Few could have predicted that a collaboration between the well-known watch brands Swatch and Omega would become so globally popular. Swatch Group, who owns both brands, has truly made history with the launch of the MoonSwatch—a watch for everyone.

Unexpectedly introduced in March 2022, the MoonSwatch quickly became an instant success. The launch of the watch collection drew significant attention on social media, where images of long queues outside Swatch stores worldwide quickly spread. This dramatically increased interest, even among those who typically do not follow watch trends, was for some people a surprise. The hype around these watches led to a boom in the secondary market, and stores imposed a limit of two watches per person to manage the demand.

The collection consists of eleven different models inspired by various celestial bodies, providing a wide range of colors so everyone can find a favorite. The affordability and versatility quickly made the watch popular among both fans and collectors. The MoonSwatch combines Swatch’s playfulness and design with Omega’s iconic Speedmaster style, creating an attractive mix of tradition and innovation.

Despite it being over two years since the launch, the MoonSwatch is still being sold actively. Swatch Group continues to keep the trend alive by launching new models, like the recently introduced Mission to the Moonphase in the “Full Moon” and “New Moon” variants. These models include a moon phase complication, a novelty for Swatch, with a charming detail where little Snoopy also rests on the moon—a nice tribute to Snoopy’s long-standing relationship with NASA.

Another novelty is the MoonShine Gold, launched to further increase exclusivity. This model features a black dial and a gray case, with a special detail where the chronograph’s second hand is only produced during a full moon, and is covered with Omega’s own MoonShine gold and decorated with a new pattern for every full moon.

With their unique brand combination, Swatch and Omega have created a covetable collection where each new collaboration, like the recent one with Blancpain to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diveing watch Fifty Fathoms, continues to engage and fascinate watch enthusiasts worldwide.

Their ability to continuously introduce new, popular models showcases a smart and well-thought-out strategic move. The accessible price allows customers to purchase multiple watches and experiment with colors. For those who prefer to vary the look further, Wristbuddys offers affordable rubber straps for all models—Omega X Swatch and Blancpain X Swatch—in many colors and stylish options that suit various styles and preferences. 

The post Is it a Timeless Success – Swatch X Omega appeared first on Millenary Watches.

It’s safe to say that the Omega Seamaster is one of the most iconic and recognized watches out there. It’s at the top together with watches like the Rolex Submariner, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

But what it is that makes some watches especially iconic and legendary whilst some remain relevant for just a few years and are then forgotten?

History and background of the Omega Seamaster

The Omega Seamaster is a model with a long and rich history. It has been a staple in the watch industry for over 70 years, ever since its introduction in 1948.

Over the years, the Seamaster has changed its design quite a lot until finding its true DNA. Originally, it started out as a waterproof dress watch and today, it is a sporty dive watch with an iconic design featuring distinct design elements such as curved/twisted lugs, a helium escape valve at 5 o’clock, distinctive hour markers, and hands, and oftentimes, a wave-pattern dial. Over the course of the decades, it has undergone a large number of transformations and in particular, improvements that have increased the durability, performance, and longevity of the watch.

One of the defining key features of the Seamaster is its rugged and durable yet versatile design. Whilst it is a professional dive watch at its core, James Bond has proven that it works just as great paired with a suit. Thanks to its rugged and durable build quality, the watch is able to withstand active lifestyles and the most challenging environments.

Over the years, the Seamaster collection has also grown considerably and also branched out to new sub-models and versions that are based on the Seamaster. This means that there is now a huge selection of different dive watches to choose from depending on your style and preferences.

Interested in the Omega MoonSwatch? Read more here!

Despite its long history and rich heritage, the Omega Seamaster remains just as relevant today as it was 10, 30, or even 50 years ago. This is the ultimate proof of a timeless design.

If you are looking to learn more about this iconic watch model, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the most interesting facts about the Omega Seamaster.

Top facts about Omega Seamaster

1. The Seamaster was originally a line of waterproof dress watches

The Omega Seamaster was first launched in 1948 but the fact is that the original Seamaster looks a lot different than it does today. Bear in mind that during this time, small and elegant dress watches were all the rage and the sizes that are considered standard for men’s watches today were unthinkable at the time.

Today, the Seamaster is also a professional dive watch with a helium escape valve and a unidirectional rotating bezel. But this wasn’t the case back then. At its core, the original Seamaster was just a regular dress watch with a construction that made it waterproof. But still, it was during this time that the need for waterproof wristwatches came around and manufacturers like Omega asked themselves how they could solve the issue of having water damage the watch.

The key difference between the Seamaster and its diving watch predecessors was the use of an O-ring gasket which helped improve its water resistance. Water-resistant watches normally used lead or shellac gaskets which were not as reliable as they were easily affected by temperature changes – something that professional divers would naturally experience when diving.

Omega came up with the idea for O-ring gaskets by looking at submarines used during WWII. Thanks to the new gasket, the Seamaster proved to remain intact at depths up to 60 meters and in temperature ranges between -40 degrees and 50 degrees Celsius.

The bottom line is that it took many decades for the Seamaster to evolve from a classic dress watch to the sporty and iconic watch it is today.

2. The Seamaster is divided into several different collections

What started out as one model has since grown into several different sub-categories. But all are still based on the Seamaster. These include:

• Seamaster Aqua Terra
• Seamaster Diver professional 300M
• Seamaster 300
• Seamaster Railmaster
• Seamaster Proprof 1200M
• Seamaster Bullhead
• Seamaster 1948
• Seamaster Planet Ocean
• Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep

All of the above models are based on the Seamaster but have then been designed and built for specific purposes and with different visions in mind. The Aqua-Terra, for example, is intended as a sporty yet more versatile version of the classic Seamaster Diver. As such, it does not feature the traditional unidirectional rotating bezel to give it a more sleek and elegant look. On the contrary, the Seamaster Planet Ocean is intended as a more sporty variant of the classic Seamaster Diver 300m and therefore has an even more bulky and robust case with even greater water resistance.

