Why is this Speedmaster the Omega that We All Forgot?
A Discussion around the Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope. One of the strangest Speedmasters we've seen in years and to this day, still one of the most poorly received Omega releases. What makes this watch polarising? From its design to clash of timelines, the Chronoscope is a real oddity. Why was it forgotten as soon as it was released?
#omega #omegawatches #omegaspeedmaster
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One of the strangest clashes of timelines we've seen from Omega... Imagine how great this dial would've looked in a more period correct case? What are your thoughts on the Chronoscope? Is it a piece you'd ever consider? 🥃
@localheroEd
Ай бұрын
A rose by any other name would still look muddled. Attaching a name without understanding what the name conveys is surely one of the worst marketing sins.
@shaverray4462
Ай бұрын
Think how this dial would look in, say, a 2279-3 style case (perhaps enlarged to 38 mill from the original 35 mill). We’d be falling over ourselves to buy it. Great vid, as always.
It sort of speaks to how Omega should be giving the DeVille line a bit more love and attention IMO instead of focussing on the Seamaster/Speedmaster - imagine if the DeVille range had a Chronoscope in a different case, bring back the Hour Vision (love love this watch), release the Tresor small seconds in 36-38mm... so much potential there.
@rickmb67
Ай бұрын
So much this. Vintage DeVille chronos are gorgeous.
@alfieakaronaldog
Ай бұрын
Why do you think Omega give the Seamaster and Speedmaster ‘attention’? Its KZreadr’s and fanboys that do all that 😂
@alfieakaronaldog
Ай бұрын
What DeVille/Omega do you have?
As a collector of notoriously ugly watches I can say with a degree of authority that it is truly awful …..
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
And we both know, you are an authority of “landmine-like” ugly monsters ;)
@NeoWahNah
Ай бұрын
😂
@NeoWahNah
Ай бұрын
😂
@JinKee
Ай бұрын
I gotta know, do you Hublot?
@patrik3450
Ай бұрын
It’s not ugly wtf are you on about
I like this model and the Olympic edition makes total sense for this type of chinotgraph with multiscale. Yet I still think that the perfect Olympic edition should be x33. As for the chronoscope, I like it, especially bronze gold on a leather.
When Patek mixes the vintage dials with the new case they are praised.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Funny how that works, right? Excellent point 🥃
Zenith on the red strap is killer!
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
The moment I saw a vintage A384 on a red strap… everything changed. Man, what a strap can do to elevate a watch! 🔥
What an amazing outcome for a beautiful watch. Always a pleasure to see MaMaCoo work your magic. Thanks for sharing this transformation with us!
I appreciate the underdog ugly watches because you’re not afraid to wear them and use them as intended without fear of damaging it or beating it because you don’t care.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
I share your sentiments too Frank. There's something quite freeing about it, right? 🥃
@Frank-qs3pe
Ай бұрын
@@ID-Guy I’ve missed out on your last few reviews, I think I’ll binge watch today ….
All hail IDGuy
@lrbrown
Ай бұрын
Agreed.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Flattered as always sir ;) And it’s pleasure bringing these oddities forward 🥃
Omega should have taken inspiration from their sister company Tissot. The Tissot Telemeter 1938 , Ref T142.462.16.032.00 shows how a heritage chronometer should look like.
Exactly right on. Same mistake as the Speedy Broad Arrow. That watch also had no business being in the asymmetric case. And then they give this watch a clasp that is adjustable, and for the flagship of the Speedy line, the moon watch, they didn’t when it came out. You really have to ask yourself what they are thinking. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole chronoscope line will be discontinued within the next three years.
The local Omega boutique has these laid out in the window. "Please buy!"
For me the dial is a bit out of place with the case. I feel the dial is busy, the case is big, and nothing emotional ties it to almost anyone. Thanks bro for the great video.
Like so many interesting Omegas, it gets lost in the brand’s unreasonably large catalogue. Aside from the Moonwatch, and to a lesser extent Aquaterra and basic Seamaster (only because of Bond) awareness of other models amongst the wider public is painfully low, not helped by a horrible-to-use website. Omega needs to rationalise its catalogue and focus its marketing far more.
One of many misses by Omega. Thanks for the video
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Oh the difference a case can make. It’s a real enigma 🥃
@jerryglasses2229
Ай бұрын
@@ID-Guy this is why I like Omega. They try new things and of course some will be misses. Better than Rolex which puts out the same boring stuff year after year.
