Ladies Speedmaster Gets Sized Up

At Baselworld 2010 Omega will show off the new Speedmaster Ladies watch.  In contrast to the current ladies Speedmaster which has a 35.5mm diameter case, this one is sized up to 38mm.  Personally I love the look of a slightly larger watch on a ladies wrist and this watch should be just perfect for that.  Not to big, not too small – very attractive!    The two-tone case is primarily stainless steel, “dressed up” with an 18-carat pink gold, diamond-set bezel (54 diamonds!).  The watch comes on a matching grey alligator strap.  All in, a good looking watch. 

OMEGA Speedmaster Ladies 

If this one does not jump out at you, you may want to check out these other recently introduced Omega ladies watches which I find to be equally attractive in their own way: The Omega Planet Ocean Ladies (chronograph, “dive” style watch) or the Omega De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer for Ladies (with blue dial with white mother-of-pearl sub-dials and diamond bezel).

Did You Know?

The legendary chronograph has a long list of adventures to its credit, including every one of NASA’s piloted missions since May of 1963. When Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface in 1969 wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster Professional, the watch achieved true iconic status.

Ladies (or Gentlemen) what do you think?

BASELWORLD 2010 is coming soon. You can see all the hot new pre-releases on Perpetuelle.com’s Official Baselworld 2010 Forum right now! And many many more when the event starts on March 18th. Just click here!

His and Hers, anyone?

OMEGA announced the that it will soon be introducing two new watches in its “De Ville” collection – one for him, one for her.  The idea here is that these watches will be ready just in time for Valentine’s Day next year.  What a gift that would be, eh?  “Longer lasting than flowers, less fattening than chocolate” Omega says!  Sure, sure - that and about a 100x cost differential!   

I for one haven’t even really started thinking about my Christmas shopping yet, but I suppose in this day and age of consumerism that you gotta start your marketing early!  That and the print publications need the “lead time” (hehehe….silly “old media” – still don’t know that the digital media era is here to stay?! Don’t worry watch fans….First In Watches got you covered in real-time )

My digressions aside, the watches look very nice, acutally….love the white mother of pearl subdials on the ladies watch….check ‘em out:

De Ville 4-counters Co-Axial for Gents

41mm brushed stainless steel case, water resistant to 100m, Calibre 3890 with co-axial escapement and chronometer certification, 4 chronograph sub-dials 

De Ville Co-Axial Chronometer for Ladies

 35mm polished steel case, diamond-set bezel and crown, white mother of pearl (“MOP”) sub-dials, water resistant 100m, black alligator strap

Yes, watch fans, if wearing an OMEGA watch is not good enough for you, you can now smell like an OMEGA watch!  Now there’s a thought, but, well…not exactly!  It seems that OMEGA (a brand that is perhaps most well known for its Seamasters and its co-axial chronometer movements) has decided to try its hand in extending its brand to the fragrance category.  In fact, to create its recently introduced “OMEGA Aqua Terra” fragrance for men, OMEGA tapped a very famous “perfumer” – Mr. Alberto Morillas.  Never heard of him?  Me neither, but apparently he is credited with scents such as Bvlgari BLV, Giorgio Armani Sensi, Yves Saint Lauren M7, and the very popular Calvin Klein cK One (among several others) – obviously a man whose reputation precedes him!

Behold:  OMEGA Aqua Terra for me (Swiss Made!) (introduced Aug’09)

Like most watchmakers seem to do when moving across product categories – and often to my chagrin and great disappointment (a la Tag Heuer’s Meridiist mobile phone) – OMEGA could not refrain from trying to bring elements of the watch world into the design of the fragrance bottle …

OMEGA sea horse symbol (an adaptation of the brand’s famous seahorse logo found on the case backs of the Seamaster and Speedmaster watches) embossed on the bottle cap, and texturing which imitates the handles of watchmakers tools (Ok, this is kinda sorta neat I guess)

OMEGA symbol embossed on the spritzer top (after all, who doesn’t like the Omega symbol (except Rolex, that is!!!))

The bottle has “windows with metric and English scales through which it is possible to see the perfume within. This feature is a nod in the direction of the highly technical watch industry, of which the brand has been a part for more than 160 years.” (Um…No….taking this concept a bit too far here!)

