The OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope - Born to Measure Your World
By Amanda Evans | 4 minute read
OMEGA remains at the top of its game with the launch of the new OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope. Designed to measure your world, this astonishing vintage-inspired timepiece embraces OMEGA's heritage and incessant strive for accuracy and precision
The word Chronoscope is a blend of two Greek expressions, "Chronos" being the definition of time and "Scope" being the definition of observation. In its entirety, the term Chronoscope represents a device used to accurately determine the duration of a phenomenon. The new 43mm Speedmaster Chronoscope excels in this functionality with a blend of multiple functionalities that harness how near, how far, how fast with its three unique timing scales, the tachymeter; the telemeter, and the pulsometer.
Vintage Design Meets Precision Technology
Enthusiasts of the legendary OMEGA Speedmaster family will not be disappointed with the new Speedmaster Chronoscope collection which takes inspiration in its design from OMEGA's Chronograph watches of the 1940s. From the detailed "snail" design on the dial to the elegant, polished leaf-shaped hands, the Speedmaster Chronoscope has a vintage appeal and beauty within its DNA combined with modern touches and the advanced technology and precision that OMEGA is renowned for.
Visible through the sapphire caseback of the Speedmaster Chronoscope is the beating heart of the timepiece. The new Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908 has a unique design of the Speedmaster Chronoscope bridge and improved power reserve worthy of its Master Chronometer status and certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
The collection of 43mm models includes 6 stainless steel versions and one model in OMEGA's exclusive Bronze Gold. The stainless-steel models all come with a choice of three different dials, two models have silvery dials with blued hands, two with blue dials and rhodium-plated hands and two with silvery dials, blackened hands and black subdials – more fondly known as the "Panda" dial. Each of the three dials is also available presented on a leather strap with pin buckle in either blue, brown, or black. It is also available on a brushed steel bracelet with OMEGA's patented comfort structure.
The Bronze Gold model is a sight to behold, with its oxidized bronze dial with a unique patina finish and opaline silvery subdials. The vintage design of the tachymeter on the polished brown ceramic bezel ring marks another design first for OMEGA. Presented on a brown leather strap featuring a polished sandblasted Bronze Gold buckle, it has enhanced vintage appeal in its colorways.
We invited our Senior Watch Buyer, Lisa Broun, to share her thoughts on the new OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope.
Who do you think the OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope will appeal to and why?
The new Speedmaster Chronoscope is perfect for those that have their hearts set on a vintage-inspired timepiece with modern technical innovation. Although the Speedmaster Chronoscope has firm roots in the Speedmaster family, elements of these new timepieces take on a different design DNA from the standard Speedmaster. Anyone looking for a classic timepiece and the ultimate tribute to OMEGA's history of legendary chronograph designs needs to add a Speedmaster Chronoscope to their collection.
Can you tell us more about OMEGA's patent-pending Bronze Gold material and what makes it so special?
Not only does the Bronze deliver a one-of-a-kind pink-hue, it can be worn in direct contact with the skin and will retain its patina over a longer period of time. Patent-pending, the color of this bronze sits perfectly between OMEGA's own 18K MoonshineTM gold and 18K SednaTM gold, so thanks to this incomparable and unique colour, I guarantee you will not already have anything like this in your collection!
The dial of the Speedmaster Chronoscope is perhaps the most captivating part of the watch. Can you explain a little more about the "snail" design feature that previously featured on the brand's chronograph wristwatches from the 1940s?
A classic and striking design, the new Speedmaster Chronoscope dial is a far cry from the Speedmaster's we are used to. The concentric rings offering tachymeter, telemeter and pulsometer functions, allow us to revisit the mid-century designs in a modern interpretation. These multiple timing scales appeared on chronographs to offer easy assistance in everyday professions. OMEGA has taken the concept of an instrument companion and given us the ultimate dress watch.
The OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope has a vintage appeal, but can you tell us about its modern touches?
Although this timepiece has a vintage appeal and OMEGA's hand-wound movement further ties the Chronoscope collection to watches of the 1940s, there is nothing dated about the features in these timepieces. Like all of OMEGA's modern movements, the in-house 9908 Co-Axial movement is a Master Chronometer and can be seen through the sapphire caseback.
The bracelet versions in the collection are the revised five-link bracelets we saw introduced on the latest Speedmaster Moonwatch and for the first time, the Speedmaster Chronoscope collection bracelets are equipped with a micro-adjustment feature that allows up to 5mm of adjustment.
Noticeably one of the OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope models has a "Panda " dial – is this a growing trend and something that you think has longevity?
The Panda dial became popular in the 50s, not only for its pleasing aesthetics but because of the increase it gave to the legibility of the dial. Today is no different. The Panda dial seems to have the ability to always be on trend and perfectly marry style and function. We've seen it before, and we will no doubt continuously see it again - a classic black and white combination will always have longevity in my eyes.
Discover more from OMEGA here at Watches of Switzerland.