It always amazes me how much beauty and precision are added to the parts of amzwatch's watch 99% of people will never see.
amzwatch You are so well-informed about luxury watches. You've obviously done your due diligence and the comparison to the US is very informative...because of course, I live in New York. thank you very much
The numbers on the snail dials are so small that many folks who can afford the watch cannot read them. Plus the fact that nobody knows what these dials actually measure. In short, Omega made some kind of tool watch, but who is the target audience? Is it racers, travelers, office people? It didn't sell because the watch makes no sense for who will use it!
This model is always discounted at Jewellery’s / ADs in their winter and summer sales in the last few years. Loads of dial colour variations on sale recently.
Think about this, a chronoscope dial on a milestone 1941 case! Man that will look sexy as hell
Totally agree with the conclusion: great dial. But wrong case, wrong bracelet and definitely should not be in the Speedmaster line. Actually a missed chance… they we‘re close
The white and red I saw it at an AD .It looked beautiful particularly the dial.The reasons for its failure to capture the imagination are correctly pointed out by you
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Such a pity too man… if only they gave it an older case, maybe even scrapping the Speedmaster name entirely? Odd choices all round 🥃
I was lucky enough to try the Paris 2024 edition at an omega event. It is a really nice watch and to be honest it is a nice every day watch especially if you work at an office environment. I have two speedies and I don’t think we should be dismissal against the chronoscope and 57 models
Dr. Pietro here to the rescue..... What I like from most of these designs is the letter/number fonts they used. Elegant and legible and beautiful.
Great vid and discussion about the historic design cues... Yep, she's an odd little beastie. I remember looking at one in an AD at launch and thinking much the same: as if Omega had poured all the C20th into one mould. But it's hardly alone in that for Omega (Speedy Pro aside) - they repeatedly use incohesive, clashing and competing elements in their over-egged mash-ups. Omega: wonderful brand, ropey design.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
I’m sure it was a Swatch intervention, they felt that the Speedmaster recognisably was far better to promote and market BUT it just compromised the entire package. It’s a real shame 🥃
yes, it's not a dive watch, we get it. and to make things even worse, it is not a Tudor Black Bay 58! I had the blue silver version of the Chronoscope on my wrist - it is visually absolutely stunning, which is and remains the main criterion when buying a watch. dont over-think it!
I personally think the older Omega DeVille Chronograph (cal. 3313) are very underrated. Those use a 3 level co-axial version of the legendary Frederic Piguet cal. 1185 and can be bought under 4000 USD!! Im also a huge sucker for the "brick road" bracelet.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
What blows me away is it doesn't come across as anything Omega would do today. Organic lines to its case, could even be mistaken for a independent brand ;) 🔥
@SzczesliwyCzlowiek
Ай бұрын
I'm regularly checking out for available brick road pieces but there's just so few :(
Looks like someone designed it with an etch-a-sketch
Is there a chance that the public just doesn't get it sometimes? I think this is a super attractive watch. I think it's better than most options I see on the market that all look the same. Call me crazy....
Excellent video - super interesting - what an amazing contrast from the beautiful original 30s/40s ones to the modern mish-mash of mixed design cues. Great fun to watch, thanks! 🔥🔥🔥
Great video as ever and yes I remember your original comments about the case. Sometimes the sum of the the parts just don't add up! Love slightly left field designs though . Wouldn't swap my Big Eye for anything and love the Aquastar Deepstar ii chrono. That red strap is a killer look on your Zenith, so good at a summer car event!
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Well said Mark, also a huge fan of the outliers. Speaking of Summer, are you getting one? The UK sure isn't 😆🥃
Simply BRILLIANT insight as usual. Thank you
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
And it’s always a pleasure to share these offices brother, thank you 🥃
Totally get all your points...I did happen to be in their boutique at the Bellagio and checked them out and tried one on....I just felt...why?
Great video! As an Omega fanboy (I have five) and thinking I know the brand, well, you are spot on - never heard of this piece. Thank you for fantastic analysis and commentary!
Thank you for the history lesson and context regarding the chronoscope. However being the owner of a 3861 Speedmaster hesalite I gotta say this one missed the shot by a mile. Too busy with uninspiring complexities on the dial….cheers ID Guy!
As always, you find a watch that has a wonderful story and with your research , grant us this view, and we are enriched by it. I found these watches stunning, love the purpose directed dials. and with the amazing accuracy from Omega, these are not just a pretty face. Well done Sir
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Always enjoy covering these outliers and maybe seeing the positives with the negatives (from time to time) ;) Thank you brother 🥃
Well said. I bought a silver dial Chronoscope last year, put it on a blue leather strap bcos the bracelet looked out of place, and sold the watch a few months later, l almost forgot l once owned one of these watches, that's how memorable they are.
got my 39mm with the white dial on the 3-link "Bader" bracelet watch on MaMaCoo 3 weeks ago and am loving it to pieces. Absolute fantastic watch that wears super comfortable on my 6.75 inch wrist. Chose the 3-link over the 5-link bracelet for the toolless quick adjustment. Way more comfortable than my Longines Hydroconquest 41 mm.
