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buramu
·I was thinking about the much-rumored next generation Speedmaster Professional and how it may present Omega with some interesting choices to make. Bear with me for a bit...
We can be almost certain that the new model will get the Co-axial 3861 movement, and expectations are that the price point will be bumped up a notch or two, moving the Speedy Pro into a new/different category of watches.
The Speedmaster has humble origins, starting life as a big, relatively affordable toolwatch. Not necessarily utilitarian, but certainly more a functional tool than a precious piece of jewellery. Fast-forward 60'ish years, and the Speedy has retained pretty much the same character. Sure, the price has gone up quite significantly, but looking at the Omega catalog the Speedmaster is still down the bottom of the brand's price range and it still has that basic toolwatch soul.
If Omega, as speculated, move the Speedmaster into luxury watch territory, the market will expect something beyond the existing value proposition (in addition to the chronometer certified movement): higher end materials (no more hesalite? will people accept a plastic crystal on a 6-8 K€ watch?)... A more distinctive/eye-catching dial? In any case, going into a higher price range may mean moving away from the original watch that went to the moon.
So the conundrum seems to be:
- move away from the heritage piece that earned them so much fame and street-cred to try and appeal to a different customer segment?
- or stick to the original "Moonwatch" concept and risk overselling at a too-high price point
What do you expect?
We can be almost certain that the new model will get the Co-axial 3861 movement, and expectations are that the price point will be bumped up a notch or two, moving the Speedy Pro into a new/different category of watches.
The Speedmaster has humble origins, starting life as a big, relatively affordable toolwatch. Not necessarily utilitarian, but certainly more a functional tool than a precious piece of jewellery. Fast-forward 60'ish years, and the Speedy has retained pretty much the same character. Sure, the price has gone up quite significantly, but looking at the Omega catalog the Speedmaster is still down the bottom of the brand's price range and it still has that basic toolwatch soul.
If Omega, as speculated, move the Speedmaster into luxury watch territory, the market will expect something beyond the existing value proposition (in addition to the chronometer certified movement): higher end materials (no more hesalite? will people accept a plastic crystal on a 6-8 K€ watch?)... A more distinctive/eye-catching dial? In any case, going into a higher price range may mean moving away from the original watch that went to the moon.
So the conundrum seems to be:
- move away from the heritage piece that earned them so much fame and street-cred to try and appeal to a different customer segment?
- or stick to the original "Moonwatch" concept and risk overselling at a too-high price point
What do you expect?
