Probably everyone knows that the Omega Speedmaster Professional is the Moonwatch. At the time of its introduction in 1957 however, it was basically meant as a chronograph watch for people involved in sports such as car racing and motorsports. When Buzz Aldrin set foot on the Moon in 1969 wearing a Speedmaster Professional, Omega was already creating a new variation of the Speedmaster Professional – the Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II. This Mark II model consisted of two variations: one with a black dial similar to the one of the regular Speedmaster Professional, and one with a racing dial. Even though there already had been a racing dial version of the regular Speedmaster Professional in 1967, it only had a very limited production. The focus of Omega probably was on being the Moonwatch instead of a ‘Racing watch’.
Fast forward 2014. Just before Baselworld 2014 – the biggest watch exhibition in the world – opened its doors, Omega introduced the re-edition of that Speedmaster Mark II model from 1969. One of the new models has – again – this racing dial. The Speedmaster Co-Axial Mark II has a checkered minute ring and a number of orange accents on the dial and hands. These orange hands are those used for the chronograph function of the watch, so there is no doubt which hands record the elapsed time.
Although the case shape, beautiful brushed finish and dial colors did not change, the engine of the Speedmaster Mark II did. Where the original 1969 model used the same hand-wound movement as the Moonwatch, Lemania-based caliber 861, the new Mark II uses a self-winding movement with Omega’s Co-Axial escapement. Oh, and a date feature. It also has a chronometer rating, which means that it runs accurately within -4 and +6 seconds a day, tested and proofed by the Swiss COSC organization.
Price? With $6,250 USD Omega definitely targets the group of people that love the look of vintage watches but do not dare to burn their fingers on buying one. People who just want a modern watch with all the state-of-the-art features might prefer this modern Mark II interpretation instead of searching for a real vintage Mark II timepiece that can be bought for 1/3rd of the price. To each his own.
The new Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Mark II is already available in the stores.
Specifications:
Caliber: Omega 3330 Self-winding chronograph with
column-wheel mechanism and Co-Axial Escapement.
Power reserve: 52 hours
Functions: Time, Chronograph and Date
Crystal: Flat scratch-resistant sapphire
crystal with anti-reflective treatment on
both sides
Case: Steel
Bracelet: Steel
Water resistant: 10 bar (100 meters / 330 feet)
Size: Case Diameter: 42.4 x 46.2 mm
What car would you like to race while wearing the Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing?
