It’s here! The Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified debuted a few months ago as a pilot-only watch, but Omega has created a slightly different version for you (assuming you’re not a U.S. military pilot) or someone like me. I decided to offer it.
Originally for US military pilots
At the end of September, we introduced the U.S. military version of the Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified, based on leaked internal documents and photos posted by U.S. military pilots on the Omega Forums.
And just before 2024 ends, Omega will launch the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified in stores.
2024 is the year of the Speedmaster
Omega has been doing great things for Speedmaster fans this year, starting with the updated Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8, including the white-dial Moonwatch, and bicolor models in steel and yellow/rose gold. These were followed by the new First Omega in Space with a blue/gray dial, and now the ‘civilian’ Speedmaster Pilot.
Try out the Speedmaster Pilot
It’s a secret from all but my colleagues, but I’ve been wearing this new Speedmaster Pilot Reference. A few weeks ago today, 332.10.41.51.01.002. In other words, it took me quite a while to learn about this Speedmaster variation. Am I still as enthusiastic as I was when I opened the box, or has my enthusiasm waned? Let’s find out.
Last week, I received the new Seamaster 300M the day before its release, so this introductory article is a “hot take” or first impression. The watch is currently in Fratello’s office and will be worn for a while, so a proper practice article will follow later. This new Speedmaster has been here for a few weeks, thanks to which we tried it out, wore it, filmed some (video) content, and more importantly, wrote an in-depth article about it. I was able to dedicate it.
Too thick, too thin, too big, too small
We have left the specifications in the table below the article so that you can find all the details you want to know about the watch. As for the specifications regarding dimensions, I have to say that they are a bit “done”. Admittedly, I sometimes fall into the trap of forming my opinion based on the numbers I see. Anyway, I’ve been wearing a lot of different watches this year. From small dress watches to large dive watches, most fit me perfectly, regardless of diameter or thickness.
I either love watches or hate them. I was rarely disappointed with the dimensions of the watch. I’ve been collecting Speedmasters for 25 years and have never heard anyone complain about the thickness of a Speedmaster. Also in the late 1990s when I was thin and watches were generally small, and today the rant is over.
It’s similar to the Speedmaster ’57, but completely different.
What I am saying is that this watch looks and feels very similar to the 2-register Speedmaster ’57 collection that Omega released a few years ago. The collection now features hand-wound movements, but the first models were equipped with automatic movements. This Speedmaster Pilot is powered by the automatic Caliber 9900. As a result, it is slightly thicker than the hand-wound Speedmaster ’57, but it is not noticeable when worn.
Inspired by the iconic Omega Flightmaster
But what this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified model most reminds me of is not the Speedmaster ’57 in today’s collection. The colorful hands are reminiscent of Omega’s Flightmaster pilot’s watch, which debuted in 1969. This is not a copy or reprint, but it certainly takes inspiration from these Flightmaster models.
Omega tried to revive the Flightmaster in 2013 with the Speedmaster Z-33, but it never stayed in collections for long. Perhaps the Flightmaster-inspired case and analog-digital display like the X-33 model were too distinctive.
lots of oranges
As you can see, this is a very colorful Speedmaster, with an orange minute counter, an orange tachymeter scale on the aluminum bezel insert, and an orange three-minute indicator (which should remind you of the burn rate indicators on airplanes) , with an orange dot at the hour position. markers and the orange airplane-shaped tip of the chronograph second hand. Additionally, “Flight Qualified” is written in yellow, a yellow second hand appears, and the left subdial displays a yellow circle.
blue horizon
The sub-seconds register has a cockpit-inspired target/sight design element with a blue horizon. And this is where this watch differs from the previously announced Speedmaster Pilot for U.S. military aviators. In that version, the subdial displayed a gray horizon.
2 hands at 3 o’clock position
The subdial at 3 o’clock has two hands for the chronograph function, and this applies to all dual-register Speedmaster models in the collection. In addition to the minute hand, there is also a gray hour hand. On the Moonwatch model, this hand is on a separate subdial, but on Omega’s self-winding self-winding movements, it is part of the subdial at 3 o’clock. You can also use this subdial to display another time zone (of course, you have to start at midnight or noon in that time zone).
Lume
At 6 o’clock there is a date aperture with a black date disc and printed white numerals. The hour and minute hands are coated with a thick layer of Super-LumiNova, and the hour markers consist of large blocks of Super-LumiNova that glow green. We found the Speedmaster Pilot to be very easy to read in low light thanks to these blocks and large hands coated with Super-LumiNova.
