Omega

. . . last week, so half a dozen local aficionados met up at the Topanga Mall Omega boutique to experience first-hand the latest models from Bienne.  It was Tuesday last, but fortunately, that happened to be Kevster's day off, so he drove (actually, rode)  across the breadth of our Southland community to meet up with mrsnak . . .

[mrsnak on the left, Kevster on the right]

. . . and myself in Ventura, a trip that must've taken close to two hours from his home in the southeastern end of Los Angeles County.  That's dedication! 

First stop was at the second best bar in the Southland, where we stopped so that Kev could catch his breath and sooth his throat.  (He's got pics, which will be shared with us later.)  Next stop was mrsnak's residence, where the celebration continued, and then we headed off to Social Tap . . .
  

. . . a tavern near Chez Snak.  Beer . . .

[mrsnak's Speedy Mk IV, my '60 Connie, Kev's Speedmaster GMT]

. . . passed thru our kidneys, and Mexican cuisine . . .

[grilled fish tacos]

[steak nachos]

[tri-tip tacos]

. . . filled our bellies.  And then, off we went due east for the Omega boutique in Woodland Hills. 

Makes me want to go there!

Best,

Nicolas

. . . are de rigueur ;-) . . .

. . . gets the immediate attention of snak and Kev.

A close-up, you say?  How's this?

The Emirates Team New Zealand Seamaster, officially known as the Seamaster Diver ETNZ, is a limited edition SM chronograph with a countdown timer intended for yacht racing.  This is the model that has garnered attention from one of my colleagues as exceptionally well designed and implemented.  As usual these days, it's housed in a large 44 mm case, and fitted with an Omega cal 3330 co-axial escapement movement. 

Looks good on snak's wrist, no?

. . . in titanium . . .

. . . two-tone . . .

. . . and solid yellow gold.

This message has been edited by Dr No on 2013-08-24 15:50:05

. . . against a red background . . .

. . . and black.

All images are of the very same watch, but the red background offers a chromatic reflection on hands and dial script that looks as though it could belong there. 

Just a little bit more than the fish tacos, of course.

Cheers and thank you for another mastery presentation.

Nilo

'in steel' is actually 'in titanium' I believe.  Would you have happened to have gotten a wrist shot of this one?  I'm so eager to try it on ever since seeing the press kit from Basel.  I want to see those blued hands and indicies in person.  The 44.5 9300 are just too big on my wrist, so am curious to see if this one being narrower, though the same length and height, fits better.  Missed both the Dallas and Chicago shows.  It's at Costa Mesa today and tomorrow, isn't it.  They need to do a live video stream at one or two and allow people to see them on wrists.

. . . in the text.  Thanks very much for the heads up!  I did not take a wrist shot, but remember handling a titanium Speedy that was noticeably lighter than its more common steel counterparts.

 

. . . with the grave moniker . . .

. . . "Dark Side of the Moon".  This Speedmaster has been rendered entirely in ceramic, including the dial, bezel, pushers, crown, and buckle.  One detail that can't be seen in these images is the printing of the chemical designation for the ceramic compound, ZrO₂, zirconium dioxide, below Speedmaster on the dial; the grey print most likely doesn't provide a stark enough relief with respect to the dial for it to appear in a photo from my point-and-shoot Cannon.

. . . to Tintin - a racing dial Speedmaster Professional limited edition against red background . . .

. . . and black.

Named the Tintin for its nod to the color scheme used in the comic strip for Tintin's rocket, it follows in the tradition of similar Speedmaster dials from the past.

You are very lucky to have not only seen but photographed it. Thank you very much for these real life shots of a handsome watch.

Ruckdee

. . . chronograph in three dial variations.  Let's start with the black waffle dial, au naturel . . .

. . . and in situ.

This model had terrific wrist presence, even considering my predilection for Omega in general and vintage shaped cases in particular.  This watch is lusciously thick, and while large, not overbearing.  It felt comfortable on my slender wrist, which usually bears substantially smaller vintage models.

. . . at least one vintage Seamaster cal 861 chrono, to the best of my recollection.

This was the consensus favorite in terms of legibility between the three. 

While I could consider a Ploprof, I will have much more problems to consider the Bullhead.

I tried the vintage several times, and I didn't feel it was for me.

BUT I am very happy to see Omega going on revisiting their ( original ) past in such a faithful way.

Thanks for all your work on this article, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

. . . and also had the same feeling as you did, but not with this current limited edition model.  The first one pictured, with a black waffle dial, felt fine on my wrist.  

No message body

. . . which caught my eye from the get-go.  Very attractive, imho.

All three . . .

. . . together.

. . . the Diver 300M Regatta in steel, reposed . . .

. . . and upright . . .

. . . with yellow trim.  Full size, at 44 mm.

Hi Art,

thank you for the great article!

These are very nice watches indeed but I am afraid I will never wear one of them due to their huge dimensions - compared to my slender wrist...

best

erich

. . . posted shortly, Erich, one that both of us could well consider.

. . . front . . . 

No message body

. . . with blue dial . . .