Baselworld 2014 Preview: The new Omega Speedmaster Mark II

Baselworld 2014, the biggest international watch fair in the world, is fast approaching. The event is due to take place in March, and as usual the horology industry is very much anticipating the things that will be unveiled there. In the run-up to the big event, Omega have made one big reveal already. Their classic Speedmaster Mark II watch is getting an impressive update. Even at this early stage, a lot of details about the new watch have already been released. For the most part, these have horologists and enthusiasts very excited.

The Original Omega Speedmaster Mark II

Omega originally released their Speedmaster Mark II in 1969, and it has come to be considered as one of the absolute classic models from the company's history. That same year, earlier Speedmaster Professional models were worn by Apollo 11 astronauts on the surface of the moon, which naturally gave the company plenty of good publicity. The OMEGA Speedmaster Mark II The original Speedmaster Mark II used the company's Cailbre 861 movement, which is now much desired by collectors. The 861 was a more affordable non-column wheel variant of the company's popular Calibre 321 movement and would later go into space itself, where it proved dependable even in that challenging environment. The case design, meanwhile, was sleek and, for the time, modern. The design has doubtless contributed to the watch's classic status in the Omega line, as it is definitely one of the company's best lookers.

Movement

The newly updated Speedmaster Mark II has undergone a number of changes on the inside. While the original's movement was one of the company's all-time greats, Omega have opted to include a more modern option. Fortunately, this is more than capable of competing with its classic counterpart and adds some useful improvements and updates. Specifically, the new Speedmaster Mark II uses the Calibre 3330 movement. This is a co-axial mechanism which, in contrast to the original Mark II's 861, boasts a column-wheel-based chronograph movement. The 3330 also benefits from a silicon balance spring, giving added durability to what is usually one of a watch's most delicate parts. The use of silicon for the hairspring has worked well in other Omega watches, such as their Speedmaster Racing model. The 3330 is also an automatic movement, reducing the burden of winding in a way that is very much expected from high-end watches these days.

Case Design

The case is one of the most notable features of the new Speedmaster Mark II, and for many enthusiasts it is also one of the most pleasing. However, in contrast to the movement, this is not because of updates or innovations. On the contrary, many horologists and collectors have been delighted to find that the case design is pretty much entirely unchanged. As mentioned above, the original Speedmaster Mark II is both a much-loved classic and a great looker. As such, many potential purchasers are understandably pleased at the prospect of benefiting from internal updates while still sporting the same beloved watch. The OMEGA Speedmaster Mark II_silver The design that was so modern in 1969 is, of course, now retro, but this has done nothing to lessen its appeal. The case is waterproof to 10 atmospheres and is made from brushed stainless steel (including the bracelet). In this respect, it is much the same as the original and benefits from the same silver-grey colour, which is attractively subdued. Dimensions have not yet been revealed, but from the many promotional images that have been released these seem to also follow the lead of the original Mark II (which was 42mm wide) very closely.

Face and Hands

As with the case, the design of the face and hands has essentially been little changed. However, there are multiple variants of the watch available, and some of them do provide the option to mix things up a little. Largely, these new variants are based on features that are fondly remembered by enthusiasts from other classic Omega models. The original Speedmaster Mark II had a face decked out with black, white and shades of grey. Obviously, this can therefore also be said of the faithful variant of the new version. A dark grey/charcoal background is subtly broken up by white hour markers. The hands are white with a very subdued green luminant for consulting the watch in low-light conditions. The alternative option takes its cue from the company's classic "racing dial" and is much bolder and more vibrant. The design is essentially the same, but the hour markers, second hand, and two of the hands on the secondary dials are bright orange. Once again, there is also subtle luminant for low-light conditions.

Pricing

Omega have announced the price of the new Speedmaster Mark II, which is surprising considering they only recently revealed that it existed at all. Omega has announced a price of US $6,250. Strictly as an indication of likely prices for UK and European markets, this can be directly converted to approximately £3,750 or €4,540. The original Speedmaster Mark II cost US $200 upon its release in 1969. Accounting for inflation, this equates to roughly US $1,200-1,300. As such, the new Mark II seems rather more expensive in real terms. However, this is not unusual given the significant changes in the horology market over the intervening decades. When the original Speedmaster Mark II came out, it was not purely a luxury item but a luxury and high-quality version of something essential. With the advent of mobile phones, which will almost invariably be on hand to give someone an idea of the time that is accurate enough for everyday purposes, high-end watches such as the new Speedmaster Mark II have shifted further towards luxury, and the prices reflect this. It is also likely that the release of the new Speedmaster Mark II, replicating the design of the original while updating the movement, may impact the current price of original Mark IIs. For those seeking the classic design, the new watch will be a valid alternative. That said, the original Mark IIs can still be bought for significantly less than the retail price of their new counterpart. As such, for those looking to save money an original could be a cheaper option. It largely comes down to whether people want the historical significance and collectability of the original or the up-to-date technology of the new Speedmaster. Similar releases in other markets, such as classic cars with similar bodywork but updated engines and features, have in the past suggested that these two types of buyer are more or less separate and the impact on prices can be surprisingly small.