There are few timepieces in the world that boast a legacy as storied and celebrated as the OMEGA Speedmaster. The watch that famously went to the Moon has also enjoyed an illustrious career as an Olympic timing instrument, motor racing tool watch, and has long been a favourite of James Bond himself (well, sort of). To describe the timepiece as pioneering would be an astronomical understatement and even in 2024, the OMEGA Speedmaster continues to innovate. Fresh off unveiling a duo of special edition Chronoscope models ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, OMEGA has kept the good vibes rolling, dropping not one but eight new Speedmaster 38mm releases.
New OMEGA Speedmaster 38mm Releases
Unveiled at a lavish ceremony in Milan, the updated OMEGA Speedmaster 38mm collection refreshes the visual approach of the classic lineup with some dazzling new additions. Each chronograph is adorned with a stunning set of 52 paved diamonds around the bezel, but as if that wasn’t enough, OMEGA has also dropped diamonds into the crown and subdials.
Thankfully, OMEGA hasn’t strayed too far from the beaten path design-wise, with the oval-shaped chronograph sub-dials again paying homage to the maison’s classic De Ville models of the past. The vertical date window at 6 o’clock also makes an appearance, much to delight of OMEGA fans.
Most importantly OMEGA has updated the classic range to feature two models in its proprietary Moonshine Gold material, which now sit alongside the existing stainless steel and 18-carat Sedna Gold options. Both new Moonshine Gold models feature a green PVD dial, a vertical date window at 6 o’clock and diamond-polished 18-carat Moonshine Gold hour/minute hands. You can also choose to wear the piece on a matching polished and brushed bracelet or a green leather strap with a precious metal buckle.
Movement
At its heart, the new 38mm release remains a Speedmaster through and through. The new models are powered by the Co-Axial Calibre 3330 self-winding movement, which was famously introduced to increase long-lasting accuracy and provide a more stable power reserve rate. While not OMEGA’s top-of-line movement, the Si14 silicon balance spring-adorned Calibre 3330 is an ultra-premium chronometer that still arives officially certified. Better yet, all of the new 38mm models feature a screw-in caseback that is stamped with the classic Speedmaster seahorse medallion.
Size Matters: The Small Dial Trend
While the inclusion of the precious gemstones does skew the new collection in a slightly more feminine direction, it must be said that the 38mm diameter makes for an interesting talking point. Traditionally far larger than a ladies’ watch and on the smaller side for recent OMEGAs, the latest 38mm Speedmaster collection continues to embrace a new era of wrist-size androgeny.
When the collection was first introduced in 2017, the reduced 38mm diameter size spoke to a traditional sensibility, harking back to a bygone era of small dial watches. It opposed the big and bold design cues of the early noughties and birthed a renewed interest in sleek and refined watches alongside perennial luxury watchmaking mainstays such as Cartier and Zenith. Now, the brand’s slightly more feminine focus is having the same impact on women, albeit in reverse.
Closing the Size Gap
In recent years, the divide between men’s and women’s watches has slowly closed, due in part to a burgeoning horological industry but also to the influence of celebrities. Model Heidi Klum famously wears a 40mm Panerai Radiomir ref. PAM00103m while Victoria Beckham’s Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/R could hardly be described as ‘dainty’. OMEGA is boldly (and wisely) tapping into the ethos with the Speedmaster 38mm collection, a lineup that speaks to watchmaking legacy, precision and innovation of the most fashionable sense.
The new OMEGA Speedmaster 38mm collection is available at OMEGA boutiques worldwide and via the official OMEGA online storefront. The pieces range from AUD$28,950 for the stainless steel case on strap through to AUD$77,025 for the Moonshine Gold on bracelet.
OMEGA Speedmaster 38mm Collection
- Brand: OMEGA
- Model: Speedmaster 38mm
- Reference: Ref. 324.18.38.50.60.001 / Ref. 324.15.38.50.60.001 / Ref. 324.58.38.50.60.001 / Ref. 324.55.38.50.60.001 / Ref. 324.18.38.50.63.001 / Ref. 324.15.38.50.63.001 / Ref. 324.58.38.50.63.001 / Ref. 324.55.38.50.63.001
- Diameter: 38mm
- Movement: Co-Axial Calibre 3330 self-winding movement
- Water-Resistance: 100m
- Power Reserve: 52 hours
- Price: AU$28,950.00 / AU$29,525.00 / AU$56,400.00 / AU$77,025.00 / AU$28,950.00 / AU$29,525.00 / AU$56,400.00 / AU$77,025.00
