A new calibre for the Omega Speedmaster
A chronograph movement with column wheel, co-axial escapement, silicon balance spring and time-zone function joins the legendary Speedmaster range. A series-produced calibre finished to a remarkably high standard.
What Omega does, Omega does best. Year after year, collection after collection, the Biel-based firm maintains a level of quality which few other series-production brands equal. Of course the Swatch Group provides this flagship with the means to sail at the head of the fleet, but still… it could easily slip into cruise speed and content itself with variants of bestsellers such as the Seamaster, Constellation, Speedmaster or Ladymatic. Except that it doesn’t. Yes, it aims for consistency, with Stephen Urquhart, who has spent virtually his entire career with the brand, at the helm, but also regular, intelligent innovation. A policy that takes shape this year with the introduction, in the Speedmaster and Seamaster lines, of the chronograph calibre 9300/9301. Omega spent six years developing this calibre, firstly to ensure full reliability and secondly to develop a series-production process.
A column wheel on three levels
Like its predecessors, this brand-new “engine” incorporates George Daniels’ co-axial escapement, the twist being a silicon balance spring whose non-magnetic properties and excellent resilience, says the brand, deliver improved chronometric performance and stability. For proof, the four-year warranty that comes with it. The column wheel, on three levels, protects against inadvertent use of the chronograph: the reset function is blocked whenever the chronograph is working. Meanwhile, the time zone function is devised so the hour hand can be adjusted without interfering with the minute hand. The entire mechanism will function smoothly for its guaranteed 60-hour power reserve.
A fine piece of work
Omega brought this little gem to Basel inside a revamped Speedmaster. Still recognisable at a glance – you don’t mess with an icon – it has moulded itself to current tastes, for example by sporting a 44.25mm case. The dial has dropped a subdial along the way, with Omega cleverly proving that three into two does go by combining the 12-hour and 60-minute counters in a single subdial at 3 o’clock. The chronograph seconds hand has its usual central position, while small seconds sweep a subdial at 9 o’clock. Last but not least, the crystal display back reveals the movement and the Côtes de Genève with an arabesques finish that embellish the rotor and bridges.
This is what one might colloquially call one helluva watch! A fine piece of work in anyone’s books, and within most people’s price range as the basic version, in stainless steel, retails in Switzerland at CHF 7,900 (Ed: USD 9,300 / EUR 6,520) . The more sophisticated versions in orange gold or platinum will set you back up to CHF 31,900 (Ndlr: USD 37,565 / EUR 26,313).
Omega Speedmaster Co-axial
Omega 9300/9301 calibre
Specifications: column wheel chronograph mechanism, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), COSC certified, self-winding movement in both directions, 2 barrels mounted in series, 60-hour power reserve, time zone function, silicon balance spring
Display: central hour and minute hands, small seconds at 9 o’clock, date window at 6 o’clock, central chronograph seconds hand, 60-minute counter and 12-hour counter at 3 o’clock
Material: stainless steel, platinum or orange gold case, alligator or stainless steel strap
Case: 44.25 mm diameter, water-resistant to 10 bar (100m / 330ft), polished and brushed finish
Dial: Moonwatch-style dial with 2 subdials and Moonwatch-style hands
Strap: Integrated black alligator on polished platinum buckle or brushed orange gold / stainless steel foldover clasp
