Omega

BaselWorld 2017: Impressions from OMEGA's revived Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

 

One of my favourites at the OMEGA booth at BaselWorld was the renewed edition of the Speedmaster Racing, now as a fully fledged Master Chronometer certified watch. It's all in the lovely details with the new offering, and there is aplenty to marvel about:



The new Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer watches were originally presented as replacement of the 2011 Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph, already much earlier than Baselworld (as the Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer), but eventually the powers to be in Biel opted for a doubly-fast name change: Speedmaster Racing!

And this is for a good reason: The racing in the name refers to a so-called racing dial (alternating minute track, orange chrono hands)is based upon a 1968 Speedmaster version intended to gain the attention of car racing aficionados, upon which several others have followed, amongst them the ultimately attractive Speedmaster Mark II Racing Dial (including its 2014 reedition...) and the limited 2004 edition of the Speedmaster Racing (Ref. 145.0022) for the Japanese market. The former is shown in this image (the watch belongs to the OMEGA museum in Biel):



The new Speedmaster Racing pieces have several elements in common, which I'd like to highlight with OMEGA's informative illustration:

• bezel as a combination of polished resin and brushed metal or enamel inserts
• a 'racing dial' with staggered, coloured minute track
• tapered, polished indices
• enlarged, counter-sunk subdials
• OMEGA in-house automatic co-axial movement Cal. 9900/9901 (different finishing depending on case material), Master Chronometer certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Meteorology (METAS) in respect to precision, performance and magnetic resistance
  
• 44.25mm case with a twist
• about 10-15% cheaper than their predecessor
  

The watch comes altogether in 6 different case/dial permutations (of which I have seen 5...), and all of them have consistently somewhat uniquely beautiful in them. I will present them individually, starting with the steel/white dial version (Ref. 329.30.44.51.04.001):



This cool version reminds closest to conventional Speedmaster watches, but has a some really loveable features to it. First to mention is the wonderful dial with an egg-shell structure, which gives a lot of depth and surface contrast to the watch (we shall see next image).



Its this really well-conceived confluence of finishings that make this dial: the sharply executed and polished indices, the matte dial surface and the orange painted hands - very 'juicy', if I am allowed to express it this way.



The checkered and alternating minute track marks precisely the bending line of the dial plate.

OMEGA opted to enlarge the subdials and in addition emphasise them through countersinks and contrasting colours. This of course adds aesthetic spice and serves legibility. Its just such a pity that OMEGA for whatever reasion 'forgot' to apply the orange colours also to the chronograph hours and minute counters ((those are co-axial at 3 o'clock).



The bezel is a combination of polished black ceramic with white enamel inserts.

The date is displayed at 6 o'clock, and I guess its unobstrusive enough so not irritating the date-sensitive amongst us ;-)



All Speedmaster Racing are driven by the in-house automatic co-axial movement Cal. 9900/9901, sturdy, reliabe, with OMEGA's silicon escapement parts, two barrels, entirely antimagnetic up to 15.000 Gauss and on top certified according to COSC as well as Master Chronometer (by METAS) criteria.



One thing OMEGA changed with this watch release is the curvature of the back crystal. Its flatter now, more rounded and reduces the overal height of the watch by 0.8mm to a final thickness of 14.9mm. I guess the wearing comfort is not compromised either...



The white Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer is a solid performer on the wirst. Technically, the watch is at the apex of modern mainstream watchmaking.



It does not command too much attention and would go well as business wristwear. The Speedmaster bracelet is a known entity, comfortable, well made, and now with a micro-adjustment mechanism.



It has however lots of lovely details to fascintate you sustainably.



As for the other colour and case variations, please check the daughter posts.

Best,
Magnus