In the pantheon of mechanical wristwatches, the Speedmaster holds a high place. Originally built in 1957 as a reaction to the first wrist-worn chronographs coming out of competing houses, the iconic design – white on black with bold, eminently readable chapter rings and pips – the Speedmaster cemented its place in history when Buzz Aldrin wore his on the moon in 1969. Omega has been flogging that relationship ever since, much to the brand’s benefit and Speedmaster fans rabidly hunt for new and old models like madmen intent on owning stars.

Decades later the Speedmaster has maintained this original styling and functionality and, barring a few odd turns taken in the 1970s and 80s, hasn’t strayed far from the white on black design. This new model, the Moonwatch Co-Axial, pays homage first to the watch’s importance in the space race and, second, to the contributions of one of the greatest modern watchmakers, George Daniels.
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Most “watch nerds” are familiar with the story of the Omega Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” and the ensuing cult of flight certified and flown wristwatches. However like many things in the cold war, including the Space Shuttle, Concord, and the Harrier behind the iron curtain a shadowy mirror image could be found competing with the western version. In the Soviet Union in the 1960’s and 70’s there was another column wheel chronograph strapped to the wrist of a man hanging in raw vacuum and remorselessly ticking away.

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Hodinkee has some info on a $10,000 NOS Speedmaster Pro from 1969 complete with original box, receipt, and all records. It appears that this watch remained unworn throughout its history and uses the 321 movement, later replaced by the 861. It is, in short, exactly what Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong took into space with them.
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I love to smell nice as much as the next guy but this is too much. It’s Omega’s Aqua Terra for men. I guess it’s a cologne that smells like that mixture of sweat and leather you get when you wear the same watch all summer.
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While Bond used to love him some Rolex, it’s all Omega for James these days. This is the latest Quantum of Solace commercial pieced together for Omega to showcase the Seamaster 007 wears in the film.

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I was going through my Marketplace, there on the side, and found this odd-looking Omega Seamaster. It’s got a light blue face. But why? Can someone give me some answers?
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I want a big watch.
The BIG Watch Forum

I’m an Omega-lover to my core… not sure why, but over the few years I’ve been collecting, Omega has consistently excited and invited me without putting me off with odd designs and frou-frou styling. I wear my Seamaster Pro Chrono daily, rarely swapping it for other watches, and until it breaks or pulls me to the bottom of the ocean, that probably won’t change.

That said, I also like my Speedmaster Triple Calendar. I’ve had it for about a year now and didn’t write it up simply because I’m too lazy. However, it’s a real charmer.

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Omega has traditionally used standard ETA or Valjoux movements in almost all of their pieces. The movements are considerably improved over the regular models, but they still come from the same pot. Now, however, they’re making their own COSC-certified movement with 202 components. It’s called the 8500/8501 and will wind up in their higher-end pieces for now.

Always at the forefront of technical innovations and renowned as the watchmaking company which produced the first-ever industrialised movement, OMEGA presented its exclusive in-house manufacture calibre 8500/8501 to a select audience during a press conference which took place today at the Cité du Temps in Geneva.
Replete with technologically- advanced features, the new automatic movement is a COSC*-certified chronometer comprising 202 completely redesigned components. It is naturally equipped with an upgraded version of OMEGA’s proprietary Co-Axial technology guaranteeing prolonged timekeeping accuracy and reliability over time. This virtuoso 13-lines movement has two barrels which increase the energy source to provide greater stability, thus ensuring an impressive 60-hour power reserve.

OMEGA unveils its exclusive in-house manufacture movement and launches its new Hour Vision collection. [Press Release]

I’m a bad watch reviewer. Not only am I not updating this site often enough, I’ve been hiding my gems under a bushel, offering up junk like crapola GMTs and monkey-brained divers. Why? Because the watches I love I can’t really review and the watches I review I can’t really love. So I’m torn, WWR fans. Torn.

I present for your inspection the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M 2225.80.00 2599.80.00 Chrono Diver. Every collector chases a dream early on in his career – and often that dream doesn’t jibe with what he or she really wants. You could dig Seikos and then see an Ebel that knocks your socks off. You could love Rolex and then see an Omega that you must have. This watch is my early collector’s grail watch and I am happy to report that it is getting so much wrist time that I think I need to brush it down with rubbing alcohol because it is getting wrist stink.
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Mmmm… tasty Speedmaster. As an aside, I just opened up my Seamaster Chrono to dry it out and let me tell you the finish on Omega movements are incredible. I should have taken a picture, but I wanted to button it back up without destroying it. This model uses the Omega 3301.

Two great tastes that taste great together – the DeVille and the Luminor. I like the Luminor better – the DeVille line is a little busy. But nicey nicey.

Luminor vs DeVille – Watchuseek Watch Forums [Watchuseek Watch Forums]

Listen, I like a good Omega as much as the next man, but old Hayek need to rethink this shiz if he thinks he can take on Rolex. Rolex = Golfing Executive’s Watch of Choice.

The flames of hostility began to spark during an interview that Nick Hayek Jr. gave to the excellent newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. “The growth of Rolex seems to be slowing down a little,” he declared, adding quickly, “Omega, on the other hand, is doing quite well.” And, laying his cards on the table, he went on to say, “Our ambition is clear. We want to equal, and then to surpass Rolex in three to four years.”

SWATCH versus ROLEX [Europastar]

It takes all types, apparently, so now there’s a blog dedicated to the Omega Constellation. I have a Constellation that my Dad gave me – beautiful little piece, very elegant, but the modern line really hasn’t caught my attention. Maybe now that there’s a blog, I’ll pay a bit more attention.

Omega Constellation Collectors [via Fratellowatches.com

Omega has been sponsoring the Emirates Team Zealand and they recently won the “Act 12 in Valencia, Spain and ended first in the general ranking of this season’s ACC Championship.” How this effects our small, meaningless lives in our sad-eyed cubicles is beyond me, but they do get a really nice regatta watch.