OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot: New “Flight-Qualified” Chronograph
OMEGA introduces the Speedmaster Pilot, a new chronograph inspired by the Flightmaster. This watch pays homage to the brand’s long history with aviation and features a design reminiscent of the 1969 Flightmaster, along with a dial that reflects its military roots. Let’s take a closer look at this new addition to the Speedmaster family.
Case
The case of the Speedmaster Pilot has a diameter of 40.85 mm and a length of 49.60 mm. It is made of stainless steel with a fully brushed finish, giving it a robust appearance. The bezel is made of matte black aluminium and features a tachymeter scale with vintage ‘Dot Over Ninety’ and ‘Diagonal to Seventy’ markings. The watch is topped with a box-shaped sapphire crystal, ensuring durability and scratch resistance. The thickness is a reasonable 14.6 mm. The water resistance is rated at 100 metres, which is adequate for everyday wear. The solid caseback is engraved with the Speedmaster’s traditional Seahorse medallion.
Dial
The dial of the Speedmaster Pilot is grained matte black and framed by a brushed metallic minute track. It features large applied Super-LumiNova blocks in 3D, ensuring readability in low light conditions. The central hands are matte black with Super-LumiNova, except for the central seconds hand which has a varnished orange airplane tip. The sub-dial at 3 o’clock, used for the chronograph indications, has a triangular matte-orange hand and transferred white numerals, resembling the ‘burn rate’ indicator in aircraft cockpits. The 9 o’clock small seconds has a target/sight aesthetic inspired by cockpits, with a varnished matte-yellow hand and artificial horizon in blue. There is also a date window at 6 o’clock. Overall, the dial design is functional and pays tribute to the watch’s aviation heritage.
Movement
Inside the Speedmaster Pilot is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900. This automatic movement has an integrated architecture with column-wheel and vertical clutch, ensuring precise operation of the chronograph. It is also certified by METAS, guaranteeing high standards of accuracy, performance, and magnetic resistance. The movement has a power reserve of 60 hours and features a practical time-zone function for the hour hand. The movement is visible through the solid caseback, which is stamped with the Speedmaster’s traditional Seahorse medallion.
Strap/Bracelet
The Speedmaster Pilot comes with a stainless steel bracelet that has a brushed finish. The bracelet features OMEGA’s patented comfort release adjustment system, allowing for easy size adjustments. Additionally, an extra grey NATO strap reinforced with Kevlar threads is included, along with a special travel pouch and a strap-changing tool. The NATO strap has a brushed stainless steel buckle.
Price and Availability of the Speedmaster Pilot
The Speedmaster Pilot is part of OMEGA’s permanent collection and will be available in boutiques and retailers worldwide. The price is 10,300 euros.
Swiss watch start-up Norqain earned a spot in the display windows of the prestigious retailer Wempe in remarkably little time. Our editor Joern F. Kengelbach explores this through the lens of the latest 2024 Wempe Signature Collection, created in collaboration with none other than this rising watch start-up, which has been making waves in recent…
Since 2017, future car owners of selected Porsche models have had the option of having their own Porsche Design chronographs, made to match their sports car. The latest version: the 911 GT3 RS Chronograph. Porsche Design is launching the new 911 GT3 RS Chronograph exclusively for buyers of its high-performance sports car. The watchmakers at…
The Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 is a robust sports watch that radiates a sense of adventure thanks to its GMT hand. The watch comes in five variants, differing in the dials. The choice is between black, blue, green, white and anthracite grey. The Chronomat's 40 mm steel case appears on the collection's typical rouleaux…
Audemars Piguet is introducing five new Royal Oak models, all with green dials. In addition to a "Jumbo" with a platinum case, the manufacture is launching a Selfwinding Chronograph with a gold case and three Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon models. With the exception of the "Jumbo", all of these watches are strictly limited – in some…
Longines is presenting a variation of the Avigation BigEye launched in 2017. Unlike its predecessor, the new model is housed in a titanium case and presents itself with a petrol blue dial. The Longines Avigation BigEye is equipped with a silicon hairspring and a column-wheel chronograph. The brand vouches for the reliability of the new…
OMEGA is presenting the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep, a diver's watch with exceptional water resistance of up to 6,000 metres. In fact, the new line is based on a prototype that survived the record depth of 10,934 metres unscathed in 2019. The civilian models now unveiled come in seven variants, six of which feature…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the brand, Hublot is releasing three limited editions. They take inspiration from the 1980 Classic Original model, yet also incorporate more modern elements. The minimalist models are available in 18-carat yellow gold, titanium, or black ceramic cases, and are accompanied by a black rubber strap. The History The 1980…
Panerai is introducing a new watch: the Luminor Marina Specchio Blu 44 mm – PAM01316. It comes with a newly developed steel bracelet which picks up on the characteristics of the Luminor case. In addition, the model features the Panerai-typical "sandwich" construction, as well as the brand's patented crown protection bridge. The Panerai Luminor Marina…
When people think of "Panerai", they most certainly associate it with Italian flair and the Submersible - the characteristic diver's watch with the crown protection bridge. But Panerai does Grande complications too. We present some highlights from the tinkerers in Neuchâtel. Perpetual Calendar PAM0715 With the Luminor Perpetual Calendar, Officine Panerai offers a perpetual calendar…
Together with explorer Mike Horn, Panerai presents a new special edition: Submersible EcoPangaeaTM Tourbillon GMT – 50 mm Mike Horn Edition (PAM01108). Anyone who can get hold of one of the five limited pieces, which are only available in Panerai boutiques, will also be offered an exclusive expedition to the Arctic under the supervision of…
Geneva-based manufacturer Czapek & Cie. is expanding its Antarctique Passage de Drake sports watch collection with two new variants. The model now appears with a dial in the ice blue "Glacier Blue" or in Salmon. According to Czapek, these colors were frequently requested by collectors, which is why the manufacture finally decided to include them…
The Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin launches a new model expanding the ‘Patrimony Collection’ and completing its midnight blue timepieces introduced on this year’s watch fair SIHH in Geneva. The contemporary style and the pure lines are kept up with the new Patrimony perpetual calendar ultra-thin. Other than that, the calendar function is run by an ultra-thin self-winding movement, that…
To mark its 160th anniversary, Zenith gifts the watchmaking world a new Chronomaster Original, housed in stainless steel and with a blue dial. The line, launched in 2021, represents the legitimate heir to Zenith’s 1969 A386 – one of the first chronographs equipped with the legendary high-frequency El Primero calibre in stainless steel. An icon…