Category Archives: Review

In-depth Omega Speedmaster reviews.

Hands-On: Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Caliber 9300 ref. 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Caliber 9300 ref. 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

This article was first published on June 29th, 2013.

Omega introduced its first automatic Speedmaster in 1971, over 40 years ago. Since then, a lot of Speedmasters powered by automatic movements have been introduced, but very few of them have proven to be of satisfaction to true Speedmaster aficionados. How about the 9300?

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

The Speedmaster Co-Axial 9300 was introduced at BaselWorld 2011. Without any doubt, this is Omega’s flagship Speedmaster. While it retains most of the classic Moonwatch look (Omega ranks it amongst the Moonwatches), there are also a few key differences;

  • The case size was updated to 44.25mm
  • It is powered by an automatic manufacture movement: caliber 9300. Click the link for details on this movement.
  • The minute and hour totalizers are combined in one single subdial at 3 o’clock.
  • It is fitted with a date window at 6 o’clock
Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Recently we had the opportunity to play with the 311.30.44.51.01.002 (stainless steel on bracelet) for a few days, thanks to AceJewelers.com. So what are our experiences?

  • The case size of 44.25mm may sound large, but it sits very well on even our slender wrists and doesn’t look that much bigger than a regular Speedmaster Professional. Due to the high sapphire case back, the mid-case hovers above the wrist and the crown and pushers never dig into the wrist. The weight with full length bracelet is 183gr.
  • The movement, caliber 9300, is a joy to behold. Somewhat unusual is the quick set of the date, which has to be performed through the ‘timezone-function’ – by moving the hour hand forward in 1 hour increments.
  • The chronograph action is very smooth. The pushers require the right amount of force, and the seconds starts without ANY jump. Why? Read this.
  • It just looks smashing. The classic Moonwatch-look is such an evergreen that you just can’t go wrong.
Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

The column wheel and silicon balance spring visible through the sapphire case back. Omega did a great job on the caliber 9300 – it seems to have been designed with much thought. There’s a glimpse of the two barrels, the column wheel, the free-sprung balance et cetera – no cutting corners going on here!

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

As indicated above, the design of the sapphire case back is quite unusual. It pops out from the stainless steel part, making way for the rotor to make it’s swings.  In the meanwhile, we get first row seats to the action.

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Omega Speedmaster 9300 311.30.44.51.01.002

Would we buy one? YES. It seems Omega finally created a Speedmaster with automatic winding that is a great addition to the collection of a true Speedmaster afficionado. It looks smashing and has a killer movement – what else could we wish for?

Buy at an Authorized Dealer: www.Ace.am/31130445101002 [discontinued]

Hands-On: the Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 40th Anniversary

Omega Speedmaster “Apollo XVII” 40th anniversary Limited Edition

This article was first published on June 25, 2013.

A closer look

Omega surprised both friend and foe when they presented their latest limited edition (1972 pieces) Speedmaster Professional at the 2012 BaselWorld show. While we have seen many Speedmasters adorned with the famous NASA-patches, their latest offering seemed to outdo them all in grand fashion, sporting a dial in 925 silver engraved with the Apollo XVII patch.

BaselWorld 2012 has long passed and we have since had the chance to spend some time with this unusual Speedmaster specimen. A closer look thus seemed in order. Please keep in mind that this is by no means a review, but rather a personal observation.

To the best of our knowledge, the Apollo XVII 40th anniversary is the third Speedmaster paying tribute to this final Apollo mission, preceded by the ref. 3574.51 and the Mission Patch ref. 3597.20 (145.0022). The former was fitted with a standard dial but featured a caseband engraving and special caseback, while the latter lacked the caseband engraving but had a dial which featured a printed version of the Apollo XVII patch in the nine o’clock subdial.

So the Apollo XVII patch was nothing new to Omega. Even an engraved patch was a thing the famous brand used before – on the 2009 Apollo XI 40th anniversary watch, which featured a patch in either silver or gold on the 9 o’clock subdial. But for the Apollo XVII, Omega decided to shake things up and do things differently.

The Apollo XVII is not fitted with the standard black dial, but rather with an example in 925 silver, 100%, fully, COMPLETELY dedicated to the Apollo XVII patch – except for the chapter ring. The engraved dial is patina’d by hand, giving the image more depth and life. Quite a departure from the original toolwatch concept!


The original Apollo XVII patch was designed by the late Robert McCall, a artist renowned for his space-influenced art and work for NASA. It was based on the statue ‘Apollo Belvedere’, which depicts the Greek God Apollo just after shooting an arrow at the serpent Python. In Mr. McCalls patch, Apollo is pictured in front of stylized image of an Eagle. The eagle is adorned with stripes resembling the American flag, and three stars depicting the crew members. On the background we can see the Moon, Saturn and a galaxy. 

But does something like this ‘work’ on a toolwatch like the Speedy Pro? An icon, a horological classic like very few others? In a strange way, we think it does – even more so in person than it does in pictures. It takes the Speedmaster to another level, it changes the watch from a functional instrument to a piece of art, just like Omega did on the 1994 Armin Strom-skeletonized Speedmaster 145.0063 and, arguably to a lower extend, on the Meteorite dialed 311.30.42.30.99.001.

The dial is reminds us, at least in spirit, of the wonderful enamel cloisonné dials from years gone by, of which we see stunning examples pop up and fetch killer prices at auctions every once in a while. Only this time the vivid colors of the enamel are exchanged for the monochrome look of the patina’d silver – and stunning it is!

