Its fit and finish, while improved, remains that of a mid-range watch. The differing finishes on the backs of the lugsĭespite everything, the new Moonwatch is priced as a mid-range sports chronograph. 2915, but the model only gained the “Professional” label on the dial a decade later, after it became standard issue for American astronauts. The Speedmaster debuted in 1957 as the ref. The Speedmaster’s association with NASA and Apollo 11 Moon landing has been well documented, so I will go over the model’s evolution instead. This helps cushion the price increase and leaves the new versions still competitively priced.īefore going into the details of the new Moonwatch, it’s useful to understand how it all started, especially the key historical changes that relate to features of the latest generation. It was an unusually excellent value proposition – good enough that it had few rivals – which means that the new Moonwatch remains from being exorbitant. That said, Omega was starting from a low base with the retired Speedmaster Moonwatch. The updates to the watch are undoubtedly for the better, but they come at a price.Īs expected, the retail price of the new Moonwatch is higher than its predecessor across every variant. The price hike is arguably more than the improvements would justify – the new models are about 20% more expensive – and is perhaps more of an attempt to raise the average selling price of Omega’s trademark chronograph, which is significantly less than comparable chronographs from rival. All visible parts, such as the bevels on the bridges and countersinks for screws and jewels, are now neatly machined. The progress in term of decoration is slight, but the overall treatment is more consistent than before. 3861 having all of the brand’s modern tech, making it the most accurate and most magnetism-resistant Moonwatch to date.Īdd to that a hacking seconds – a prosaic function that is enormously useful – meaning no more more clumsy attempts to set the time by fiddling with the crown back and forth.Īlso enhanced is the finishing. A more significant highlight is the movement, a classically-constructed, hand-wind chronograph, making it unusual among its counterparts, majority of which are automatic.Īt the same time, the most substantive upgrades are found in the movement, with the cal.
The stepped dial, for instance, adds depth, and the vintage-inspired bracelet gives it a more casual feel.īut the redesign is only part of the appeal. Omega lifted several details from vintage Speedmasters, making the occasionally clinical-looking design more attractive. Ironically, the overriding motif of the redesign is looking backwards – perhaps unsurprisingly given Omega’s predilection for vintage-inspired styling. From an aesthetic standpoint, the tweaks are subtle but clearly catered to enthusiasts.
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