I own a Montblanc/Minerva 106166 Vintage Chrono with a very similar dial configuration, although with a grand feu treatment. It was made as a re-edition of the 1910s-1920s Minerva chronos and is a much more harmonious and cohesive execution of this concept. Of course it’s solid white gold and you get an unobstructed view of the world-class 16.29 movement on the back and we’re talking orders of magnitude more upscale than the Omega model but I just wanted to give an example of a faithful execution of the same concept by another brand.
My brother from another mother I always thought the dial didn’t fit with the modern case, so agree 💯the case makes the difference and the ck case would have made it work
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Man, I would’ve loved to have seen it cases in one of those NOMOS Tangente styles cases (going full funk) 🔥
One more time all right ! I love the Dynamic and wear this watch with a yellow croco strap ! Bombastic.
that was incredible. what a beautiful watch and what great work you did on it! MaMaCoo
It reminds me of design by necessity, like they had to do something with that heap of excess parts. It's sort of a shame that it doesn't work - I love a telemeter scale, and a pulsometer. Have a good weekend IDGuy! ✌🏼️
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Does feel like they did it in part to shift components, but also to debut the micro-adjusting clasp (which was a bit late to the party after the arrival of the 3861) Man, those old-school dials are beautiful... why aren't brands pushing for these anymore? Thanks as always Ant 🥃
I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of MaMaCoo . Their watches are of exceptional quality.
If you go to a Rolex AD, be prepared to be prodded,with Chronoscope .!!
Modern chronoscope dial is too busy to read. If this is a tool watch for pulsometer and telemeter, a redesign is required: 1. enlarge the reading scale for pulsometer and telemeter 2. keep the line hour tracker but remove all the hour numbers to make space for the reading scale. 3. more eye candy on this manual wind movement, more open work on the cover plate.
Great video. Unfortunate name and very busy dial. I give Omega credit for the attempt, but I don’t see much of a market for it.
I saw these in a shop last week in the flesh and liked them in person but I think I was focussed on the dial. They are big (too big) and after hearing your discussion here, I’m starting to think they should have released this through the Deville line or perhaps as a vintage reissue like the Seamaster small seconds model Daniel Craig wore in Glass Onion. They may have had some more success that way and created something more coherent. Fantastic dials though!
I tend to see that it is a different kind of Speedmaster. Owning both the Moonwatch and this in silver dial ones makes me enjoy both at different occassion, the Chronoscope for example will be my travel buddy, thanks to its jumping hour function that many people don’t realize it. And in terms of size, though in paper it is bigger vs. Moonwatch, it actually thinner and has similar lug to lug, which at the end when you wear one it just feels the same, i think Omega did a genius job in this one. One thing that i feel Omega missed is the bracelet, it doesn’t “feels” vintage enough, i bought mine on the leather strap because i feel this watch should be on dressier side and whenever i want to put on with bracelet, i pair it with beads of rice straight lug which to me it push the “vintageness” even further.
As a self proclaimed Omega fanboy, I’ll be one of the first to admit that this is an epic miss. The dial is just too busy, it just doesn’t work. But they can’t all be great watches can they!
I think i may have slipped into a new timeline. I think it's a beautiful watch.
I love omega, wish more of the sizes were in the 38 or 39 range and lug to lug was around 45ish
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
You and me both, I'm such a sucker for 38-36mm pieces... it's an addiction 🥃
With Interchangeable Bezel inserts the dial would look a lot less cluttered. Surely this is something that Omega could implement.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Oooh a smooth bezel on this would’ve been brilliant! Great point Ian 🔥
@omegafanboyian
Ай бұрын
@@ID-Guy A smooth bezel and different scale bezel inserts is a solution to the cluttered dial. Am sure Formex already have interchangeable bezel inserts.
I never even knew about this. But I think that you’re right, it doesn’t quite hit its full potential. If they had given it more vintage design of the case and not banged on the speedmaster drum yet again. But I like the concept of being out a more complex chrono, or even telemeter design from historical contexts. I’d also quite like to see them expand on this with maybe a “doctors watch”, etc.