Each of these models caters to different people, preferences, and needs. And this is a great thing as it helps everyone find their favorite Seamaster that still features some of the iconic and distinct design features of the classic Seamaster. 

3.  The Seamaster is the longest-running production model from Omega

It’s safe to say that Omega has a huge collection of different models and versions in its offering. But did you know that the Seamaster is the longest-running production model from Omega?

Originally launched in 1948, it’s clearly not the same as it was when it was first released but it has evolved and improved over the decades to become what it is today. 

This fact alone is highly impressive and proves the strength and legendary status of the Omega Seamaster.

4. The first Seamaster was based on designs made for the British Royal Navy

Sports watches back in the day looked a lot different from what they looked like back in the day. As already discussed, the first Seamaster was essentially just a classic and elegant dress watch. And the design of the first Seamaster was actually based on designs made for the British Royal Navy during the end of World War II.

Omega supplied watches for the military during the war and due to the harsh environments and demand conditions that soldiers found themselves in, they needed robust and durable watches that could withstand this. As such, when Omega’s plans for creating a waterproof wristwatch came about, it was only natural that they would use what they already had as a starting point.

5. Gerald Genta designed the Seamaster Polaris

It’s safe to say that Gerald Genta is one of the most legendary and important designers in the watch industry – ever. He has designed several of the most iconic watches ever created, including the Royal Oak, Ingenious, and the Nautilus.

But one watch that is less known to have been designed by Gerald Genta is the Seamaster Polaris.

The Seamaster Polaris was designed in 1982 and was launched in 1983. It remained in production up until 1994. The Polaris was a very interesting watch from a technical standpoint. The very first edition of the watch was launched in titanium – a material that was not very common at the time.

5. The Seamaster broke a diving record in 1955

Today, the standard Seamaster offers a water resistance of 300m. Models like the Planet Ocean offer a water resistance of 600m and the Ultradeep has a staggering water resistance of 6000m.

Of course, all of these numbers were unthinkable and thought impossible during the time when watch brands had only begun thinking about making water-resistant watches.

But still, in 1955, Omega managed to impress with its Seamaster by breaking a diving record. The record was broken when the diver Gordon McLean reached a depth of 62.5 meters (205 feet) in Australia. It may not sound very impressive today but at the time, it was a way for Omega to show that its Seamaster was the best and most durable dive watch out there.

6. Omega strapped a Seamaster to the hull of a Douglas DC6 in 1956

To further prove the durability and water-resistant properties of the Seamaster, Omega subjected the watch to an extreme challenge in 1956.

During a polar-route journey across the North Atlantic, a Douglas DC6 had a Seamaster attached to the hull.

Due to the use of O-ring gaskets for the Seamaster, Omega was very confident about the water-resistant properties of the Seamaster and wanted to prove it to everyone else. Of course, the watch remained intact during the whole journey.

7. James Bond was first seen wearing a Seamaster in 1995

Today, we closely associate James Bond with Omega. And for good reasons. Since 1995, James Bond has worn Omega watches. Before this, he wore Rolex, just like in Ian Flemming’s novels. But Omega successfully pushed away Rolex as the costume designer at the time and found that Omega was more historically relevant considering the model’s historical relationship with the British Royal Navy and thus the James Bond character.

1995 became the first year that James Bond was seen wearing an Omega in the movie. This was also the year that Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond. In the movie GoldenEye, he can be seen wearing an Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300m Quartz reference 2541.80.00.

In all the movies to follow, James Bond has been wearing various Seamaster models. In Skyfall, Daniel Craig wears a Seamaster Aqua-Terra and a Planet Ocean. In No Time to Die, he wears the titanium ”No time to die” special edition Seamaster.

Moreover, in many of the Bond movies, the Seamaster watches that Bond has worn have been equipped with various special features. In Spectre, the Seamaster 300 he wears has a bomb that is activated via the countdown bezel. The Seamaster Pierce Brosnan wears in GoldenEye and Die Another Day (Seamaster Professional Diver 300M 2531.80.00) has a laser that can cut through objects, amongst other things.

8. Omega first added the Co-Axial escapement to the Seamaster in 2006

In 2006, a new era in the Bond franchise began with Daniel Craig taking on the role and the same year, Omega equipped the Seamaster 300 with the revolutionary Caliber 2500. This mechanical movement marked the first commercial application of Omega’s hallmark Co-axial escapement, which had previously been introduced in the Omega De Ville in 1999. Since then, Omega has included the Co-axial escapement in all of its watches, with the exception of the Speedmaster Moonwatch, until its integration in 2021.

To pay homage to the first Seamasters specifically designed for diving, Omega released the Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial in 2014. This timepiece combines vintage design elements with modern functionality, positioning it as a worthy competitor to the renowned Rolex Submariner.

9. The Seamaster 300 was launched in 1957

In the early days of the Seamaster, professional diving and deep diving weren’t really a thing. But in the 1950s, diving was popularized and became very cool. As such, Omega needed to up its game to meet the demands of divers and make the Seamaster so that it had the water resistance to support diving.

Omega launched the Seamaster 300 in 1957 but interestingly enough, this watch was only water-resistant to 200m/660 feet. Omega claimed that this was not due to the limitations of the watch but rather the limitations of diving equipment. But still, the key difference was that the new Seamaster was actually built and designed for underwater use, not just to handle water splashes and less demanding situations revolving around water.

10. Jacques Cousteau’s team wore Seamaster 300 watches

The legendary diver Jacques Cousteau and his team wore Seamaster 300 watches during their Conshelf II missions in the Red Sea in 1963.

With Cousteau being the front figure of professional diving at the time, he played a crucial role in the growth of the popularity of diving and therefore contributed greatly to the Seamaster’s prestige and reputation as a professional dive watch at the time.

