Tag Archives: Racing

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

And then suddely, the brother of the Speedy featured below dropped by at SpeedyWatches HQ: the vibrant Mark II Racing reference 327.10.43.50.06.001!

Just a different dial?

It’s remarkable how much a different dial can change the looks of a watch. While the ‘soldier shots’ above make it seem like just another dial, the Racing version of the MKII really has a character of its own.

The 327.10.43.50.01.001 is dark  – all business with just enough of that retro vibe. The slightly coloured luminova adds a dash of colour to an otherwise monochrome design. The 327.10.43.50.06.001 on the other hand, with its fluorescent orange details, has really got that seventies show going on. It’s funky without being obnoxious.

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

Did we mention the sandwich tachymeter ring already? No? Well, it’s killer. The numerals are cut-out with lumi below. The numerals are thus lighting up at night when properly charged, enabling you to measure your speed even in low light conditions. This sounds rather foolish – we agree. But it is still pretty cool 🙂 .

Key observations

Since we now had the chance to fiddle with both versions of the Speedmaster Mark II, a few key observations seem in place:

  • Black dial looks better in pics and is easier to love, but the Mark II Racing ‘pops’ on the wrist.  It has great presence.
  • The date window is much more noticeable on the Racing. It blends in on the black dial. Pro or con? You decide.
  • The eye is drawn to the dial on the Mark II Racing. It is simply beautiful. On the other hand, the wonderful cash finish is more obvious on the black version, as the dial attracts less attention.
  • The separation of timing hands (orange) and timekeeping hands (white) on the Racing is one of the details that we really like. One might note that the vintage MKII Racing in our post below doesn’t have the proper distinction – a sign of exchanged hands.
Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing 327.10.43.50.06.001

Essential links:

 

Omega Speedmaster Professional TinTin / Racing

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004 TinTin / Racing

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004
TinTin / Racing

Here’s another cool Omega Speedmaster that appeared in front of our camera for a photo shoot last week: the Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004 AKA
TinTin / Racing.

Omega has built up a rich family of variations of its #1 icon, the Speedmaster Professional, in recent years. Some of them limited editions, others short-lived and a small number just in small demand. The 311.30.42.30.01.004 is not limited nor numbered as is the FOiS – and our little birdies told is that is soon to be out of production. It’s thus safe to say that this “TinTin” falls in the second category… Aficionados take note!

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004 TinTin / Racing

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004
TinTin / Racing

Now, what’s up with the nicknames?

It is said in the grapevine that the inspiration for the distinct colour scheme of this watch came from the rocket featured in TinTin’s 1953 Destination Moon and 1954 Explorers on the Moon. A fun and fitting connection one would think.. were it not that it is whispered that Omega and the Hergé Foundation could not come to an agreement.

But TinTin -if at all- was not the only source of inspiration for the Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004. Ever since its first appearance in 1969, the so-called Racing-dial has been popping up every now and again as a sort-of collectors treat. Most recently we’ve seen it in the ‘Japan’ Speedmaster Professional and the 2014 Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial. For this one, Omega seems to have upped the ante – full checkered flag.

Is it really necessary to put up the specs? Probably not, but here we go;

  • Model name: Omega Speedmaster Professional
  • Diameter: 42mm
  • Case material: Stainless steel
  • Strap / bracelet material: Stainless steel
  • Crystal: Plexiglass
  • Movement: Caliber 1861
  • Dial colour: Black
  • Current price: Check at Authorized Dealer – not sure how long this will be applicable!
  • Misc.: so-called ‘Racing’ or ‘TinTin’
Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004 TinTin / Racing

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.004
TinTin / Racing

 

November Auctions – Antiquorum November 10, Christie’s November 11, 2013

Omega Flightmaster 345.801 Christie's

Omega Flightmaster 345.0801 Christie’s

The last few days we’re exceedingly exciting for those of us following the auction world. Christie’s held the spectacular Rolex Daytona ‘Lesson 1’ auction on November 10 while Antiquorum hosted the Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces the same day, followed by Important Watches by again Christie’s the day after.

While the focus of the haute vintage collectors is still mainly Rolex and Patek Philippe, we thought it’d be fun to run past a few Speedmaster-related results.. Enjoy the show!

Christies Important Watches LOT 72: Omega Flightmaster Gold [pictured above]

The Flightmaster is a stunning watch in any disguise, but the crown is of course reserved for the full-gold model. The hammer price, excluding fees and taxes, for this particular model was CHF 30,000, which seems rather reasonable. FYI – a boxed&papered model in the 2007 OmegaMania auction commanded almost CHF 50,000. The price realized was right in the centre of the 20-40K CHF estimate.

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 6: Omega Bullhead

Omega Seamaster Bullhead ST146.011

Omega Seamaster Bullhead ST146.011

Sure – the Bullhead is no Speedmaster.. But then again, it is one of the more intriguing chronograph designs Omega has presented us.. Breathing the spirit of the late sixties / early seventies. The example above was hammered off at CHF 5,650.

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 7: Omega Speedmaster Professional Italia

Omega Speedmaster Professional Italia 3593.20.00

Omega Speedmaster Professional Italia 3593.20.00

For our frequent visitors it shouldn’t come as a surprise: the Italia is one of our favourite Speedies. The off-white dial is such a joy! This example, with box and papers, reached a respectable CHF 6,250 – not bad for a 15 year old Speedmaster!

