So, I’ve been eyeing this OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch for a while now, the one with the sapphire crystal and that Cal.3861 movement. You know, the “official flagship store” kind. I finally decided to pull the trigger, and let me tell you, the whole process was quite an experience.
It all started with me just casually browsing online, reading stuff about watches. I stumbled upon some forum discussions, I remember some people were talking about some potential issues with the 3861 movement back in like 2020, but it seemed like those were resolved. Still, it made me a little hesitant. I did see a lot of people talking about it on other forums, and everyone seemed to love it though, so I started to get excited again. Like, I saw one guy say he was torn between two watches when he went into the store, but ended up getting the Speedmaster. That guy seemed to know a lot about watches, so that made me feel a little better.
I figured, what the heck, I’ll just go to the OMEGA boutique near me and check it out in person. The website said something about how they are focusing on the aesthetics of the watch rather than technical differences, and that they can be researched by those interested. I am not really that interested in the technical details, I just think the watch is super cool and want to know it will work. When I got there, I was half expecting them to be out of stock or something, but they had it! It was just sitting there, looking all shiny and beautiful.
- First Impression: The black dial with those printed indices, man, it’s just perfect. The photos online don’t do it justice. It’s got this classic, timeless look.
- Trying it on: The sales guy was super helpful. He helped me adjust the bracelet, and it fit like a glove. It felt substantial but not too heavy. Like, it feels expensive, but I could wear it all day.
- The Movement: Okay, so they call it the Caliber 3861. I am not too familiar with all the technical jargon, but it looks super intricate through the sapphire case back. Apparently, it’s anti-magnetic and has some fancy “Co-Axial Escapement” thingy. I just know that it’s supposed to be super accurate and reliable.
- The Details: It’s the little things that really make this watch stand out. The way the light catches the sapphire crystal, the polished and brushed finishes on the case, the iconic tachymeter scale… it’s all just so well done.
They had other options, like one with a hesalite crystal instead of sapphire, but I went with the sapphire. I’m not planning on going to space anytime soon, and I like that the sapphire is more scratch-resistant.
I ended up walking out of the store with the watch on my wrist. It was a bit of a splurge, but honestly, I haven’t regretted it for a second. I wear it almost every day, and it still makes me smile every time I look at it.
One thing that kind of bugged me though – I tried winding it up all the way like the manual said, and it felt a little weird. Like, it was harder to turn than I expected. I saw someone online had a similar issue, so I might take it back to the store just to make sure everything’s okay. I also read that someone’s watch stopped after using the timer function for three hours, but mine hasn’t done that yet. I’ll let you all know if that happens, but other than that it’s been great.
So, if you’re thinking about getting this watch, I say go for it! It’s definitely an investment, but in my opinion, it’s totally worth it. Just make sure to check out the winding, you know, just in case. I’ll keep everyone posted on how it goes with mine.
Oh, and the water resistance is 50 meters, I think. That means I can probably wash my hands with it on, but I’m not going to go swimming with it or anything.
I’ve heard that there are leather and nylon strap options for it, too, but I really like the metal bracelet.
My final take away
I took a few pictures of the watch, I think they came out pretty good. I can see why so many people like this watch, and I am really happy I got it. If you see one in person you should ask to try it on. Even if you don’t buy it, it is pretty cool to wear for a few minutes. I am going to try to remember to provide an update in a few weeks or so, and tell you all how the watch is doing.
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