11. Omega launched a deep-dive version of the Seamaster in 1970

During the 1960s and 1970s, watchmakers were continually raising the bar for dive watch water resistance and Omega was among the leading companies in this effort. In 1970, the brand joined forces with French commercial diving company, COMEX, which had previously collaborated with Rolex on the Sea-Dweller, to create its most extreme divers’ watch to date, the Seamaster PloProf, also known as the Seamaster 600.

Designed for professional divers, this watch featured an asymmetrical monobloc steel case and doubled the water resistance of the Seamaster 300 to 600 meters. In a few years, Omega introduced the PloProf, commonly referred to as “The Grand,” with the ability to withstand depths of up to 1,000 meters. Although it never became a mainstream hit, the PloProf was highly regarded among diving enthusiasts and was even spotted on the wrist of Jacques Cousteau. In 2009, Omega re-released the Seamaster PloProf with a water resistance of 1,200 meters, and it remains in the brand’s collection today.

The post Top 11 Interesting Facts About Omega Seamaster [List & Guide] appeared first on Millenary Watches.

When talking about watches, it’s difficult to avoid the topic of price and value. Because as a matter of fact, Omega watches are not cheap objects, at least not relatively speaking. 

It’s no secret that the vast majority of new products that you buy lose a part of much of their value when you buy them. Just like a brand-new car loses X percent when you buy it from the dealership, most watches also lose value when you buy them from an official Omega retailer. There are of course exceptions to this rule which is predicated on supply and demand. This sometimes applies to hard-to-get limited edition or special release models.

But the fact is that not all watch brands hold their value equally well, and as the title suggests, in this article, we’ll be specifically looking at Omega watches.

Do Omega watches hold their value?

First thing first, it’s important to note that there are a bunch of different factors that affect how well something holds its value on the secondhand market.

Here are some of the factors that we’ll look closer at further on:

• Type of model: not all models are equally popular (supply and demand)
• Condition: The condition of a pre-owned Omega watch will obviously affect its value
• Accessories: what accessories come with your Omega watch will also affect its value
• Age: How old your Omega watch is will also affect its value

What affects how well an Omega watch holds its value?

Before we go into detail about the points listed above, it’s interesting to discuss what other things affect how well an object holds its value in the secondhand market.

Supply and demand

Supply and demand will always be the most important deciding factor in how well something holds its value on the secondhand market.

Omega, like essentially all other watch brands, has official retailers that sell their watches. Today, the demand for Omega watches is quite high (producing millions per year), but at the same time, the supply of the watches is quite high as well.

This means that there is no lack of Omega watches on the market. Instead, they are easily available in Omega stores. And if they do not have the watch you are looking for, in most cases, they are able to order it for you.

For other brands, for example, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex, the production is smaller, and there may also be an intentional limit of the production of the most popular models in order to create scarcity and thus increase demand.

The official retailers are the main outlet for watches, including Omega, and when it gets increasingly difficult to get the watch you are looking for from them, because of things like waiting lists and limited production, the demand for those watches on the secondhand market will naturally increase. And as a result, the prices will increase. This is the basic principle of supply and demand.

Now, the reason most Omega watches lose value on the secondhand market is that they are brought from the official outlet (an official retailer) to the secondhand market. The second-hand market does not play by the same rules as the official retailers, and the printing there is instead completely based on supply and demand. This brings us to the next point.

Recommended retail prices

All Omega retailers are the main outlet for Omega watches, and when it comes to pricing, they must follow Omega’s guidelines of the recommended retail prices. There are many reasons why Omega makes recommended retail prices, but the most important is that they want to ensure that all Omega watches cost essentially the same across the world, and also to minimize competition among the official retailers. Of course, this will also help ensure that the watches are not sold at heavily discounted prices (even if they are, but generally not publicly).

Now, this brings us to the next point which is discounts. Discounts are an interesting topic in the world of watches as Omega watches, in particular, are classified as luxury objects

But the fact of the matter is that on many other expensive products, it is common to ask for a discount, for example when buying a car.

The ”problem” with discounts is that it dilutes the brand, and teaches the customer that the watch is not worth what the retail price is. Instead, you eventually take for granted getting a discount. What this will ultimately lead to is pushing down prices of the watches on the secondhand market. The cheaper it is possible to get something from the official retailer, the cheaper they are going to be on the secondhand market.

Take Rolex for example. On the most popular models, it is very uncommon to get a discount due to the fact that the demand for them is huge. And factoring in this with the fact that the ”waiting list” for these models can be months or even years without the right contacts, naturally, the demand for these watches will increase on the secondhand market.

The point of this is that it is absolutely possible to get a discount when buying an Omega watch from an official retailer. In fact, all you need to do is ask.

The brand will always matter

Another factor that will impact the secondhand prices of Omega watches is of course brand. The brand is extremely important in the world of luxury objects.

People are willing and prepared to pay more for something that has a strong and recognized brand. Take for example luxury brands like Hermes and Gucci.

The same goes for watch brands and Omega in particular.

Omega is an old and well-known watch brand that is both respected and appreciated. Some of the world’s leaders and famous individuals have worn Omega watches.

This is actually something that helps improve the secondhand value of Omega watches.

Now, the catch is that there is not only one thing that affects how well an Omega watch holds its value. For example, Omega may have a limited supply of their watches, but if there’s limited demand, the secondhand prices will remain consistently lower than from official retailers.

Go for the most popular models

Not all models are created equal. Omega has a large number of models and variants in its production, and as with everything, they have popular and they have less popular models.

Omega’s most popular models are the Speedmaster and Seamaster. This results in the fact that these two models also hold their value best on the secondhand market as the demand for them is quite high.

Now, the catch is that within those ranges, there are an array of different variants. There are gold versions, dial variants, functions variants, and so on.

Generally speaking, the classic ”standard” models tend to be the ones that hold their value best on the secondhand market, and this is also true for Omega watches.

The watches that depreciate the least (when talking about modern Omega watches currently in production) are the standard Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional and the Seamaster Diver 300M. Then, there are other models that are also quite popular such as the Aqua-Terra and Seamaster 300.