I own the silver dial chronoscope, and the blue graphics, indicies, and hands are simply stunning. If I go back in time, would I buy it again? Not at all. The 43mm case is ridiculous, and I should've saved my money for the white moon watch for a better black and white collection.
@Herbal-T
Ай бұрын
I have the same one. comfortable bracelet, looks good to me, but I’m moving it on and going with a classic speedmaster. Probably white to replace the silver. Can’t read the scales anyway.
Omega marketing: old team captain sitting in the pub, balding, fattening, telling a new stranger every night about the one time he did the one thing.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
This made me laugh more than it should have 😆🥃
I very much liked this model line when it was introduced (I can’t believe it’s been 3 years now 🤯) especially the bronze-gold version. But it hasn’t stuck with me. And I almost forgot about it too, until they just released that Paris 2024 Olympics one. And now it just seems a bit meh 🤷♂️
The road less traveled! It’s ahead of its time.
This watch collection makes Baby Omega Jesus cry.
I have dropped complex designs and enjoy the clean look of my Baltic Hermétique.
If you've ever had a bumectomy and believed they used a chronoscope to accomplish it, you'd understand why the name alone might put you off.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Really has a squeamish name to begin with, right? 😆🥃
Saw them at AD and tried them on as I LOVE the dial, but, boys, the case and bezel were so out of the place. I even joked to the sale that if this dial was on Portugieser case I'd buy it now.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
And the typeface they went with on the dial, looks near identical to the Portugieser, right? Classic 😆🥃
It is certainly appealing but this appeal does not last long unfortunately due the exact reasons you mention. Thanks for another informative video.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
My pleasure to always share these oddities (when I can) ;)
I think we could widen this conversation out. In my opinion Omega’s marketing department has too much control over the brand. I like Omega. I like Speedmasters. But their obsession with everything Speedmaster makes them feel like a one trick pony, even though they are not. Tell me you can’t hear the marketing wanks in the boardroom in your head saying, “we like the idea of bringing back the Chonoscope, but it needs more Speedmaster.” The engineers and designers crying silently in defeat.
I think they’re beautiful but they probably should have put it under the Deville line with a different and smaller 40mm case while showing more of that movement. Would love to see one in the metal. Hopefully they’re just limited production. If I’m getting a Speedmaster, I’m getting the black dial sapphire sandwich which is what I did.
Agree, case does not fit. A bezel-less case with a thick glass maybe?
Maybe because omega doesn’t make announcements or big events for their new releases (except maybe those anniversary seamasters last year), so nobody hears about their releases. They also don’t attend W&W.
I had a chronoscopy when I turned fifty...... doctor said I didn't need another until I turn 60..... that's soon, I better start checking out the Omega boutiques.
Tissot did a better job at such a vintage chronograph design reissue with their Telemeter 1938. Still a bit larger than they should have gone at 42mm. But, the overall design is much more cohesive.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
That 1938 Telemeter is a real beauty... I remember when it arrived, really grabbed my attention. Might just have to go back and look at them again 😉 Gilt Dial Goodness all the way! 🔥
You guys watch fanatics have developed such strong biases in your brains that are not able to enjoy beauty for what it is. This watch is absolutely stunning, and I bet that the most of you that say the opposite haven't seen it in real life. In your minds you compare every detail with all other watches you've seen before and start to put plus and minuses to it to understand how you feel about it. Forget about the past, the legacy, the influence for once! And you'll see the magnificence of the work put in by these master watch creators. Last, I laugh when people question what you need all those meters for "the telemeter and pulsemeter, are not a necessity of today". Why? is the watch a necessity to you once you got a smartphone? Do a favour to yourself.. sometimes, forget your prejudices and enjoy.
I like the Chronoscope more than you do but for the most part I agree with your analysis. The most perfectly designed Omega currently in production is the DeVille Tresor 435.13. 40. 22. 06. 001.
Any commentaries on the Longines Spirit Pioneer?
Omega would do well with increasing lug width to 21mm to 22mm. The proportions of their larger case sizes and 20mm lug width is just out of proportion. The jump to 21mm in the current Submariner made a world of difference with proportions in this watch.
All the more reason to add this to a collection...it's not a popular timepiece. As stated, it is oddly unique. I'd collect one.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
The underdogs are always amazing pickups (I'm just as much a fan of finding these oddities) ;)
Is it possible to swap the dial for a white speedy or are they not that “cheap” compared to a regular speedy?
I liked the aesthetics of it better than speedy
Is it just me or does these omegas give off vintage Tissot vibes?
