New Omega Speedmaster battle: First Omega in Space or white lacquer Speedy Professional?

Zach Blass

Few brands universally get watch collectors excited like Omega. A tasty new Omega Speedmaster First Omega In Space (FOIS) was unveiled earlier this week, and with the buzz and reaction it garnered, you would think this new FOIS was Omega’s best watch of 2024. But in March, the brand also launched a new Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional with a white lacquer dial that could also be considered Omega’s novelty champion of 2024. So, we decided to put a poll up on our Instagram where you all placed your votes for which is your favourite.

Over 1,900 responses later, Andrew runs through the results. Watch the video above to find out which of the two was your Speedy champion and Andrew’s personal pick of 2024, and read below to find out the rest of the team’s favourites.

 

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Zach’s pick – white dial Speedy

I am far more likely to choose a watch of a smaller and more vintage-inspired size but between the two I have to pick the white lacquer Speedy. It may be 2mm or so larger in diameter, but it is a precious half a millimetre shorter lug-to-lug (47.5mm), and the Professional’s lugs have more camber and curve than the flatter lugs of the FOIS. I am also blued-out in my watch collection, and while I have ample white dials in my watch box as well, there is something really striking about the white lacquer of the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional that really speaks to me. It has this fluffy marshmallow quality I really like. Lastly, a big difference for me is the exhibited 3861 movement, whereas the FOIS has a solid caseback.

Russell’s pick – First Omega in Space

I have a feeling I’m going to be out voted here. But I’m not afraid of that, as I can’t get over the clever coming together of details that we have been given on this new First Omega in Space. I think this is a wonderful update to the anniversary model released in 2012, and it feels different enough to the standard Moonwatch Professional but it doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. I really enjoy the playfulness of this blue-grey dial, and the alpha hands amplify the vintage feel without going too far. I also much prefer the case shape of this model, I’ve never been a massive fan of the slightly asymmetrical case of the Professional, I think this makes the case look far cleaner.

Borna’s pick – white dial Speedy

There’s not that much more I can add to Zach’s take as for why I like the white-dialled Speedy, but I will say this. Not only do I prefer it over the new FOIS, I actually think it’s one of Omega’s best releases in the last few years, and certainly since the latest Speedy Professional refresh. That’s not to say that the FOIS is not a good watch, far from it, but there are a few touches that just don’t gel for me. The fauxtina looks a little too orange, and the straight lugs wear so much larger than the 39mm diameter suggests. As far as complaints about the white lacquer Speedy go, I’m actually not sure if I’d change anything at all.

Jamie’s pick – white dial Speedy

We watch enthusiasts come up with interesting internal logic and justifications for why we like certain watches over others. My take is this: there’s been a reissue of the FOIS before (not to mention numerous other vintage-inspired Speedmaster reissues), or you can buy an original CK 2998. However, there’s never been a mainline white dial Speedmaster Professional before. Sure, there have been Speedmasters with white dials before, like the much-vaunted Alaska Project, a two-tone German exclusive from the 80s and the Mitsukoshi panda dial Japan exclusive from 2003… But the white dial Speedy is something new, which makes it more appealing to me. It’s also something beautiful: the lacquer is so rich and creamy. I agree with Zach’s point in regards to an exhibition caseback, and the bracelet on the white dial Speedy is also much nicer than the FOIS reissue (plus you can get it on rubber too).