Omega Speedmaster Racing Automatic Chronometer Box & Papers 2016

Omega 

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Omega Speedmasters were the first watches to arrive on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

The Omega Speedmaster Racing is a collection of watches that combines the classic design elements of the iconic Speedmaster with modern features and a sporty aesthetic. The “Co-Axial” refers to the movement used in the watch, which is the Omega Calibre 3330.

The “Reduced” model of the Omega Speedmaster Racing Automatic Chronometer refers to a specific variant within the Speedmaster Racing collection. The Speedmaster Reduced is a slightly smaller and more streamlined version of the classic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch.

The incredible, unused example of the Omega Seamaster Racing Chronometer reduced, is completely original, unrestored and untouched, this watch carries a verticle grain grey dial along with an oversized 40mm stainless steel case. Not only is the dial and case is truly stunning condition, the Omega calibre 3330 Co-Axial movement is sparkling. This watch is complete with the original Omega presentation box, original Omega booklet and guarentee cards and also comes with the original Omega Speedmaster bracelet.

The Dial

Often, chronograph dials can be overly busy and consequently difficult to read, but this is one of the most elegant and simple we have seen on any chronograph. It is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and well proportioned. The original, unrestored and untouched verticle grain grey dial is simply beautiful. The dial has ‘baton’ hour indices and original ‘index’ hands which complete this dial perfectly. This dial also has the addition of a date window at the bottom of dial at the 6 position.

The dial carries a tachymeter scale on the bezel which can be used to compute speed, based on travel time, or measure distance based on speed. The subsidiary dial at 3 counts elapsed minutes, up to 30, while the chronograph function is running. The subsidiary dial at 6 counts elapsed hours, up to 12, while the chronograph function is running.  The subsidiary dial at 9 counts seconds irrespective of if the chronograph is running. These give the dial a slightly technical look, but by no means excessively so.

The dial also carries the original Omega brand and is correctly signed ‘Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronometer’ below 12, with ‘Swiss Made’ just below 6.

As this dial is original and unrestored, we have elected to leave this untouched by our restoration team. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The original Omega signed Calibre.3330, 31 Jewel automatic co-axial movement is simply outstanding. The Caliber 3330 movement incorporates Omega’s Co-Axial escapement, which is a key feature of their modern movements. The Co-Axial escapement is designed to reduce friction and enhance the overall efficiency of the movement, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced maintenance requirements.

This Omega movement runs at 28,800 beats per hour which is much faster than typical high quality Swiss movements, which run at 18,000 beats per hour – hence it is known as a ‘fast-beat’ movement. All other things being equal, the faster a watch movement beats and the balance wheel operates, the more accurate its timekeeping since the movement effectively divides time into smaller increments. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and features a column-wheel mechanism, which is highly regarded for its smooth and precise operation of the chronograph function. The column-wheel design allows for a more direct and responsive engagement of the chronograph pushers.

This movement has been given a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage chronograph specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only the correct original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon returning to stock, the watch is now running to within +2 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! When fully wound, this movement has a 52 hour power reserve. We therefore have no hesitations in offering this watch with our 12 months’ warranty*

The movement is correctly signed with ‘Omega Watch Co’, ‘Thirty one 31 Jewels’ along with the calibre number 3330.

Please note – It is important to remember that after the chronograph function can be started through the operation of the top button, it should be stopped with the same button and then reset with the bottom button after use. i.e. the chronograph function is not designed to be left running as this will cause unnecessary increased wear.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Watch Case

This wonderful example of a Omega Speedmaster Racing Reduced measures an extemely large 40mm, excluding the correct Omega signed crown. The case is of a heavy, sturdy three-piece design and carries pleasing swept-back lugs. Importantly, it is of full thickness, having never been engraved and is also tight-fitting, screw down case back.

The most remarkable aspect of this case, apart from its rarity, is its condition. It is simply superb. From each and every viewpoint it is very difficult to fault, with no signs of scratches, dings or damage visible to the naked eye. After cleaning and careful inspection for integrity, and then some very gentle hand-polishing, the case was very quickly brought back to the condition you see here.

The inside of the case back is correctly signed with ‘Omega Watch Co’ and ‘Swiss’ along with the case ref number 89650353.

Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage Watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a genuine Omega Speedmaster black rubber strap and stainless steel buckle, which we feel suits the watch perfectly. If, however, a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.

This watch comes complete with the original Omega Speedmaster fully signed bracelet.

Box and Papers

This watch comes complete with the original Omega booklet and warranty cards which show all the correct serial and reference numbers.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with the original inner and outer Omega Seamaster presentation box, as shown in the photographs.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion