Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016”: Bull Run since 1969

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Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016”. Ref: 522.12.43.50.04.001. Olympic Collection. Introduced in 2015, it features the Omega Calibre 3113 Co-Axial automatic movement with 52 hours power reserve and is water-resistant to 15 bar (150m / 500ft). Limited to 316 pieces. Priced at SGD12,400. Photo: © Omega.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016”. Ref: 522.12.43.50.04.001. Olympic Collection. Introduced in 2015, it features the Omega Calibre 3113 Co-Axial automatic movement with 52 hours power reserve and is water-resistant to 15 bar (150m / 500ft). Limited to 316 pieces. Priced at SGD12,400. Photo: © Omega.

The Omega Seamaster Bullhead made its debut in 1969 and it was a watch for rally drivers to time their laps.

Its characteristic features are the two pushers at 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock, apart from the central chronograph seconds hand and the 30-minute chronograph counter at 12 o’clock.

The “Bullhead” was coined by collectors due to the shape of the watch and the two pushers that stuck out like the bull’s horns.

The Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016” is a special Olympic Games edition as Omega is the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games. It comes with a blue leather strap with stitchings in green, red, yellow and black; the colours being representative of the iconic Olympic rings.

These colours are featured on the inner rotating bezel as well and the Bullhead “Rio 2016” is limited to 316 pieces.

The case back of the Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016” is stamped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo. Photo: © Omega.

The case back of the Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016” is stamped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo. Photo: © Omega.

How was the limited production number of 316 derived?

Well, this is the third time golf is included at the Olympic Games and since it is held in 2016, the number 316 was derived.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016”
Ref: 522.12.43.50.04.001
Olympic Collection
Introduced in 2015
Technical Specifications:
• Calibre Omega 3113 Co-Axial automatic movement
• Co-Axial escapement on three levels
• Omega free sprung balance
• 52 hours power reserve
• Column wheel chronograph
• Chronograph function
• Chronometer
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
• Date display
• Bi-directional rotating bezel
• Screw-in crown
• White dial
• 43mm by 43mm case in steel
• Water-resistant to 15 bar (150m / 500ft)
• Case back stamped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo
• Blue leather strap with red, green, yellow and black stitching
Limited to 316 pieces
Note:
This Bullhead “Rio 2016” was launched in August 2015, exactly one year before the 2016 Olympics held in August 2016.

Related Omega Seamaster Bullhead articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Omega Bullhead: Bull run
ii. Omega Bullhead: No Bull

Other related articles on Omega on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Omega, the Olympic Games and Joseph Schooling
ii. How are swimming events timed (at the Olympics Games)?
iii. Omega Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase: Fine details
iv. Omega Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase: A fine imprint

Montblanc 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim: Stop and Go! (Part II)

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Montblanc 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim. Housed in its 42mm diameter case in 18K 5N red gold is Montblanc’s Manufacture Calibre MB 29.20 automatic movement featuring the quick stop-second function. Water-resistant to 5 bar (50m). Priced at SGD48,100 / EUR34,500. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Montblanc 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim. Housed in its 42mm diameter case in 18K 5N red gold is Montblanc’s Manufacture Calibre MB 29.21 automatic movement featuring the quick stop-second function. Water-resistant to 5 bar (50m). Priced at SGD48,100 / EUR34,500. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

In part I of our article on Montblanc’s 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim, we explained the quick stop-second feature which allows one to halt the movement, set time to the precise second and restart it manually via the crown.

In addition, the brand claims that its ExoTourbillon outperforms standard tourbillon constructions.

This is because the weight of the tourbillon cage is disconnected from the balance wheel and since it is also lightweight, some 30% of energy can be saved. The result is higher precision and improved isochronism.

The self-winding Calibre MB 29.20 found in Montblanc’s 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim is only 4.5mm thick which means it is one of the slimmest automatic tourbillons around. Its tourbillon bridge is in steel. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

The self-winding Calibre MB 29.20 found in Montblanc’s 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim is only 4.5mm thick which means it is one of the slimmest automatic tourbillons around. Its tourbillon bridge is in steel. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Precision is also aided by the 9.7mm diameter balance wheel with 18 screws, four of which can be adjusted and 14 that are fixed.

The Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB 29.21 ExoTourbillon automatic movement is the result of three years of development. From what we were told, there was much work done on the teeth of the train wheels.

The Calibre MB 29.21 features a new micro rotor and has 50 hours of autonomous power reserve when fully wound. The design layout of the movement realises optimal equilibrium between the barrel, rotor and balance wheel. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

The Calibre MB 29.21 features a new micro rotor and has 50 hours of autonomous power reserve when fully wound. The design layout of the movement realises optimal equilibrium between the barrel, rotor and balance wheel. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

The Calibre MB 29.21 has a new micro rotor and a 50-hour power reserve when fully wound. The design layout of the movement achieves optimal equilibrium between the barrel, rotor and balance wheel.

The micro rotor is made of tungsten carbide and it has the Côtes de Genève en Eventail decoration.

Development efforts centred on obtaining the perfect diameter, height and weight of the micro rotor. Montblanc’s micro rotor is 2.3 times smaller in diameter and 1.9 times taller, but similar in terms of volume and weight when compared to a standard one.

The new micro rotor used in the Calibre MB 29.21 is made of tungsten carbide. When compared with a standard micro rotor, Montblanc’s micro rotor is 2.3 times smaller in diameter and 1.9 times taller but it is similar in terms of volume. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

The new micro rotor used in the Calibre MB 29.21 is made of tungsten carbide. When compared with a standard micro rotor, Montblanc’s micro rotor is 2.3 times smaller in diameter and 1.9 times taller but it is similar in terms of volume. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

There are three engineering achievements to be highlighted with regards to the ExoTourbillon Slim. Firstly, its high velocity micro rotor; secondly, the high balance wheel inertia and thirdly, the high performance barrel.

The brand’s internal target for the ExoTourbillon Slim was to have a case thickness of 10mm and 50 hours of power reserve. These have been met.

With the movement thickness of 4.5mm, the ExoTourbillon Slim ranks as one of the slimmest automatic tourbillons around.

Related articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest include:
i. Montblanc 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim: Stop and Go! (Part I)
ii. Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept: Super-Dan, Super Light