The Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” features the “Reverse Panda” chronograph dial and comes fitted with a vintage-looking leather strap. An extra NATO strap is included. Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWeke. Elfa / Timmy.
On Tuesday, 10 January 2017, Omega offered an online sale of its Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday”.
Now what is the big deal when there are already people buying and selling Omega watches online? Well, this is the very first Omega watch to be offered online directly from the brand (at www.omegawatches.com).
It is a form of expanding the reach from Omega’s global network of boutiques and connecting to its online community in a new way, the brand explains.
Priced at CHF5,800 (8% VAT incl.) / EUR5,300 (VAT incl.) / SGD8,400 (VAT incl.), the Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” is so-named after the hashtag “#SpeedyTuesday” which was started by Robert-Jan Broer, founder of Fratello Watches, the online website (www.fratellowatches.com). The website was founded in 2004 and is currently part of Ebner Publishing.
The Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” actually commemorates the 5th anniversary of “#SpeedyTuesday” which began in 2012. This explains why the “Speedy Tuesday” is limited to 2,012 pieces.
Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” Limited Edition. Limited to 2,012 pieces, the “Speedy Tuesday” is priced at CHF5,800 (8% VAT incl.) / EUR5,300 (VAT incl.) / SGD8,400 (VAT incl.). Photo: © Omega
The offering began at 12 noon Swiss time (UTC at 11am / Singapore and Malaysia at 7pm) and in 4 hours, 15 minutes and 43 seconds, all 2,012 pieces were spoken for. This means on average, one Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” was sold every 8 seconds!
The Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” therefore lived up to its name. However, owners will have to wait for the watches will be delivered in the summer of 2017.
According to Broer, Omega’s Alaska Project III watch which he discovered in a private collection, was what inspired the “Speedy Tuesday”. Only 56 pieces of the Alaska Project III were delivered to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for their Space Shuttle program after the re-certification in 1978.
NASA had insisted that the watch was legible and anti-reflective for use in space, Omega adds. Features like the brushed matt-finish stainless steel case and large radial numerals on the sub-dials are retained for the “Speedy Tuesday”.
Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” with the NATO strap. The 2,012 limited edition pieces were sold in 4 hours, 15 minutes and 43 seconds. This means that on average, one Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” was sold every 8 seconds. Photo: © Omega
The Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” features what is termed the “Reverse Panda” dial. The “Panda” nickname came about because the black eye patches on the Panda’s white face resembles the black sub-dials on a white chronograph dial .
For the “Reverse Panda” dial, the sub-dials are in white while the main dial is in black. The “Speedy Tuesday” features white opaline sub-dials set on a black dial, a black bezel ring and tachymeter scale in matt black aluminium. Look closely and you’d discover the vintage Omega logo on the dial.
Other vintage touches include equipping the “Speedy Tuesday” with the Calibre 1861 movement, which was used in the Speedmaster Moonwatch, the domed Hesalite crystal with the central Omega logo and a vintage-cut brown leather strap.