It’s right here! The Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified debuted as a pilot-only watch a number of months in the past, however Omega determined to make a barely completely different model accessible for individuals such as you (assuming you aren’t a US navy pilot) and me.
Initially for US navy pilots
On the finish of September, we confirmed you the US navy model of the Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified, based mostly on leaked inner documentation and a few footage posted by US navy pilots on the Omega Boards.
And now, simply earlier than 2024 ends, Omega introduces the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified that might be stocked in shops.
2024 is a Speedmaster yr
Omega has been serving Speedmaster followers nicely this yr, first with the up to date Darkish Aspect of the Moon Apollo 8 after which the white-dial Moonwatch and the bicolor fashions in metal and yellow/rose gold. After these got here the brand new First Omega in House with its blue/grey dial, and now there’s the “civilian” Speedmaster Pilot.
Palms-on with the Speedmaster Pilot
Whereas preserving it a secret from everybody however my colleagues, I’ve been carrying this new Speedmaster Pilot ref. 332.10.41.51.01.002 for a number of weeks till at the moment. This implies I’ve had fairly a while to get to know this Speedmaster variation. Am I nonetheless as enthusiastic as after I unboxed it, or did my enthusiasm fade? Stick round to search out out.
Final week, we acquired the brand new Seamaster 300M a day earlier than its launch, so our introduction article is a “sizzling take” or first impression. A correct hands-on article will comply with later as we’ve got the watch within the Fratello workplace now and may put on it for some time. This new Speedmaster has been right here for weeks, which has allowed us to attempt it, put on it, shoot some (video) content material with it, and, extra importantly, dedicate an in-depth article to it.
Too thick, too skinny, too massive, too small
I’ll go away the specs for the desk beneath the article so you will discover all the small print you need in regards to the watch. I’ve to say that I’m a bit “executed” with the specs concerning dimensions. Admittedly, I typically fall into the entice of basing my opinion on the numbers I see. This yr, although, I’ve been carrying many alternative watches. Most of them match me superb, from small costume watches to massive divers, whatever the diameter or thickness.
I both like a watch, or I don’t. Solely seldom did a watch put me off with its dimensions. In my 25 years of accumulating Speedmasters, I’ve by no means heard anybody complain in regards to the thickness of 1. The watch by no means struck me as too thick, neither within the late Nineties, after I was slim and watches have been usually smaller, nor at the moment — finish of rant.
Related but fairly completely different to the Speedmaster ’57
What I’ll say is that the watch seems to be and feels similar to the two-register Speedmaster ’57 assortment Omega launched a number of years in the past. That assortment now includes a hand-wound motion, however the first fashions had a self-winding motion. This Speedmaster Pilot makes use of the automated caliber 9900. It makes the watch barely thicker than the hand-wound Speedmaster ’57, however that doesn’t hassle me when carrying it.
Impressed by the enduring Omega Flightmaster
Nevertheless it’s not the Speedmaster ’57 from at the moment’s assortment that this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified mannequin jogs my memory of probably the most. The colourful palms remind me of the Flightmaster, Omega’s pilot’s watch that debuted in 1969. It’s not a duplicate or re-edition, however there’s definitely inspiration taken from these Flightmaster fashions.
Omega tried to convey the Flightmaster again in 2013 with the Speedmaster Z-33, however it didn’t final lengthy within the assortment. It was in all probability too particular with its Flightmaster-inspired case and the ana-digi show just like the X-33 fashions.
Numerous orange
As you possibly can see, this can be a very colourful Speedmaster with its orange minute counter, orange tachymeter scale on the aluminum bezel insert, orange three-minute indicator (which ought to remind you of a airplane’s burn-rate indicator), orange dots on the hour markers, and the orange airplane-shaped tip of the chronograph seconds hand. Moreover, there’s the “Flight Certified” writing in yellow, a yellow working seconds hand, and a yellow circle within the left sub-dial.
Blue horizon
The sub-seconds register has a cockpit-inspired goal/sight design component with a blue horizon. And it’s right here the place this watch differs from the beforehand proven Speedmaster Pilot for the US navy aviators. In that model, the sub-dial confirmed a grey horizon.
Two palms at 3 o’clock
Within the sub-dial 3 o’clock, we discover two palms for the chronograph operate, which is the case for all dual-register Speedmaster fashions within the assortment. Apart from the minute hand, there’s additionally a grey hour hand. Whereas this hand is in a separate sub-dial within the Moonwatch fashions, it’s a part of the three o’clock sub-dial in these in-house-developed self-winding actions by Omega. You may also use this sub-dial to show one other time zone (so long as you begin it exactly at midnight or midday for that point zone, after all).
Lume
At 6 o’clock is the date aperture, which exhibits a black date disc and printed white numerals. The hour and minute palms have a thick coating of Tremendous-LumiNova, and the hour markers consist of enormous Tremendous-LumiNova blocks that glow inexperienced. I discovered the Speedmaster Pilot very readable in low-light situations on account of these blocks and the big Tremendous-LumiNova-coated palms.
