SpotlightAll about Omega from Baselworld 2017

I am just back from Basel after attending Baselworld 2017, my 16^th visit to the mecca of horology. And Omega is the first brand I write on. The brand takes the center stage at Baselworld both literally and metaphorically, being located bang in the middle of the ground floor of Hall 1, and serving as the beacon of the luxury watch industry. 2017 is also significant for Omega as it celebrates the 60^th anniversary of a very important year in their calendar- 1957 when they had launched three absolute classics as a part of their professional timepieces. And they were the Seamaster 300, the Railmaster and the Speedmaster. Needless to say, the key launch by Omega at Baselworld this year was the anniversary editions of the big three, which could be bought individually or in a set of three.

The Omega 1957 Trilogy Limited Edition:

Omega, helped by a modern technology of unique digital scanning, was able to create accurate representations of the original watches, which included drawings of the original models and various dimensions. The idea was to retain the true spirit of 1957 and offer them new with modern sensibilities.

All these watches feature black ‘tropical’ dials. Faded brown in color, the tropical dials first came in vogue due to professional defects of fading of black dials in the initial years. Now they are highly sought after by collectors world over. The stainless steel bracelets have been updated for strength and feature a retro-style Omega logo on the clasp. Each watch is limited to 3,557 pieces and presented inside a box inspired by the original 1957 packaging, right down to the Seahorse on the lid, a retro logo and red corduroy lining. Keeping in line with offer more value for the same price, the watch box comes with two spare straps; leather and NATO. A tool completes the set, which can help the user change the straps easily. All the watches come in attractive sizes of 38-39 mm.

Seamaster 300 Master Chronometer 39 mm

There are unmistakable signs why the Seamaster 300 became such a rage soon after launch. Known both for its looks featuring the broad arrow hour hand and the recessed triangular hour markers as well its features of high water resistance and user-friendly bi-directional diving bezel, Seamaster was a hit since the beginning. The new model respects the design codes of the original; features a black aluminum bezel retains the original’s Naïad sign on the crown, which used to convey high water resistance as well as the Seahorse logo on the case back. This watch comes with the same 4-year warranty, which Omega now offers with its Master Chronometer caliber 8806 movements.

Railmaster Master Chronometer 38 mm

The watch which has taken Baselworld 2017 by storm is the simple looking Railmaster tribute. Way back when launched, it was a simple, practical, yet subtly elegant watch made to be worn to work. The watch was specially designed to be anti-magnetic for scientists, technicians or anyone who worked close to electrical fields and hence the double-casing. While retaining the original style the new model has been given a utilitarian touch by deepening the indexes to allow a stronger light from the Super-LumiNova filling. Like the Seamaster 300, this watch too features the powerhouse anti-magnetic Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8806 movement and comes with a 4-year warranty.

Speedmaster 38.6 mm

Lot has been written about the genius called the Speedmaster, also known as the moon watch. The original Speedmaster equipped with the distinctive “Broad Arrow” hands and a tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial were features designed for the benefit of racing car drivers. The Speedmaster was launched for racing enthusiasts and not for space travel, which made it famous later on. The new model features the font which was redrawn to match the scale of the original 1957 tachymeter. Omega’s 1861 calibre powers the Speedmaster 60th-anniversary watch.

The TRILOGY presentation box

Limited to 557 pieces, the set of three comes in a box made of Swiss oak wood, has an engraving of the 1957 Seahorse on the lid and the number on the front-plate engraved.

Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronometer Collection:

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra lives in the environment of the sea but has a refined sophistication all around it represented by its trademark teak dial based on decks of luxury yachts. The 2017 Aqua Terra moves a few notches higher in sophistication through a new refreshing look. A big change in the new teak pattern is that it now runs horizontally and not vertically. Moving the date window from 3 to 6 o’clock has added balance to the dial design.

The water resistance notification has moved to case back allowing the dial to be cleaner and simpler. A new conical crown is introduced keeping in lines with the wave-edged design codes on the case back.

Not one, but three models are launched, two in 41 mm and one in 38 mm. The one which caught my eye is the 41 mm in stainless steel on a brown leather strap. The dial is a silvery dial with black hands and indexes and a varnished orange seconds hand. There is an orange “Seamaster” inscription on the dial, complemented by numbering on the minute track at the 15, 30, 45 and 60-second points in subtle orange.

Omega Master Chronometer calibres 8900 or 8800 power these three models. These impressive movements have achieved the highest level of certification for precision and performance by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Needless to say, such high-performance watches from Omega always come with a full 4-year warranty.

Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue

The watch that is bound to uplift your mood with its bright and vibrant colors is the Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Blue. Under its bright exteriors, the Big Blue delivers a knock-out punch for Omega in terms of breaking new grounds of ceramic revolution in watchmaking. It combines a GMT function and divers’ watch case fashioned from a single block of blue ceramic.

In the Planet Ocean colors of blue and orange, the watch sports a blue ceramic dial with an orange GMT track, while hands and indexes in 18K white gold with a white Super-LumiNova coating complete the look. The diving scale with Liquidmetal® numerals marks the bezel with a blend of orange rubber and ceramic covering the first 15 minutes. The Omega logo on the crown and helium escape valve symbol also is marked in orange rubber.

The Planet Ocean Big Blue is water-resistant to 600 m and is powered by the Master Chronometer calibre 8906 by Omega, comes with a 4-year warranty.

Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

As said earlier, Speedmaster was launched to serve the needs of racing enthusiasts and a clear view of the dial of the new Racing Master Chronometer will take you back to the distinctive and refined features of minute-track style first appeared on a 1968 model.

There are two models launched under this series, the first model is in stainless steel with a matt-black dial, a polished ceramic bezel with a brushed Liquidmetal^® (a special malleable alloy used by Omega extensively) tachymeter scale. The distinctive orange wording matches the color of the varnished hands and tip of the second’s hand. The second model has been crafted from Omega’s 18K Sedna™ gold. The color blue is used for the dial, the leather strap, and the ceramic bezel with its Ceragold™ (using a special method of decorating ceramic watch parts with 18K gold) tachymeter scale.

Both models feature a minute track in a racing style which gives the models their name. This feature helped readability to the wearer. This watch comes in a robust size of 44.25 mm. Being a watch meant for motorists, Omega has worked on readability through beveled arrowhead indexes filled with Super-LumiNova and expanded subdials.

There is work on the leather strap that contains a section of orange rubber through the middle of the stainless steel model. The micro perforations through the constructed strap reveal the orange rubber inside and complete an ultimate sporty look.

The watches and their movements, calibre 9900 & 9901 have reached the Swiss industry’s highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic resistance, and the chronometry is certified by METAS. The watches come with Omega’s full 4-year warranty.

All the above-featured watches are available at ethoswatches.com for pre-orders.