|
Post by carl on Jul 1, 2017 12:37:19 GMT -6
A 38mm Speedmaster. This from Omega website: "The OMEGA Speedmaster is one of the most recognised chronographs in the world. For the refined 38 mm collection, OMEGA has retained the chronograph’s famous look and heritage, but the enduring design has been given a unique aesthetic touch with simplicity, size and colour in mind." www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/speedmaster-38mm/product/Just my opinion, but they managed to ruin the beautiful Planet Ocean, and are now taking on the Speedmaster. Once a proud Omega icon. IMO, each variation of this new model gives a distinct female impression. The new Railmaster, not the LE model, which was revealed at Basel 2017, is not even on the website yet, but they introduce this new model. Got an invitation my email from the local Omega Boutique, to reserve a time - duration of one or two hours - to view the new 2017 prototype (Carnet) models. A private showing indeed. I don't have to reserve a specific time for a private showing, for any other brand of watch that I have access to here in Vancouver. I hate like hell to be negative, but should I feel honored, and do the new Omega models really deserve such ceremony? I dislike immensely any pretense, and this smacks of it. I thought that my "invitation" was the ulitmate insult to my years of devotion to the Omega brand, then I saw this email today about the "new" Speedmaster. At the risk of sounding bitter, this really makes me happy to be out of the Omega "game" entirely. I really do believe they have lost their minds. Cheers, Carl
|
|
|
Post by rw16610 on Jul 1, 2017 15:36:05 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by muckymark on Jul 1, 2017 15:46:04 GMT -6
I got that email also. Gotta say not a fan of the oval date window and sub dial surrounds. I like my speedy but all these new and "limited editions" are taking away it's uniqueness.
|
|
CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,766
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
|
Post by CHIP on Jul 1, 2017 16:50:29 GMT -6
It looks terrible to me, they ruined what is just about the most perfect chrono dial on the planet.
I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: they are throwing darts at a board, hoping something sticks.
All they are doing by introducing a myriad new models is further devaluing the brand.
|
|
Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,273
Name: Roger
Since: Mar 14, 2011 13:09:50 GMT -6
|
Post by Baco Noir on Jul 1, 2017 17:17:25 GMT -6
Sadly, this is what I have come to expect from the releases from them. After my visit to the boutique for the 2017 releases I walked away with a similar feeling that has occurred each of the last 5 to 7 years. A couple of watches that I thought looked nice and many that I thought looked bad.
|
|
|
Post by carl on Jul 1, 2017 17:19:03 GMT -6
It looks terrible to me, they ruined what is just about the most perfect chrono dial on the planet. I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: they are throwing darts at a board, hoping something sticks. All they are doing by introducing a myriad new models is further devaluing the brand. It is very sad. Really. I don't know where this idea of oval shaped subdials comes from. And that oval shaped date window at 6 o'clock, reversed compared to the subdials, works to making the date a focal point of the dial. There is nothing they are doing at all that makes me take the brand seriously any more. Sadly, I can't even bring myself to visit the Boutique any more. If I can't go in with honest enthusiasm, I don't want to go in and make it a rant session. I am just better off staying away.
|
|
|
Post by carl on Jul 1, 2017 17:21:44 GMT -6
I got that email also. Gotta say not a fan of the oval date window and sub dial surrounds. I like my speedy but all these new and "limited editions" are taking away it's uniqueness. That's it exactly. I used to occasionally miss my Speedy, especially the manually wound movement and the plexi crystal. They have indeed taken away the uniqueness.
|
|
|
Post by aerome on Jul 2, 2017 5:25:51 GMT -6
I was in the Omega store at the Fairmont on Vancouver last week and didn't really see anything new that impressed me. I did buy a bottle of the overpriced cologne, though!
|
|
CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,766
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
|
Post by CHIP on Jul 2, 2017 8:17:47 GMT -6
I was in the Omega store at the Fairmont on Vancouver last week and didn't really see anything new that impressed me. I did buy a bottle of the overpriced cologne, though! Ha. I bought one of those when AquaJoe and Becky were in town a few years ago.
|
|
|
Post by carl on Jul 2, 2017 8:53:11 GMT -6
I was in the Omega store at the Fairmont on Vancouver last week and didn't really see anything new that impressed me. I did buy a bottle of the overpriced cologne, though! Yeah, it is overpriced for what it is. I got one as a gift from the Boutique on my 65th Birthday. They are a great bunch of people at the Vancouver Boutique, and that is why it saddens me so to harbor the feelings I do about Omega. Nevertheless, as with many chapters in our life, great memories, and time to move on!
|
|
Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,273
Name: Roger
Since: Mar 14, 2011 13:09:50 GMT -6
|
Post by Baco Noir on Jul 2, 2017 9:03:41 GMT -6
Interesting timing on this article from A Blog to Watch... www.ablogtowatch.com/luxury-watch-brands-lack-design-innovation/"I believe that by regurgitating relatively stagnant designs today, watch brands are depriving themselves of "watch design inspiration" material to work with in the future. The thesis of my argument is that by not actually innovating today, many watch brands are robbing themselves of a relevant future and will find themselves with problems that are difficult to overcome."
|
|
|
Post by carl on Jul 2, 2017 10:14:05 GMT -6
Interesting timing on this article from A Blog to Watch... www.ablogtowatch.com/luxury-watch-brands-lack-design-innovation/"I believe that by regurgitating relatively stagnant designs today, watch brands are depriving themselves of "watch design inspiration" material to work with in the future. The thesis of my argument is that by not actually innovating today, many watch brands are robbing themselves of a relevant future and will find themselves with problems that are difficult to overcome." Great article. It certainly makes clear exactly what we are seeing with the various watch groups and brands. Some manufacturers clearly have no clue which way they are going, and indeed will have nothing on which to base future design changes. Many of us have agreed some of the majors may be in for a lot of trouble ahead.
|
|
|
Post by carl on Jul 2, 2017 11:20:25 GMT -6
While participating in this thread today, I came up with a rather sad analogy:
The Vancouver Omega Boutique occupies arguably the most valuable retail location in the entire City of Vancouver. The lobby of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, constructed in 1939. Since Fairmont took over the Vancouver Hotel from Canadian Pacific Hotels, it has "renovated" and totally ruined, in my opinion, the grand old lobby and main floor of this landmark hotel. Within that time, Omega has systematically taken an iconic watch design and totally destroyed it's unique heritage. Perhaps it is fitting that the Vancouver Omega Boutique resides inside the Fairmont.
What might sound to many very spiteful is, indeed, a very sad statement for me to have to make.
Cheers, Carl
|
|
|
Post by rw16610 on Jul 2, 2017 15:24:28 GMT -6
carl I agree. The good thing is the one in Toronto seems untouched: Couldn't be happier with my choice to part ways from the brand.
|
|
|
Post by aerome on Jul 4, 2017 11:12:16 GMT -6
Rommel the lobby there is very similar to the Fairmont in Vancouver. As the barons built their railroads, they were building Canada and cashing in on everything they could along the way.
|
|