The matte black dial has a grained end, and the silver (rhodium-plated) minute observe has a brushed end. The latter corresponds with the end of the case and pushers.
Each floor of the case and bracelet has a brushed end, together with the pushers and crown. This provides the Speedmaster Pilot a utilitarian look. It’s one of many options we appreciated a lot on the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday “Tribute to Alaska III,” so it’s no shock I prefer it on this Pilot mannequin too.
Not like most Omega watches today, this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified has an all-steel case again. The model for US navy pilots had their squadron patch as a medallion on there, however this one is clean apart from the well-known hippocampus medallion within the middle and the water resistance score on the sting. One thing many will like is that this mannequin is water-proof to 100 meters.
A chrome steel bracelet with an easy-adjustment mechanism
We acquired Omega’s Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified on the chrome steel flat-link bracelet, however it is going to additionally include a grey NATO strap with brushed {hardware}. The bracelet has an easy-adjustment system within the clasp, which could be set in two positions for a 2.30mm complete extension.
The bracelet is comfy and much like the one on the Speedmaster ’57 fashions. I’m fairly positive this watch is a strap monster too, so those that like to vary straps often received’t be upset.
Caliber 9900
Inside this watch is Omega’s caliber 9900. That is an in-house-developed chronograph motion with the minute and hour recorder situated in a single sub-dial and an independently adjustable central hour hand. That is very helpful if you’re a frequent flyer to and from completely different time zones. The date has no quick-set operate, however utilizing the unbiased hour hand will prevent a while when correcting the date. Though you possibly can’t see it because of the all-steel case again, the ornament of this motion could be very good. Alas, you’ll have to imagine the images for this. As all the time, the mainplate and rotor have the Geneva waves in Arabesque. Additionally, you will miss out on the black stability wheel and the motion of the column-wheel mechanism. However the case again does go away some room for a private engraving should you fancy that sort of factor (I do).
After all, the watch has been licensed as a Grasp Chronometer by METAS. This implies the encased motion performs inside 0/+5 seconds per day on common and is antimagnetic as much as 15,000 gauss. Moreover, the watch is examined for water resistance. In complete, the watch has undergone eight stringent exams. One factor you must know is that the allowed deviations usually are not the identical for each Omega motion. We acquired a remark just lately below the article on the Seamaster 300M, for which the accuracy is as much as 0/+6 seconds per day on common as an alternative of 0/+5 seconds per day. Briefly, all of the 99xx/89xx/3861 calibers carry out inside 0/+5 seconds a day, the 88xx calibers are inside 0/+6 seconds per day, and lastly, the 87xx calibers run inside 0/+7 seconds a day. This isn’t communicated clearly on the Omega web site, however right here you go.
The Speedmaster Pilot on the wrist
On the wrist, the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified is nothing however superior to me. As a Speedmaster fanatic, I’m additional important of recent releases and variations. Not like a few of you may assume, I don’t like each Speedmaster or the whole lot that Omega does. Some adjustments or Speedmaster variations “damage” me as an fanatic or purist. Not all Speedmasters editions are for me, and I see that typically a business resolution isn’t all the time the one which satisfies the Speedmaster purist in me. That stated, I imagine the Speedmaster Pilot is a good addition to the gathering. It brings some colour to the dial and harks again to the Flightmaster whereas remaining a instrument watch with brushed surfaces on the case and bracelet.
Considered one of my favorites of 2024
Apart from the Flightmaster with its colourful dials, it additionally jogs my memory of carrying my Speedmaster H10 version. Typically, although, this watch is barely bigger and extra just like the Speedmaster ’57, however it has a utilitarian feel and look to it. Of all of the Speedmaster fashions that Omega launched this yr, this one is in my high two. For me, it’s between the white-dial Speedmaster Skilled and this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified.
I’ll undergo all 2024 releases intimately one other time, however the Pilot really and positively shocked me. That’s primarily as a result of it’s one thing completely different and extra distinct but in addition due to its utilitarian aesthetic. There are the nods to the Flightmaster that I significantly admire, however this can be a trendy watch with the self-winding caliber 9900 inside. I don’t swim that usually, so I by no means cared a lot about water resistance greater than the 50m score on a Moonwatch. Nonetheless, I feel it’s commercially intelligent to have this one rated to 100 meters.
The worth for the Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified ref. 332.10.41.51.01.002 is identical as for the Speedmaster ’57 fashions, at €10,500 (together with VAT) / CHF 8,300 (excluding VAT) / US$9,500 (excluding native taxes). You’ll find all of the specs within the overview beneath. If the video on the high doesn’t play, click on right here to look at the video on our YouTube channel.
You may also discover extra info on the Omega web site. Let me know what you concentrate on this new Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified within the feedback beneath.
