Omega speedmaster movements

[Mark Theken]

Recently I acquired a beautiful 3570.50 MOON Speedmaster, serial # 48373XXX. The instruction book has CAL. 1861/1863 printed on the lower back cover. While researching this watch which I believe is about 10 years old, I only find reference to a CAL. 861 movbement. Will someone enlighten me as to the difference between the 861 and 1861/1863 movements? My watch has a solid stainless back with the usual MOON engraving.
I would like to buy a automatic, full size version of this watch with a saphire crystal and saphire see through back. Can someone tell me the catalog # for that version? I am interested in buying a used watch if some has one they ware willing to sell.
Thanks in advance to everyone for your help with this.
Mark Theken Canton, Ohio USA
Also

[eptaz]

Recently I acquired a beautiful 3570.50 MOON Speedmaster, serial # 48373XXX. The instruction book has CAL. 1861/1863 printed on the lower back cover. While researching this watch which I believe is about 10 years old, I only find reference to a CAL. 861 movbement. Will someone enlighten me as to the difference between the 861 and 1861/1863 movements? My watch has a solid stainless back with the usual MOON engraving.
Welcome to the Speedy Club!

The main difference between the x861 movements is the plating material. In the mid-90s, Omega switched from gold plating to rhodium plating.
The c.863 and 1863 are decorated versions used in display back models.

Fr. John shows a nice comparison in this photo:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a374/jmsrolls/watches/Speedypro/3displaybacks.jpg

On the left is a c.863 and on the right is a c.1863 (the happy fellow in the middle is a c.321).

I would like to buy a automatic, full size version of this watch with a saphire crystal and saphire see through back. Can someone tell me the catalog # for that version? I am interested in buying a used watch if some has one they ware willing to sell.
Yeah, that'd be great! Unfortunately, the Speedmaster Professional is only available with a manual-wind movement. About the closest you can get is the Speedmaster "Racing" (http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=299#), which uses a full-sized Speedmaster case with a c.33xx movement.
http://www.omegawatches.com/fileadmin/templates/omega-watches/img-watchesbig/35525900.jpg

You might also consider the Reduced (http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=305) which uses a DD "piggyback" chronograph Automatic, but is a few millimeters smaller in diameter than the Pro.
http://www.omegawatches.com/fileadmin/templates/omega-watches/img-watchesbig/35105000.jpg
Thanks in advance to everyone for your help with this.
Mark Theken Canton, Ohio USA
Also

Hope that helps a bit.
Good luck!

eric

[jmsrolls]

IMO a display back on an automatic is a waste as the rotor blocks your view of the movement. The manual movements of the Speedmaster Professionals beg to be seen therefore three of my four have display backs.

My three shown in the photo posted by eric represent the epitome of the Speedy Pro movements: 321, 863 and 1863. All three are worth watching.

The gilt of the 321 and early 861 movements was referred to as red gold or copper because of the color. Later 86* movements were more yellow in appearance and the gilt was referred to as gold. Chemical analysis reveals no gold in the gilt of any of the movements.

Omega changed to rhodium plating in the mid-90's in the belief that it would be more resistant to corrosion. Time will tell but I suspect their research may prove correct.

Regardless, all three movements are beautiful.

Fr. John+