Buy from the secondhand market

If you are a conscious buyer who is looking to strike a good deal on your Omega watch, it is almost always best to opt for buying pre-owned.

Just like a car when rolling out from the dealership, an Omega watch tends to depreciate the most when it is taken from the authorized Omega retailer and to the secondhand market. It does not matter if the watch is brand new and never worn.

Now, for the sake of being able to generalize, let’s talk about some numbers about how much a brand-new Omega watch depreciates in value.

Generally speaking, the most popular Omega watches such as the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional and Seamaster steel tend to lose between 20-30% from the retail price.

Now, if you scored a discount of say 15-20% and bought the watch from an authorized retailer, that’s not a very bad deal. Of course, when you start wearing it, the other factors discussed also play in, such as condition, age, and accessories.

Less popular models such as DeVille and Constellation can depreciate as much as 30-40% on the secondhand market. This is all based on supply and demand. The demand for these models is significantly lower, and thus the prices on the secondhand market remain low. We offer tax-free sales of Omega watches to buyers outside the EU, and for these watches, you will get between 20-35% discount from the retail price.

Now, with that said, the most popular Omega watches actually hold their value considerably well compared to many other watch brands such as Tissot, TAG Heuer, Montblanc, and so on.

No, if you buy an Omega watch for full retail price, in most cases, the watch will depreciate in value quite a bit. However, if you get a deal and buy it x percent off from retail, you will be able to save a ton of money that would otherwise have gone lost in depreciation.

Vintage Omega watches

Please recognize that this article focuses specifically on newer watches. The fact of the matter is that an Omega watch can actually prove to be a great investment in the long term as it becomes vintage, but whether or not it will become collectible is pure speculation.

But looking at history, there are many Omega watches, in particular, the Speedmaster which has increased dramatically in value over time and proven to be great investments. But since this is long-term and only speculation, it’s difficult to say how much your Omega watch will depreciate in the long term, because it might just prove to increase in value.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are an array of different factors that affect if an Omega watch holds its value.

The general rule for Omega watches is that they depreciate in value when bought for full retail price. There are some exceptions to this with certain limited editions, however.

Generally speaking, an Omega watch loses between 20-40% in value in the first year. How much depends on the demand for these models, how popular they are, and whether it is new or worn.

At the end of the day, if an Omega watch holds its value depends on what you paid for it. When paying full retail price, Omega watches do not tend to hold the same value as you paid, but if you are able to strike a good deal either from an authorized retailer or on the secondhand market, you may in some cases be able to enjoy an Omega watch and then be able to sell it for the same price that you bought it for.

For buyers outside the EU, we offer unworn Omega watches at tax-free and thus highly competitive prices. Browse our current collection of tax-free Omega watches here.

The post  Do Omega Watches Hold Their Value? [Complete Guide] appeared first on Millenary Watches.

The new generation Speedmaster, reference 310.30.42.50.01.001, is, without doubt, a huge success for Omega. The rumors of a new generation Speedmaster already started at the end of 2020, and it is known that Omega by the end of November 2020 sent out an information sheet about the new generation Speedmasters to their official retailers.

However, it wasn’t until the first quarter of 2021 we started to see the model in the wild. Although the model was quite rare to stumble across early in 2021, by now the model is definitely accessible for purchase or to see at almost any official Omega Authorized Dealer. In this article, we’ll discuss the general impression the watch leaves on the wrist.

Specifications 

Firstly, let’s go over the specifications for the new generation Hesalite Speedmaster, also known as the Speedmaster Caliber 3861.

• Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.001
• Diameter: 42mm
• Height: 13,58mm
• Water Resistance: 5ATM / 5 BAR / 50M
• Caliber: Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, METAS Certified.
• Type Of Movement: Manual, 50 Hours Power Reserve, 15.000 Gauss.
• Functions: Chronograph with a minute and hour register.
• Bracelet: 20mm Between lugs, taper down to 15mm on the clasp.
• Dial: Black varnished “Step” dial.
• Material: Stainless Steel with a Hesalite Plexiglass.

Movement 

The new generation Speedmaster features the latest Co-Axial Chronograph movement completely in-house developed by Omega.
The new movement is METAS certified, the certification means that the watch has been certified twice, and has passed 8 different tests related to quality, durability, and accuracy.

The Caliber 3861 is also resistant to 15.000 gausses, meaning it is 15 times more resistant to electric magnetic fields than the Rolex Milgauss, which the name reveals is “only” resistant to 1.000 gausses.
The manual wound movement beats at 21600 A/H (3 Hz) and features a silicon Si14 balance spring, Omega free sprung-balance, Co-Axial Escapement on 3 levels, and the “NIVACHOC” system which protects the watch regulatory organ, meaning it is still functioning as it should shall it be knocked on hard surfaces.

Just as any Omega in 2021, the movement is covered under 5 years international warranty, meaning shall there be any issues during the warranty period with the watch, any official Omega Authorized Dealer will take the watch in and repair it free of charge under the circumstances that the watch has not been affected by something which is not covered under warranty, such as dropping the watch which causes unnatural damage.

What’s interesting, and perhaps something that really puts Omega on the map is the fact that even the Speedmaster features a movement that is resistant to 15.000 gausses. Previously, watches such as the Aqua Terra or Railmaster could be seen with these types of resistant movements, but Omega has now decided to implement this on the legendary Speedmaster Moonwatch as well.

Vintage-inspired 

The new generation Speedmaster Caliber 3861 Hesalite is inspired by the fourth generation Speedmaster, commonly known as the first Speedmaster worn on the moon, reference 105.012. Just the fact that the reference is still presented with a hesalite crystal, which was more or less the only used material for glass when the Speedmaster first was released, is a nod to the past itself. However, the watch features more details which becomes more obvious once you start to study the watch.

The bezel which is made of aluminum and features a “Dot over ninety”, which in Speedmaster communities is most commonly known as a DON bezel, which can be seen on vintage Speedmaster such as the Speedmaster Worn On The Moon reference 105.012.

