Speedmaster Caliber 321 "Ed White" - A Pictorial

[alllexandru]

Very nice!
Thanks for sharing, amazing!

[Rashid.bk]

Love this. Thank you for taking the time and hard work to put this together and then sharing it with us.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Awesome, have a few beers:

Perfect - I'm thirsty

Originally Posted by ppfl

Impressive! Thanks for writing such a fantastic post on an amazing watch.

Glad you enjoyed

Originally Posted by PanosI

...Thanks for sharing and big congrats on the new Speedy. You have created an amazing collection!

Thanks for all the compliments I have a humble collection but it's indeed starting to take shape

Originally Posted by efthi

That was beautiful, thank you so much

My pleasure

Originally Posted by NOPDK

Well written. Well photographed. The passion is clear. Happy you have this piece to wear and enjoy.

So many thanks - I'm lovin' it

Originally Posted by stormshadow

Nice writeup and nice pics. I haven't taken the Speedmaster dive yet, but this may push me into doing it..

Thx The Speedmaster's iconic. This Speedmaster is grail-level but rest assured a new 3861-powered Speedmaster will satisfy the most demanding WIS (at half the price )

Originally Posted by alllexandru

Very nice! Thanks for sharing, amazing!

My pleasure, thank you

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Love this. Thank you for taking the time and hard work to put this together and then sharing it with us.

I'm pleased to hear that & thx for the compliment

Today's "FridayNightLumeBattle" entry...

[Cru Jones]

What a treat reading your post and admiring the photos. Thank you!

[Mifune]

well then... get me a three two one if you can.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

Yeah come on. One of these for you and a snoopy for Mrs ratty. You could swap!

After looking at this thread I just might have to have another look at the 321!

[Travelller]

^So many thanks, Mr. Jones

FWIW, a quick n dirty Smartphone session of the 321 in reset / running / paused - chronograph modes

[wjed]

Awesome post!

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by wjed

Awesome post!

Thx

...taken on SpeedyTuesday

[ratty]

This thread is really not helping me at all.

I’ve been offered two 321s but turned them down. I bought a new Moonwatch last year and I didn’t see the 321 as being worth 3 times the cost of the standard Moonwatch.

However..........

I’m finding that I’m not really appreciating the Moonwatch as much as I had hoped I would. I bought one a few years ago and returned it soon after but always felt that I was missing something so bought a new one again. The day after I bought it I was offered one of the first 321s in the UK but turned it down. Now looking at this thread I’m starting to wonder if I should sell the Moonwatch and try a 321!

Decisions decisions.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

Yeah come on. One of these for you and a snoopy for Mrs ratty. You could swap!

You may be right about this.

[1William]

If you are the Moon Watch Fan that appreciates the details of the 321 then I would say go for it. In my collecting I have a tendency to buy across a models offerings and then consolidate back to one or two. I am not there yet for the 321 but think it is great. Maybe one day.

[ratty]

I need to see more photos of the 321 on leather straps.

[Stevec14]

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[Travelller]

Originally Posted by ratty

...I’m finding that I’m not really appreciating the Moonwatch as much as I had hoped I would. I bought one a few years ago and returned it soon after but always felt that I was missing something so bought a new one again ... Now looking at this thread I’m starting to wonder if I should sell the Moonwatch and try a 321!

I'm not sure I follow... If you don't like the "moonwatch" then I see no reason for you to contemplate the 321.

Perhaps you can be more specific regarding your moonwatch experience - i.e. was it the dial, or the overall diameter, or the sapphire crystal, or maybe the bracelet?

[mailman]

Just had the chance to read through your post. What a great job Omega did with this reference Thank you once again for taking the time to do the write up and share your fantastic pictures with us

[ratty]

Originally Posted by Travelller

I'm not sure I follow... If you don't like the "moonwatch" then I see no reason for you to contemplate the 321.

Perhaps you can be more specific regarding your moonwatch experience - i.e. was it the dial, or the overall diameter, or the sapphire crystal, or maybe the bracelet?

I’m not sure why I’m not getting on with it. I know this sounds a bit silly, but I want to like it, there’s just something about it which doesn’t make me feel excited about wearing it. I have the Apollo / Soyuz version which I like, but the standard version doesn’t appear to inspire me much now I have it! This is what happened last time I got one. When I didn’t have one I wanted one, when I got one I sort of lost interest in it! This hasn’t happened to me with other watches I’ve bought, but there appears to be a pattern developing with the Moonwatch! Mine is the Hesalite on a bracelet model. I don’t think I bought the wrong version, but.....?

