Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861: First Look and Collector Reactions

Pun · 2020-12-02T19:34:42Z

Explore the 2020 Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with the new 3861 Master Co-Axial movement. Discover design updates, community reactions, and technical insights.

Pun

WPS member · Omega forum

32 replies6292 views4 photos

Pun's early leak of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with the new 3861 Master Co-Axial movement offered the WatchProSite community a crucial first look at a significant update to an iconic timepiece. His detailed breakdown of the aesthetic and technical changes, including the return of classic design elements and the introduction of a new caliber, set the stage for an informed discussion among collectors. This article synthesizes the community's initial reactions and expert insights, providing valuable context for understanding the 2020 Speedmaster evolution.

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It's been leaked on-line. The new Speedmaster Moonwatch with 3861 Master co-axial movement. It's to be available in both, hesalite and saphhire glass. A nice improvement with nearly 20% increase in prices. Changes... return of AML Return of step dial. new vintage inspired hands that work well. New Sapphire Crystal: Polished caseback with double bevels and sapphire crystal “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON” and “CO-AXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER” engraved and in black. New Hesalite Glass: Brushed – polished caseback with double bevels with “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ONTHE MOON”, “FLIGHT QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL HUMAN SPACE MISSIONS”, “COAXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER” and “PROFESSIONAL MOONWATCH” engraved and in black, featuring the embossed seahorse at the centre

About the Omega Ref. 3861

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, reference 3861, represents a significant evolution within the Speedmaster collection. This reference updates the core Moonwatch design while incorporating modern technical advancements, maintaining its established aesthetic. It is positioned as a contemporary iteration of a well-known chronograph, appealing to collectors who appreciate both heritage design and updated mechanical performance. The model is offered in various material configurations, providing options for different collector preferences.

This Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional features a 42 mm case, with a thickness of 13.18 mm. The case houses the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, a manual-winding movement. The crystal protecting the dial is available in hesalite or sapphire, depending on the specific sub-reference. The movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours, ensuring reliable operation over an extended period.

The reference 3861 appeals to collectors seeking a Speedmaster with enhanced precision and anti-magnetic properties, certified as a Master Chronometer. Its availability in materials such as stainless steel and Moonshine™ gold allows for diverse collecting strategies. The consistent case dimensions and movement across these variants underscore a unified design approach, while material choices offer distinct visual and tactile experiences.

Specifications

Caliber: Omega 3861

Case: Stainless Steel, Moonshine™ Gold

Diameter: 42 mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 50 meters

Crystal: Hesalite or Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The updated Speedmaster Moonwatch, with its subtle design improvements and new caliber, is highly appealing to collectors in the market for a standard classic Moonwatch.
The claim of 'THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON' alongside a Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement creates an anachronism, as the Co-Axial movement was invented after the last moon mission. This raises questions about whether the Co-Axial movement has been flight-qualified by NASA.
The new 3861 movement includes hacking seconds functionality, a notable improvement for precise time setting.
The move to Master Chronometer certification for the standard Speedmaster is a positive development, enhancing its technical credentials.
The new release makes previous models, such as the basic Moonwatch or FOIS (First Omega in Space), potentially more collectible as they represent the last of their kind before the update.
A picture of the new 3861 movement would be highly beneficial for collectors to assess the updated caliber's finishing and architecture.

The Discussion

Dec 2, 2020

A coaxial chronometer chronograph has never been worn on the moon..

This is a complete anachronistic fabrication. The last moon mission was in 1972. Daniels did not invent the coaxial movement until 1976. There wasn’t even any overlap. But hey, if someone likes the watch.. then they should go for it. Does this mean that Omega has had the coaxial movement flight qualified?

Lankysudanese

Dec 2, 2020

Excellent points. I doubt that NASA has already gone through the trouble of flight qualifying the co-axial movement.

Why would they, the 1861 works just fine.

Pun

Dec 2, 2020

It is said that Omega has conducted all those tests, as NASA did earlier, on this watch and later NASA may certify those tests.

NASA won't conduct any tests on this watch.

Lankysudanese

Dec 3, 2020

It’s all plausible. Omega is trying to move up-market.

...even though the hesalite speedie on my wrist is currently running within METAS standards and is proven to be anti-magnetic and [EVEN MORE] shock resistant than the co-axial counterparts. On another note: do these 3861 movements have hacking seconds functionality??

Pun

Dec 3, 2020

Yes. They say it'll have hacking second...

Pour le Mérite

Dec 3, 2020

Dude, the whole industry is based on fabrication.

Since decades it has been all about marketing.

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Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861: First Look and Collector Reactions

About the Omega Ref. 3861

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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