So, I’ve been eyeing this OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the sapphire crystal, the one with the Caliber 3861 movement. Man, this watch has some serious history, right? I mean, it’s basically the same watch that went to the moon back in ’69, well, almost. You know, that whole “Flight Qualified for All Manned Space Missions” thing by NASA in 1965, yeah, this watch was there. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, they were sporting this bad boy on the Apollo 11 mission. How cool is that?
Anyway, I finally decided to check it out at one of those fancy specialty stores. The first thing that struck me was the size. It’s listed as 42mm, but here’s the kicker – the bezel is actually a tad under 40mm. It feels more like a 40mm watch on the wrist, which is perfect for me. I’ve heard some folks say the same thing, so it’s not just my imagination. I guess that’s why it’s so comfortable.
I got to try it on, and let me tell you, it felt amazing. The weight, the way it sits on the wrist, it just screams quality. And that sapphire crystal? Crystal clear, no pun intended. It gives you such a great view of that classic dial. It’s a classic design for a reason. Of course, the salesperson was all about the heritage and the Caliber 3861 movement, and don’t get me wrong, that stuff is fascinating.
Here’s something I learned: the original Moonwatch had the Caliber 321, and they switched to the 861 in ’68 or ’69. The Calibre 3861 is just a newer model in use right now. Pretty neat. Oh, and did you know that Omega stopped making the Speedmaster Reduced in 2009? But they still have smaller versions, like the Speedmaster Racing and Speedmaster 38. Just something I picked up while I was geeking out at the store.
My Takeaway
- Tried on the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with sapphire crystal and Caliber 3861.
- Noticed the size: 42mm case but the bezel is slightly under 40mm, making it wear comfortably like a 40mm watch.
- Impressed by the quality: The weight, feel, and the clarity of the sapphire crystal are top-notch.
- Learned about the history: The original used Caliber 321, replaced by 861 in ’68/’69, and now it’s the 3861.
- Discovered the Speedmaster Reduced was discontinued in 2009, but smaller versions like the Speedmaster Racing and Speedmaster 38 still exist.
In the end, I didn’t pull the trigger that day, but man, it’s tempting. It’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of history on your wrist. I will go back in there and pick it up soon, I need to think about it. I might just have to add this beauty to my collection.
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