A watch amateur meets Flash Gordon, aka the Speedmaster Mark II

A watch amateur meets Flash Gordon, aka the Speedmaster Mark II

People have different requirements for watches at different times. Lets just say it was time I bought a non-diver watch.
I mean the world outside divers is real right ? it exists ? apparently :)

I am not going to hold back here, this is a very special watch. Its not a marmite watch (hate or love!), its a watch you either think is amazing, or just very interesting. Its a watch which somewhat defies the logic of 1.2.3.bing, or the checklist that some watch reviewers are following.

I was interested in something different for sometime but was first drawn to watches defying the symmetrical when looking at the Sinn 140 and 240, lovely pieces. This is still a very unusual approach, and Omega goes slightly further then others in covering the strap connection.

In terms of actual models there are three, there is gold rings version which is beautiful although I can't afford it, so it was a choice between all black/white and orange highlights. Looking at the watches in a shop really highlights how beautiful they both are. The quality of the matt finish on the surface is simply stunning, nicely offset by a polished strip on each side. Although placed on the side, the polished strips can be just seen from the top as well.

The back/white face one is lovely. Actually initially I was going to get it, as it looked a bit more business-like with a suit. Ultimately however, the cheeky grey and orange pips face won me over. It has a lovely smart feel but a retro shout, without being overbearing.

I love the fact that thinks looks great casual, e.g. t-shirt and jeans, but looks smart with a suit. When you attend a meeting, other folk are constantly glancing over to size it up. Very few watches actually draw the interest of non-watch afficienados ...

The face looks retro light grey under one light,

but solid grey under another.

I love the sapphire crystal mounting, which is raised maybe 1/4 mm above the watch bezel but is completely flat. Together with the design it givens a very solid/integrated overall feeling.

The hands are white and straight, with a black ends just near their axial, which gives them a sensation of floating on their own until you look really close. The decal on the face is the normal text lines "Omega - Speedmaster - Co-axial - Chronometer", surprise surprise with no "professional" in sight !!! The fonts are very clear and the same colour as the white pips on the face. In addition to the prominent oblong white pips at 1-12, there is an outer circle of tiny pips marking 17 minute increments between each hour. They look great but not sure they mean anything :) Then behind each white pip is an exact same size orange pip. The spacing of the three inner dials is my favourite. There are lots of different opinions on the chronograph dials. Some people like two, some people like three right or left, but I love the symmetrical left right down arrangement with the watch text at the top. The sub dials and numeric markings are in the same white as the large pips and the writing, a slightly greying white, with clear script.

The dial on the left is seconds for normal time and the hand is white. The two other dials are the chronograph 12 hours and 30 minutes dials and have an orange hand. Together with the main orange second hand for the chronograph they ensure easy focus on either the time, or the chronograph in an instant.

On the left is a slightly recessed button for advancing the date. I love this date button design, as when you want to move the date forward, there is zero chance of an overshoot.

At the bottom of the dial is the date with a dark background, which allows it to be picked out instantly.

Lastly the two chronograph buttons are polished and precise and don't stick out too far. The winding crown has a medium diameter but is quite flush with the bod, of course fitting the Speedmaster's personality.

The tachymetre dial looks very cool with very precise lettering. It looks like it has been taken from some kind of nuclear device timer from the 1960s. The lume is simply fantastic. Unfortunately I shook a bit when taking the picture in the dark but believe me, seeing this is real life is mesmerising. It simply the finest and most interesting lume arrangement I have ever seen to date.

The bracelet again needs to be seen. Its very precise and not too thick and not too heavy. The three link design is simultaneously smart looking whilst having the engineered feel of a scientific instrument with fine tolerances. The entry into the case is very neat. I have seen quite a lot of rubber and leather straps used on the Mark II. They often look good but IMHO this is one of the first watches I feel like keeping the bracelet on for a while, rather then taking off and trying a million different straps.

The buckle is great and has the classic dual sided Omega catch. What I really like about it are the fine adjustments. The trouble with my wrist is that its always between links, i.e. in one position its too tight, and with a link out its too loose. Half links help but the ultimate is always a buckle with 3-5 fine position movements. Lastly, and not that useful to me, is that there is a proper buckle extension. As this watch won't be going over a diver's suit (despite the 100m rating) I presume that's for a Formula 1/Indy car racing suit

The movement, the 3330, will be well know to some. It has been described as half way between a generic and in-house movement. Based originally on the tough and popular Valjoux 7750, the 3330 is so evolved that it's said that Edmond Capt, who led the design team for the 7750 in the early 1970s, wouldn't recognise it. The chronograph steel camm mechanism was ripped out of the 7750 and replaced by the smoother, and theoretically longer lasting, columnar wheel system. Omega then further fitted its co-axial escapement and then a silicon balance spring. Amongst other practical changes the power reserve rose to 52 hours. This is nice as it can off the wrist all weekend but still running for Monday

Cutting all the technical blurb, this is a seriously nice piece. Its smart enough and casual enough for everyday, buts it loads of fun. Just glancing at it makes you smile. Is it silly to say when I wake up in the morning I am looking forward to putting it on ? Perhaps Omega is just resting on its 1960's laurels with the re-release, or perhaps its cleverly enhanced an already unique design. IMHO this perfects the original Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV and Mark V.

(disclaimer - someone's Maserati was just parked outside my house ...)

The Mark II has so many unique features that could sell it on its own. It could be the asymmetrical case, it could be the extraordinary brushed surfaces, it could be the orange details, it could that amazing lume or it could be the sum of the parts and a not unreasonable price these days.

To a man its the Barbarella of watches, to a woman perhaps the Buck Rogers, whatever, at the of the day Ming the Merciless has had it