Model # 326.30.40.50.03.001
Brand/Model: Omega Speedmaster Racing Automatic
Chronograph
Movement: Swiss automatic
co-axial column wheel, COSC certified
Material: stainless steel case
and bracelet
Complications:
date display, chronograph timing up to 12 hours in one-fifth second
increments
Price: MSRP $4,800 USD
Plenty of photos follow the review.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
First off, welcome
to 2015! I hope the New Year finds all
watch enthusiasts and collectors in good stead with their timepieces and on the
prowl for more new and nifty watches.
Much like my
previous review on the Breitling Superocean Héritage Chrongraphe 44, I will
start off this review of the Omega Speedmaster Racing automatic chronograph
with a statement of fact and a slight bias:
I really like Omega watches.
Omega has been on a roll the past few years, pretty much completely
redesigning and updating their entire lineup, placing mainly in-house movements
in their watches and debuting some new and exciting pieces. The only thing I don’t like about what
they’ve been doing is the sharp rise in prices of their watches. If you shop around you can still get some
great deals, but overall, I hope that Omega is not pricing itself out of reach
of their traditionally core and loyal audience.
That being said,
the watch that is the object of this review can be had brand new through
various on-line sources for around $3,000 USD, which is a very, very good value
for all that this watch packs in.
The Speedmaster
line was first introduced in 1957, years before it became known as the ‘moon
watch.’ Since then, Omega has expanded
and refined the series with a myriad of sizes, dial colors, features and
movements, but luckily, any Speedmaster still has the basic look that dutifully
pays homage to the originals produced over a half-century ago.
I recently was
asked about how the watch I’m reviewing here compares to a few other
Speedmaster models and my comment back was that if you’re expecting to have the
look and/or feel of the classic ‘moon’ Speedy, you’d be disappointed. I said this only because this watch is an
automatic with a thoroughly modern engine, a dial look and layout that is decidedly
more modern and an overall feel of ‘today’ rather than of yesteryear.
I’ve actually owned
two modern Speedmasters, one with a grey dial and non-coaxial movement and the
watch being featured here. I liked the
grey dial’s look, but found it hard to actually read the time, so I sold it and
purchased this blue dial beauty. The
color of the dial on this model is what drew me in and it is absolutely
superb. It is nicely striated and has
such a perfect shade of true medium to darker blue that sets off the watch to
perfection. The pictures really can’t do
justice, you’ll have to go to an Omega Boutique and see one for yourself.
The Speedmaster
Racing starts with a finely brushed and polished all stainless steel case that
measures 38.8mm (Omega lists 40mm) without the signed crown; 42.2mm crown
inclusive. Thickness is 15.1mm and lug
spacing is a tidy 19mm. This watch is
definitely not oversized, some might even consider it small by today’s
larger-watch standards, but I know plenty of people that say the size is just
about perfect. I’m in the middle on this
one.
The caseback screws
down and is heavily embossed with the Omega sea lion logo, which itself is
highly polished. I’ve always adored how
Omega creates these impressive casebacks; to me, they always resemble a proof
coin with their high relief and beautifully polished surfaces. Incredibly nice!
The crown is signed
and non-screwdown, and is rather on the small size. It is a bit hard to manually wind this watch
(which is something I like doing with all my automatics prior to wearing them)
and it is even a bit hard to set the time due to the diminutive size of the
crown. Slight demerits here.
The chronograph
pushers are standard pushbutton types and work properly. On the left side of the case at the 10
o’clock position is a small recessed pushbutton (‘corrector’ in Omega-speak)
used to quickset the date. Omega even
provides a small black rubber tool (see photos) to use when setting the date,
which makes it a snap.
The Speedmaster
Racing is factory-rated for 100 meters of water resistance.
The dial, as
previously stated, is a gem on this model of the Speedmaster Racing. It is a fantastic shade of blue, with
vertical striations that lend a bit of interest and class to the dial. There are lumed printed markers every five
minutes with a printed chapter ring in black on the outer edge of the dial. Minute marks and small arabics mark every
five minutes (05, 10, etc.) except at the 3, 6 and 9 positions on the dial due
to the size of the subdials impinging on the chapter ring at these spots.
