Omega’s Speedmaster Is The Perfect First Watch
The Omega Speedmaster is one of the few watches that we can truly call iconic. While that must be one of the most overused words in the English language these days, it is apt in this case. But despite the Omega Speedmaster being truly iconic, I have never owned one. Worse yet, I have never even come close to owning one! Why? Well, to me, the Speedy seems like such a default option (in the best sense) that I’ve almost been swayed away from it.
The other factor is that it’s not associated with underwater endeavors or capability. Even so, as RJ has pointed out several times, the current Speedmaster Professional is indeed capable of a pool dip if you don’t use those chronograph pushers. Plus, the Speedmaster happens to have some of the best history of any watch in the business.
The Omega Speedmaster is just a great watch!
There, I said it. The Omega Speedmaster is an awesome timepiece with a nearly unmatched historical pedigree. This is not just due to it having been the first watch on the Moon. It’s also thanks to its usage within NASA’s space program more broadly. This included many space missions and phases of intense training in which Speedmasters have graced the wrists of astronauts and technicians.
Various iterations of the Speedmaster are present in historical photos from that golden era of space exploration. These include versions with interesting “radial” dials, a special type of Speedmaster I’ve written about previously for Fratello.
Why is it so good?
Then, we get to the watch itself. The Speedmaster Professional has a beautiful case design that feels smaller and better on the wrist than its 42mm diameter would suggest. It also boasts an incredibly legible dial, great build quality, and an ever-increasing spec list to match modern production tolerances.
Recently, I accompanied a friend of mine as he purchased his first Swiss watch. He settled on this year’s white-dial Omega Speedmaster. I asked him why he went with this one as there are a lot of good options out there. He told me that it was because, to him, the Speedmaster symbolizes adventure and exploits. It also was a design that “just works.” No doubt, my friend made a great choice, and his decision inspired this article.
Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified — the one for me
Okay, so we have established that the Speedmaster has a strong heritage and a great design. Now we get to the sheer plethora of options out there for different tastes. If the “classic” design is not for you, we have all sorts of strange and interesting new and vintage options to explore.
This is another strength of the Omega Speedmaster line. There truly is something for everyone. In fact, Omega’s new Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified is seriously enticing for my tastes. This is certainly nothing close to a classic Speedmaster, but it provides enough design quirks and cool capabilities to draw me in. Bravo, Omega.
Why don’t I own one, for Pete’s sake?
I am writing this missive of appreciation for the Omega Speedmaster as someone who does not own one. Nor am I close to owning one (with the exception, perhaps, of the aforementioned Flight Qualified). Why is this the case? Well, as I mentioned earlier, it’s partly because the Speedmaster is such a ubiquitous watch. It’s the same reason I don’t and probably won’t own a Rolex Submariner. This is not to say I don’t greatly appreciate the Rolex Submariner, but I find my Tudor Black Bay 58 does the same job and connects with me more than its Rolex counterpart. Yes, I have spent some considerable time with the latest Rolex Submariner, including in the ocean, so I am not making unfounded statements out of spite.
The other factor is that I’ve never seen the Omega Speedmaster as something that would suit my lifestyle. The lack of a screw-down crown always left me a little unsettled with the idea of taking it into the ocean. Sure, this changes with the 100m water resistance rating of the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified. This is another factor that makes that watch so enticing to me. Long story short, I am someone who, quite literally, will not go a day without an ocean swim. I like to wear my watches on these endeavors (my modern watches, anyway), so my decision-making around watch purchases reflects that.
It’s not you, Omega; it’s me…
Despite my quirks around ocean swimming, the Omega Speedmaster does indeed make so much sense as a first big watch purchase. The chronograph function is useful. It’s a watch that can be worn in so many different situations and still look good while ticking reliably. This is why my friend made such a good choice for his first expensive Swiss watch. It’s a genuinely useful timepiece with arguably more function than a dive watch. Not only that, but it will also look classy while doing its job. And in the end, isn’t that also super important? I think it is.
Admittedly, another hang-up for me is that I own an IWC 3706 chronograph. This watch does have a screw-down crown, and it can handle the ocean. It also happens to be a watch that I connect with on a design level. Sure, it’s a little funky, but it’s endearing. Then again, I have multiple dive watches in my collection, so why can’t I have more than one chronograph? The human mind is a curious thing…
Concluding thoughts on the Omega Speedmaster
Now we come to the final element to consider in all of this. Yes, I have written a letter of appreciation for the Omega Speedmaster, and no, I don’t own one. But perhaps not owning one gives me a little distance and space to appreciate the watch in a fresh light. Yes, I can see all of the history that makes the Speedmaster so important in the timeline of horology. Strip that back, and we have a watch with a downright sexy design and excellent build quality. If I were to rewind to the beginning of my horological journey, I’d be the first to recognize that the Omega Speedmaster would be the perfect first Swiss mechanical watch. I’m glad that I could see a friend make that decision and be very happy with it.
If the Omega Speedmaster did not have such a winning formula with its combination of handsome looks, history, and quality, I don’t think we’d be here discussing it. Thankfully, it has all of those things. What do you think, Fratelli? If you don’t already own a Speedmaster, is there any reference out there that’s enticing you like the Flight Qualified is for me? Let me know in the comments.
