2012 Speedy Vs 1967 Speedy On Fratellowatches

For this Speedy Tuesday, FratelloWatches compares the 1967 Speedmaster Pro with Calibre 321 to the latest 2012 Speedmaster Pro with Calibre 1861 Robert-Jan has been a Speedmaster owner since buying his '67 back in 1999 (his original article on getting and restoring his 145.012 actually drew me to that model in the first place) and has just picked up a new Speedmaster to add to the rotation evaluating the aspects that have changed in 45 years, and more significantly the aspects that haven't and will never change!

Thanks for the heads up.

Do you actually wear the 1039 daily on your 67? I'm tempted to spend on a better bracelet than the 1171, either a 1450 or a 1039, one's original, one's considered the best, but they're pricey so you can't really go both

Hi Ashley,

In fact I do. Like I wrote in my review, the 1039 feels a bit flimsy, but is quite sturdy. I have to stretch the bracelet when I put it on (big hands) but it never cracks, squeeks or feels like it going to break. It is tougher than it looks, you could say.

I also have the 1450 and I feel a bit responsible for the hype around it, looking at the hits on the bracelet article I did 10 years ago.. even noticed people made PDFs out of it and re-published it again. This bracelet was only used very shortly and mainly on the Holy Grail (Lem5100) model and the Moonphase model from 1985. To be honest, I probably would get a 1479 instead. The 1171 is not my cup of tea to be honest, it is the folded version of the 1450.

Anyway, the 1039 is fine but it makes the watch feel quite vintage and 'light weight' compared to the successor references.

1479 IMO is the best looking of them, I had an offer of one for $250, only reason I declined was people say its a hair puller of the highest order while the 1450 isn't but then the $600++ asking price of clean 1450s is painful beyond belief

Believe me, the 1479 is a much better deal. Hairpulling is OK, also the 1450 does some hairpulling but if you don't wear your watch too lose around your wrist you should be fine. That said, the 1450 is a nice bracelet but I wouldn't spend 600 on it. I think I got it for 300 guilders at the time (which is 150 Euro), NOS.

I'll see if I can track the guy down and give it a go 😉