What perhaps is super obvious about the watch which really pays a tribute to the vintage era of Speedmaster is the new style bracelet.
The bracelet is 20mm wide between the lugs and tapers down all the way to 15mm at the clasp. The bracelet is built up with 5-pieces, and it actually feels, compared to watches in the same price range from different brands such as Tudor, quite fragile. Fragile is the wrong word for it, as it feels stable, but something that perhaps would last in the same condition over years if you wear it as an everyday watch. It’s not unthinkable that the new generation Speedmaster with its’ new bracelet will over time start to look like a vintage presidential bracelet from Rolex, meaning it will hang and develop stretch. The new style clasp of the bracelet with its finish does also look like something brought back from the early days of the Speedmaster.

All these factors combined together make it a very modern and updated watch that has a movement of today’s standard but the looks of a vintage Speedmaster from the late 60s.

Caseback 

What the Hesalite version Speedmaster perhaps most is known for compared to the sapphire version, is of course the hesalite domed plexiglass, but also the caseback, which since 1969 reads out a very astonishing and competitive text. The text on the caseback of the Speedmaster has changed throughout the years, but the latest generation Speedmaster has this text engraved on the caseback:

“THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, “FLIGHT QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL HUMAN SPACE MISSIONS”
“CO- AXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER”
“PROFESSIONAL MOONWATCH”

The text which more or less is the trademark of the Speedmaster is accompanied by the embossed seahorse at the center of the case back.

Wrist Appearance 

The watch, although it measures 42mm, wears very nicely on a 17cm wrist. The lugs are not long, which makes it a rather convenient watch that fits wrists starting from 16cm without any issues. The bracelet which tapers down to 15mm actually wears super comfortable. The clasp has two positions for micro-adjustments, for a perfect fit on the wrist. The glass which is made in hesalite gives a domed effect which becomes extra obvious when you read the “Swiss Made” text at the 6 o’clock position. Along with the step dial the domed glass really gives, what usually is a boring flat dial, a 3D effect which is just one of many impressions you get from the watch by looking at it.

The post Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Caliber 3861 Hesalite [Complete Guide & Review] appeared first on Millenary Watches.

The news is out! The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch has been discontinued!

There has been a lot of speculation in recent years about the discontinuation of the iconic Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. But now, the time has come! The Speedmaster Moonwatch professional hesalite reference 311.30.42.30.01.005 and Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch professional Sapphire sandwich reference 311.30.42.30.01.006 have both been discontinued.

This is a big deal for Omega considering the fact that it is an upgrade to its most iconic watch ever made.

Unsurprisingly, the new models are powered by the caliber 3861. This is not a huge surprise as Omega has presented a number of models with this new caliber in recent years, including the Speedmaster Snoopy and Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th anniversary.

Why change a winning concept?

Why would you change a winning concept? Fortunately, Omega doesn’t. Overall, the watch looks very similar to the previous models. In fact, the untrained eye would probably struggle to see the difference.

The bezel remains mostly the same, but a small visual difference is the moving of the dot at the 90-marker, to now, where the bezel has a “dot over ninety” design, which is a nod to a vintage Speedmaster detail that is extremely attractive to collectors.

Strap and bracelet

The new Speedmaster hesalite and sapphire are available with two different strap options. The sapphire version is available with a stainless steel bracelet or a black leather strap with stainless steel deployment buckle

With that said, the leather strap version for the hesalite Speedmaster which was previously available has now been removed. The leather strap option is, however, available for the sapphire Speedmaster. The hesalite version is available either with a stainless steel bracelet or a black Nylon Fabric strap with stainless steel deployment buckle.

Omega has changed and upgraded the stainless steel bracelet slightly in its design, but most importantly also in its build quality. The visual difference of the bracelet is that the center links are now broader than the outer links, whereas, on the predecessor, it was the opposite. At the same time, it retains much of its original look. The end link design has also been made shorter so that the end links do not protrude as much from the case, allowing a better fit on the wrist.

New Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Hesalite 2020

The new Omega Speedmaster moonwatch hesalite replaces the previous reference 311.30.42.30.01.005 on steel bracelet and the reference 311.33.42.30.01.001 on the leather strap. The new references are 310.30.42.50.01.001 (bracelet version) and 310.32.42.50.01.001 (strap version).

Update January 2021

It’s official! January 5th, 2021 was the day that Omega would officially announce the new Speedmaster models and discontinue the old. Omega has presented a total of 8 different new Speedmasters with different bracelet options as well as gold and white gold versions.

Specifications

• Movement: Caliber 3861, co-Axial Master Chronometer, officially certified by METAS, manual winding chronograph
• Jewels: 26
• Frequency: 21600 BPH/3 Hz
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Magnetic resistance: 15,000 Gauss
• Diameter: 42mm
• Thickness: 13.58mm
• Water-resistance: 50 meters/167 feet
• Lug width: 20mm
• Technical movement features: Silicon “Si14” hairspring, free sprung-balance, Nivachoc, Co-axial escapement
• Case: “polished-brushed; geometry inspired by the Speedmaster 4th generation (first watch worn on the moon)”
• Bezel: Polished stainless steel bezel with an aluminum insert with a tachymeter scale. Dot over ninety “DON” design
• Crystal: Hesalite with Omega logo embossed on the center

New Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Sapphire Sandwich 2020

The new Omega Speedmaster moonwatch “sapphire sandwich” replaces the previous reference 311.30.42.30.01.006 on steel bracelet and the reference 311.30.42.30.01.001 on leather strap. The new references are 310.30.42.50.01.002 (bracelet version) and 310.32.42.50.01.002 (leather strap version).