The hour and minute
hands are simple silver sticks with infill lume, while the subdial hands are
plain silver, as is the chronograph central seconds hand. There are also two small lume dots on either
side of the marker at the 12 position.
Lume quality is very good and is the cool blue shade of SuperLuminova
that is so popular now with up-market watches.
Just be advised that the lume on the dial is rather narrow, there are no
big splashes of it, so this watch, while very legible in the dark, will not
glow like a torch like some people are used to.
The subdials are
black textured ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern and the subdials at the three and nine
positions are slightly oversized, which makes them easier to read. The subdial at three is the chronograph
minute totalizer; the subdial at six is the chronograph hour totalizer (with
the date window sectioned out of the bottom of this subdial) and the subdial at
nine is the watch seconds hand. Each
subdial has a simple printed minute, hour or seconds track with small arabics
at either the quarter-hour or third-hour positions on the subdial. It’s a clean, legible and functional
arrangement.
The date window is
at the six position, in the bottom of the hour totalizer subdial. The date wheel is white on black and the
numerals are rather large and easy to read.
Alignment in the window is good.
Minimal dial
printing is nice, with the Omega logo and the wording ‘Omega’, ‘Speedmaster’,
‘Co-axial’ and ‘Chronometer’ all stacked underneath the 12 position in very
small type.
The bezel is an
aluminum tachymeter (fixed) that is nicely finished and fit onto the watch case
perfectly. The matte black tachy ring is
ever so slightly recessed into the bezel.
Capping the dial is a slightly domed double anti-reflective (inner and
outer coating) sapphire crystal.
Build quality is
superb, with no imperfections, dust or smudges noted under my 8X loupe
examination. Overall fit and finish on
this watch is top-notch, as is to be expected from Omega.
Inside the
Speedmaster Racing is an automatic movement of exceptional quality. Exact specifications have been rather hard to
come by, but the movement starts as a rather obscure ETA Valgranges A08.L01,
which is also used in at least one Longines model. Omega extensively modifies and upgrades this
base movement adding a few jewels in the process to create their
state-of-the-art co-axial column wheel chronograph movement with their Si 14
silicone balance spring.
The movement is
COSC certified and is a huge part of what makes this watch an outstanding
value. Omega rates power reserve at 52
hours; during my testing, I achieved a fine 59 hour duration. Timekeeping has been just inside COSC
standards at +6 seconds over 24 hours.
Omega touts the reliability of this movement and gives buyers a
four-year warranty to prove its durability.
All watch functions,
from winding and setting to starting, stopping and resetting the chronograph,
work as they should.
The bracelet is a
nice affair, with solid stainless steel links and end links. The bracelet features Omega’s updated link
removal design, consisting of small screws that are taken out on each side of
the link to release the link pin.
Totally easy and intuitive.
The bracelet has
links that are a multi-piece design, being both polished and brushed. The clasp is a pushbutton style, signed with
both the Omega and Speedmaster names.
The deployant is of course machined and signed. There are only two micro-adjustment holes on
the clasp, but Omega includes two half-links on the bracelet to help achieve a
proper fit. Since this watch is on the
smaller side, most owners should have no problem getting the bracelet fit they
desire.
The bracelet
measures 19mm at the lugs and tapers to 17mm at the clasp.
Presentation is
standard Omega, with a white cardboard outer box and inside, the recognizable
padded red Omega presentation box with Omega medallion. The familiar Omega instruction ‘book’ that
covers all iterations of Omega’s models and the vinyl card holder with warranty
card and pictogram card are also included.
Omega continues to
find legions of fans with the Speedmaster series and for those looking for a
bit sportier presentation that still has the attributes of the classic
Speedmasters, the Speedmaster Racing is an excellent choice. With its top-quality and technologically
advanced movement, great looks and overall Omega panache, this watch is a
winner, whether at the racetrack or not.
Pros: great
Swiss-technology engine, stunning blue dial, near-perfect size, strong value
when bought right
Cons: crown too small, could use more lume, modest
water resistance rating
Verdict: the Speedmaster Racing is one watch you could
wear all the time if you wanted to; it’s functional, has the looks and pedigree
to run with the big boys at a competitive price and wears just about
perfect. Give this one the checkered
flag!
Thanks for reading
and enjoy the pics.
Excelsior!
-Marc
