After their many journeys between earth and space, OMEGA watches can now look back on a long history in the skies. Many pilots have relied on the brand’s functionality and precision to always stay in the correct flight path – and land on time. To continue this legacy in the future, OMEGA is proudly introducing the new Speedmaster Pilot this year.
The 40.85 mm design draws inspiration from the very first Speedmaster from 1957. Known for its robust, reliable and easy-to-read concept, the original model became the “watch of choice” for many pilots, especially within the U.S. Air Force.
The symmetrical case of the new watch is made of stainless steel and has a matte finish to prevent light reflections. The bezel is secured with a matt aluminum ring and underlines its connection to the Speedmaster legacy with a “point above 90” and a “point diagonally opposite 70” on the tachymeter scale.
What makes the timepiece truly unique is its grained matt black dial. The hands for hours and minutes as well as the hour indices have been provided with wide blocks of white, green glowing Super-LumiNova, which ensure perfect legibility even on night flights. The matt black, central chronograph hand stands out visually thanks to its orange-lacquered, airplane-shaped tip.
Probably the most striking feature of all are the two subdials – both opalescent in the middle and beveled on the outer edge. At 3 o’clock there is a 60 minute and 12 hour counter with a triangular matte orange hand and printed white numerals. This subdial is similar to a fuel consumption display found in aircraft cockpits. Similarly, the small seconds display at 9 o’clock echoes the design of a cockpit aim/sight display, with a matt yellow painted hand and an artificial horizon in blue.
The Speedmaster Pilot guarantees outstanding OMEGA precision thanks to its Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 9900, which has been certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) according to the highest standards in terms of precision, performance and magnetic resistance. The movement is located directly behind a metal case back, which is embossed with the Speedmaster’s traditional seahorse medallion as well as an engraving of the water resistance („100m / 330ft“).
The watch can be worn on a stainless steel bracelet with OMEGA’s patented comfort clasp or alternatively on the gray NATO strap, which is also included in the scope of delivery in addition to a special travel case. The bracelet has been innovatively reinforced with KEVLAR® fibers and is equipped with a brushed stainless steel clasp. OMEGA’s history in early aviation OMEGA watches have always enjoyed a high reputation among pilots.
From the Second World War onwards, the brand supplied over 110,000 watches to the British Ministry of Defense to support Air Force and Navy pilots in operations. The most famous and widespread of these watches was the UK/CK2292. This watch, which was supplied to the majority of personnel in the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm, was characterized by its particularly high resistance to magnetic fields.
This made it the ideal instrument for pilots sitting just behind the powerful engines of a Hurricane or Spitfire. When the OMEGA Speedmaster was born in 1957, it quickly found favor with some pilots in the U.S. Air Force. Many of these men would later serve as astronauts on the Mercury missions of NASA’s first manned program.
In 1969, the new OMEGA Flightmaster was launched, which was specifically tailored to the needs of aircraft pilots so that they could tell the time in no time. It is also suitable as a comprehensive tool when traveling. The radical design was large and eye-catching, providing a stark contrast to the standard chronographs of the time.
1969 was also the year Concorde took off for the first time. Not only did OMEGA’s timing instruments become standard components for several Concorde aircraft – many of the crew members also chose to wear OMEGA watches to keep track of the exact time. One of them was Captain John Hackett, the first person to pilot a Concorde across the Atlantic.
