Latest news with #Speedmaster
Hype Malaysia
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hype Malaysia
Board The Train To Exquisite New Models Of The OMEGA Railmaster!
This is it, watch aficionados! One of OMEGA's most enduring watch designs makes a return this year, featuring new colour gradients and a distinctly pure aesthetic. The original OMEGA Railmaster was released in 1957 as part of a trilogy known as the 'Professional Line'. This was an era of important progress in science and exploration, and OMEGA was committed to serving the dedicated professionals in their respected fields. The brand therefore designed three highly functional watches, including the very first Speedmaster for racing car drivers, the Seamaster 300 for ocean divers, and the Railmaster for railway staff. What made the original Railmaster particularly suitable was its superb anti-magnetic properties. Shielded by an inner protective case, the watch was able to resist magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss, guaranteeing reliable precision for any wearer, including engineers, industrialists and scientists who worked around rail lines. By comparison, most anti-magnetic watches at that time offered protection at only around 60 gauss. The Railmaster collection has remained a favourite amongst OMEGA fans ever since, especially for its vintage style and working-class heritage. Several Railmaster revivals have occurred since 2003, now including this year's new versions in stainless steel. To ensure these new watches remain true to the emblematic DNA of OMEGA, the symmetrical cases and linked bracelets are aligned with the same aesthetic style of the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection. This has been true for all Railmaster models since 2003, and helps to create a thread of continuity between the families. The New Models Include: A 38 mm version with a grey dial featuring a black gradient. In keeping with the minimalist original, the dial is kept clean of wording, except for the OMEGA logo and Railmaster name. The large indexes and numerals are transferred in white Super-LumiNova, providing excellent readability at all hours. This model is available on a black leather strap, or a stainless steel bracelet with redesigned links, improved integration, and easy comfort adjustment. A 38 mm version with a beige dial featuring a black gradient. Like the Railmaster that was released in 2004, this model includes a Small Seconds function, giving it a distinctive look. The indexes and numerals are in vintage Super-LumiNova. This model is available on a golden brown Novonappa leather strap, or a stainless steel bracelet with redesigned links, improved integration, and easy comfort adjustment. The cases and metallic bracelets are all crafted with polished and brushed surfaces, ensuring a captivating mix of finishes that add contrast to the designs. More than 60 years after the Railmaster's debut, OMEGA remains one of the industry's leading names in anti-magnetic innovation. Naturally, these new watches are powered by the brand's most advanced mechanics. The Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806 (and Small Seconds 8804) is 15 times more resistant than the original Railmaster models and is certified at the industry's highest standard by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Like all Master Chronometer models of today, the watches are able to withstand magnetism up to 15,000 gauss. Swing by OMEGA's official website for more details.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Indian astronaut will wear this special watch while living and working in space
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will don a pair of specially designed Omega watches as he lives and work on the International Space special watch is part of a tradition that dates back to the earliest days of human spaceflight. Axiom Space, the mission organiser, confirmed that Omega's iconic timepieces will accompany the Ax-4 Space expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, 'As we get ready to launch Ax-4, we look forward to having Omega's watches on board once again, continuing a legacy that goes back to the early days of the space program, including NASA's flight certification of the iconic Speedmaster watch 60 years ago'. Axiom astronauts wear the X-33 Skywalker aboard the spacecraft. (Photo: Omega) advertisement The collaboration highlights Omega's pivotal role in space history, with the Speedmaster famously earning NASA's approval for all manned missions in watches are engineered to withstand the extreme conditions of space, from microgravity to intense temperature have undergone rigorous training to qualify for spaceflight. These watches can function in extreme temperatures, vacuum, remain corrosion free, sustain shocks at 40G and even function in high pressure of 1.6 the Ax-4 mission, each astronaut, including Shukla, will receive two Omega Speedmaster watches: the X-33 Skywalker, worn aboard the spacecraft, and the manual-winding Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, which remains the preferred choice for extravehicular activities (EVA) for both NASA and Axiom Ax-4 mission is set to mark a new chapter for India, Poland, and Hungary, as each nation sends its first government-sponsored astronaut to the ISS in over four mission will involve around 60 scientific experiments and represent a milestone in international collaboration and space equipping its astronauts with Omega's renowned timepieces, Axiom Space not only honors the legacy of past explorers but also ensures precision and reliability for the next generation venturing beyond Earth's atmosphere
