I’m not going to say much about this 40mm, $4800.00 entry-level
Speedmaster, save that it looks racy, sporty, fun and is generally a nice piece of
design. It will certainly hook in the neophytes and those who don’t know their Speedmasters
from their Mixmasters.
Said to honour the Speedmaster’s original purpose, that of
a companion to well heeled petrol-heads who were into car racing, this new "Racing" Speedie comes with a choice of dial colour
combinations including maroon and blue, and you may pick between a standard
bracelet or black rubberised band with colour outlines.
The subdials are finished in what is described as a “Clous de Paris” pattern. Clou is a French word used colloquially to refer to carbuncles and boils, and also to nails and other forms of fastening. I suspect the Omega marketing department had in mind one of the latter definitions, as I can’t imagine they would have us view the subdials as being finished in the manner of a Parisian carbuncle.
It’s what under the bonnet that doesn’t impress me all that much when lined up against Omega's in-house calibres. The movement is a Valjoux ebauche worked over by ETA for Omega. Seen in sister brand Longines chronographs with a traditional escapement, the column wheel movement sports Omega co-axial and silicon balance technology.
It's a 'cheapie' with Omega Speedmaster iconography, and while I can appreciate its positioning as an entree to the brand, I still feel that if you want a Speedmaster with real moonwatch DNA, then you have only one movement choice, the bulletproof calibre 1861.
The subdials are finished in what is described as a “Clous de Paris” pattern. Clou is a French word used colloquially to refer to carbuncles and boils, and also to nails and other forms of fastening. I suspect the Omega marketing department had in mind one of the latter definitions, as I can’t imagine they would have us view the subdials as being finished in the manner of a Parisian carbuncle.
It’s what under the bonnet that doesn’t impress me all that much when lined up against Omega's in-house calibres. The movement is a Valjoux ebauche worked over by ETA for Omega. Seen in sister brand Longines chronographs with a traditional escapement, the column wheel movement sports Omega co-axial and silicon balance technology.
It's a 'cheapie' with Omega Speedmaster iconography, and while I can appreciate its positioning as an entree to the brand, I still feel that if you want a Speedmaster with real moonwatch DNA, then you have only one movement choice, the bulletproof calibre 1861.
You'll have to wait until November before this collection reaches Omega boutiques and retailers.
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