Omega Raises The Bar Of Accuracy With The New Speedmaster Super Racing
5 min read
OMEGA has an impressive trail of major achievements, from record-breaking deep-sea dives to lunar landings. Today the brand has set an all new standard of accuracy, a revolutionary new patent-pending spiral that enables ultra-fine rate adjustments for greater precision - a certified accuracy of 0/+2 seconds per day.
To achieve these stringent goals, OMEGA had to start from scratch, drawing on the expertise of the Swatch Group and the superior precision, stability, and reliability of OMEGA's in-house movements. An eccentric adjustment mechanism on the balance bridge allows the watchmaker to manipulate the stiffness of the hairspring's attachment point, providing a truly novel solution.
This innovative method, which is based on the design of a high precision articulated structure with flexible bearings, is a great illustration of OMEGA's propensity to embrace and pursue new ideas and to push forward in the face of adversity.
The Road To SpirateTM
There are many important landmarks along the Road to SpirateTM that serve as technological stepping stones laid by OMEGA over the course of 25 years. The Co-Axial Escapement, developed by OMEGA and originally conceived by British watchmaker Georges Daniels, solved a centuries-old issue: the need for frequent oiling to prevent friction.
The Si14 balance spring is an integral part of the company's Co-Axial Escapement. OMEGA's silicon spring is incredibly strong, resistant to shock, and unaffected by magnetic fields, despite being three times thinner than a human hair.
The movement was able to withstand high levels of magnetism thanks to the use of a Si14 balance spring and other non-ferromagnetic components. The requirements for OMEGA's Master Chronometer certification were significantly higher than those of competing brands. The Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) mandates a stringent 283-step process, including 8 tests spread out over 10 days to put a watch to the test.
This SpirateTM System, however, features a new patent-pending spiral that enables extremely precise rate adjustments. DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) is an in-house manufacturing process that uses silicon wafers to create each inventive spiral.
THE SPEEDMASTER SUPER RACING
In addition to the traditional minute-track, the dial is surrounded by a black ceramic bezel ring that features the renownded tachymeter scale in fresh yellow “grand feu” enamel. The vivid yellow of the 2013 Seamaster Aqua Terra >15'000 GAUSS's gradient chronograph hand and striped tiny seconds hand at 9 o'clock as seen in this timepiece is striking.
The watch's 60-minute/12-hour counter, located at 3 o'clock, can be used to keep track of a second time zone as well. The dial's honeycomb design is inspired by that of a concept watch on display at the OMEGA Museum that has withstood magnetic fields of 160,000 GAUSS.
For motivation, OMEGA employs its cutting-edge Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9920, a brilliant synthesis of the many achievements along the path to SpirateTM and a recipient of the highest certification from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
One of the new features of the Speedmaster Super Racing is a more athletic bracelet option. An eco-friendly NATO strap made from recycled nylon in classic black and yellow, honouring the distinctive colour scheme of the original Seamaster Aqua Terra >15'000 GAUSS introduced exactly a decade ago.
SPIRATE TM Is About to Take Off Into the Future
In a mechanical watch, the spiral is the most complex part of the regulating organ, so developing the new SpirateTM System was no easy feat. As a result, OMEGA is committed to optimising this revolutionary development. Brand's long-term goal is to gradually expand the new SpirateTM System into a wide variety of other calibres. The small spiral is onto great things!
Besides its association with space travel, the Speedmaster is also strongly linked to the world of auto racing. Several brands have joined the quest for precision. The competitions are reminiscent of those held in days gone by. With so much advanced technology around us, precision has become less important, but that misses the point. However, the watch's aesthetic value is ultimately the most critical factor. The Omega Speedmaster Super Racing is, in my opinion, an attractive timepiece, despite the fact that its size makes it inappropriate for some wrists.