Stuff.tv
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The Omega Railmaster returns and I'm having trouble picking a favourite
The Railmaster has always held a special place in my watch-loving heart. It's not as shouty as the Speedmaster or as showy as the Seamaster, it's not included in any best watch lists, and that's the charm. A no-nonsense tool watch with working-class roots and proper anti-magnetic chops. And now, it's back. Omega has revived the Railmaster once again, and the new models are some of the cleanest, sharpest takes we've seen in years. They stick closely to the classic formula: minimalist dials, hardy cases, and heritage cues everywhere you look. But the new colourways – a smoky grey and a warm beige, both with subtle black gradients – make the decision especially tough this time around. Originally launched in 1957, the Railmaster was part of Omega's legendary 'Professional Line' alongside the Seamaster 300 and the first Speedmaster. It was designed for engineers and railway workers who needed serious anti-magnetic protection – the original could resist 1,000 gauss, which was a big deal at the time. Today's models? They shrug off 15,000 gauss thanks to Omega's Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibres. There are two main versions: a grey dial model with bold white Super-LumiNova markers, and a beige dial version with vintage lume and a small seconds sub-dial – a neat nod to the 2004 reissue. Both come in a neat 38mm size, which feels like the sweet spot between old-school proportions and modern wearability. You can get either on a steel bracelet with redesigned links or on leather, black for the grey dial, golden brown for the beige. As ever, there's some overlap with the Aqua Terra, the case shape and bracelet style carry over, which keeps things consistent across Omega's collections. That said, I do wish Omega had leaned further into the tool-watch look here. A fully brushed case would've been a perfect way to set it apart and double down on the Railmaster's rugged charm. Still, these watches are properly handsome. The grey dial is effortlessly cool and monochrome, while the beige model has a soft, retro warmth that's hard to ignore. If you're a fan of clean lines, under-the-radar heritage, and serious watchmaking under the hood, the new Railmasters are worth a look. They're available now on Omega's website, priced from $5,400 in the US and £4,800 in the UK. Just don't ask me to choose a favourite. I still haven't decided. Liked this? The retro Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver is a must-have summer watch
Hype Malaysia
09-05-2025
- Science
- Hype Malaysia
OMEGA Is Moonstruck As It Celebrates 60 Years Of NASA Qualification
History lesson, fam! On the 1st of March 1965, NASA declared the OMEGA Speedmaster to be 'Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions.' This pivotal day was the official beginning of OMEGA's extraordinary journey beyond Earth, which has since included every Moon landing in history and many of the greatest missions of our time. The NASA qualification is synonymous with OMEGA's pioneering spirit and excellence in design. 60 years after the approval was announced, the brand is looking back to that hopeful era of human adventure, and celebrating the moment that its watches became part of the story. What Happened Next? Just three weeks after the qualification was granted, on the 23rd of March, 1965, the Speedmaster ST 105.003 officially went into space for the first time on the wrists of Virgil 'Gus' Grissom and John Young during their Gemini 3 mission. The only modification to the watches was the addition of a long Velcro strap that could be worn over the space suits. Beyond Gemini 3, the Speedmaster and its various updates became an invaluable tool for the crews aboard each of NASA's manned missions. Famously, it was worn by Ed White during the first American spacewalk in 1965 and also the crew of Apollo 8, who saw the 'far side of the Moon' for the first time in 1968. As the Speedmaster continued to serve the astronauts in space, NASA got closer and closer to its major goal. Finally, on the 20th of July 1969, Apollo 11 touched down on the moon for the first time in history, fulfilling John F. Kennedy's promise. