The New Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection

As the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega always presents limited editions dedicated to this major sports event. With Tokyo 2020 on its way, we expected some new watches to be introduced. And here they are, the new Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection (to give credit where credit is due, thank you Fratellowatches and Instagram users for spreading the news…) Don’t look for these watches on your local Omega website, unless you live in Japan. These are Japan-only editions – but in today’s world, this won’t be an impediment to somebody who really wants to get their hands on these watches…

Japan has always been an important market for the Speedmaster – and the recent Speedy Tuesday/Ultraman limited edition, with its Japanese inspiration, won’t change the rule. But instead of the release of special Seamaster watches dedicated to the Olympics, Omega has decided that for Tokyo 2020, the Speedmaster would be the perfect candidate for a series of special edition watches. The new Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection comprises five watches, all based on the classic Speedy Professional Moonwatch (sapphire crystal version), with a design (unsurprisingly) inspired by the five colours of the Olympic flag – namely the blue, yellow, black, green and red rings depicting the five continents.

The specs of the base Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Limited Editions will be familiar to you all: 42mm asymmetrical case, brushed and polished, external tachymeter scale on the bezel, calibre 1861 hand-wound with the 3-6-9 layout for the chronograph, 3-link steel bracelet. Nothing really new at this level, except for the colours used on the dials and bezels, as well as the two versions with a two-tone, steel and gold design. One difference from the regular sapphire crystal versions of the Moonwatch concerns the caseback;  instead of the customary sapphire caseback, the Olympic models feature a solid steel back stamped with the Tokyo 2020 logo.

It’s important to highlight that the Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection will only be offered in Japan at official Omega boutiques and can be viewed on the Japanese version of Omegawatches.com here – but globalisation does have its advantages and those of you who really want one will probably find a way… Each version will be produced in a run of 2,020 pieces and a set of all five watches will also be offered (55 examples available), in a specific presentation box and with five additional leather straps. Prices will be JPY 680,400 (approx. EUR 5,240) for the steel models and JPY 842,400 (approx. EUR 6,490) for the steel and gold models. Let’s now take a look at each of them.

Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Blue – 522.30.42.30.03.001

The first of the five models – ref. 522.30.42.30.03.001 – will feel familiar to many Speedmaster enthusiasts who will recognise traits of the 2006 Gemini IV limited edition (ref. 3565.80.00). It does, in fact, share the same combination of a steel case, a blue bezel and a blue brushed dial with white sub-counters. Some differences can be appreciated, including the red Speedmaster logo, the elongated applied indices, the silver chronograph counters and the red-tipped seconds hand.

The blue-panda look of this Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 is attractive and feels very different from the usual black dial models. And since the Gemini IV edition is becoming rarer and more expensive on the second-hand market, this might be a good opportunity to acquire a blue-dial Speedmaster.

Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Yellow – 522.20.42.30.01.001

The second model in this Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 collection is a reference to the yellow ring on the Olympic flag. For the occasion, Omega didn’t go too wild with a bright yellow dial but opted for a more luxurious take on the theme with a two-tone gold and steel colour scheme. The ref. 522.20.42.30.01.001 is based on the classic Moonwatch but adds a steel and gold look all around, with yellow gold pushers, crown and bezel. Its design somehow recalls the Apollo 15 35th anniversary (ref. 3366.51.00) edition.

An identical theme is used for the dial, a grained, matte black plate with yellow gold used on the rings of the sub-counters, on the hands, on the indices as well as for all the printing – with the exception of the red Speedmaster logo.

Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Black (Panda) – 522.30.42.30.04.001

The watch that represents the black ring on the Olympic flag will certainly be the main talking piece of this new Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 collection, as it isn’t really black (otherwise it would have been a simple Moonwatch) and displays a so-called panda dial. Speedmaster connoisseurs will immediately see the resemblance with the 2004 Apollo 11 35th Anniversary edition (ref. 3569.31.00). Then again, some differences are present.

This ref. 522.30.42.30.04.001 features elongated applied indices and a red Speedmaster logo. The panda dial translates into a silvery-white opaline dial with black sub-counters, combined with a classic black bezel. The case is steel. This is a rare opportunity (and a very nice one too) to add a panda Speedmaster to your collection.

Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Green – 522.20.42.30.06.001

For the green version, Omega chose to keep it subtle. The Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 ref. 522.20.42.30.06.001 relies on a steel and gold design – here with Sedna gold (Omega’s own rose gold alloy) for the pushers, crown, bezel, as well as all the hands, the indices and the rings of the sub-counters.

The dial is a slightly darker brushed grey tone. The only touch of green can be seen on the bezel, with a dark green background printed with a gold tachymeter scale. The printings on the dial are black while the Speedmaster logo is red.

Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Red – 522.30.42.30.06.001

Last but not least, the red ring of the Olympic flag is evoked in the Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 ref. 522.30.42.30.06.001. Once again, Omega has avoided going for a fully saturated dial and employed more discreet touches and an unprecedented design. This version is based on a full steel case and bracelet.

The main novelty is the sandblasted light grey dial with silver-coloured applied indices and hands. Red is featured on the insert of the bezel as well as on the Speedmaster logo on the dial.