The association between Swiss watchmaker Omega and the 1969 moon landing is one of the strongest in the entire watch industry. With the original Omega Speedmaster created inorder to provide Buzz Aldrin and co. with a robust and accurate watch that could withstand the pressures of space, the ‘Speedy’ has long since established itself in the pantheon of iconic timepieces. And now, finally, the iconic watch model is getting a major update thanks to the addition of a Master Chronometer-certified movement.
To kick off 2021, Omega has introduced a completely new update to the line, the Speedmaster Professional Master Chronometer. Although it carries some minor aesthetic changes, the main focus is on the introduction of a major new movement for the line- the Calibre 3861.
The new movement means it is now equipped to withstand magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss and its certification indicates new levels of precision and performance. Approved for use on any NASA space flights, the movement took four years to produce in order for it to meet those standards, while matching the dimensions of the previous calibre.
What Omega has done is taken a step back and analysed the best attributes of the Professional line, and has been directly inspired by the Apollo 11th 50th Anniversary edition of the Speedmaster.
The main external change is the updated, polish-brushed steel bracelet that has been redesigned to include five links per row and comes with a polished clasp with a satin-finished cover and applied logo.
The new bracelet comes with the models that use Hesalite glass, a form of acrylic known for its strength and optical clarity that is flatter than sapphire crystal. Those models are also offered on a nylon strap.
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