The iconic Speedmaster gets another taste of the luxury lifestyle, with new 38mm models adorned in gold and diamonds!
The Omega Speedmaster is an unmistakable icon of the watch world. With a timeless design, spectacular mechanics and arguably the best slice of horological heritage there is, Omega’s chronograph lineup is a surefire member of the industry’s hall of fame. So naturally, if you were Omega, you’d want to capitalise on that.
Steel with chocolate dial 
Moonshine™ Gold with green dial
As one of the two darlings of the Swatch Group Juggernaut, the Speedy has worn many different hats for nearly seven decades. It’s been a professional racing legend, a spacefaring pioneer, and even the playground for a cartoon dog (See Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” article here!) After all that, though, it was never accessible to female or smaller-wristed crowds.
Omega changed that in 2017 when they released the Speedmaster 38, a fresh and luxurious take on the iconic lineup. Sized in the titular 38mm, these new models rapidly gained popularity for their elegant aesthetic. It’s hard to make a dressy chronograph watch – putting rose gold on something doesn’t automatically make it a dress piece – but Omega was acutely aware that aesthetic changes needed to be made to convey the highlife attitude of the Speedmaster 38. This not only meant decadent metals and new colourways but also a change in the core design elements. The oval-shaped sub-dials, taken from former De Ville models, softened the look of the collection, giving it a more subdued appearance without compromising the watch’s overall purpose.
For 2024, Omega has further updated the Speedmaster 38 lineup with four new looks, each with leather strap variations: Two consist of an 18K Sedna™ gold case & bracelet or an 18K Moonshine™ gold case and bracelet, with dials of chocolate brown or olive green, respectively. The other two are steel variations of the same timepieces, but all are complete with diamonds embedded into the bezel, dial, and even the crown!
How they’ve integrated the diamonds into the dial is pretty ingenious, as well – remember when I said that the chronograph sub-dials were oval-shaped? Well, Omega has, instead of applying diamonds to the indexes, applied a ring of diamonds to each oval sub-dial. It’s a fun and luxurious addition to the watch that not only adds to its elegance but pays homage to the origins of the Speedmaster series.
Each Speedy 38 is powered by the Chronometer-certified Co-Axial Cal. 3330. It’s an automatic movement with a classic 4Hz (28,800bph) beat rate atop a 52-hour power reserve. For this movement, they elected to use fellow Swatch Group member Longines’ L688.2 as a base, but of course, the patented Co-Axial escapement allows for significantly less wear and tear than that of a traditional watch movement.
Final Thoughts
While I’m certain that the new Omega Speedmaster 38 lineup isn’t for my demographic, I’d most certainly like to meet the undoubtedly fascinating people who are attracted to these gorgeous pieces. And really, there’s not much to dislike here – it’s the same Speedy 38 we’ve come to know and love for the past seven years, but with a renewed golden glow and a touch of elegance to enhance it.
So, if you’re looking to enchant others as the epitome of femininity, or you like to treat your significant other to a timepiece (almost) as good-looking as them, or perhaps you need the most luxurious gift possible this Mother’s Day, the Omega Speedmaster 38 models are worth both your curiosity and attention.
References (Bracelet): 324.55.38.50.63.001 (Sedna™/Chocolate), 324.15.38.50.63.001 (Steel/Chocolate), 324.55.38.50.60.001 (Moonshine™/Green), 324.18.38.50.60.001 (Steel/Green)
Specifications:
- Size: 38mm diameter x 45mm lug-to-lug x 14.7mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k Sedna™/18k Moonshine™/Stainless Steel, with diamond bezel & crown
- Dial: Chocolate brown/Green
- Crystal: Scratchproof sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Movement: Automatic Cal. 3330 movement with COSC Chronometer certification, Omega Co-Axial Escapement
- Power Reserve: 52 hours
- Beat Rate: 4Hz/28,800bph
- Bracelet/Strap: 18k Sedna™/18k Moonshine™/Stainless Steel bracelet or colour-matched alligator leather with 18k Sedna™/18k Moonshine™/Stainless Steel folding clasp
