Boston isn’t exactly Geneva or NYC when it comes to watch accessibility, but we have some bright spots like Paul Duggan, European Watch Company, and the Watch Salon at Shreve, Crump and Low. Just outside of Boston, in the Natick Mall, is an Omega Boutique. I don’t go as often as I’d like, but I always enjoy it when I do. The folks there are great, never hesitating to pour me a glass of champagne or scotch, and bringing out whatever watches I desire.
While I always like seeing the Dark Side of the Moon (which they had just sold earlier in the day), my main reason for going was to see the new Mark II Speedmaster re-issue. The revival of dead references has been somewhat of a theme in the last few years, with the Mark II being one of my favorites. The “Mark” Speedmasters of the 60’s, 70s, and 80s are interesting examples of Omega really trying to stretch out the Speedmaster name. Quartz powered watches had begun to cut into sales, and Omega was trying all sorts of things, with various degrees of success, to attract buyers.
Omega 15,000 Gauss
As a lover of vintage watches, I couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of the Mark II. Fortunately, seeing it in person was even better than pictures. Omega did a great job here, from closely maintaining the original look, to accenting it with upgraded modern technology. Hopefully the new Mark II will be more successful than the original, as I’d like to see this one stay in the lineup for a while.
The other Omega I had not had a chance to get my hands on yet is the 15,000 Gauss Aqua Terra. I believe it’s more of a proof of concept for Omega, a showcase of their movement capable of withstanding just about any magnetic field it would reasonably face. The technology will be making its way into the rest of Omega’s lineup over time. An otherwise conservative and handsome design, the 15,000 Gauss has a black and yellow banded (bumblebee) seconds hand letting you know there’s something else going on here. It really is a handsome watch on the wrist; hopefully, the bumblebee stays around for a while too.
My next trip out to Omega will probably be in late summer. Omega released some outstanding pieces at Basel this year, and that’s likely when they start rolling in. Even though the prices keep climbing, with everything Omega is doing, they’ve become a favorite of mine in the mid-tier luxury space. Now I just need to win a lottery or two.
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