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ReviewFrom the tracks to your wrist- Omega Speedmaster Racing

Returning to its roots - the racing chronograph is back in action

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More often than not we are lured into the enchanting charisma of a classic – Let it Be by the Beatles, Pride and Prejudice, the Mona Lisa, The Godfather etc. All these are classics from different categories of culture, films, literature, music and art. Every culture has its classic and every classic has a culture it belongs to. As we are dedicated to the culture of watches, let us dive into the classic collection from OMEGA: the Speedmaster.

…before the Speedmaster was worn on the Moon or at the North and South Poles, it was found on the wrists of men and women driving high-performance automobiles.

While many instantly connect the Speedmaster collection with space and astronomy, which we have covered here, however, the first Speedmaster was introduced way back in 1957 as a sport and racing chronograph. Owing the name “Speedmaster” to the tachymeter scale placed on the bezel, the collection has since then brought us many series for different versions of the Speedmaster. All those versions, however, have focused on the space travel aspect of the watch.

OMEGA Speedmaster Racing (ref no. 326.30.40.50.01.002)

The OMEGA Speedmaster Racing pays tribute to the brand’s original roots of racing and sport. It is a watch that moves away from the close association the collection has otherwise had with astronomical expeditions. The look and entire appeal of the Speedmaster Racing is focused on the original racing attributes. A pleasant and welcome change for OMEGA enthusiasts!

A CHANGE SO GOOD

You might think, the Speedmaster Racing is just another version with a few new colours added to the collection, but it is not! One of the main differences between the original Speedmaster and the latest Speedmaster Racing is the movement, which actually changes the entire concept of the Speedmaster.

Omega Speedmaster Racing 326.30.40.50.03.001

The watch is powered by a new, in-house self-winding chronograph movement called the Caliber 3300. The use of this movement is very unlike the Speedmaster series which uses the usual in-house manufacture Co-Axial Caliber 9300. Concerning the specifications of the two movements, both more than meet any wearer’s expectations. Caliber 3300 like Caliber 9300 uses OMEGA’S patented Co-Axial escapement with three levels (which consists of a co-axial wheel, co-axial pinion and a transmission pinion which is further connected to the intermediate wheel and gear) and a Si14 Silicon balance spring. The combination of the two elements readily ensures a tremendous increase in the accuracy and longevity of the chronograph movement. An officially certified chronometer, the watch runs at a 28,800 vph or 4Hz and has a massive power reserve of 52 hours. The movement is housed in a stainless steel 40mm case with both polished and brushed finishes.

The case also includes the polished pushers and OMEGA logo embossed crown.

A FRESH AND FUN TAKE ON THE CLASSIC DIAL

The latest version of the Speedmaster Racing includes an array of dial colours and textures to choose from. The availability of such a range of colour combinations sets the Speedmaster Racing apart from the other watches. The colours used for the dial are more bold and eye-catching than the original black and white version. OMEGA hit the jackpot with the simple idea of keeping the entire Speedmaster layout classic with just the subtle addition of new elements of colour and textures. A perfect combination of old and new. The colours are used for some of the chronograph hands and the scales present on the tachymeter while the use of textures is dedicated for the sub-dials.

The three sub-dials textured with a triangular pattern called the “Clou de Paris”.

The three sub-dials namely the 30-minute, 12-hour and small seconds counters at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively are textured with a triangular pattern called the “Clou de Paris”. It has a very youthful and spontaneous feel to it. While this isn’t the first time that OMEGA has experimented with the Speedmaster dial, but let us tell you this, it surely is the most interesting and fun dial of the Speedmaster collection till date!

Omega Speedmaster Racing 326.30.40.50.11.001

DISTINCTIVELY SPEEDMASTER

The Speedmaster Racing is available in both metal bracelets and rubber straps. The center links of the metal bracelet are polished while the rest of the watch is brushed. This is one of the few watches that look equally good with a metal bracelet as well as a rubber strap.

OMEGA Speedmaster Racing (326.30.40.50.06.001)

The iconic matte black design of the aluminium tachymeter ring on the bezel is further enhanced with coloured tachymeter scales which match the colour of the dial. The watch also features polished pushers and an OMEGA logo embossed crown. The hours and the minute hands of the dial are coated with Super-LumiNova which ensures better visibility at night.

The screwed-in case back with a stamped and polished seahorse medallion

The case back of the Speedmaster Racing is screwed in with a stamped and polished familiar seahorse medallion and ensures a water resistant limit of up to 100 meters. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is also treated with anti-reflective procedure on both sides for better and stronger resistance.

Here is a short video manual to help you understand the workings of the watch better.

THE LAST WORD

Putting the “speed” back in the Speedmaster, the watch has incorporated subtle and simple changes that add an extra element of appeal to the already classic watch. For a brand like OMEGA, this particular entry-level watch is one of its most affordable yet iconic pieces. It ranges at an affordable price with the best features that OMEGA has to offer.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Racing- the return of the racing and sports chronograph

If you are first-time buyer, looking for a watch by one of the best-known watch brands in the world offering real value for money, the OMEGA Speedmaster Racing is THE complete package. An excellent watch with fantastic features at an affordable price. Not bad. Not bad at all!

What are your favourite OMEGA watches? Have anything more to add to the story? Leave your comments below!

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