The 321 movement is iconic and its application is synonymous to the Omega brand - I'd hope to see them continuing producing parts as has been discussed in a separate thread, or better yet, reissuing the movement. For example, either a commemorative edition marking the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, or simply as part of their product portfolio. Steven Urquhart said that the long term vision for Omega are 100% coaxial calibres by 2012, and 100% in-house calibres by 2013, with ONE exception - the Speedmaster. And my proposal is that if Omega's portfolio is to include a manual calibre, and the purpose of this calibre is to commemorate their heritage of being the first watch worn on the moon, then they should make it THE honest-to-goodness actual watch and movement that went to the moon. And not a second-generation derivative.

If others would welcome the c321 movement back, I urge you to send a quick note to Omega - or better yet, a snail mail letter - respectfully requesting that the c321 movement be returned to production and brought back to the Speedmaster Professional line.

Along with the dot-over-90 bezel

[email protected]

Mr. Stephen Urquhart
Rue Stämpfli 96
CH - 2500 Bienne 4
SWITZERLAND

cheers,
Mark

 

Absolutely. Even if they did nothing else, the current 3570.50.00 should have an applied Omega symbol. But beyond this, they should reissue the Speedmaster in its true original calibre, design, and construction.

dsio hit the nail on the head that the Speedmaster is THE flagship product for Omega - no other watch brand can, or would ever be the first watch worn on the moon. Ever. Would love to see a c321 Speedy with the applied logo, dot over 90 bezel, classic caseback, and a vintage Omega symbol on the crown.

This would upgrade the product, and the flagship and hallmark of Omega's brand.

best,
Mark

 

OR
They could completely screw it up, ala the new pie pan Connie

 

Don't go backwards, only go forwards. While the Speedy, Sub, and Porsche 911 are all icons that have been similar in design for 50+ years, there have always been subtle changes over the years. I like the reissue of the broad arrow and alpha hand Speedmasters.

 

Hi Mike - some tooling absolutely exists, as a number of c321 - c1861 parts are interchangeable. Clearly some aren't, such as the column wheel vice cam-and-shuttle, or the operating lever for hour hammer. Even if the balance of the tooling needs to be recreated, that can certainly be done, as it was done at least one time previously (when the calibre was first produced), and generally speaking, in the fields of manufacturing, dies, press plates, molds continuously need to serviced or rebuilt entirely as they too wear during the production process.

There is cost and capital investment required, but when you're talking production/reissue of a calibre vs. making a small supply for a backroom to handle vintage pieces, you're now getting into economies of scale. Additionally, if considering updates (such as computer-aided machining for ALL parts). . .this could be an opportunity to modernize production for all parts in this calibre - the existing c1861 parts that are unchanged from the original calibre, as well as new-production parts that are unique to the 321. Improved product yields can offset any non-recurring engineering that goes into setting up tooling to produce this calibre.

As for pricing - even if it doubled the MSRP (which it wouldn't necessarily have to), the classic would still be in line with the latest (the 9300 Speedy) pricewise, and it would keep exactly with the ethos Ash pointed out - emphasizing quality over value. And this is something Stephen Urquhart himself said directly when addressing the issue of price: he said that Omega's intention is not to arbitrarily raise prices nor simply price products high; but they will accept higher production prices translating to higher product prices if they yield higher quality products.

As for Mike's point - while I'd certainly be thrilled with a single c321 Speedmaster (a 105.012 heritage edition Moonwatch), a straight-lugged 105.003 would fit perfectly within Omega's Speedmaster line: a straight-lugged CK2998 heritage edition First Omega in Space, a 105.003 heritage edition First Omega EVA, and a 105/145.012 heritage edition Omega Moonwatch.

cheers,
Mark

 

I love the reissues; I welcome the reissues cosmetically, but would especially love the reissues mechanically, with the correct movement.

As for "going forwards", I think we can and should do both: for example, making the dials cosmetically correct but with modern materials and techniques to increase durability (e.g., Super-Luminova vs. tritium, or enamel vs. varnished dials), better seals, more precision manufacturing of parts stands as one example. And the offering of the calibre 9300 Speedmaster is another such example.

But the main point: given its iconic status as the hallmark of the brand, and given that Omega is committed to retaining the manual movement Speedmaster, this manual movement should be THE calibre 321 Speedmaster.

best,
Mark

 

Rob / Donut has one of them.

 

Quite possibly.

 

WOW!!! Talk about saying hello to a familiar face!!

 

If omega actually did that I would



in my pants.