Last Week (In Watches) Today: Snoopy Flies Again, Nomos Makes the Lambda a “Steel” and Casio Hires a Unicorn to Barf on a Watch
Happy Tuesday everyone! Let’s look back at the past week in watch news. And what a week it was! If you’ve been living under a rock, this will help catch you up.
Omega
First up, the big news of the week: Omega has unveiled the latest Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award,” celebrating the 50th anniversary of Omega receiving the award from NASA for their contributions to the safety of astronauts on the Apollo 13 mission. The Speedmaster was used to time a thruster burn which restored the trajectory of the vehicle, saving the astronauts on board. The new snoopy for 2020 is sporting a lovely blue panda dial, the upgraded 3861 co-axial escapement manual wind chronograph movement, and a really unique caseback complication.
The caseback features the moon, a rotating Earth (turning once per minute in time with the running seconds on the front of the watch), and a hand with Snoopy riding in the command module that moves when the chronograph is engaged. Priced at $9,600 USD, this is not your entry level Speedy, but that won’t be stopping the massive demand and popularity expected for this model.
If you need more for your Speedmaster fix, check out this week’s Scottish Watches Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDJpVoi3cZk
where we went head to head defending our favorite Speedmaster models; and also a podcast
episode where Rick and Rikki talk in depth about this new release.
Nomos
Nomos has announced a limited edition version of its flagship Lambda model, now avaiable in steel with three dial variants. These models celebrate 175 years of watchmaking in Glashutte, Germany.
Previously only available in precious metals, the Lambda is now a relative “steel” at $7,500 vs. the precious metal versions at $17,000-20,000 USD.
And we can’t leave you without a shot of this gorgeous movement, which is, in my opinion, the star of the show. That’s an appropriate way to celebrate 175 years of watchmaking in Glashutte.
IWC
This week IWC has released a special edition of its Pilot Chronograph in solidarity and support for Beirut after the August explosion in the city. The watch is made in collaboration with Nusaned, an organization supporting recovery from the incident, and helping fund their Beirut Emergency Response Plan initiative. The watch is limited to 30 pieces and priced at $5,780 USD. It features a cedar tree on the caseback, referencing the flag of Lebanon.
Norqain
Norqain has launched new watches in their Freedom line this week – both three hander and GMT variants with what they’re hailing as in-house movements. Sized at 39mm and 40.5mm, respectively, the watches are powered by movements that they’ve produced in collaboration with Kenissi. Seems like Norqain are really stepping things up, but it’s coming at a price as well: $2,720 to $2,990 for the three-hander, and $3,590 to $3,890 for the GMT.
Casio
Finally, a new release from Casio for those inclined to like watches with tasteful application of color. The G-Shock GM110RB-2A (what a ring it has to it) might satisfy your need for some color in the collection. This watch has all the subtlety and restraint of Jaeger-LeCoultre, upsized to around 50mm and barfed upon by a unicorn…for $280.
The name’s Luigi but his friends call him Gigi. Italian lifelong watch enthusiast, born in southern Italy, but grew up in London, with an English (dare we say Scottish) dry sense of humor. Started the hobby in early childhood with a Timex Mickey Mouse watch, and has been going through the ages with all manner of timepieces (quartz, digital, Swatches etc. etc.)
Has been living in Milan since 1981 and works as a financial controller in a bank. Loves films and often uses obscure quotes. Only took “the red pill” in June 2019 and shot all the way down the watch collector’s rabbit hole at supersonic speed spending most of his disposable income in useless things you strap around your left wrist. Is a big fan of Tudor and currently owns 4 of their watches.
Is considering selling a kidney or mortgaging the family home to fund the purchase of a Ressence Type 5 oil filled diver’s watch.
Is an avid amateur photographer and has recently taken to watch photography and watch review videos on YouTube.
Instagram: @timetotalk_watches, YouTube: Time to talk watches