
Omega has presented the new Speedmaster Pilot. Inspired by the collection’s first model unveiled in the 1950s, this creation continues to perpetuate the rich heritage of the aviation world. Beginning in World War II, the Biel/Bienne-based brand delivered more than 110,000 watches to Great Britain’s MoD to support its Air Force and Navy pilots during service.
Perhaps the most famous and widely-used of these was the UK/CK2292. Supplied to the majority of Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm personnel, this watch was notable for its greater magnetic-resistance, which was ideal for pilots who sat behind the powerful engines of their Hurricanes and Spitfires.
When the Speedmaster was born in 1957, it was quickly adopted by some pilots in the US Air Force, many of whom would later become astronauts in Mercury, the first Nasa’s manned space programme.
The new 40.85mm Speedmaster Pilot takes its inspiration from the very first model born in 1957. The symmetrical body of the new watch is crafted in stainless steel and features a matt finish to ensure it avoids light reflections. The bezel is mounted with a matt aluminium ring and retains its connection to Speedmaster heritage through a “Dot Over Ninety” and “Diagonal to Seventy” mark on the tachymeter scale.
For wearers, the true individuality of this watch appears on the grained matt-black dial. Here, the hours/minutes hand and hour-markers are all presented with large blocks of white Super-LumiNova (green emission), providing full visibility during dark night flights. The matt-black central chronograph hand also stands out thanks to its varnished orange airplane tip.
January 16, 2025