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 12: Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II PVD

Omega Speedmaster Mark II ST 145.014 PVD

Omega Speedmaster Mark II ST 145.014 PVD

Now for the weird and wonderful: a Speedmaster Mark II ‘Racing’ with PVD-coated case and somewhat rare pulsation scale. At CHF 4,000, it seems like a job well done for the seller.. although we have no idea of the original selling price of this Moontime custom, made as a ‘limited edition of 10 pieces circa 2010’.

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 13: Omega Speedmaster Custom Dial & Case

Omega Speedmaster 1957 Replica 3594.50.00

Omega Speedmaster 1957 Replica 3594.50.00 Custom

But wait – it doesn’t stop at a PVD-coated Mark II. Apparently, Moontime also made this 1957 Replica.. While the customized dial is acceptable and the telemeter bezel is a cool touch, we’re not so sure about the case set with black diamonds.. Still, sold at CHF 5,000! FYI, the following lot, a standard 1957, was sold at CHF 2,250….

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 16: Omega Speedmaster CK2915-2

Omega Speedmaster CK2915-2

Omega Speedmaster CK2915-2

Back to business – the subzero CK2915-2. At CHF 27,500 a seemingly good buy.. Although we’ll have to report back later this week on the originality of the parts – if time permits.

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 18: Omega Seamaster Bullhead

Omega Seamaster Bullhead ST146.011

Omega Seamaster Bullhead ST146.011

And we’re back to the Bullhead. While the first example we showed was sold at CHF 5,650, this one, in notable better condition, reached CHF 8,125. Condition is King – especially if you’re in the game for the long run!

Antiquorum Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces LOT 610: Omega Speedmaster Professional  Anatoly Artsebarsky

Omega Speedmaster Professional ST145.022 Anatoly Artsebarsky

Omega Speedmaster Professional ST145.022 Anatoly Artsebarsky

Of course, the best is saved for last.. What may seem an ordinary Speedmaster Professional, is actually the ‘The only watch ever to spend extended time in open space’. This Speedmaster, made in 1988, was worn by Anatoly Artsebarsky during his 1991 Soyuz TM-12 mission. Not only was it worn in space for 144 days, 15 minutes and 21 seconds, it was worn in OPEN space on 6 ‘space walks’, for a total of approximately 33 hours.

To finish off this post, we’ll quote Antiquorum on this superb piece of history (slightly edited for readability):

Provenance: from the Artsebarsky collection

`Flown` Omega Speedmasters – watches that have actually been worn in space-  are quite naturally the most coveted and desirable of all the Speedmasters and almost never reach the open market. This historic watch, No. 48261214, once owned by the Ukrainian-born Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Artsebarsky is one of the very few Omega Speedmasters in private hands to have actually been worn in space and of all the `flown` Speedmasters no other watch has ever spent so many hours in open space – a total of 33 hours. It is therefore not only an extremely significant watch in the history of the Omega Speedmaster but a uniquely historic world-class object in its own right. The provenance is verified by the accompanying certificate signed by Anatoly Artsebarsky.

Artsebarsky spent five months on the MIR Space Station in 1991 and during that mission he made an unprecedented six ‘walks’ into open space, during each of those EVAs (extra-vehicular activities) he wore this watch.

Artsebarsky was born in the Ukraine in 1956 and became a cosmonaut in 1985. In 1991 he was the 35-year-old Commander of Soyuz TM-12, leading the first joint Russian-British space mission and had the first Briton in space (Helen Sharman) along with Russian Sergei Krikalev, as fellow crew. To this day, Krikalev holds the record for most hours spent in space.

Setting off on 18th May 1991 from the same pad that launched Yuri Gagarin some thirty years before, TM-12’s mission was to dock with the Mir space station, relieve the station crew and then spend the next five months constructing a space tower for use with the control module. On 26th May, a few days after docking with the Mir space station, the rest of the crew flew back to Earth leaving Artsebarsky and Krikalev onboard with a list of repairs and projects, including the tower construction. After over 145 days in space and six EVAs, Artsebarsky made his return and was immediately made a hero of the Soviet Union and given the Order of Lenin (among the last ever such award given), as well as being made a Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR and receiving the Medal for Merit in Space Exploration. While he was in orbit, the failed coup d’etat against Mikhail Gorbachev rocked the Soviet Union, setting in motion events which led to the end of the Soviet Union on January 1, 1992.

Enjoy the original auction catalogues at:

Create your own vintage with the 3570.50.00!

Property of a Gentleman: Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Racing 40mm 326.32.40.50.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Racing 40mm 326.32.40.50.06.001

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Racing 40mm 326.32.40.50.06.001

Our friend Mike e-mailed us this picture of his stunning 326.32.40.50.06.001.. His first watch!

We’ve written quite a few posts about the Co-Axial Racing and we love this watch.. Just use our Racing tag to be magically transported to a few of these – and other awesome Racing Speedmasters. Notice something unusual on Mikes Speedy though? Yes, he changed the strap to the Cordura example found on the Speedmaster Date reference 323.32.40.40.06.001. We love the look.. Toning down the watch a notch and an unbeatable combination with a casual attire. The yellow details on the dial seem to match the details on Mikes jeans rather well to booth!

Get your 326.32.40.50.06.001 at an Authorized Dealer  – click for info and pricing information!

Mike – thank you for sharing. To all our other friends – do not hesitate to send in your Speedmaster pics! Use our contact form, or send them directly to Dale@SpeedyWatches.com.