Speedmaster Pro Sapphire 🥪 or Racing
Can’t decide between the classic proportions of a Speedmaster Pro, I’d go with the sapphire versions or the larger two register Racing version. I like the new spirate and am curious to see what else they add the tech to.
My hurdle is I love the classic Pro, but love having a date for daily use. Also, the new Pro bracelet is super comfortable and the 44mm Racing bracelet isn’t up to snuff and just makes it that much bigger and heavier. The sapphire back on the Racing fits better than the ceramic variants, however the Pro with sapphire back is the most comfortable. Missing the date though.
Would you be content without a date if that’s a big item for you or would you be content to deal with the weight, size, and bracelet to get the date?
Thanks WC folks.
Pics shamelessly from Omega online.
Family Dad, not a collector, just a champion of the watch world, I like watches and buy what I like. Enjoy being outdoors and a good balance in life. Buy quality, buy once.
Pro Sapphire…go classic
Pro Sapphire…go classic
I owned a precious Hesalite version, but didn’t care for the bracelet and missed not seeing the gorgeous movement along with it was a bit of PIA to wind. I’ve played with the 3861 and they have addresses all of these issues. I did still miss the date, but maybe you can’t always get what you want😉
I owned a precious Hesalite version, but didn’t care for the bracelet and missed not seeing the gorgeous movement along with it was a bit of PIA to wind. I’ve played with the 3861 and they have addresses all of these issues. I did still miss the date, but maybe you can’t always get what you want😉
You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you might find, you get what you need 🤣
I have the pro 3861 w/ sapphire and love it. Everything stated above is accurate.
One additional idea if you haven’t considered it would be the new 57. It has a date and an interesting bicompax design with the right subdial having both hour and minute hands.
Why not consider some of the ceramic and other versions of the Speedmaster that can give you everything you might be looking for?
https://www.sethandcowatches.com/product-page/omega-speedmaster-grey-side-of-the-moon-311-93-44-51-99-001
I've owned several Speedmasters over the years, including the Sapphire Sandwich 3861, and they never stuck in my collection.
Issues with the larger variants...
Too heavy
Uncomfortable bracelets
Issues with the 3861...
Missing date
Ultimately... it's iconic because it's iconic... which to me eventually equated to boring
However, I recently tried on the ceramic grey side of the moon, and it's amazing! Big and legible, easier to read due to bicompax layout, has date function, and super, super, super comfortable on the wrist, in spite of its size, precisely because it's ceramic and comes with strap as opposed to bracelet.
Good luck, OP!
I have both the 3861 sapphire sandwich and the white dial Speedmaster Racing. Choosing between them would be tough.
The bracelet on the Speedy Pro is more comfortable, but only if you can find the perfect fit. It doesn't have any on the fly micro adjust, so if you can't size it properly for your wrist, the bracelet on the Racing would be preferred, since it does feature on the fly micro adjust. The bracelet on the Racing is also much easier to resize based on the link design. Of course, if you don't like the bracelet, both watches pair well with tons of different straps.
The Speedy Pro is also thinner, which makes it more comfortable to wear. The Racing is more noticeable on the wrist due to it's larger size and weight, and can sometimes "wobble" on the wrist.
I've come to appreciate having a date on my watch, so I prefer the Racing from that perspective, but I certainly don't consider the lack of the date to be a deal breaker. The advantage of the no-date version is that you don't need to worry about setting the date when grabbing the watch from the watch box.
Most of my watches are automatics, so if I ever find myself wearing the manual wind Speedy Pro for multiple days in a row, I have to make a conscious effort to remember to wind it. I personally prefer the convenience of an automatic, but winding a manual wind watch is somehow a more pleasing experience.
The white hands against the black dial make the Speedy Pro super easy to read at a quick glance. The white dial Racing that I have can be very tough to read, between the lack of contrast between hands and dial, and the fact that the sub dials have the black rings.
I tend to use the chronograph feature for timing all sorts of things. I have a huge preference for the way that the Racing incorporates the chrono hours and minutes into a single subdial, as I find it much easier to read.
I also have a Speedmaster 57 (the automatic version from 2013), and find that it is a nice compromise between the other two. It features the same subdial arrangement as the Racing, includes the date, and is super legible as well. The major problem is the thickness - a whopping 16mm thick. Even with the thickness, I find that it wears surprisingly comfortable on my 17cm (6.75") wrist. It, or the new and thinner manual version, may also be worth considering.