As I have said, I’ve tried the 321 on and thought it was OK apart from the price. I strongly suspect that when I see one again I’ll think the same again but the watches are different enough for me to view them as different models.

I think I’m just going through an unsettled phase at the moment. I bought a new car not long ago and I’m thinking about changing that as well! Anyone want a BMW?

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by mailman

Just had the chance to read through your post. What a great job Omega did with this reference Thank you once again for taking the time to do the write up and share your fantastic pictures with us

Yes sir, Omega most certainly did I'm glad you enjoyed the pictorial

p.s. Happy Speedy Tuesday

[usmc_k9_vet]

Originally Posted by Travelller

Yes sir, Omega most certainly did I'm glad you enjoyed the pictorial

p.s. Happy Speedy Tuesday

Wow! What a shot!


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[Greglaw]

Great post, write up ante comparison and a big thank you !

[Travelller]

^Thx gents

Elsewhere on the 'Net someone asked about the Caliber 321's dial size... to which I shared my thoughts:

Originally Posted by AimForTheStars

Random question but what is the face size compared to a standard Moonwatch 1861 Hessalite? I don’t have the best eyesight and wondered on the sizing of the face and subdials. Any comments on general visibility in comparison would also be great. Thanks.

While I can't guarantee that Omega didn't update their dials in the past decades, it's rather unlikely.

In terms of the Calibre 321 "Ed White", Omega went out of their way to recreate the 321 1-1 with the original, so I sincerely doubt they would've varied in terms of case or dial size...

Therefore, according to the most awesome "Moonwatch Only" authors, both the 321 & 861 (/1861) dials measure exactly 31.20 mm. They got their info straight from the horse's mouth - Jean Singer & Cie SA, the company that made* the dials way back when
*I assume Omega makes them "in-house" now... :unsure: If anyone knows for sure, please let us know :)

When designing the Speedmaster Professional, Omega decided to "beef up" the case from the original 38.2mm to 42mm, just slightly larger than the bezel, if we don't take the asymmetrical (crown-guard) side into account. The black* bezel diameter is actually identical for both the Speedmaster & Speedmaster Professional at 39.7mm!
*The steel bezels were ~1mm smaller at 38.6mm.

39.7mm bezel over the 42mm case...


39.7mm bezel over the 38.2mm case...

[Travelller]

A few recent pics - I admit I'm spending too much time on IG and not enough time in more engaging platforms like this site

[usmc_k9_vet]

Originally Posted by Travelller

A few recent pics - I admit I'm spending too much time on IG and not enough time in more engaging platforms like this site

Stunning. Thanks for sharing. I hope to own one someday as well.


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[1William]

Nice pictures.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Travelller

A few recent pics - I admit I'm spending too much time on IG and not enough time in more engaging platforms like this site

Fantastic reference OP, truly a beauty

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by Travelller

A few recent pics - I admit I'm spending too much time on IG and not enough time in more engaging platforms like this site

Great reference. Love mine. However it has never been photographed that nicely. Well done!

[ratty]

Question for those who have bought a 321, how accurate are you finding them?

Thanks.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by ratty

Question for those who have bought a 321, how accurate are you finding them?

The 321 is a "dependable" mvmt but cannot and should not be considered an upgrade to anything other than the original 321 (and imho, the additional few hrs of Power reserve is the only real "upgrade" worth mentioning). If you're wondering why I'm answering your question in such a roundabout way it's because one should NOT consider accuracy as a "deciding factor" for this reference. So with that out of the way...

...mine ranges from +9 DU / DD down to -5 CU, CR.

NONE of my [1861] Speedmasters are amazingly accurate but most run "fast" (+10s on avg) in (almost) all positions so with "my" 321 I do pay attention to what position I place it overnight in order to keep it running close to the correct time

[ratty]

So, can you compare it's accuracy when worn to that of another of your Speedmasters?

[fdm79]

The Ed White version is absolutely fabulous !!! Every single detail is perfection !
As an old Rolex and Breitling owner, I have finally joined the club with my brand new Moonwatch Sapphire 3861 ! Honeymoon in progress and God knows when and IF will ever end