Category: Omega Speedmaster Replica Watches

As many watch enthusiasts are aware, the wide-ranging Omega Speedmaster series — with its Moonwatches and auto-racing legends — has become one of the most popular and iconic series of watches available today. Each of the collection’s modern pieces, and subsequent “sub-series” like the Moonwatch, Speedmaster ’57, and Mark II families, have all built individual stories around themselves, attracting plenty of appreciation, for both the modern and historical versions, from connoisseurs and collectors of horology.

The Omega Speedmaster, originally released in 1957, went on to become the timepiece of choice for racecar drivers, astronauts, and various other adventurous types. But the line did not become iconic overnight: it was through years of tedious research, development, and field-testing that the Speedmaster series foiund its way onto the wrists of the people who needed them most. One instance of this testing was in the late 1960s, as part of a secret research project, conducted jointly by Omega and NASA, called “The Alaska Project.” Cheap Omega Replica, looking to continue to improve its space-ready watches, worked with NASA to produce a number of prototypes to replace what would later be called the Moonwatch.But in 1969, after about a million Swiss francs had been spent, and several years’ worth of man-hours had been worked, in trying to produce the perfect space watch, NASA ultimately decided the original Omega Moonwatch was sufficient for its mission to exploring the great beyond. Thus it happened that Omega, rather than creating the ultimate watch for space, used its findings from the project and began applying them to other models that would be available to the general public.

From this was born the Mark series, originally the Mark II Ref. 145.014, easily recognizable as an example of the funky, 1970s style of watches characterized by thick cases, hidden lugs, and unusual colors. This series, while not as recognizable as the Moonwatch or George Clooney’s 1957-inspired Speedmaster, has nevertheless over the years developed its own well-deserved following, and still today represents a distinct watchmaking era in Omega Replica Watches history. Thus, in 2014, Omega revived the original 1969 piece in a largely faithful re-interpretation for modern consumers. It produced two interesting models to pay homage to ‘70s classic, and one with a unique dial and case variant in honor of the 2016 Summer Olympics.These modern watches have each been designed to reflect the maximum amount of “vintage flair,” while still offering excellent modern attributes. With a 42.4-mm brushed steel case and accompanying Omega Replica link bracelet, the modern piece is no longer the wide behemoth it might have been viewed as a few decades ago, but still sits rather thick upon the wrist as a result of its unusual, ovular-shaped case. There are two dial options — either the grey “Racing” style with its eye-catching orange accents or the classic black dial more reminiscent of other Speedmaster sub-series. Both feature a black outer tachymeter scale; an outer minute ring; three subdials to measure running seconds, chronograph minutes, and chronograph hours; and a date window at the 6 o’clock mark.

Of course, as with any modern re-interpretation of a vintage watch, Omega Replica Watches has made a few minor adjustments for the benefit of the contemporary consumer. These include a modern automatic chronograph movement, which replaces the 1969-era, hand-wound Caliber 861; more indented subdials; the modern Speedmaster chronograph seconds counter; and, perhaps most obviously, the 6 o’clock date window. Other subtle changes include the tachymeter scale being slightly thinner to increase the visibility of the dial, as well as a slight coloring on the outermost edges of the minute ring, which are most noticeable on the “Racing” dial variant.

The Cheap Omega Replica line will continue its status as a legend within the world of horology, an honor well-earned after the watch’s trip to the moon, not to mention the millions of dollars spent in research, development, and advertising. As such, it is to the brand’s benefit to continue producing modern watches with much of the flair of their historical predecessors. Furthermore, it is to its benefit to continue catering to that growing base of educated consumers looking to own a modern watch heavily based on a lesser known historical model—such as today’s contemporary  Omega Replica Watches Speedmaster Mark II.

It is no secret that besides blogging about watches for fratellowatches.com, I also love to collect watches — especially iconic watches like the Rolex GMT-Master, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Rolex Datejust and, of course, the Omega Speedmaster Professional. I own several of the last model. Ever since I bought my first Speedmaster I have been hooked on this watch. Not only do I love the design of this chronograph; I also like its connection to the Apollo space program.

As you know, Omega has produced quite a few limited editions based on the original Speedmaster Professional. Some like these limited editions, others don’t. However, the fact is that some of these limited editions do appreciate in market value quite well after a few years. One of these models is the Cheap Omega Replica Speedmaster Professional “Snoopy Award.” My professional career started around the time this model was introduced, so it was only a lack of funds that prevented me from buying Speedmaster Snoopy back then. Ever since, I have longed for one, but also noticed that over the years they became increasingly difficult to find, at least for a reasonable price. Recently, I decided to go for it despite the high price. I justified the purchase by telling myself that the longer I’d wait, the more expensive it would get, anyway, right? You can read about the efforts I made to obtain the Speedmaster Snoopy here. After showing my precious new Omega Replica Watches Speedmaster Professional with a Snoopy to some people, a number of them asked why I wanted a cartoon character on the dial of my watch. I was already aware that many people had this perception of the Speedmaster with the Snoopy dial, also given the fact that it was initially sold to a lot of women.

If you are a Omega Replica Speedmaster aficionado as well, and you know a thing or two about the Apollo missions, you probably are already familiar with the use of Snoopy by NASA. In 1968, NASA chose the famous beagle as an icon to act as a sort of “watchdog” over its missions. In the same year, NASA decided to use a sterling silver Snoopy pin as a sign of appreciation to NASA employees and contractors together with a commendation letter and a signed framed Snoopy certificate. Each of the sterling silver Snoopy label pins has been flown during a NASA mission. Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who created the “Peanuts” comic strip was a supporter of the NASA Apollo missions and agreed to let them use “Snoopy the astronaut” at no cost and even drew the Replica Watches Snoopy figure for the sterling silver label pin.

In 2003, Cheap Omega Speedmaster Replica introduced the Professional “Snoopy Award” to commemorate this 1970 milestone. Although the watch was a limited edition, Omega produced a whopping 5,441 pieces of the Speedmaster Snoopy. The number has to do with the 142 hours, 54 minutes and 41 seconds that the mission lasted. A bit of a stretch, in my opinion, but a nice idea. Omega Replica Watches reason for introducing this watch 33 years after the Apollo 13 mission, and being awarded with the Snoopy, is unknown to me. Based on the brand’s other limited editions, I would have expected such a release on a 30th or perhaps 35th anniversary rather than a 33rd. Despite the relative high number of Snoopy Speedmasters out there, you’ll have to search to find one at a decent price. Also, beware of Omega Replica Snoopy Speedmasters that had the dial and caseback fitted later on.

So now you know. When there is a Snoopy on an Omega Speedmaster dial, it actually means something. In the end, of course, one need not be versed in all this history to purchase and appreciate this watch; one may just be a fan of Snoopy. A review of the Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Snoopy Award’ can be found here. More information about Replica Watches in general can be found on the Speedy Tuesday page on Fratello Watches.