Genuinely Underrated

I've decided to create a blog post about a watch that, in my opinion, is underappreciated. Marketing by the company and from an industry perspective does not do it justice. This timepiece and the company that makes it, Omega, seem to be moving in the right direction because I find them to be more technologically advanced and useful in numerous and obvious ways. Obtaining an Omega watch is also not as difficult as one might believe. I'll give a little historical summary to set the scene before talking about the 2021 version. To prioritize technical prowess, precise timekeeping, and numerous forms of resistance, I would select the Omega Speedmaster 2021 over a Rolex Daytona any day of the week. And yes, I just said that.

The Omega Speedmaster, also known as the Moonwatch, is an iconic wristwatch that has undergone significant updates throughout its history. The watch was first launched in 1957 with the goal of creating a reliable chronograph that was waterproof, simple to operate, and accurate. The Calibre 321 column-wheel movement that drove the watch, which was the first of its kind to have a tachymeter scale on its bezel, made it particularly remarkable for its dependability, precision, and technical beauty.

Deke Slayton, the Operations Director at NASA, was contacted by astronauts in 1963 who requested a trustworthy watch for their manned space flights. In response, Omega sent a shipment of 3rd generation Speedmaster chronographs (105.003) to be put through rigorous temperature, shock, vibration, and vacuum testing. The only watch to have passed these tests was the Omega Speedmaster, which was deemed "Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions" in 1965.

The 105.012 and 145.012 models of the fourth generation of the Speedmaster, still known for their "Moonwatch" designs, made the chronograph's minor but significant design alterations. These were the watches worn by Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon during the first moon landing in 1969. The Speedmaster Moonwatch has been worn by the crews of all six moon landings in history. For example, the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 used the watch to time a series of engine burns that repositioned the spacecraft and let it safely return to Earth.

Throughout its history, the Omega Speedmaster has undergone updates and changes to its design, technology, and materials. The 2021 release of the watch includes the inclusion of the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 Movement, a manual-winding, 50-hour power reserve movement that is true to the original specifications required for NASA flight certification. This movement also brings the Moonwatch up to the standard of the rest of the Omega collections, as it is METAS certified, meaning it is extremely accurate, unfazed by harsh temperature and magnetic environments, and has a longer service interval. All of these features make the Omega Speedmaster an underappreciated model that is not only a perfect representation of the brand’s adventurous pioneering spirit but also a durable, accurate, and reliable timepiece that can withstand the test of time.

The 2021 is extremely underappreciated: The watch boasts a stainless steel case with a black dial, adorned with recessed hour markers and vintage Super-LumiNova, complemented by rhodium-plated "Broad Arrow" hands. The timepiece also features a date window at 6 o'clock, a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, and 12-hour and 60-minute chronograph recorders on the subdial at 3 o’clock. The bezel is brushed with a blackened tachymeter scale, while the caseback is adorned with a "Speedmaster ‘57" engraving, and a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. The watch is presented on a matching bracelet with OMEGA’s patented comfort release adjustment system and is water-resistant up to 5 bars (50 meters/167 feet). Furthermore, the watch boasts a plethora of advanced features such as anti-magnetic, chronometer, and chronograph certification, small seconds, tachymeter, and time zone functions, and a transparent case back. The total product weight is approximately 134 g, with a case diameter of 40.5 mm and a 20 mm lug width. The watch is powered by the manual-winding OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906 and is certified twice by the Official Swiss Chronometer Control (COSC) and Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) for superior precision, magnetic resistance, power reserve, and water resistance, and is accompanied by a comprehensive 5-year warranty. The watch is also designed with proprietary anti-magnetic materials, extended service intervals, and shock-resistance. The movement, the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, is manual-winding, has a 50-hour power reserve, and is true to the original specifications required for NASA flight certification. This movement also brings the Moonwatch up to the standard of the rest of the Omega collections, as it is METAS certified, meaning it is extremely accurate, unfazed by harsh temperature and magnetic environments, and has a longer service interval.

In final, I would like to note the calendar wheel matches the color of the dial; and it makes the presentation complete.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article. More to come.

All images and technical information sourced from Omega.com.