Omega Speedmaster, ref:310.30.42.50.01.001
ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED TO @watch_girl_life
Omega Speedmaster on the OEM Nato
A year on my wrist
#speedyeveryday….hell yeah!
Is it me or is the Omega Speedmaster just an amazing watch? I have had a couple of Speedmasters that made me fall in love with the history, the cult following synonymous with #speedytuesday, the wearability, and the design. There are so many chronograph watches on the market, for me, you just can’t go past an Omega Speedmaster.
I always go through the same thought process before buying a watch. Once I have my heart set on a watch it becomes an obsession. The Speedy became one of those obsessions. Safe to say, my 2021 Speedmaster is up there as one of my favorite watches in the collection.
The joy of wearing a Speedmaster Professional
Probably my most worn and photographed watch in 2021/22.
What’s not to love about this watch? I visited the AD a few times to try it on. I just loved it so much. While most would say the 42mm case is too big, I had no doubt I would wear it and love it. It wears more like a 40mm.
I can categorically say the Speedmaster Professional is one of my favourite watches. I change from the bracelet to straps on a regular basis for a more casual look. Pictured above, the blue/grey OEM Nato is one of my favourite straps. Try other straps - pictured here with the @tellyourtime green rubber strap. How cool is this combo? There is so much to love about the Speedy. The beautiful dial, the buttery smooth reflection, the sub-dials just pop.
When I wear my Speedy it makes me smile. The fact that you can pair it with pretty much any strap makes this watch a great everyday watch, office watch, or even wear it out at night. You will find you will be wearing it most of the time. Reaching for the Speedy is an easy choice.
Photo: My Speedy teamed with the @tellyourtime rubber strap
The new bracelet…
Probably the most talked-about change to the 2021 Speedmaster. The design of the bracelet changed. The new design sees the taper go from the lug width of 20mm down to 16mm. While this would be the most comfortable move, somehow I think it might have challenged the Speedy traditionalists.
The little Omega symbol with the brushed steel and pinstripes gives the bracelet a more refined look. I find it super comfortable. It just works so well. My only challenge to Omega and to all watch brands is to start adding a quick adjustment to the clasp.
The Speedmaster is synonymous with being a “strap monster”. A quick change to a leather or nato strap will immediately change the look for wearing casually. I am a big fan of OEM straps. Yes they come with a premium price tag and with premium quality. Omega even has straps available to purchase online. Other brands should do the same. The leather strap with the Omega deployment clasp is of incredible quality. You won’t need to buy another strap.
The specs, what’s under the hood
Between lugs: 20 mm.
Movement: Omega Caliber 3861
Case: Steel
Case diameter: 42 mm
Dial colour: Matt Black
Crystal: Hesalite crystal.
Water resistance: 5 bar (50 metres / 167 feet)
Movement Type: Manual winding
Bracelet: steel
Lume: Super LumiNova
Lug to lug: 47.2 mm
13.5 mm thick
Power reserve: 48 hrs
*** My wrist size: 6.75” ***
Why I bought a Speedmaster 42mm Hesalite?
The decision to buy the hesalite version was simple. I love the reference to the history behind the Moonwatch on the case back. It also mentions 1965 - well I don’t need to explain the alignment to me. Yes, born in the same year. I love connecting watches to the year I was born and the Speedy has this connection.
I think most would opt for the “Sapphire Sandwich” however, I chose the hesalite. Why? The case back was the reason. It has the cool Speedmaster logo that connects it with the “Moonwatch” theme. Although my Speedy will never go to the moon, the intrigue of its history drew me in.
My case back is pretty banged up now purely because I wear it a lot, and I mean a lot as you can see in the photo.
The other thing with the hesalite is it will scuff easily, however, fear not, a bit of Polywatch will bring the crystal back to tip-top shape.
Although the Sapphire Sandwich is cool showing of the amazing movement, my choice was to go with the history on the back.
Final Thoughts..
For just over 12 months, the Omega Speedmaster Professional has very much become one of my daily watches. I mostly wear it with the OEM leather strap as seen in the photo. I also love swapping it to a nato. Dress up or dress down casually, it is a great allrounder.
I have no regrets at all about buying it. It is definitely up there as one of my favourite watches I have bought.
Are there some things I would change, maybe the quick adjustment on the bracelet and the water resistance? Neither are game changes. I don’t wear this swimming. I could, but I choose not to.
The Moonwatch is definitely not a small watch, however, it wears very comfortably. Even on the bracelet which isn’t heavy on the wrist.
I really enjoy wearing the Speedmaster. That connection with the watch and the history, the process of winding it knowing that it will keep a great time until I need to wind it again, the legibility.
Let me know your thoughts in the feedback section. Do you love it, do you own one?
I rate the Speedmaster a 9/10.
