Omega Speedmaster VS Rolex Daytona

 Omega Speedmaster

One of the wonderful things about the Omega Speedmaster is the use of the new standard by Omega; the Co-Axial Escapement. This offers greater precision, stability, and durability. The Co-Axial escapement has less friction and reduces the need for lubricants which allows for a longer amount of time between routine service and maintenance. Another proprietary feature is the Si 14  balance spring, a silicon balance spring design. The Si14 shows higher resistance to outside influences from electromagnetic fields, and shock. As a result, it enhances the performance of the chronometer. 

In terms of accuracy, the Omega Speedmaster falls short when compared to the Rolex Daytona with its Superlative Chronometer designation indicating the accuracy is at least -2/+2 seconds per day, impressively more accurate than the Speedmaster's standard COSC certified chronometer designation which is only accurate to -4/+6 seconds per day. Then again, that's what an extra $12,000 would get you.

However, there are certain Omega Speedmaster watches that featured a Master Chronometer designation which means that after passing the COSC certification they then go through another testing Institute called METAS. When completing the METAS testing the watch receives a designation of Master Chronometer which indicates an accuracy of -0 to +5 seconds per day.

At the moment, the Speedmasters with METAS certified Master Chronometer designations are limited to the Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 44.25mm series and the Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer Chronograph 44.25mm series. While at the time of writing this article, these two are the only series in the Speedmaster collection that received this prestigious horological designation, it may be a sign that in coming years, and hopefully not decades, we can expect more and more of them to have it as well. It’s also possible that either more modern METAS Certified Master Chronometer calibers will exclusively be taking their place, or, existing calibers will be modified and adjusted to offer this special 3rd party designation. Mind you, hiring a third party to provide an official certification on a movement is more expensive but well worth it for it would play a part in increase the brand's overall watchmaking prestige.

The Speedmaster family of watches has many models that are entirely different in terms of their power source. Some run on an automatic (self-winding) watch caliber, some such as the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatches run on a hand-wound (aka manual-wind) movement, and then there are some such as the Skywalker X-33 run on a battery-powered movement. The brand's crowning achievement, the Moonwatch, traditionally used a hand-wound caliber though and the company tried to keep things traditional. A long has passed since it was introduced so perhaps even this will one day change.

 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

In terms of prestige, the Rolex brand is, bar none, the most recognizable watch brand in the world, with almost 100% brand recognition worldwide, while Omega watches, is slightly behind at 70%. You probably also noticed a substantial price difference between these two watches but make sure to note that a Rolex will almost always have a higher resell value. Of course, the watch itself would really determine how much money you would get when selling it. In some cases, they may even appreciate in value. To some, resale value is a really important factor, to others, there are more important things than what their watch will sell for on the pre-owned market down the line. For example, some like iconic watches and value that the Omega Speedmaster (albeit not this particular model) is tied to the moon landing many years ago since the first watch on the moon was a "Speedy". It became one of the most collectible watches in the industry and if you search for it, you can be seen on the wrist of many watch collectors as well as famous faces around the world. Omega soon became the go-to brand for NASA and their space missions. 

In terms of accuracy, the Rolex’s Daytona takes the cake with its Superlative Chronometer designation indicating the accuracy of at least -2/+2 seconds per day, impressively more accurate than a standard COSC certified chronometer designation which is accurate to -4/+6 seconds per day.