Even more so, it hints of coin watches as made famous by makes such as Corum, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget, often using the Liberty Head Double Eagle. While the combination of this type of dial with the Speedmaster Professional is by no means obvious, it creates a stark contrast that is interesting on many levels – visual, intellectual and horological.

Sure, the Speedmaster Professional “Apollo XVII” 40th anniversary is not for the faint of heart. It might send shivers down the spine of purists Speedmaster collectors. But those looking for something different, something thought provoking, something defiant and out-of-the-ordinary: this might just be your watch!

Quick tech specs;

  • 42mm
  • Stainless steel on stainless steel bracelet
  • Cal. 1861
  • Special box with full color Apollo XVII patch – as shown below by Captain Eugene Cernan
  • Special caseback ‘Last man on the Moon’
  • Limited edition 1972 pcs

Hands-On: the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon: Black Black & Sedna Black

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

At BaselWorld 2015 Omega introduced a set of four new versions of the popular Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon (five including the diamond-set variation) and last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with two of them: the Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black and the Dark Side of the Moon Black Black. The pictures in these post are the result. As I’m sure that you’re well aware of all the technical aspects, I will try and keep the word count low – save for a short (re-)introduction.

Contrary to some, I was rather enthusiastic about Omega releasing these four variations at once. To me, it showed how much the look of a watch can change when altering only a couple of details. The Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon represented a great canvas for this exercise. Each of the four watches presented has its own distinct character; sure, they’re part of one big family of ceramic Speedmasters, but they’re different enough.

With its Sedna gold bezel, hour markers and hands, the Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black is obviously inspired by the Speedmaster Professional 45th Anniversary. The matte grey dial is cut-out by laser revealing the rest of the indexes, logo and wording. There are a few more pics below that show how much the look changes with the light, from almost black to a light and vivid grey. Whereas the DSotM Black Black features a number of polished bits, the Sedna Black has a fully brushed case. Its probably this detail that has this watch retain its tool watch character, instead of it becoming the odd -flashy- one out..

Omega Dark Side of the Moon Black Black 311.92.44.51.01.005

Omega Dark Side of the Moon Black Black 311.92.44.51.01.005

The DSotM Black Black is, in short, black. The dial is black. The hands and markers are black. The prints are black. The date wheel is black. Even the SuperLuminova and the lacquer on the ceramic tachymeter bezel are black. The result? The Speedmaster Darth Vader would choose for active duty.

More pics below.

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

Omega Dark Side of the Moon Black Black 311.92.44.51.01.005

Omega Dark Side of the Moon Black Black 311.92.44.51.01.005

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black 311.63.44.51.06.001

 

Watches provided by Authorized Omega Dealer Ace Jewelers, who offer them for sale online at the following links: DSotM Sedna Black & DSotM Black Black.

More into the classic Speedmaster Professional? Check out the overview WatchBase put together!

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Again it’s been a while since we’ve written about the Omega Speedmaster 57 9300. This model seems to be flying a bit under the radar.. and we’re not sure that’s fair.

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

The Omega Speedmaster 57 9300, in this case reference 331.10.42.51.01.001, mixes elements of  iconic models from rich history of the Speedmaster with Omega’s latest technology.

The picture above shows the case, which is inspired by the very first Speedmaster. The stainless steel, engraved bezel and case sans crown guards are all modeled after the CK2915 – of course updated to today’s standards.

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

The dial too is a nod to Speedmasters of days gone by. While it follows the layout that is dictated by the 9300 movement, the Alpha hands (not to be confused with the Dauphine style) are a throwback to the second generation of Speedmasters, the CK2998-gen. On the subdial at 3:00, we find another homage to the CK2915: the return of the broad arrow hand.

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Omega Speedmaster 57 9300 331.10.42.51.01.001

Came in through Google, looking for a price on this model? Check it out at our favourite Authorized Dealer!

New Speedmaster Box – Live Pics

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Today our friends over at Ace Jewelers received their very first new Omega Speedmaster box –  the one filled with goodies that we wrote about earlier.

The fun starts with the outer box as pictured above. On the center we find the Speedmaster Seahorse. It opens to both sides and it is covered by a black cardboard sleeve.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Inside we find this stellar fabric-covered work of art, perhaps the best bit of the new Speedmaster box. This one too is fitted with a Seahorse medaillon. The lid is secured by two hinges. Apparently the Speedmaster is now not only the Moonwatch, but a Legendary Moonwatch. Cool.

Two new bookles, one about strap changes and one about the Speedmasters history, are found at the bottom of the outer box.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

An overview of the inside. The straps, changing tool and extra pushpins fit into the big lid at the top. The loupe fits in the smaller lid at the left.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

The loupe is fitted with a tachymeter scale in Speedmaster style. Next to it is the NASA-style velcro strap and on the far left is the NATO-style strap. Both are very nicely done. In terms of quality, the NATO feels a few steps above your average strap.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Branded strap-changing tool and Speedmaster Seahorse coin. The little sachet holds the extra pushpins – four of them.

New Omega Speedmaster Box

New Omega Speedmaster Box

Detail of the NASA-style strap and the NATO strap. The NATO is fitted with a signed buckle and nice angular keepers.

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005

Last but not least – the Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005, now fitted with a screwed bracelet!

Check out the Ace Jewelers eBoutique for the latest info on pricing. Ace Jewelers is Authorized Dealer for Omega.