Omega Speedmaster Racing Chronograph



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.

You'll have to wait until November before this collection reaches Omega boutiques and retailers.  


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