoscope, and I would say that the micro-adjust mechanism is pretty awesome, and is perfect for spring and summer afternoons when your wrist swells ever so slightly.

If you have the means, why not get the AT now, and then get the moonwatch when it updates with the micro-adjust?  That's the thing about enthusiast forums - you ask, "Hey, should I get A or B?"  And everyone always responds, "Why not both?"

It’s too late I couldn’t resist and got the speedy tonight!  If only I knew bc I would love for it to have microadjustments.  I had them size it for me bc I don’t have the tools at my gf’s house and now I’m wishing maybe one more link but a small microadjustment wouldve been perfect.  Perhaps if it does release they will allow you to purchase just the bracelet?

Did you sell or trade in your sapphire sandwich? 

Congratulations! The 3861 Speedmaster is a superb watch.

If you need just a little more room, and don't have tools... You should be able to use a toothpick or a skewer to adjust the bracelet to the second anchoring point on the clasp. That'll give you a couple mm.

Thank you good to know! Didn’t even realize it had that option

Ha!  That's awesome.  I was just suggesting waiting on the Moonwatch as a way to give you an excuse to get both watches.  😜

Moonwatch is obviously amazing.  I originally got the sapphire sandwich right when it came out, and absolutely loved it.  Then the Chronoscope was released, and it was so weird and different that I couldn't resist and traded the Moonwatch in for the Chronoscope.

Congrats on an awesome watch!

Congrats on the Speedy!  An icon for sure...  And now we'll just have to convince you to get the AT in the near future.  

As I think others have mentioned - I purchased the Omega micro-adjustment clasp for my Speedy.  It is a game changer!  I hope Omega considers integrating micro-adjustment clasps on all their pieces...but in the meantime, this add on was well worth it.

Interestingly enough, the lack of adjustment on the AT bracelet is a sore spot for many, but I've found it to be very comfy so far!

Well done on the Speedy.  Enjoy!

Cheers, Kris  

Do you have any details (model number, place of purchase, etc) on the Omega micro adjust??

I found this from an old forum that I searched to get mine.  It looks like part number #117STZ001154.  The clasp has the omega logo, but is more general (doesn't have the speedmaster name).  I got mine at a boutique...so maybe call your nearest and ask if that's still the right number?  My dealer knew exactly what I was talking about, and had one on his Speedy as well.

Best of luck - let me know how it goes!

Kris

Great, thank you! I’ll give it a shot!!

Ahh, looks like that is the one for the recently discontinued Speedmaster. The new one has a narrower clasp. I wonder if they make anything that would fit the new bracelet?

Welcome to Omega-land. I have an AT and a Speedmaster. I like both more & more over time; very comfortable watches and good - looking. Enjoy!

Happy Speedy Tuesday!  I would love to get an AT.  The build quality of these watches are way beyond its price point.