Specifications

• Movement: Caliber 3861 co-axial manual-winding
• Jewels: 26
• Frequency: 21600 BPH/3hz
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Magnetic resistance: 15,000 gauss
• Technical movement features: Silicon “Si14” hairspring, free sprung-balance, Nivachoc, Co-axial escapement
• Diameter: 42mm
• Thickness: 13.18mm
• Water resistance: 50m/167 feet
• Lug width: 20mm
• Crystal: Box-form sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on one side

Pricing

As you know, the recommended retail price of  Omega watches can vary depending on which country it is sold and which currency that country uses.

• • The recommended retail price for the new Speedmaster sapphire on bracelet 310.30.42.50.01.002  is 6’600 CHF
  • The recommended retail price for the new Speedmaster hesalite 310.30.42.50.01.001 on bracelet is 5’800 CHF
  • The recommended retail price for the new Speedmaster sapphire on leather strap 310.30.42.50.01.002  is 6’600 CHF
  • The recommended retail price for the new Speedmaster hesalite on fabric strap 310.32.42.50.01.001 is 5’500 CHF

Note that this is the Recommended retail price in Switzerland. The prices will vary depending on the currency and the country.

The post Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Officially Discontinued! appeared first on Millenary Watches.

The Speedmaster is unarguably Omega’s most iconic model. From being originally meant as a racing watch when it was first released, it has now become ”the first watch worn on the moon”, and a legendary timepiece with a great history.

With that said, Omega has over the years released countless Speedmaster models in different sizes colors and iterations.

Since Omega does not disclose the weight of its watches in its product specifications, the information about the weight of Omega watches is limited.  To help you, we have therefore compiled a list of some of the most common Omega Speedmaster watches and their respective weights.

Note that there are a number of different factors that affect the weight of a watch. Firstly, it depends on the scale on which it was weighed, and then, the number of links fitted on the bracelet. Have in mind all weights are approximate.

Omega Speedmaster weight

• Omega Speedmaster ref 3570.50: 150 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ”Speedy Tuesday”: 75 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy: 105 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Racing: 155 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Pulsometer CK2998: 85 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ”FOIS” First Omega in Space 311.32.40.30.01.001: 78 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005: 117 grams

• Omega Speedmaster CK2915-3 on leather: 81 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Limited Mitsukoshi 3570.31: 155 grams

• Omega Speedmaster 145.012 on leather: 77 grams

• Omega Speedmaster leather strap ref 3870.50.31: 83 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the moon 311.92.44.51.01.003: 91 grams

• Omega Speedmaster 310.60.42.50.99.001 Apollo 11 Moonshine gold: 210 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Reduced 175.0032: 106 grams

• Omega Speedmaster pre-moon 145.022: 110 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 Platinum 311.90.42.01.001: approx 250 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 311.30.42.30.01.006: 163 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of The Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001: 89.5 grams

Do you know the weight of more Omega Speedmaster models? Feel free to comment below and we will add them to this list!

The post Omega Speedmaster Weight Guide & List appeared first on Millenary Watches.

A question we receive frequently is what different watches weigh. The weight of a watch can have an effect on how well or poorly the watch sits on your wrist, and also how comfortably it sits.

The weight of a watch can have an effect on how you perceive it and its size on the wrist. Some people don’t care much about the weight of watches, whilst for others, it is extremely important.

Because Omega does not really provide information about the weight of its watches as part of its product details, the information about the weights of the watches is very limited. To help you, we have compiled a resource list of Omega watches and their weight.

Note that the weights of these watches may vary depending on a number of factors, including the strap option, dial, and the scale on which it is weighed. Therefore, the weights indicated are approximate.

Omega watches weight

• Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra light: 55 grams

• Omega Seamaster Diver 300m on rubber strap (2018 version in steel): 110 grams

• Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Sedna gold & Steel (2018 version on bracelet): 185 grams

• Omega Seamaster 300 Master Coaxial 233.30.41.21.01.001: 160 grams

• Omega Seamaster Diver 300M on bracelet (2018 version in steel): 171 grams

• Omega Seamaster Diver 300m (non-wave dial version): 164.8 grams

• Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 2531.80.00: 158 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ref 3870.50.31: 83 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ref 3570.50: 150 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ”Speedy Tuesday”: 75 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy: 105 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Racing: 155 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Pulsometer CK2998: 85 grams

• Omega Speedmaster ”FOIS” First Omega in Space 311.32.40.30.01.001: 78 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005: 117 grams

• Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 215.90.44.21.99.001: 137 grams

• Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm 232.30.42.21.01.003: 175 grams (all links)

• Omega Seamaster Chronograph 2598.20: 211 grams

• Omega Speedmaster CK2915-3 on leather: 81 grams

• Omega Speedmaster Limited Mitsukoshi 3570.31: 155 grams

• Omega Speedmaster 145.012 on leather: 77 grams

• Omega Flightmaster 145.013: 139 grams

Have the weight of other Omega watches you would like us to add? Feel free to drop a comment below!

The post Omega Watches Weight Guide – How Much do Omega Watches Weigh? appeared first on Millenary Watches.

We have covered this topic many times before, but the Omega Speedmaster is truly one of the most iconic watches of all time that is a must-have in your collection.

The Omega Speedmaster was first released in the 60s and was from the beginning watch made for racing. However, the Speedmaster competed with many other watch brands such as Bulova in order to create a watch that was able to handle the difficult tasks an astronaut is put up to in space – more specifically for NASA. In 1969 the Omega Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon, and that truly is a heritage Omega carries with them and still promotes to this day.

With that said, the Omega Speedmaster is a really affordable luxury watch that carries a lot of legacies and is well-recognized among collectors and watch enthusiasts.

Having a closer look at the Speedmaster collection, you will find that Omega offers a vast selection of different Speedmasters. The all-time classic Speedmaster will forever be the classic Moonwatch with a black dial and a stainless steel bracelet. However, when you decide which Speedmaster to go for, you will quickly see that you can choose from two different Speedmaster “Moon watches”:

The Speedmaster Moonwatch Sapphire reference 311.30.42.30.01.006 and the Speedmaster Moonwatch Hesalite reference 311.30.42.30.01.005. To most, they may look identical. But they are in fact not. What are the differences between these two watches and which one should you go for?

