Pre-Baseworld 2017 – Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer (Specs, Availability & Price)

This year, one of the most iconic watches ever created will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Its name: the Speedmaster. As you can imagine, with such a long history and so many iconic versions, every new Speedmaster carries the spirit and design inspiration of the models that came before. As a preview of the future collection that will come at Baselworld 2017, the Biel-based brand shows this concept with the new Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer, with a dial that refers to a 1968 Speedmaster model (the Racing-Dial Speedmaster), yet with modern size and features.

This new Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer is based on the already known 44.25mm automatic version of the Speedmaster (not the iconic 42mm “Moonwatch” case), with a stainless case and the in-house chronograph movement of the brand. Yet, some evolutions, and not only visual ones, are to be noted. While the architecture of the movement remains the same as before – an integrated, column-wheel, vertical clutch, twin-barrel calibre, with a specific co-axial display of the minutes and hours of the chronograph, in a sub-dial at 3 – the Calibre 9900 has now reached the Swiss industry’s highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic resistance, as approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) and becomes a “Master Chronometer” (see our in-depth movie here to understand the Omega certification process).

Besides the mechanical evolution, this Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer features a brand new dial and some light visual updates. The main one certainly is its distinctive minute-track style and the addition of orange accents all over the dial – hour indexes, main hands, small second hand, “Speedmaster” logo, “tachymètre” on the bezel. This specific layout and color scheme first appeared on a 1968 Speedmaster ST145.012 model (as well as on some later Mark II ST145.014 models) and is now updated to be featured on this modernly sized and driven watch. The dial features applied indexes for the hours as well as a date window, discreetly integrated at 6.

Three other evolutions can be seen on the Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer. First, compared to the other 44.25mm Speedies, it is slightly thinner, thanks to the work done on the cambered sapphire crystal. Then, the subdials have also been slightly expanded in diameter, for improved readability – while the positioning of the indications are still the same (small second at 9, hours and minutes of the chronograph in a single sub-dial at 3, displayed like a classical timing indication). Finally, the bezel is now made in black polished ceramic and features a brushed Liquidmetal® tachymeter scale (a technology unique to Omega, which allows to seamlessly integrate metallic scales and numerals into the ceramic).

To Stay true to the racing spirit of this Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer, the brand chose a black leather strap that contains a section of orange rubber through the middle. A milling tool has then been used to create micro perforations through the constructed strap that reveal the orange rubber inside. This perforated design provides the perfect sporty look and also has the benefit of aerating the wearer’s skin. it is secured to the wrist by a steel folding clasp.

The Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer will be available from April 2017, at a price of Euro 7,700 (retail price). More on www.omegawatches.com.

Specifications of the Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

• Case: 44.25mm diameter – stainless steel, polished and brushed – sapphire crystal on both sides – 50m water resistance
• Movement: Omega Calibre 9900, in-house – Master Chronometer certified – Antimagnetic – Co-Axial escapement – automatic – 60h power reserve – hours, minutes, small second, date, chronograph
• Strap: perforated black leather with orange rubber, on steel folding clasp
• Ref. 304.32.44.51.01.001
• Price / availability: Euro 7,700 – in stores in April 2017