re: Omega speedmaster 3861 2023 sapphire sandwich or hesalite?

quote:

---

at some point, the seconds subdial went from concentric circles (which I love) to flat.

---

First, I am NOT remotely a Speedy expert, I am actually not as enamored with them as the general watch community especially when they moved to a cam-actuated movement since I am a column wheel snob. It seems Speedy collectors agree the value drops off precipitously with the introduction of the 861 but that may be because they made more of them because they were cheaper/easier to build which is why the move was made.

It appears ALL black dial Speedy Pros have concentric circles in the sub-dials. This is based on Al (Archer watches) who may have serviced every variation ever made proclaiming that while some require looking at the dial under magnification with the dial out of the watch, and possibly with striking light they all have them. So there is no hard and fast rule as to what models appear to have them and which do not because especially in the older ones dial variations from lot to lot were common. If you want one with clearly visible rings, you have to look at individual examples. IME the ones from the mid 80's were the most prominent, but I haven't looked at 100s of Speedys up close again because they just aren't my favorite watch.