Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch MIR 365 / Yellow Gold

In Context

At 42 mm it is sized to the current mainstream: 40 mm is the median across every watch measured in this catalogue. The case back is closed, so the movement stays out of sight, and the plexiglass crystal scratches easily but polishes back out at home, which sapphire does not. 50 m covers rain and hand-washing comfortably; it is not a watch to swim in.

The movement is hand-wound, so winding it becomes part of the day rather than something the watch does for you. 45 hours of reserve carries it overnight, but not through a weekend in a drawer. At 21,600 vph the seconds hand advances 6 times a second, the slower and more audible rate of an older design.

3197.50.00 stands on its own in this catalogue — no other reference here shares its base number. It pairs a black matte dial with a yellow gold case. It was a limited edition. Beyond the time it carries a chronograph.

Hand-decorated and gilt movement Created in 1980 17 jewels up to 1995 18 jewels from 1995 onwards