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent two and a half hours walking on the lunar surface, and in that moment, the OMEGA Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the Moon. It has returned for every Moon landing since then and long remained a critical part of NASA's astronaut kit. Size Size Qualified by NASA in 1965, this model represents the Speedmaster's 3rd generation design and is sized at 39.70 mm. Inspired by the 3rd generation Speedmaster that NASA qualified in 1965, OMEGA launched this 39.70 mm choice in 2020 for modern customers – almost perfectly replicating the original style. Perhaps the most iconic chronograph on Earth, today's Speedmaster Moonwatch is 42 mm, and is inspired by the 4th generation style that Apollo 11 astronauts wore on the Moon. This latest Co-Axial Master Chronometer version was launched in 2021. Caseback This early Speedmaster watch featured a double bevel caseback with 'Speedmaster' engraved and OMEGA's famous Seahorse emblem. To let customers admire the sophisticated mechanics of the Calibre 321, OMEGA gave this model a transparent sapphire crystal caseback. The caseback of the Moonwatch includes the famous words; 'FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS', as well as 'THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON'. The Seahorse emblem still retains its place at the centre. Since 2021, with the introduction of the Calibre 3861, the text 'Co-Axial Master Chronometer' has also been added, highlighting the movement inside. Bracelet The Speedmaster 105.003 was delivered on several linked bracelet references, while also being presented on Velcro straps when astronauts wore it over their spacesuits. The style seen in this image features 3 flat links per row and a protruding OMEGA vintage logo on the clasp to help with opening. A modern version of the bracelet with 3 flat links has been used for the Speedmaster Calibre 321. A foldover clasp fastens it to the wrist. Today's Moonwatch bracelets are presented with five arched links per row, with a foldover clasp and an additional comfort setting. Dial While the black dial featured an applied OMEGA logo in the vintage style, it also included tritium markers for luminosity. Note especially that this was the last Speedmaster reference that did not include the addition of the word, 'Professional'. This black step dial remains as true to the original as possible, with similar features including the vintage OMEGA logo and the same Speedmaster font. Naturally, to give it a necessary update, the markers are coated in modern Super-LumiNova instead of tritium. The black step dial of the Moonwatch features a transferred logo with the addition, since 1964, of the word 'Professional'. From 1997, the models were upgraded with Luminova detailing for better visibility. The logo and Speedmaster font are also in keeping with today's modern style. Tachymeter Bezel It wouldn't be a Speedmaster without a tachymeter scale on the bezel. For dedicated fans, two small but recognisable details of the ST 105.003 are the placement of the dot over 90, and the dot diagonal to 70. Naturally, the important placement of the dots hasn't been changed for the Speedmaster Calibre 321. What's new, however, are the materials used. Instead of the original aluminium bezel ring, OMEGA has created a bezel ring in polished black ceramic with the tachymeter scale in white enamel. The Speedmaster Moonwatch features an anodised aluminium bezel ring in black, a feature that has been part of the design since the Speedmaster's 2nd generation. Almost everything else is exactly as it was in 1964. A perfect tool for measuring speed over a known distance. Although the positioning of the 90 and 70 dots on the bezel were changed over the years, they have now been returned to their original placement as a tribute to heritage. Pushers The pushers on the NASA tested watch were considered medium size and very easy to use with thick astronaut gloves. Notably, they are without the protection of the asymmetrical case that modern versions offer. The very same pushers still remain – proving that some designs are too perfect to change. The most interesting feature of the Moonwatch pushers today is the protection they are given by the asymmetrical case. Case Shape The shape of the NASA-tested watch is most notable for its symmetrical shape with straight lugs. This was the last Speedmaster that came without crown guards. From this generation onwards, it became known as the Moonwatch after its historic lunar landing. The straight lugs and symmetrical case are the same as the original NASA tested watch. Just like that model, today's tribute also includes the same brushed sides and polished upper surfaces. The Moonwatch case is inspired by the 4th generation Speedmaster. It features twisted lugs, as well as an asymmetrical shape that provides protection for the crown and pushers. Calibre The iconic Calibre 321 was robust and elegant, and contained an intricate and technically valuable column-wheel feature. For collectors, it has become one of the world's most essential pieces of watchmaking art. The original Calibre 321 was used by OMEGA until 1969. Then, in 2019, it made a triumphant return – after two years of relentless research and development. To reconstruct the movement as accurately as possible, OMEGA employed an entire group of researchers, developers and historians, as well as the finest craftsmen and experienced watchmakers. Going even further, they also used 'tomography' technology (a digital scanning method) to see inside the true Speedmaster ST 105.003 timepiece that astronaut Eugene 'Gene' Cernan wore on the Moon