Best of luck with your decision.
My vote is for the speedmaster pro. It sounds to me like your heart wants the pro, but your brain thinks it needs a date. Go with your heart. Your brain will adjust.
Omega Speedmaster 3861 Sapphire Sandwich! 🥂🍾
Appreciate all the fantastic feedback and information.
I will def look into the 57 and manual variant. I guess you lose the sculpted lyre lugs though. I’ll also follow up on the ceramic DSOM again. I liked the weight of the ceramic, but the boxed crystal on the back made it stand up pretty tall.
I need to try and find somewhere that I can get them all in front of me and then decide which factors are most import or rather the must haves vs the “I can live with that”.
I’m not a “moon fanatic” I more of a Motorsport fan, so the allure or pull of a flight qualified piece isn’t strong by me. I buy more off of aesthetics and on wrist feel. If you do t like the way it looks and fits/feels, it’ll be the worst $ spent.
Pro!
Pro!
Vote Pro and then post a pic of a sharp looking racing?👀😱🤯
I have both the 3861 sapphire sandwich and the white dial Speedmaster Racing. Choosing between them would be tough.
The bracelet on the Speedy Pro is more comfortable, but only if you can find the perfect fit. It doesn't have any on the fly micro adjust, so if you can't size it properly for your wrist, the bracelet on the Racing would be preferred, since it does feature on the fly micro adjust. The bracelet on the Racing is also much easier to resize based on the link design. Of course, if you don't like the bracelet, both watches pair well with tons of different straps.
The Speedy Pro is also thinner, which makes it more comfortable to wear. The Racing is more noticeable on the wrist due to it's larger size and weight, and can sometimes "wobble" on the wrist.
I've come to appreciate having a date on my watch, so I prefer the Racing from that perspective, but I certainly don't consider the lack of the date to be a deal breaker. The advantage of the no-date version is that you don't need to worry about setting the date when grabbing the watch from the watch box.
Most of my watches are automatics, so if I ever find myself wearing the manual wind Speedy Pro for multiple days in a row, I have to make a conscious effort to remember to wind it. I personally prefer the convenience of an automatic, but winding a manual wind watch is somehow a more pleasing experience.
The white hands against the black dial make the Speedy Pro super easy to read at a quick glance. The white dial Racing that I have can be very tough to read, between the lack of contrast between hands and dial, and the fact that the sub dials have the black rings.
I tend to use the chronograph feature for timing all sorts of things. I have a huge preference for the way that the Racing incorporates the chrono hours and minutes into a single subdial, as I find it much easier to read.
I also have a Speedmaster 57 (the automatic version from 2013), and find that it is a nice compromise between the other two. It features the same subdial arrangement as the Racing, includes the date, and is super legible as well. The major problem is the thickness - a whopping 16mm thick. Even with the thickness, I find that it wears surprisingly comfortable on my 17cm (6.75") wrist. It, or the new and thinner manual version, may also be worth considering.
Best of luck with your decision.
The 2023 Speedy Pro has the on the fly clasp adjustment.
The 2023 Speedy Pro has the on the fly clasp adjustment.
I wasn't aware of that - thanks for letting me know.
The 2023 Speedy Pro has the on the fly clasp adjustment.
So does the 2021 & 2023 3861 not have the on the fly micro adjust?
So does the 2021 & 2023 3861 not have the on the fly micro adjust?
They added the on the fly adjustment in 2023. Prior to that, they had the three micro adjustments, but requires a tool.
They added the on the fly adjustment in 2023. Prior to that, they had the three micro adjustments, but requires a tool.
This is big news to me. It makes it that much harder.
I guess both🤷♂️
I wasn't aware of that - thanks for letting me know.
Same, big news IMHO
Pro!
This variant of the Racing is super legible as well, and the pops of orange give it great character as well. Definitely better than the white dial version I have in terms of usability.
They added the on the fly adjustment in 2023. Prior to that, they had the three micro adjustments, but requires a tool.
Mine only has two adjustment points.
Mine only has two adjustment points.
You are correct. It is two.
Speedy Pro, every day.
I have both the 3861 sapphire sandwich and the white dial Speedmaster Racing. Choosing between them would be tough.
The bracelet on the Speedy Pro is more comfortable, but only if you can find the perfect fit. It doesn't have any on the fly micro adjust, so if you can't size it properly for your wrist, the bracelet on the Racing would be preferred, since it does feature on the fly micro adjust. The bracelet on the Racing is also much easier to resize based on the link design. Of course, if you don't like the bracelet, both watches pair well with tons of different straps.
