Omega @ Baselworld 2016

MyLifeUncut · Apr 1, 2016

Sorry for being a little late to the show... 😉

Did anyone else hope for a new Speedmaster with the new (Master Coaxial) 9900 movement? Just like the existing one with the 9300 movement (Speedmaster Coaxial Chronograph 44,25mm) but but fully antimagnetic and with a Liquid Metal bezel (just like the Speedmaster Moonphase but without the Moonphase and maybe a classic white on black painted Speedmaster dial)?

Or am I the only one who was a little bit disappointed to see the debut of Omega's new top of the line chronograph movement in a diver (Planet Ocean Chronograph) but not in its most famous chronograph, the Speedmaster? Seems like I have to wait until after Baselworld 2017 to buy that watch... 🙁

Longbow · Apr 2, 2016

MyLifeUncut
Sorry for being a little late to the show... 😉

Did anyone else hope for a new Speedmaster with the new (Master Coaxial) 9900 movement? Just like the existing one with the 9300 movement (Speedmaster Coaxial Chronograph 44,25mm) but but fully antimagnetic and with a Liquid Metal bezel (just like the Speedmaster Moonphase but without the Moonphase and maybe a classic white on black painted Speedmaster dial)?

Or am I the only one who was a little bit disappointed to see the debut of Omega's new top of the line chronograph movement in a diver (Planet Ocean Chronograph) but not in its most famous chronograph, the Speedmaster? Seems like I have to wait until after Baselworld 2017 to buy that watch... 🙁

You might have to wait even longer than 2017. Maybe the 9900 caliber is being held back for a 2019 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 Speedmaster. It would make sense for Omega to get it fully field proven in other watches before risking something untried/new on such a critical Speedmaster model and I can't imaging that Omega will pass up the chance to issue a Speedy to celebrate such an event.

It would be interesting to hear what other Speedmaster fans would like to see as an Apollo 11 50th Anniversary issue. That way Omega could base their design on what fans actually want and would have a few years to get things spot on....so no more BW2016 mistakes.

My preference for such a Speedmaster would be to see a good mix of vintage style and new tech. with a nod towards it's original use in aerospace (i.e. keep the weight down by using Titanium and avoid the shrapnel risk associated with a sapphire crystal):-

- Base Model: Moonwatch Pro 42mm (311.30.42.30.01.006)
- Fully antimagnetic METAS version of the 1863 caliber
- Matt black dial with layout as per the 42mm Pro but using recessed hour markers like on the '57. I rather like the surface effect on the SM300 and the Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Speedy.
- Grade 5 Titanium case and bracelet with extension clasp as per SM300 to keep the weight down and allow the twisted lug facets one the case to take a polish to contrast the other brushed surfaces.
- Domed Hesalite Crystal
- Transparent case back to view the manual wind movement
and last but not least
- Real water resistance to 100m depth (didn't the Apollo Command Module land in water?)...but without the ugly screw-locked pushers. Omega has 3 years to figure out how to do that. Maybe do-able by using series stacked Belleville washers with hermetically sealed/welded contact flats around the pusher stems.
http://www.meadinfo.org/2009/08/belleville-disc-washer-springs-overview.html

MyLifeUncut · Apr 3, 2016

Hmmm... seems plausible -- but I sure hope that you are wrong! 😉

I came very close to buying the 9300-/44,25mm-Speedmaster several times. I know, for many people it's not a "real" Speedy -- but I really like the larger size, the twin subdial layout with date at 6 o'clock and the fact that it is an automatic movement. But I just don't want to buy it _now_, with the successor (9900 movement) already available and with all the new models having microadjustment clasps (a huge plus in my book!) and Liquid Metal bezels. I guess I will have to wait and see... -.-

Longbow · Apr 3, 2016

MyLifeUncut
Hmmm... seems plausible -- but I sure hope that you are wrong! 😉

I came very close to buying the 9300-/44,25mm-Speedmaster several times. I know, for many people it's not a "real" Speedy -- but I really like the larger size, the twin subdial layout with date at 6 o'clock and the fact that it is an automatic movement. But I just don't want to buy it _now_, with the successor (9900 movement) already available and with all the new models having microadjustment clasps (a huge plus in my book!) and Liquid Metal bezels. I guess I will have to wait and see... -.-

Sure it's a real Speedy and a very nice one at that, but maybe not a real Moonwatch - an automatic movement isn't much use in zero or micro-gravity.