According to Omega:

More than 100 of the most exclusive raw materials were blended to create Omega Aqua Terra and the result is a long-lasting fragrance with energetic, sophisticated, sensuous aspects.

though I much prefer Alberto Morillas’ description of the scent:

The new Omega Aqua Terra for men belongs to the woody aromatic family.  On the top, the fragrance opens on a blend of citrus (bergamot, grapefruit, tangerine) and herbs (clary, sage). They bring a fresh and natural sensation to this perfume.   After a few minutes, the heart of the creation reveals a spicy freshness and an elegant floral note thanks to the aromatic herbs, jasmine, red pepper and violet leaves. Finally, the drydown unveils its mysterious facets: a trail of sensual and luxurious woods, refined oak moss, patchouli, vetiver and musk, that rounds the perfume out harmoniously.

To top it all off, each bottle of Omega Aqua Terra is delivered in a reusable micro-fibre pouch, which can also be used to polish….an OMEGA watch, of course!  This one in particular would be a good option:

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph

My sources indicate that OMEGA Aqua Terra is not available in the U.S. (perhaps why it has flown under radar thus far) but it is otherwise available exclusively in OMEGA boutiques for 50 EUR for a 50ml bottle / 75 EUR for 100ml bottle.

So, are you a Co-Axial Man? Then get yours today!

10/4 Update:  Added more information about the ceramic and Liquidmetal process (at bottom of post)

10/3 Update:  Added more closeup photos of the bezel.

10/2 Update:  Added new information on Liquidmetal (at bottom of post) and a closeup photo of the bezel/dial

You see it here first, watch fans!  The word is out on OMEGA’s foray into ceramic components with new technology it calls “Liquidmetal” – the Seamster Planet Ocean Limited Edition “Liquidmetal” cermic bezel is here!   This is undoubtedly a big deal for OMEGA and I expect this to be very, very popular amongst its fan base and well-received by watch enthusiasts in general.  In other words, the new Seamaster Planet Ocean “Liquidmetal” is going to be one highly sought after watch!   Powered by OMEGA’s co-axial Caliber 2500 and limited to 1948 pieces (the year that the Seamaster was first introduced by OMEGA).

Here is OMEGA’s description of “Liquidmetal”:

The Liquidmetal® alloy is an amorphous metal – a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.

The Liquidmetal® is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).

The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.

10/4 update: Here is some more information on how the union of ceramics and Liquidmetal is achieved:

First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal® is removed. The Liquidmetal® can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.

The Liquidmetal® numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.

Perpetuelle.com Moderator James Bond recently attended a splendid “Get Together” (or “GTG” as the hard core watch enthusiasts refer to them) in Boston, MA.  The watches in attendance at this GTG were phenomenal and I wish I could have been there to enjoy them (I’m sure the people were nice, too).  In addition to a beautiful Rolex Red Daytona, the lineup of vintage watches was amazing.  I am sharing a couple teasers below, but you’ll need to click here to check out Mr. Bond’s full report on the Perpetuelle.com World Watch Forum.  Partial Listing of Watches in attendance include: Rolex “Red Daytona”, Vintage Ulysse Nardin, Vintage Omega Seamster 300, Vintage IWC, Pink dial Minerva, Omega Seamaster Broad Arrow, Chopard, Breguet Type XX, Omega SMP, (Vincent?) Calabrese.

Thanks for the great GTG report, James!

Rolex Red Daytona

Photo: James Bond

“Group Shot”

Photo: James Bond

Again, click here to check out Mr. Bond’s full report on the Perpetuelle.com World Watch Forum.

OMEGA Planet Ocean Ladies 600m Arrives

Finally an OMEGA Planet Ocean for ladies.  At 37.5mm diameter, this new OMEGA  (pictured below) is nicely proportioned  for a smaller wrist, but with all the performance attributes watch enthusiasts have come to expect from OMEGA – 600m water resistances, helium escape valve, and an OMEGA-exclusive co-axial movement (automatic Caliber 3313).  The watch is also a COSC-certified chronometer.

The only potential drawback for guys who own their own OMEGA Planet Ocean?  The next watch on your “to buy” list may very well be this one – I think this watch is sure to be a hit with your significant other!

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Watch Picks, Pans, and Other Interesting Articles

From around the watch world this week:

• Kronos Blog – A. Lange & Sohne “ZEITWERK” (good opinion piece)
• Omega Consellation Collectors – Omega’s Gerald Genta Connection with further link to Omega’s Genta Connection – The Definitive Story
• Hodinkee – Meet Armin Strom, The Boutique Brand of the Future
• ABlogToRead – ETA Valgranges Movement – Solution for the big watch

And last but not least, probably the most widely covered watch this week was Urwerk’s new CC-1 King Cobra watch (pictured below).  Perpetuelle was one of the first to reveal this watch (see our July 7 post), and there was some nice coverage also provided in the days following its official July 8 launch by Gizmodo, Uncrate, OhGizmo! and Vialuxe, to name a few.  Most of the coverage was favorable, but not everyone is a fan of this unconventional timepiece…

• Tapestry of Time - oh dear…that won’t do…

Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what your favorite watch articles were this week.

