The compact case, clean black matte-varnished dial, Moonwatch-inspired five-link bracelet, and updated black aluminum bezel give this watch a distinctly classic look. The design also recalls the Omega Speedmaster Reduced from the late 1980s. A friend owns a Speedmaster Reduced, and I have admired it for years because its proportions always look ideal on my wrist.
Introduced in 1988, the Omega Speedmaster Reduced measured 38.5 mm across, compared with the 38 mm case size of this new Speedmaster model. The two watches also differ in several subtle ways: the Reduced’s crown sits lower and is visibly offset from the chronograph pushers, while its bezel does not feature the traditional dot over 90.
The most significant reason this new watch is not a direct reissue of the Speedmaster Reduced is its chronograph subdial arrangement. The Reduced places the running seconds at 3 o’clock, the 12-hour totalizer at 6, and the 30-minute counter at 9. By contrast, this 38 mm Speedmaster positions the 30-minute counter at 3 and the running seconds at 9, matching the layout of the larger Omega Moonwatch.
The best way to view this new 38 mm black-dial Speedmaster may be as a “mini Moonwatch.” It incorporates many of the design details that define the iconic Omega Speedmaster, while its smaller case recalls the proportions of the 1980s Speedmaster Reduced. It is also currently the most affordable black-dial Moonwatch-style Speedmaster, making it an appealing option for collectors and enthusiasts. In this case, having a slimmer wrist finally has its advantages.
Source: www.wired.com