Maybe you should ask yourself some important questions about what you really want from your Speedmaster, as opposed to listening to all the marketing hype and "expert" opinions:-
- Do you have any plans to go into space any time soon?😁 Probably not, so automatic is OK and really practical.

- Do you like the look of the existing model? Do you think a new model will also look as good, better or maybe worse (think BW2016)?

- A new model is unlikely to be cheaper in a few years time - how much extra do you want to pay for waiting?

- Does a LM Bezel add significant value to you? Do you want a watch that looks unused in say 10 years, or one that gains some patina?

- Could you live without the micro-adjustable clasp until the new model is released. I agree with you fully on the value of this. The lack of this feature was about the only thing that bugged me with my Speedy. I'm guessing Omega will keep the same lug width and spring bar hole position between the generations so the new bracelet should fit the older model*. I'm guessing that an Omega Boutique would do their best to provide you with an updated bracelet later.
*Now we do need some experts to confirm if that is typically true. I know the X33 Ti bracelet fits the Apollo 45th LE Speedy, so I could imagine it holds true for other similar larger models.

- Will a new 9900 movement be real-world more accurate than it's predecessor? If accuracy is a big deal then maybe you need Quartz. I'm guessing you done want that so whether your watch has METAS, COSC or none of these isn't such a big deal. My Speedy also isn't "real", it's an old Day Date with the non-COSC 1151 Caliber automatic movement and I have enjoyed wearing it almost daily for the last 10 years. I never had the feeling that it wasn't accurate enough or that I had to constantly adjust the time. The only reason I have started wearing it less is because I recently bought the new Globemaster (Blue dial Stainless/Tungsten on a leather strap) and that purchase had more to do with the GM's aesthetics and the fact that my eyes aren't fit enough to read all the small detail on my Speedy any more.

- Which model exactly did you "come very close to buying"? The 311.30.44.51.01.002 ? If it is it's probably the same one I was looking at a while ago (my Speedy is on the right).

MyLifeUncut · Apr 3, 2016

Thanks for your long reply -- all good points! 😀

Yes, the 311.30.44.51.01.002 (2nd from the left in your picture) is the one that I _almost_ bought a couple of times.

I do know exactly what I would like: The 311.30.44.51.01.002 with a Liquid Metal bezel (I always felt that the matt bezel looks a bit cheap...), a microadjustment clasp and (fully antimagnetic) 9900 movement.

I agree with you that having the 9900 over the 9300 movement might not have practical benefits. But then again: We don't buy watches in the 5000-10000 Euro/Dollar price range for practical purposes, do we? 😉 And I do think that Omega's antimagnetic movements are one of the very few "real" innovations in the anachronistical field of mechanical watches. So, right now, I would either buy a "real" (handwound, hesalite, maybe vintage) Moonwatch or a new model that has all the things mentioned above.

Seeing that Omega plans to move its whole collection to METAS-certified antimagnetic movements and seeing that all the new models have microadjustment clasps and liquid metal bezels I think my chances are quite good to eventually get what I want... :-D As we say in Germany: "Vorfreude ist die schönste Freude" (translated freely: anticipation is the best form of joy)...

Longbow · Apr 3, 2016

MyLifeUncut
Thanks for your long reply -- all good points! 😀

Yes, the 311.30.44.51.01.002 (2nd from the left in your picture) is the one that I _almost_ bought a couple of times.

I do know exactly what I would like: The 311.30.44.51.01.002 with a Liquid Metal bezel (I always felt that the matt bezel looks a bit cheap...), a microadjustment clasp and (fully antimagnetic) 9900 movement.

I agree with you that having the 9900 over the 9300 movement might not have practical benefits. But then again: We don't buy watches in the 5000-10000 Euro/Dollar price range for practical purposes, do we? 😉 And I do think that Omega's antimagnetic movements are one of the very few "real" innovations in the anachronistical field of mechanical watches. So, right now, I would either buy a "real" (handwound, hesalite, maybe vintage) Moonwatch or a new model that has all the things mentioned above.