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
I sure does! And I woke up to the fact that the numerals on the dial? IWC Portugieser. Tonnes of old-school inspirations that belonged to the likes of Tissot, Longines & Omega (they were all one big unit back in the day) 🔥
Don't forget the Tissot telemeter 1938 😊
I'm a doctor so I love and apreciate the pulsimeter, and...I'm kinda tired of all this moon propaganda...so....I really like it as a different aproach of the speedmaster
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
We really need more pulsation dials on watches for this reason alone 🥃
Omega Dynamic line you mentioned is one of the best watch designs I ever seen. Period. No idea 🤷♂️ why it doesn’t get attention it deserves. As for Chronoscope it still may have some fan base. For me the level of detail is sth I noticed and appreciate there. The second hand market is quite harsh for this model. But then it’s an opportunity for enthusiasts
Coco Chanel is famously to have said, before leaving the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory. Omega is the opposite. They look in the mirror and *add* one or maybe two things. Love the company. And I think they’re getting better in some respects on lots of these things. But boy they could stand to look in the mirror, and take away 1, 2 or maybe 3 things on many of their watches.
It was generally dismissed at the time because of the cobbling together of styles from different eras. The dial readability was the thing that put me off the most though. I've seen that complex mix of scales on a chrono done so much better, not least on a Russian Strela that I actually own Reply
No, I was not and am not familiar with this watch’s history. The original pieces are much more appealing. When I saw the Chronoscope in the AD, it was a mammoth on the wrist, which is not my cup of tea. Would much rather own the Speedmaster Professional
I honestly like it…
No lume, poor legibility of the multiple scales and combined hour & minute sub-register.
I bought this popular video watch from amzwatch , which was originally priced at a few thousand dollars, but now it's only $380! It's really suitable to pick up feces!
I like this watch, I really do, but it's too "elegant" for being a tool watch you know? Also, I already have a Speedy pro, I don't need more chronographs....
I remember being interested in the Chronoscope when announced, then I took a second look and lost interest. It just seemed like Omega doing what they do using the shotgun approach. The current gen Speedmaster 57 on the other hand is Omega is pure and authentic Omega.
It’s ghastly. I love it though.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Just like how we look at the 1655 Explorer, so odd BUT so compelling 🔥
Does the beat rate match the sub second markers on the chapter ring? Would not be the first time Omega have dropped that ball!
This watch is not a failure. It is an option for someone who wants a more robust and complex looking speedy. It's Rolex equivalent of the ym2 vs the gmt. It's not meant to replace or complete with something in the brand. It's there to add variety and give a modern take on something vintage. 1 to 1 remakes of vintage watches are boring IMO
Pretty bad... I guess the dial is so busy and with that case shape I would just go for a Speedy. Man, my grail changed. Total revelation. IWC Spitfire... wish me luck
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Mate, the Spitfire is a cracking piece AND when I think about your preferences? Size, strap changes, date comp. and general IWC aesthetic? Sublime. My design brain doesn’t dig the clash of British/German designs thrown into one piece (but that’s the same with the majority of IWC pilot pieces) buuut that’s just me… nutter 🥃
@Valera_Scotland
Ай бұрын
@@ID-Guy man I watched your Spitfire video as part of my discovery! Yeah I'm not fussed about the historical quirks and the incomplete patina. I just see a beautiful watch which draws together the elements I love (field / IWC, legible), and adds pops of colour. It is sublime
A Speedmaster with not a drop of lume, non-starter for me.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Very good point. A real conflict of Dress v Sport that ends up as one helluva clash 🥃
I agree, this piece is a flop even though the dial and bezel combination look amazing. Sad.
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
Just a small adjustment to that case and bracelet and the whole collection would’ve been seen differently. Alas 🥃
Omega offers value for money second hand prices and good designs and good quality
The regular Speedmaster is cool, but blah. White dial is blah. This iteration is the coolest thing Omega has done in years. The 57 is still the purest, and best Speedmaster
@ID-Guy
Ай бұрын
That dial especially… what a work of art. I’m just imagining it in one of those NOMOS Tangente cases 🔥
@ZombieFeet
Ай бұрын
@@ID-GuyI would love to see that!
Well, I must in a minority, I have all the stainless steel ones and are my favourite watches in my collection. I agree the RRP is way too high, picked my 3 up way below RRP.
Would need to be less than 43mm. And the glass looks so thick on the side. Been looking at it many times and in many variations, and then always comes a BUT. Bracelet is also too eye catching so that it draws the attention away from the watch itself.
Yes, the dial feels out of a place, which is a shame... But I'd still wear the watch if I had that throw-away money. Yes, it does feel good to not have a fine taste nor respect for heritage. 😊
I really like them, would buy if I could afford them