Jorg’s Top Five Omega Watches That Deserve More Attention

Shining the light on some less talked about Omega models

June 08, 2020

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In the world of Omega, the Speedmaster is king. There is no doubt about it. And the Seamaster a very loyal and steady queen to the king. But what about the rest of the collection? We find that several models are not talked about as much as they should be. Even within the Speedmaster and Seamaster collections, some models are sometimes overlooked. As such, I’ve compiled a list of five Omega watches introduced over the last couple of years that might not always get the attention they deserve.

With a large number of Omega releases every year, there will always be watches that will not have the long-lasting success of some of the other watches in the collection. Consequently, I wanted to take a look at these watches’ potential, define their historical relevance, and analyze the current offerings on the pre-owned market, their prices, and explore my personal love of these watches. All of these Omega watches are part of the current collection and I feel they deserve a place in the spotlight.

1. Omega Railmaster 1957 Trilogy

Before you skip to the comment section of this article and start typing “What planet are you on?”, hold on for a second. Of course, the Railmaster 1957 Trilogy did receive a lot of attention when it was introduced back in 2017. The Railmaster was heralded as one of the best releases at Baselworld 2017 as part of the 1957 Trilogy.

It was the return of a legend in the eyes of many. But three years later, that initial storm has died down. As an integral part of that historical trilogy, it still deserves all the attention, though. Even more, it’s not only an excellent anniversary piece but also its presence in this list is also based on the future potential of the Railmaster.

It’s the perfect statement of the Railmaster’s past and its future potential.

As Mike stated in an in-depth article about the previous generation Railmaster that was available until 2012, the Railmaster has the potential to be the ultimate competitor to the Rolex Explorer I. Instead, it has always been Omega’s Milgauss. And I couldn’t agree more with Mike. But not on that specific generation Railmaster though. And the current generation Railmaster also doesn’t have that power.

For me, the ultimate proof came with the introduction with the Railmaster 1957 Trilogy. Not only is it a beautiful homage to the Railmaster CK2914 from 1957 — okay, a manually wound movement would have been closer to the original — but the unique design shows it’s as relevant as ever. And with a modern movement, the watch has every bit the potential Mike was suggesting. It’s the perfect statement of the Railmaster’s past and its future potential.

2. Omega Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds

I have to admit the Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds is connected to a very personal story. From the moment I laid eyes on this Seamaster 1948, it made me think of my father’s 1966 Seamaster DeVille. Sure there are almost two decades between the original Seamaster and the Seamaster DeVille, so there are visual differences. But that signature early Seamaster design connection is unmistakably there.

My boyish enthusiasm could be traced back to the nostalgic question of what current Omega would my father buy if he were looking for a watch today. My best answer used to be the DeVille Prestige. But it never seemed like the satisfying answer to the question. The right answer came with the Seamaster 1948.

…the perfect combination of vintage looks and modern techniques…

Omega introduced the Seamaster 1948 models at Baselworld 2018. Omega’s big release that year was the all-new Seamaster 300M. In its slipstream, the stainless steel Seamaster 1948 watches were the perfect commemorative pieces celebrating the rich Seamaster history. Both are appropriately limited to 1,948 pieces.

The Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds is my favorite out of the two. I like its handset and the dial better than that of the central seconds version. For me, it is the perfect combination of vintage looks and modern techniques using the Caliber 8804. Today, it doesn’t get the credit as such or as a great commemorative piece. I think it’s one of the best recent Omega releases, but as you know now, I’m biased.

3. Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of The Moon

Let me start by saying I like the “Side of the Moon” series a lot. As a conceptual line of Speedmaster watches, I like that it shows the possibilities of creating a modern version of the Speedmaster. And secondly, the concept of creating watches inspired by the different sides of the moon by using different materials is brilliant.

I don’t compare the series to the classic Speedmaster Professional as many have. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. The watches look different, they use a different Omega Caliber 9300 automatic movement, and the overall idea is quintessentially different. I love the Dark Side of the Moon Black and this Grey Side of the Moon the most because they represent the concept to the fullest. They might not necessarily be the easiest on the eye, but as a conceptual watch, they are simply very cool.

