Omega is continuing its association with America’s Cup, the oldest international sport trophy, via a brand-new Speedmaster produced in partnership with Alinghi, a sailing team founded in 1994 by Italian-born Swiss entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli.
An entry in the Dark Side of the Moon collection first introduced in 2013, the new watch is housed in a 44.25mm black zirconium oxide ceramic case with matching ceramic bezel and Super-LumiNova-coated tachymeter scale. Use of the handwound Calibre 1865 keeps this Speedy’s case relatively thin at 13.8mm — other entries in the DSOTM series have featured cases 16.14mm thick — and makes for a more comfortable wearing experience.
OmegaA closer glance at the cal. 1865 through a transparent case back reveals a special treatment unique to the watch: laser ablation has been used on the movement’s mainplate and bridges to achieve a honeycomb effect, which is intended to mirror the interior of the Alinghi TF35 catamaran’s hull. The watch’s dial takes on the aspect of a regatta timer of the future: black and punctuated with red accents, it features a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock whose first 4/5 minutes are highlighted for use as a starting timer; a special totalizer at 6 o’clock featuring a sandblasted, anodized aluminum disc with the Alinghi logo, which rotates when the watch’s chronograph function is engaged; and a running seconds counter at 9 o’clock.
While many of the initial entries in the DSOTM collection made use of the automatic co-axial caliber 9300, the Alinghi’s use of a version of the classic, manually wound cal. 1861 gives the new watch a decidedly retro-futuristic bent. The Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi, which is accompanied by a perforated black and red rubber strap, is available for pre-order now for $10,800, with delivery intended for August, 2020.