OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified | Image: Supplied

The Wind Up – Watch News #309

Mr Dimitri Tsilioris
By Mr Dimitri Tsilioris - News

Published:

Readtime: 4 min

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At long last, 2024 is all but over. With only a few weeks left to go, you would be remiss in thinking that with the end of the year comes the closure of many a watchmaker’s door. But, in the topsy-turvy whimsical world of watches, you really can never know what’s around the next corner.

In this week’s Wind Up edition, we’ve got a handful of new and exciting watches we can’t wait to show you. OMEGA continued its end-of-year onslaught with not one, but two new references in the Seamaster and Speedmaster collections, a new piece of awesomeness from Urwerk and a funky cool drop from Mido. Happy reading, gents, and enjoy the last few weeks of the year!

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m | Image: Supplied
OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m | Image: Supplied

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m

  • Brand: OMEGA
  • Model: Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m
  • Reference Number: Ref. 220.10.41.21.03.006
  • Diameter: 38mm and 41mm
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Movement: Calibre 8800; Calibre 8900
  • Power Reserve: 55 hours; 60 hours
  • Water Resistance: 150m
  • Price: AUD$10,975 (€7,300)

OMEGA’s relentless pursuit to finish 2024 off with a bang continues with the latest Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m reference. Available in two distinct sizes, 38mm and 41mm, the new Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m sports a beautiful gradient lacquered turquoise dial on both models.

The centre of the dial is the lightest, which grows darker and darker the closer you get to the rehaut of the case. The hands, markers, date frame window and logo are coated in dark grey PVD, which is the perfect contrast against what is a super loud and very indiscreet dial. I feel that the dial colour matches the look and feel of the Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m aesthetic really well, and its addition is a very welcomed one.

OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified | Image: Supplied
OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified | Image: Supplied

OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified

  • Brand: OMEGA
  • Model: Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified
  • Reference Number: Ref. 332.10.41.51.01.002
  • Diameter: 40.85mm x 14.65mm
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Movement: Calibre 9900
  • Power Reserve: 60 hours
  • Water Resistance: 100m
  • Price: AUD$15,725 (€10,400)

Inspired by the original Flightmaster which was released in 1969, the Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified is a lovely bit of nostalgic kit that will entice and enthrall Speedmaster diehards and enthusiasts. The dial is the clear focal point, but it is interesting to note that OMEGA opted to completely brush-finish the case.

Now, on to the dial. The OMEGA Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified’s dial is complete with bold pops of colour, set against a grained matte black backdrop. There are plenty of pilot-inspired easter eggs throughout like the plane-shaped chronograph seconds hand and 9 o’clock small seconds comes with a target/sight aesthetic inspired by cockpits, featuring a varnished matte yellow hand and artificial horizon in blue.

Mido Multifort TV 35 | Image: Supplied
Mido Multifort TV 35 | Image: Supplied

Mido Multifort TV 35

  • Brand: Mido
  • Model: Multifort TV 35
  • Reference Number: Ref. M049.307.11.041.00
  • Diameter: 35mm x 9.30mm
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Movement: Calibre 72 
  • Power Reserve: 72 hours
  • Water Resistance: 100m
  • Price: AUD$1,850 (CHF1,100)

Mido introduces its smaller, sleeker Multifort TV, this time in a 35mm wide by 9.30mm guise. The soft rounded edges, alternating finishing, and dial colour varieties are a nod to a brand that is listening. Several references are available; however, all come in steel except for the model, which features a rose gold PVD coating.

Of the five new smaller sized models, the blue and grey dial references are clearly aimed at the male buyer, while the other three (white mother-of-pearl dial with diamond indices, black mother-of-pearl dial with diamond indices, brown gradient dial with diamond indices), are obviously for the female collector. 

Urwerk UR-230 Polaris | Image: Supplied
Urwerk UR-230 Polaris | Image: Supplied

Urwerk UR-230 Polaris

  • Brand: Urwerk
  • Model: UR-230 Polaris
  • Reference Number: UR-230
  • Diameter: 44.81mm x 18.38mm
  • Material: Fibreglass-reinforced ceramic
  • Movement: UR-7.30
  • Power Reserve: 48 hours
  • Water Resistance: 30m
  • Price: CHF150,000 (Limited to 35 pieces)

We’ve saved the best for last. From Urwerk is the new UR-230 Polaris. With its distinct white ceramic composite facade, the UR-230 Polaris is an imposing yet enigmatic timepiece whose multi-faceted aesthetic really lends its design and creation to a pioneering effort of ingenuity.

From the outset, the UR-230 Polaris is unlike anything out there. Its time-telling mechanism is beyond reproach, but the focal point here is its case material. Ceramic on its own is quite brittle. Try to scratch it and you likely can’t. But drop it onto a hard surface and run the risk of cracking it. Enter this unique composite material which reduces its frailty but retains its scratch-resistant properties.

Mr Dimitri Tsilioris

Contributor

Mr Dimitri Tsilioris

Dimitri Tsilioris is a watch enthusiast and founder of watch blog, Haulogerie. From his daily updates on his Instagram page (@haulogerie), to his constant and borderline excessive pursuit of the perfect watch, Dimitri lives and breathes horology. A passion that ...