The Speedy Pro is also thinner, which makes it more comfortable to wear. The Racing is more noticeable on the wrist due to it's larger size and weight, and can sometimes "wobble" on the wrist.
I've come to appreciate having a date on my watch, so I prefer the Racing from that perspective, but I certainly don't consider the lack of the date to be a deal breaker. The advantage of the no-date version is that you don't need to worry about setting the date when grabbing the watch from the watch box.
Most of my watches are automatics, so if I ever find myself wearing the manual wind Speedy Pro for multiple days in a row, I have to make a conscious effort to remember to wind it. I personally prefer the convenience of an automatic, but winding a manual wind watch is somehow a more pleasing experience.
The white hands against the black dial make the Speedy Pro super easy to read at a quick glance. The white dial Racing that I have can be very tough to read, between the lack of contrast between hands and dial, and the fact that the sub dials have the black rings.
I tend to use the chronograph feature for timing all sorts of things. I have a huge preference for the way that the Racing incorporates the chrono hours and minutes into a single subdial, as I find it much easier to read.
I also have a Speedmaster 57 (the automatic version from 2013), and find that it is a nice compromise between the other two. It features the same subdial arrangement as the Racing, includes the date, and is super legible as well. The major problem is the thickness - a whopping 16mm thick. Even with the thickness, I find that it wears surprisingly comfortable on my 17cm (6.75") wrist. It, or the new and thinner manual version, may also be worth considering.
Best of luck with your decision.
The Speedy Pro now comes with micro adjustment on its bracelet fyi
I have the 39mm FOIS. It comes on a strap. It’s super comfortable. I love the watch. But I can’t get passed the no date. I’ve said this before. I use the date complication more than the time. Someome has already recommended my pick. The dark side of the moon. It catches everything.
I have the 39mm FOIS. It comes on a strap. It’s super comfortable. I love the watch. But I can’t get passed the no date. I’ve said this before. I use the date complication more than the time. Someome has already recommended my pick. The dark side of the moon. It catches everything.
That’s really interesting. I too use a date a lot. I don’t want to knock anyone off their barstool, but I at times double up and wear a no date watch along with an 🍎 watch to keep track of the date and some other vitals.
Interesting I say in that you’d go from the 39mm to a 44mm, that’s a big jump in size/scale for a date.
That’s really interesting. I too use a date a lot. I don’t want to knock anyone off their barstool, but I at times double up and wear a no date watch along with an 🍎 watch to keep track of the date and some other vitals.
Interesting I say in that you’d go from the 39mm to a 44mm, that’s a big jump in size/scale for a date.
That’s cool! Whatever works for you. The speedmaster was the first watch I really bought and it was on line. My wife had just bought me my first watch, a 42mm Raymond Weil on a cruise ship. That watch was my only reference.
I did a lot wrong that first purchase. The Omega is to small with no date window and the strap is tight on me on the last hole. I love that watch but today I won’t look twice at it. It was a great learning experience.
My previous 3 watch collection had 2 watch without a date and one with. Although I’d previously been obsessed with having a date (preferably day/date) complication, over the past 10 years I found I never use it. If my phone is in my pocket, I have the date. If I’ve left my phone at home - chances are I don’t care what date it is. The one thing I do notice when I have a date complication on my watch is that I obsess about making sure it’s correct. So if a watch hasn’t been worn for a while, I not only need to wind it, set the time, but look up the date to make sure it’s correct. Almost makes me activily look to avoid watches with date functions.
So I went to an Omega AD, tried on the Pro, there is no sliding micro adjustment, only two holes on the watch clasp. Is this an old bracelet/watch (not a 23) or does it really not have the micro adjustment
So I went to an Omega AD, tried on the Pro, there is no sliding micro adjustment, only two holes on the watch clasp. Is this an old bracelet/watch (not a 23) or does it really not have the micro adjustment
Don’t buy that. It’s actually supposed to be impossible to get that bracelet as Omega has fully phased out the old bracelets.
I just got in the speedy bracelet. It has a push button inside the clasp for extending and shortenings. No holes
Don’t buy that. It’s actually supposed to be impossible to get that bracelet as Omega has fully phased out the old bracelets.
I just got in the speedy bracelet. It has a push button inside the clasp for extending and shortenings. No holes
Thanks for the confirmation.