In 2014 when the Grey Side of the Moon was released at Baselworld, it was hot. Six years on the Grey Side of the Moon has almost faded from memory. In 2015 Mike wrote an in-depth review explaining the potential power of the watch, and its potential to become a Daytona contender. I definitely understand that could be its mass appeal. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened. But it doesn’t make it less impressive.

The Grey Side Of The Moon (or Lunar Dust) was the second release in the series after the original Dark Side of the Moon. Omega stepped away from the black ceramic case and used white ceramic powder as the base material for the case. By plasma heating the case up til 20,000 degrees Celsius, the case turns a beautiful metallic grey. If the case wasn’t enough, the sand-blasted platinum dial resembles the actual lunar landscape and looks stunning. The Grey Side of the Moon is the stunning execution of a great concept.

4. Omega Globemaster Steel — Sedna Gold

Who is scared of a bit of steel and gold? I love seeing that combination of materials for a watch as long it’s the right watch. As some of you know, I have a great love for the Omega Constellation Manhattan. Historically it’s a perfect example of a watch that works very well in steel and gold. Another watch that happens to be in the same current Omega Constellation family that has that power is the Omega Globemaster.

Often labeled as a dress watch, it is far beyond that. It certainly has the power to be the perfect dress watch, but it is a lot more versatile than that. Especially in stainless steel and Sedna gold, the Globemaster reveals its full stylish potential. As Gerard wrote in his 52 Mondayz article, the combination of steel and Sedna gold with the blue pie-pan dial and the fluted bezel is brilliant.

The Globemaster is unique for many reasons. There is the story of the Globemaster name that was used for a 1950s Constellation that couldn’t be delivered under that name in the United States. There is the design of the current Globemaster that takes inspiration from the Constellation watches from the 1950s and 1960s. Two reasons that do not make it a vintage watch, however.

As Robert-Jan stated in his review of the Sedna gold Globemaster, “it’s not your grandfather’s watch.” Although inspired by the past, the Globemaster is modern in size (39mm). And It features the modern Co-Axial Caliber 8900 that is antimagnetic up to 15,000 gauss. It truly is a versatile watch, most definitely in style. Wear it on a NATO-strap during the day when you’re out and about. And wear it on a leather strap when you go to dinner in the evening. It’s brilliant both ways.

5. Omega Seamaster 300

I want to end this list with the Omega Seamaster 300. Another crazy addition to this list? We will let you be the judge of that. The reality is that if we talk about the Seamaster, the immediate reference is the Seamaster Diver 300M. After all, it is Omega’s most iconic watch in the collection after the Speedmaster. But it’s not the watch you look for when you want an Omega’s vintage-inspired divers’ watch. In that case, this is your pick.

The Seamaster 300 in stainless steel is directly connected to 60 years of Omega history. It was an absolute hit at Baselworld 2014. It took the design of the original Seamaster 300 (CK2913) from 1957 and combined it with the use of new tech such as a ceramic bezel and the Caliber 8400 co-axial automatic movement.

…the watch still is as powerful as the moment it was released.

Today the Seamaster 300 has been in the Omega collection for six years. And time hasn’t stood still. Especially these last couple of years, Omega has released a string of incredible watches that might have put the Seamaster 300 a little more in the background. Last year was the big year of the Speedmaster. In 2018 we saw the release of the new Seamaster Diver 300M.

Apart from the ongoing craze around the Seamaster 300 Spectre, it has been somewhat quiet around the Seamaster 300. But the watch still is as powerful as the moment it was released. Out of all the regular steel models in the current Omega collection, the Seamaster 300 would probably be my 2nd pick after the Speedmaster Professional. It moved up a spot after the steel Ploprof was discontinued last year. Let’s find out how long it can keep that spot.

Concluding

There it is, our list of five recent Omega watches we feel do not always get the attention they deserve. Are we crazy? Or did we forget a couple of hidden gems in the current collection? But we would love to hear your opinions. So sharpen your pencils and start writing!

Find out more about the current Omega collection on the official Omega website.