The matt black dial has a grained finish and the silver (rhodium plated) minute track has a brushed finish. The latter corresponds to the finish of the case and pushers.
All surfaces of the case and bracelet are brushed, including the pushers and crown. This gives the Speedmaster Pilot a practical look. This is one of our very favorite features on the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday “Tribute to Alaska III”, so it’s no wonder we like it on this Pilot model as well.
Unlike most Omega watches these days, this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified has an all-steel caseback. The version for US military pilots had the squadron patch as a medallion, but this is blank except for the famous hippocampus medallion in the center and the water resistance rating on the edges. What many people like is that this model is water resistant to 100 meters.
Stainless steel bracelet with easy adjustment mechanism
Omega’s Speedmaster Pilot Flight Certified stainless steel flat-link bracelet also comes with a gray NATO strap with brushed hardware. The bracelet’s clasp has an easy-to-adjust system that allows it to be set in two positions for a total extension of 2.30 mm.
The bracelet is comfortable and similar to the one on the Speedmaster ’57 model. I’m sure this watch is a strap monster as well, so I don’t think anyone who likes to change their straps regularly will be disappointed.
caliber 9900
This watch is powered by Omega’s Caliber 9900. It is an in-house developed chronograph movement with minute and hour recorders on one subdial and an independently adjustable central hour hand. This is very useful if you often travel back and forth between different time zones. The date does not have a quick-set function, but a separate hour hand saves time when correcting the date. Although you can’t see it because it has an all-steel case back, the decoration on this movement is very nice. Unfortunately, you have to believe the pictures on this one. As usual, the main plate and rotor feature an arabesque Geneva wave. You can’t miss the movement of the black balance wheel and column wheel mechanism. However, it does leave room for personal engraving on the caseback if you’re into that kind of thing (which I do).
Of course, it is also certified as a METAS Master Chronometer. This means that the movement inside the case operates within an average of 0/+5 seconds per day and is magnetically resistant up to 15,000 Gauss. Additionally, the watch has been tested for water resistance. The watch has undergone a total of 8 rigorous tests. One thing to know is that the allowed deviations are not the same for all Omega movements. I recently received a comment under an article about the Seamaster 300M. Accuracy is up to 0/+6 seconds on average instead of 0/+5 seconds per day. This means that the 99xx/89xx/3861 calibers all operate within 0/+5 seconds per day, the 88xx calibers operate within 0/+6 seconds per day, and finally the 87xx calibers operate within 0/+6 seconds per day. It works in less than 7 seconds. This is not clearly communicated on Omega’s website, but I will explain it here.
Speedmaster Pilot on the wrist
Having the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified on my wrist is nothing short of amazing to me. As a Speedmaster enthusiast, I’m especially critical of new releases and variations. Contrary to what you may think, I don’t like all Speedmasters or all Omega products. Some changes and Speedmaster variations “hurt” me as an enthusiast or purist. Not every Speedmaster edition will suit me, and sometimes commercial decisions don’t necessarily satisfy the Speedmaster purist in me. That being said, I believe the Speedmaster Pilot is a great addition to your collection. While the dial has some color and is reminiscent of the Flightmaster, it remains a tool watch with brushed surfaces on the case and bracelet.
One of my favorites of 2024
Besides the Flightmaster with its colorful dial, it also reminds me of wearing the Speedmaster H10 edition. However, in general, this watch is slightly larger and more similar to the Speedmaster ’57, but with a more practical look and feel. Of all the Speedmaster models that Omega has released this year, this one is in my top two. To me, it’s somewhere between a white-dial Speedmaster Professional and this Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified.
I’ll go into all the 2024 releases in detail another time, but Pilot was a real and positive surprise. Mainly because it’s something different and more defined, but also because of its practical aesthetics. There’s also a nod to the Flightmaster, which I very much appreciate, but this is a modern watch powered by the automatic caliber 9900. I don’t swim much, so I never cared about water resistance beyond the Moonwatch’s 50 meter water resistance. Nevertheless, I think it is commercially prudent to rate this at 100 meters.
The Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified Ref. 332.10.41.51.01.002 is the same as the Speedmaster ’57 model and costs EUR 10,500 (incl. VAT) / CHF 8,300 (excl. VAT) / USD 9,500 (excluding local taxes). All specifications can be found in the overview below. If the video above doesn’t play, click here to watch the video on our YouTube channel.
More information is also available on the Omega website. Let us know what you think about this new Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualification in the comments below.