during Apollo 17. The Calibre 3861 is the most up-to-date descendant of the Calibre 321. Compared to previous versions, it offers improved power reserve, chronometric performance and magnetic resistance. Many innovative features include OMEGA's revolutionary Co-Axial escapement as well as the silicon Si14 balance spring. These advancements enable the watch to pass the eight Master Chronometer tests. The Speedmaster Difference Accuracy, reliability, readability and ease of operation were the reasons given by astronauts, when asked about their preference for their Speedmaster. Indeed, the timepieces offered numerous qualities that many other watches could not. Robust Design When the original Speedmaster was created in 1957, it included many protective technologies used by OMEGA at the time, such the sealing powers of O-ring gaskets, and the famous 'Naiad' crown. Through this, OMEGA was able to create an incredibly rugged chronograph that was hermetically sealed against the elements and whose sealing powers extended to a depth of 200 feet. Furthermore, the hesalite glass offered the advantage of flexibility, and therefore shatter-resistance, in high impact situations. The last thing an astronaut wants during a mission is tiny fragments of glass floating in the spacecraft. Pioneering Spirit The Speedmaster was a design pioneer. When released in 1957, it became the first watch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel, as opposed to the dial. This made it ideal for its intended customer – racing car drivers out on the track. Ever since then, the iconic timing scale has remained an essential and distinguishing element of the Speedmaster design. Readability The original Speedmaster from 1957 was engineered for racing car drivers. Therefore, the design was given an easily readable face, so that timing could be noted at a glance. Not only did this theme continue in the ST 105.003, but there was also luminosity on the baton hands and hours markers, provided by the use of tritium. For the darkest reaches of space, this distinctive readability was a critical factor. Accuracy By 1965, OMEGA had a superb reputation for precision, and especially for chronograph design. Thebrand's first chronograph calibre with 30-minute and 12-hour counters was the 27 CHRO C12. First designed and produced in 1941, it was a movement distinguished by its use of a column wheel, a feature that was machined from a single piece and which added technical value. This led to the birth of the Calibre 321, given its name in 1949. Using the same column wheel system, it encapsulated OMEGA's commitment to accuracy, and its expertise in ultra-fine mechanics
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Can't Afford an Omega Speedmaster? This Is the Ultimate Inexpensive Alternative
We love Omega's Speedmaster Professional! Full stop. It's an iconic piece better known as the 'Moon Watch' thanks to its certification by NASA and use throughout the Apollo missions to orbit and explore the lunar surface. That legacy and its timeless six-hand chronograph design lend the Speedy an air of effortless cool. But no matter how you slice, owning one is an expensive proposition, which is why watch alternatives are essential for all horology fans. The cheapest new model (on a nylon strap) will set you back $6,600 before taxes. The pre-owned market is a little easier on the wallet but even the most affordable pre-owned examples sell for thousands of dollars. So for many the Speedmaster remains a grail-worthy piece a bit out of reach. For those in search of an accessible watch dupe, the Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch offers all the space race vibes of the original, but for a modest $270. It's not often that a company dupes its own watch but Omega, which is owned by the Swatch group, has essentially cloned the Speedmaster in Swatch form. Just like the Speedy, the MoonSwatch comes in a 42mm diameter, but instead of stainless steel, the MoonSwatch is cast in Bioceramic, a mixture of zirconium oxide ceramic powder and a plastic derived from castor oil. The Swatch version also ditches Omega's hand-wound Co-Axial movement for a quartz mechanism with a battery cover featuring an image of the moon. The dial design is also slightly different from the Omega. Two sub dials are higher on the face to make room for the Speedmaster and MoonSwatch co-branding. But those registers are recessed, like the original. The MoonSwatch also features hands and a tachymeter scale identical to the Speedy. There's even the iconic 'dot over 90' detail that the Omega obsessed cherish. The hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands as well as the hour markers are painted with Super-LumiNova for low light situations. Much like the Omega version, the MoonSwatch isn't meant for diving with only 30 meters of water resistance, but you should be able to get it wet without fear of damage. The watch comes on a black velcro strap, similar to the band the Apollo astronauts used. So whether you're going to wear it on the next rocket to the moon or just on a trip to the office, it's ready for blast off. CASE: Bioceramic MOVEMENT: Quartz DIAL: Black SIZE: 42mm STRAP: Textile
