By Sahaj March 6, 2024
The very collectible Speed master, which was first shown on the former 007’s wrist in November, is now available worldwide.
What We Know About Omega
When James Bond – er, Daniel Craig – arrived at the Planet Omega event in New York in November, his watch choice set the watch Internet on fire. In contrast to his dark grey suit, his very bright white dial stood out. Even more so because the watch did not yet exist. This mystery white-dialed Speed master was reminiscent of the “Alaska Project” and the white-dial Canopus Gold models, but it was unique. We now know just how different. Omega finally and formally unveiled this mysterious white Speed master.
When it comes down to it, this is another (excellent) Speed master Moon watch Professional with a steel core. This means it has the famous asymmetrical housing, which is 42mm wide, 13.2mm thick, and 47.5mm from lug to lug. The watch is a “sapphire sandwich” with sapphire crystals on both the front and back, as well as a black metal bezel marked “Dot Over 90”. Inside is Omega’s Master Chronometer-certified caliber 3861 chronograph movement. The bracelet features brushed and polished links, as expected of a “sapphire sandwich,” as well as an integrated extender. If a bracelet isn’t your style, try it with a black micro-perforated leather strap with red and white stitching or an anti-bacterial rubber strap with a moon surface pattern on the bottom.
Omega’s new model features a glossy lacquer white dial. It’s a first for a standard Speed master Moon watch Professional in steel. While the original Omega Speed master colors (black dial with white hands) were chosen for maximum legibility, this combination achieves the same results. The watch has black hands and markings, as well as a blackened logo, and the words “Speedmaster” and the tip of the chronograph hand are red, adding a pop of color to the dial.
For the time being, the new white-dialed Speed master Professional is a permanent part of the collection; no need to worry about limited editions, though I anticipate demand will be high. It will soon be offered at boutiques and merchants for $8,100 per bracelet.
What We Think About Omega
Will I be getting a Speed master this year? Until now, I had no intention of doing so, but this is an excellent release.
To be honest, I wasn’t sold on Craig’s “teaser” for this watch. I saw it, thought it was cool, and went on with my life, knowing that the watch would eventually arrive so I could see for myself. Now I need to see it firsthand. However, on paper, there is nothing significant that could be said to dismiss the Speed master Professional. The bold, white lacquer dial transforms the Speed master that collectors know and love into a breathtakingly fresh new choice.
I went through the “Speedmaster phase” that many aficionados go through, in which I fell in love, became fascinated, and learned all of the intricacies to tell the allusions apart, only to rapidly forget almost everything. I’ve been waiting for a Speed master that will catch my eye, and this, with a tribute to elements of history – the DON bezel, white dial for the “Alaska Project,” and red text like you saw on a recent white-dialed Seamaster – should finally do the trick.
The primary inspiration for this new style is the white and black color scheme of astronaut spacesuits, particularly those used during extravehicular exercise (think iconic spacewalk photographs). Red lines have also been used on the suits since Apollo 13 in 1970 to indicate the commander’s rank.
The white dial also references the ALASKA I prototype and the Speedmaster ‘Albino’, which was created specifically for the Italian market and limited to 500 pieces.
The 42mm stainless steel watch is available with a vintage-inspired stainless steel band featuring five arched links per row. If you prefer straps, you can select from a black micro-perforated leather strap with red and white stitching or an anti-bacterial rubber strap with a moon surface pattern on the bottom for added comfort.
For Moon watch fans, each timepiece’s black anodized aluminum bezel has been given the famous “Dot over Ninety” on the tachy meter scale, while inside, the watch is powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 – the most recent version of the legendary Calibre 321 that was trusted by astronauts on the moon.