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eternalover
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Well most people seem more interested in Omega’s Modern tool watches, but here’s a review of the last 7 days or so with my latest addition that my wonderful wife got me for Christmas. 424.13.40.20.01.002
The website picture doesn’t really do it justice. It was a genuine surprise as I knew Omega have none in the U.K. yet.
1 Dial.
In the metal, the black sunray dial accentuates the reflections picked up on the hands an numerals. Admittedly at one or two angles legibility suffers slightly, but that is a very temporary. There is another version with honeycomb pattern which probably reduces the issue but I slightly prefer this finish. Having looked at many vintage watches, in the end I am not a huge fan of dial patina, and rarely does it favour black dials, many of which appear to my fairly inexperienced eye to have been renovated at least once, with varying success. The contrast between rhodium plated Roman numerals works for me. Usually I prefer alternate Arabic or Arabic quarters, but given this watch nods to past Omegas such as the classic 2367, I can accept them here.
Dial layout (leaving aside the contentious date window at 6) picks up strong references from vintage Omegas of the early mid twentieth century, now heavily increased with the recently introduced minute railway track. For some this makes it a pastiche, but for me it was one of the main attractions. It lends the overall design at 39.5mm a pleasing balance and in this steel version creates a restrained elegance (again a matter of taste) which in my view has eluded this wonderful brand for some time.
The feuille hands are also new for this model and in my opinion are a more elegant shape for this iteration than the previous dauphine style, improving the overall aesthetic without complicating it. As to the date window, there were at least seamaster calendars with this in the sixties. The window itself is a little large but those of us with ageing eyes not wearing glasses all the time may see this without their glasses or my personal bugbear the hated cyclops lens. Dial colour is strong black under most light but slate like in bright light on some angles, and as mentioned contracts well with the hands and numerals.
Profile/ dimensions
Thickness looks to be a shade over 11mm and overall the watch delivers surprising presence aided by a narrow bezel, while maintains a dressy profile. I had also looked at ultramarine morse and iwc watches in this sort of style, but think the proportions here are excellent. Modern calibers do seem to be driving thickness upwards, and I can’t help suspecting that thicker larger watches with modular movements are easier to produce, reducing the need for thin movements. The strap is unobtrusive and given it is taking time to break in, I expect it to be quite robust as leather straps go.
Medallion
It may seem cynical marketeering intended to create a brand line from little history, but the Chronos medallion is also a plus for me. Few may look at it in detail but at magnification it provides slightly quirky detail, an almost comic serious note.
Movement
There is little to say about the now well proven movement. I have a slight concern that co axial escapement has substituted one problem (percussive impact) for another (sliding friction), but others are more expert than I, and in ten years time we will have a clearer picture of the lifetime and maintenance requirements of the 2500 c and d (or is it e? ) versions.
Style
It might be thought the dress watch is dead, along with the suit and tie, but this style never looks out of place in my view, and is a bit of a crossover look, not sporty but dress with slight aviator/military cues (the crown and overall profile). It will be interesting on a cuff when I finally put a suit on again.
Summary
This model line has had its ups and downs and some forgettable moments, but I think this latest version delivers improved aesthetic and a stronger design identity. Not all versions work for me. The blue dial and gold indices looks very smart on steel, but this one stands out to my eye.
For now I can only sign off by counting my lucky stars that my watch addiction is accepted by my lovely wife who went to the trouble of contacting Omega direct (who were very helpful on what is a modest purchase by their standards!) to get this sent from factory. Hope you all had as good a Christmas as is possible in these difficult times.