The Speedmaster Moonwatch Sapphire reference 311.30.42.30.01.006

The Omega Speedmaster with the sapphire Chrystal is often referred to as the ”Sapphire Sandwich”, as the watch has a see-through case back that displays the decorated caliber 1863. The model comes with the same accessories as the Hesalite version but is different in a few other ways. Here are the features of the ”Sapphire Sandwich” that makes it different from the Hesalite version of Moonwatch. A downside to this watch is that if you do accidentally scratch it, or even crack the crystal, it is expensive to repair, and may result in the need for a service as small shards can find their way the dial and movement and create a lot of damage.

The Caliber 1863 is in fact a modified version of the caliber 1861 which is in the hesalite version of the Moonwatch. This caliber is of course decorated by Omega, as this model as previously mentioned has a see-through case back. The movement is mechanical and hand-wound.

In terms of size, both Speedmaster versions measure 42mm. The thickness/height is also the same.

The Speedmaster Moonwatch Hesalite reference 311.30.42.30.01.005

This is the closest-to-the-original version of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch worn in space as this mechanical and material setup is the same as that was on the moon. The watch features a hesalite plexiglass which is soft and gives the watch a more doomed look. Plexi/hesalite tends to be loved or hated depending on how you are planning to wear your watch.

As plexiglass, or hesalite, is a very soft material, the crystal tends to get scratched quite easily. The advantage of having a hesalite plexiglass is that the glass can be polished and be made to look like new with, for example, toothpaste, or other polishing paste. For very small and only superficial hairlines regular toothpaste will do just fine.

The hesalite version also has a manual-wound caliber 1861. For many, it is very satisfying to wind up every morning as a part of their daily routines. It creates a connection between the watch and the owner. The case back unlike the Sapphire version does not display the movement, but does have the classical printing ”The first watch worn on the moon”, and the emblem of a seahorse with the text Speedmaster written above it. A benefit of the hesalite crystal is that it is cheap to replace, shall you ever need to.

Conclusion

Both watches are great, and they do not differ from each other too much. Which model you choose should be based on how you are planning to use your watch, or just asking yourselves 2 simple questions:

Is sapphire more important than a hesalite Plexi-crystal? If the answer is yes you should choose the Sapphire version.

If you don’t mind the hesalite version you could then ask yourself: Do I want to be able to look at and admire the movement, or am I fine with having a regular case back?

There are some materials and differences in the movement when comparing these to models. Having into consideration what you prefer by asking yourself the questions above, or if you already have a preference without comparing the watches, the Speedmaster is truly one of the greatest watches of all time. The legendary history of the Speedmaster as the first watch worn on the moon is interesting even to this day. The aesthetics of the Speedmaster is so appealing too.

The Legendary Moonwatch will always be a piece of history, and no matter if this is your first luxury watch or your 100, it will always be a classical watch to include in your collection.

Question: Which of the two references do you prefer and why?

The post Omega Speedmaster Hesalite VS Sapphire Crystal? Which Is Best? appeared first on Millenary Watches.

When talking about a high-prestige and recognizable watch brand, several watch companies come to our minds. We may be thinking about Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, or today’s featured brand, Omega.

After that, we may wonder, why are these watches so expensive? Is it because of marketing? Or, perhaps exclusivity? All these, are controversial questions with many misunderstandings. For that, we must talk about why are Omega watches so expensive.

Without a doubt, Omega is a highly reputable and recognized Swiss brand. They are known for being an exclusive watch company, which manufactures high-quality products, and has a long history in the industry.

Long, Reputable History​

Omega was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds. So, Omega has been operating for 170 years now. Also, they were founded in Swiss, the paradise of luxury watches. Hence, it’s no doubt that they are sold at a high price.

Space Legacy​

Omega is known for being the choice of Nasa for more than half a century. To illustrate, the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch became one of the most famous chronographs in the world since it is the first watch worn on the Moon (July of 1969). Since then, it has been worn on all six lunar landings, being named the “Moonwatch”.

Following this, the Omega Speedmaster has taken steps further, making several different models such as the Omega “Blue Side of the Moon“, which is inspired by the color of the dark blue sky. Other inspirations have been the “Grey Side of the Moon”, and other iconic timepieces that represent the Omega’s lunar legacy.

Famous Wearers​

Omega watches have been worn by famous people around the world. Thus, the recognition of the brand started to increase as people noticed the beauty of Omega watches. Some famous people are James Bond (in several of his movies), Olympic athletes, George Clooney, John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Prince William, and others.

All these facts have built the brand as it is nowadays. Therefore, expensive watches are expected from this brand. Omega watches have a unique personality and they represent a great history behind them.

Timeless Watchmaking​

Omega timepieces have the unique personality of being part of significant moments in the world’s history. Highly reputable people, such as presidents, astronauts, movie stars, and hopefully you. Why do they wear them? What makes them so unique? This is answered purely by the timeless quality and innovation provided by Omega.

Omega’s Commitment to Innovation and Quality​

Omega has set precision records that not many watchmaking companies achieve. Also, Omega is getting better over time. The mechanical precision and accuracy of their watches are highly recognizable. Following, the materials involved in the craftsmanship are innovative blend of ceramics, silicon, and alloys of precious metals. Besides, in Omega watchmaking, the design is taken seriously. Proof of this is its precious watches which are recognized thanks to their pure beauty. In addition, Omega watches are Swiss-made. Meaning that every Omega timepiece is crafted in Switzerland since 1848. For this reason, Omega is known for its amazing Swiss tradition. Finally, it should be noted that the brand’s name “Omega” is part of the incredible watchmaking, expressing accomplishment for the company.

Precision Timepieces​

Omega mechanical movements have been amongst the most innovative movements among watch brands. Their movements vary in features, some having unique complications with pure in-house movements. Also, Omega movements undergo serious strict tests over large periods of time by COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), which certifies the exactitude and precision of Swiss-made watches. Additionally, another thing that makes Omega a great brand, is that they also include quartz watches in their collections. In fact, they have been innovators in quartz technology.