Only Watch is a charity auction of unique watches created by many of the most important watch brands in Switzerland. This exceptional event is held every two years in Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show and is under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert 11. All the proceeds from Only Watch go to support research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The next Only Watch auction is organized in close collaboration with Patrizzi & Co and the Monaco Yacht Show, and will take place on 24 September 2009.

Participating brands include Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, BNB Concept, Bovet Fleurier, Breguet Montres, Cartier, Corum Montres, De Bethune, Delacour, Franck Muller, Frédérique Constant, Glashütte Uhrenbertrieb, Hermès, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Louis Vuitton, Maximilian Büsser & Friends, Mont Blanc, Omega, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Richard Mille, Swatch, Tag Heuer, Tourneau Timepieces, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Zenith International.

Below is a mosaic of their “pieces uniques”  – you can view larger images and a quote from each respective brand about their 2009 “Only Watch” contribution HERE.

As part of our “Post-Baselworld Interview Series”, Perpetuelle.com recently conducted an interview with OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart.  We are pleased to share this interview with you below in which we learn a bit more of Mr. Urquhart’s views on Baselworld 2009, OMEGA’s commemoration of the 40^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, and more.

Omega’s exhibit hall at Baselworld 2009

Perpetuelle: How was BASELWORLD 2009 different for OMEGA compared to prior years?

Mr. Urquhart: Each edition of BASELWORLD has its own distinct personality and character. For OMEGA, 2009 will be best remembered for our commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. When astronauts landed on the Moon in July of 1969 they were wearing OMEGA Speedmasters; Buzz Aldrin had his strapped to the outside of his spacesuit when he stepped onto the lunar surface and the Moonwatch was born.

In Basel, we organised a press conference which featured four of the twelve men who walked on the Moon, along with some other astronauts and some key NASA personnel, including Gerry Griffin, the flight director of Apollo 11 and Jim Ragan, the NASA engineer who was responsible for choosing the chronograph to be approved for all of NASA’s manned spaceflights.

In Basel this year we also celebrated the tenth anniversary of the launch of the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement. While it may not be quite as “sexy” as our NASA connection, the implications of our Co-Axial movements on the way mechanical watches will be produced in the future are significant.

Buzz Aldrin holding the 40th Anniversary Speedmaster, with OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart

Perpetuelle: Please tell us about the philosophy behind the new 2009 releases from OMEGA.

Mr. Urquhart: We have always created watches which combined technical innovation with design excellence and that continues to be the case in 2009.

This year we have introduced a re-design of our Constellation line. While we have maintained the design features which have placed the Constellations among the most recognisable and popular watches in the world, the look has been updated and refined. The mechanical models are equipped with Co-Axial movements, so the aesthetic appeal of the watches is supported by state-of-the-industry watchmaking technology.

Another release for 2009 which also characterizes our philosophy is the Seamaster 1200M Ploprof. It’s a new version of the popular Ploprof divers’ watch we made in the 1970s but improved technology means that it is now water resistant to 1200 metres (4000 feet). It’s equipped with our Co-Axial calibre 8500 which was developed entirely in-house. It has a distinctive look, astounding robustness, and an innovative movement. It also recalls one of the great OMEGA wristwatches from an earlier time. Thus, it honours our heritage while helping to define the benchmark in the manufacture of mechanical watches.

The OMEGA Seamaster 1200M Ploprof

Perpetuelle: Would you please kindly highlight a couple of your favourite new models for us?

Mr. Urquhart: I would refer to the Seamaster 1200 Ploprof which I mentioned in the answer to your previous question.

We also released the Speedmaster Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition watch this year. With distinctive sterling silver medallions on the small seconds sub-dial and on the case back, it’s a particularly nice Moonwatch.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition

Perpetuelle: What are you wearing now?

Mr. Urquhart: At this moment I’m wearing the Speedmaster Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition. It’s particularly appropriate with the anniversary in July approaching.

Perpetuelle: Please tell us about the distribution strategy and geographical availability of OMEGA timepieces.

