The Omega Speedmaster family is one of the most visiblewatch collections in the world. While the early antecedents were great spacetravellers and accompanied NASA astronauts on their momentous space missions ofthe late nineteen-sixties and seventies, some of the more recent progeny thathaven’t carried the authentic moonwatch gene have, in my opinion, let theirillustrious fore-fathers and mothers down. I’m pleased to say that the new Speedmaster Co-Axial calibre 9301 model isnot one of them.
For purists, the only Speedmasters worth embellishing thewrist are those that are linear descendents of the moon watch (the calibre321/861/1861 progression), and such tastes are amply catered for with thelimited edition Apollo 15 Anniversary model and the Speedmaster Professionalrange. But, for those who hankered for an automatic version that still offeredsome historical rub-off, the most recent options have been limited to modelspowered by the somewhat effete Piguet-based 33xx and 36xx calibres. Theexception was the more strapping 3212.80.00 calibre1164 date range based on thefamous Valjoux 7750 ‘tracteur, but that was superceded by the sissier calibre3304 versions.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Chronograph Co-Axial calibre9301 (seen above in the 18k orange gold iteration) adds muscle back into the automatic collection with a new in-house automaticmovement that was designed from the bottom plate up for robustness and accuracy.This collection pays due homage to the famous design elements of theProfessional – classic black dial, tachymeter and original hands – and blowsthe size of the watch out to a weapons-grade 44.25 mm. Not for the faint-hearted and likely to causea back injury to anyone weighing less than 170 pounds, this piece is meant tobe worn with a swagger.
Perhaps a fat wallet lodged in the right-hand back pocketwill help owners of this new Super-Speedie maintain vertical equilibrium, becausethey will certainly need a sizeable stash to pay the $35,000.00 plus for theplatinum version. The more reasonably priced stainless steel version will stilldent the pocketbook at $7,000 dollars plus, with the ‘orange’ gold versionpriced in the middle.
So, what are you getting for your money? The answer is that you’re paying for twenty-firstcentury movement that is one of the most technologically advanced machinescurrently in production: co-axial escapement, free-sprung balance, innovativecolumn wheel and vertical clutch arrangement, silicon balance spring, new-agematerials in some of the components, novel two subdial chronograph configuration,beautifully executed case, an upgraded bracelet that allows better adjustmentwhen links are removed, a four year warranty and a COSC certified chronometer watchthat promises to deliver outstanding reliability over a long period of time.