Seeing that Omega plans to move its whole collection to METAS-certified antimagnetic movements and seeing that all the new models have microadjustment clasps and liquid metal bezels I think my chances are quite good to eventually get what I want... :-D As we say in Germany: "Vorfreude ist die schönste Freude" (translated freely: anticipation is the best form of joy)...

Aber nicht vergessen: Viele Menschen versäumen das kleine Glück, während sie auf das Große vergebens warten. Don't wait too long 😀

Longbow · Apr 3, 2016

Riviera Paradise
@Longbow great Photoshop work there😀

I think a date complication at 6 o clock, preserving dial symmetry is ok/tolerable. The only issue I have with dates is that they should not contrast with the dial colour, which is where I think the GSOTM Meteorite fails a bit...compare it to the DSOTM, where you hardly notice the date at all.

I really hate, for example, the Sub date with the white date bulging through the cyclops looking like an eyesore against the black dial. It would look so, so much better with a black date background..."screw" the diving visibility thing for the date complication, make it black...I don´t think many scuba divers are actually looking at the date during their dives, are they? The Sub No Date for me is much, much more classy as is the SM300MC.

I actually think the 6 o clock date was done OK on the Globemaster. I also think a date for a SS version makes sense, as many will consider it be a business watch. Perhaps the higher end more dressy Globemaster pieces in gold cases should follow the platinum route and go for no date dials? I know the Tresor would look nicer without a date too! Sorry for repeating the same Tresor pic BTW...I have not been having much time to take new pics and post stuff on this forum.

Agree. On the GM and Tresor with date at 6 o'clock and date/dial matched colours is OK.

I'm undecided about the others though, so here we go again with original, vs 6 o'clock vs no date. If they were my one and only Omega then clearly with date, but as part of a collection I could live without.

As for "I don´t think many scuba divers are actually looking at the date during their dives, are they?" I suppose it depends how attractive he/she is. 🥰

Riviera Paradise · Apr 3, 2016

Longbow
As for "I don´t think many scuba divers are actually looking at the date during their dives, are they?" I suppose it depends how attractive he/she is. 🥰

LOL. Great reply @Longbow😀

Mouse_at_Large · Apr 3, 2016

Longbow
Sure it's a real Speedy and a very nice one at that, but maybe not a real Moonwatch - an automatic movement isn't much use in zero or micro-gravity.

Colonel William Pogue and his Seiko would disagree (as would several other manufacturers) 🙄

An back on topic, I rather like some of the ideas Omega have showcased especially the new bezel colours.

Archer · Apr 3, 2016

Longbow
Sure it's a real Speedy and a very nice one at that, but maybe not a real Moonwatch - an automatic movement isn't much use in zero or micro-gravity.

🤦

trama · Apr 3, 2016

If I find myself in space with an auto, I'll just, ya know, wind it.

On topic: When life gives you too much Basel, just make pesto...

Longbow · Apr 3, 2016

trama
If I find myself in space with an auto, I'll just, ya know, wind it.

On topic: When life gives you too much Basel, just make pesto...

Wind it? 😕 Er, doh! ::facepalm1::

Clear evidence that I have too many automatics. 😟 If I stay in this Forum long enough I might get to graduate from idiot to just ill informed.

trama · Apr 3, 2016

Longbow
Wind it? 😕 Er, doh! Clear evidence that I have too many automatics. 😟 If I stay in this Forum long enough I might get to graduate from idiot to just ill informed.

I've been here for a short spell, but plenty long enough to have graduated from idiot to ill informed. Sadly, it has not happened. I want to point out that it should not reflect poorly on the forum contributors in any way, at this point I may just be one of those who keeps trying but is always picked last.

Nobel Prize · Apr 3, 2016

Longbow
Wind it? 😕 Er, doh! Clear evidence that I have too many automatics. 😟 If I stay in this Forum long enough I might get to graduate from idiot to just ill informed.

Yes

larryganz · Apr 8, 2016

I've always felt the date belongs at 6 o'clock, not 3 o'clock.

Omega @ Baselworld 2016

MyLifeUncut

Longbow

MyLifeUncut

Longbow

MyLifeUncut

Longbow

Longbow

Riviera Paradise

Mouse_at_Large

Archer

trama

Longbow

trama

Nobel Prize

larryganz

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