Mr. Urquhart: Some years ago we implemented a strategy to streamline our distribution and it has been very successful – we have reduced the number of OMEGA retailers by half with the result that we are working with those who are best able to represent the brand. Furthermore we have reinforced our strategy with regard to corporate flagship boutiques and now have over 50, the latest addition being our store on Fifth Avenue in New York City which opened in April.

OMEGA’s Newest Boutique opened at 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City

As a truly global brand, we make our full product range available to all of our markets around the world.

It’s useful to remember that our distribution strategy is not independent of our product strategy. OMEGA is still defined by its pioneering spirit and innovative watchmaking. Our Co-Axial calibres can be described as an evolution of these defining characteristics and an upgrade of the products.

Concerning our distribution, the use of fewer but better retailers, including our own stores, also represents an upgrade in our retailing strategy.

Product and distribution are keys to the success of the brand and we’ve been able to upgrade them in tandem.

Perpetuelle: Can you tell us which, if any, geographies you believe will play in important role in the future growth of OMEGA?

Mr. Urquhart: It is gratifying to see that our decision to enter the Chinese market twenty years ago with a clearly-defined strategy was the right one.  In a relatively short time China has become a leading market for luxury products and given its size and ambitions will certainly influence the luxury business in the foreseeable future.  OMEGA has also made important inroads into two other markets of the future, namely India and Russia, which together with our existing strength in the more traditional watch markets gives us a truly global reach.

Perpetuelle: Thank you Mr. Urquhart for sharing your time and insights with Perpetuelle.com’s audience of luxury watch owners, collectors & enthusiasts.  We wish you and everyone at OMEGA all the best in 2009 and beyond.

More importantly, if it does go to Mars, will it make it back?!? 

Sorry Omega fans, but it looks like Fortis could be the new King of Space (space watches, that is) if this mission is successful! But don’t worry, its probably a couple decades away at best!

Above is an image on the homepage of the Mars 500 Mission microsite created by Fortis

It has been said by the European Space Agency Directorate of Human Spaceflight:  “To go to Mars is still a dream and one of the last gigantic challenges. But one day some of us will be on precisely that journey to the Red Planet. A journey with no way out once the spaceship is on a direct path to Mars.”

On March 31 began the simulation of a trip to Mars for 105 days, a Russian project sponsored by Fortis. Entitled Mars 500, the simulation is to test the physical and psychological effects caused by long periods of isolation. The crew, in a closed compartment of a spacecraft, will face situations likely to occur in any trip, such as difficulties in communicating with central control, among others. Recognized for its efficiency in aero-space projects, Fortis watches accompany the astronauts on this adventure.

500 days to Mars
Today, it is estimated that a trip to Mars would take at least 500 days and that the astronauts would be subject to high levels of radiation. The Russian authorities said there could be an experiment this year, but an actual journey may not occur until 2030.

I highly recommend you check out the special website created by Fortis which has more information about the Mars 500 Mission and the Limited Edition Fortis watch being used!

Technical Specifications
LIMITED EDITION MARS 500
FORTIS B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS
DAY/ DATE TITANIUM
Reference 658.27.81
Case No. 658.27.158

Movement
Automatic 2836-2, 11 1/2 ”’, 25 jewels
28,800 semi-vibrations per hour
fine timing device and Incabloc shock absorber

Function
hour, minute, center-stop-second
day/date indication bilingual English and German

Case
titanium, three-parts, 42 mm case diameter
MARS 500 edition logo engraved on the side
unidirectional turning bezel black with 60-minute scale (120 divisions)
Superluminova capsule at pos. 12 h
sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on both sides
rubber coated crown
screw-down titanium case back individually numbered
water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

Dial/Hands
black matte, status of limitation marked red at pos. 9 h flange with hour-scale 13 to 24 h triangles at pos. 3 h next to the day and date indication illustrating the direction of rotating the crown for quick adjustment hands, arabic numerals and indices with Superluminova white orange center-stop-second-hand with luminous dot

Attachment
rubber strap with folding clasp steel, brushed

Special Features
limited edition MARS 500 mission logo engraved on the side of the case, 2012 pieces
rubber coated crown with FORTIS crown logo, case back embossed with the emblems of the Russian space authorities
FSA Roscosmos and Cosmonauts Training Center Star City

Packaging
leather box, MARS 500 patch, pouch, instruction manual
international warranty card, certificate of limitation

Reference
658.27.81 K rubber strap with folding clasp
658.27.81 L 01 leather strap black
658.27.81 M titanium bracelet
Option brushed steel folding clasp for leather strap