Omega

db darien
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Disappointing

Although I am a past owner of Omega (on five occasions) and generally admired the brand (particularly for its ability to bring horological innovation to us affordably), this model disappoints me on several levels:

1. At 44.25 mm, this watch is a bit too big for my taste.  It's disappointing to see Omega use the iconic Speedmaster name to pile onto the "bigger is better" bandwagon ("...et tu, Invicta??"), especially when the longer-term trend may be in the opposite direction.  I once owned the 45 mm Planet Ocean and had much the same reaction to it.
2. I'm disappointed the Caliber 8500 movement (or variants thereof) remains absent from most of the company's model line-up.  Admittedly, it's entirely possible the 8500 caliber does not (presently) lend itself to a chronograph function, but I'm still disappointed.
3. From my vantage point, the dial design strikes me as "problematic" at best...the model's biggest weakness by far.  On one hand, you have the "busy-ness" of a Geneva Wave dial combined with their self-described "beehive structure" on the subdials.  My reaction is...well, "ugh..."  (my mother always told me not to combine stripes with other patterns when you get dressed; now I see why this was good advice....)   I see confusion, contradictory design cues and excessive "busy-ness".  I simply don't like it ("et tu, Renato??).
4. This is just me, but I am not a fan of the Broad Arrow design for the hour and minute markers....

It seems to me that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the phrase that runs through my mind here.  I know the name of the game is often to cycle-through new models to maintain interest in the brand and perk-up sales, but I can't understand why Omega would choose to mess with the iconic Speedmaster name by giving this that appellation.  The name deserves better. 

I no longer have the brand in my collection and this particular piece isn't going to change that.

Cheers
DB Darien