Learn more about watch movements.

Swiss Made​

If you’re still wondering why are Omega watches so expensive, we should emphasize again, the fact that their timepieces are made in Switzerland. True watch lovers know, that Swiss watches are craved by every watch enthusiast. In fact, people are willing to pay extraordinary prices for Swiss watches. It should be noted that this includes other luxury brands from Switzerland, not just Omega.

Exclusivity​

Swiss-made watches represent pure exclusivity in Omega. Also, the wonderful luxury Omega watches, have unique materials, movements, designs, and other factors that make them expensive. Proof of their exclusiveness, are their Speedmaster collection, the Seamaster collection, and other impressive innovations that they have done.

Advertisements

It is obvious that a brand of that popularity is advertised to get new clients. Perhaps, the advertisement is not as much as other brands, such as Rolex (which had a really great marketing strategy). However, Omega has done some great ads in the past. These ads include popular celebrities and recognized people. For that reason, the brand gained popularity and started increasing demand. Thus, expensive prices are justified.

The Value of a Watch is Subjective​

To end this article, we need to emphasize that watches have subjective value. For instance, watch lovers will take into account the history of the brand, the movement, and other hidden appraisal factors before buying a watch. On the other hand, people that don’t know too much about watches, but simply love how they look at their wrists, will look for watches with a beautiful designs. In my opinion, that is one reason why people don’t understand why some luxury brands’ watches are expensive. They usually don’t think about the history of the company or its traditions. So, from my standpoint, Omega watches represent great value for the money. I think the brand has the perfect reputable history, and its recognition around the globe is well-deserved.

Article was written by guest contributor Prado from TheWatchesNation.

The post Why Are Omega Watches So Expensive? appeared first on Millenary Watches.

There are some watches that simply establish themselves as legendary. There’s no better way to put it. This can be either how it is built, the innovation that it brings, who has worn it, or how it has been used. The latter applies to the Omega Speedmaster.

It’s no secret that the Omega Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon. Ever since the moon landing, Omega has used it heavily in its marketing. After stringent tests that NASA performed on a number of different candidates, the Omega Speedmaster stood as the winner. Now, there are many reasons why the Omega managed the tests, but an important, yet small detail is the hesalite crystal.

Today, the hesalite crystal has become iconic with the Speedmaster, although there are many Speedmaster versions without it.

So this brings us to the question, what is hesalite? And why does Omega use it for its Speedmaster?

What is hesalite?

Hesalite is a plexiglass material, made from a form of acrylic. Hesalite came about in the 1940s and has been used widely in a number of different areas. The benefit that hesalite brings is that, since it is relatively soft, it can be shaped into the required form quite easily. Unlike many other plastics, hesalite has very good clarity, which of course is crucial if it is used as the glass for a watch.

And remember, that, during this time, watch brands did not use sapphire to a large extent. The primary reason was that sapphire crystal is so incredibly hard, which makes it extremely difficult to work with and shape into the necessary form. The tools and techniques needed to do this well and efficiently simply didn’t exist. Rolex, for example, first used sapphire crystal in the 1970s.

So what did watch manufacturers choose? Acrylic of course. Or some variants of it.

To fully understand the story of Omega’s hesalite crystal, we need to go back to the Speedmaster again. The hesalite crystal has one major and crucial trait that can be life-changing in space. This is the fact that a hesalite crystal does not shatter the way glass or sapphire crystal does. Instead, hesalite crack.

In space, shattered glass can damage equipment onboard and have life-threatening consequences. With that said, choosing a hesalite crystal for the Speedmaster was no question.

On paper, it doesn’t make much sense to choose the hesalite version over the sapphire crystal version unless you are going to space, that is. Hesalite, being a form of plastic, will naturally acquire scratches over time. This is even if you are very careful and only have your cuff rubbing against the glass.

So why is it that today, when the technology of making sapphire crystals has come so far, people still choose the Speedmaster with a hesalite crystal? When it comes to the Speedmaster, the answer is of course that it is the closest to the original of all the Speedmasters in production.

Part of the reasons why people choose the Speedmaster is due to its appealing and rich history of space, NASA, and the moon landing. All of these things combine simply make the Speedmaster legendary. So naturally, you would want the version that is as close to the original as possible. And that choice will then fall on the hesalite Speedmaster.

Is Hesalite crystal scratch-resistant?

As mentioned, being a form of plastic, hesalite is not scratch-resistant. Over time, it will get scratches when worn. Deep scratches require some more pressure, but lighter scratches will appear regardless.

The good news is that you can polish your hesalite crystal very easily. There are two tricks to do this. You can either use Polywatch, which is a form of polishing cream. Or, you can use regular toothpaste. The reason why toothpaste works for polishing the crystal is that it contains polishing crystals.

To polish, simply take a small piece of cloth and apply some cream to it. Then start polishing the crystal carefully. Light scratches and hairlines will be polished away easily, but for deeper scratches, you can apply some more pressure.

How many times can you polish Hesalite?

A common question is how many times you can polish a hesalite crystal. The answer is, many. When you polish your crystal, you remove tiny and thin layers. In order to polish so much that the crystal becomes too thin, you need to polish a large number of times, so generally, unless you polish it hundreds of times, you don’t have to worry about polishing you’re crystal too much.

This brings us to the next point.

How much does it cost to replace a Hesalite crystal?

If your hesalite crystal has broken or you feel that it is too scratched up to polish, you can have it replaced. Replacing a hesalite crystal is actually rather affordable, at least when compared to the cost of replacing a sapphire crystal. A new hesalite normally crystal costs anything from 40 to about 100 USD. Note that an official Omega retailer may not be willing to only replace the crystal without performing additional work, and if so, you can always turn to an independent watchmaker.

The post  What is Hesalite? Omega Speedmaster Crystals appeared first on Millenary Watches.