It has been one of the most interesting design of the year 1969. Good thing. 1969 was also the year of birth of TAG Heuer’s Monaco and of the El Primero by Zenith. Bad luck. Because in the end, who remembers the Omega Seamaster Bullhead ?
In fact, connoisseurs do have in mind this great timepiece, full of the Sixtie’s and Seventie’s soul and design. In this way, a true iconic witness of its generation. TAG Heuer and Zenith understood it well and developped many versions of their 69 babies along the years – and still do. But, for an unknown reason, Omega’s Bullhead stood in the shadow. Today, the brand decided it was time to let him run again.
Omega Seamaster Bullhead
However, reissuing a vintage model is always a bet. And it’s the kind of bet that brands will always win – because reedition are widely appreciated by watch amateurs – and always lose – because watch experts will always prefer the original, no matter the new version overcomes the original one, which is always the fact, thanks to technical improvements.
Omega Seamaster Bullhead – Keep the spirit, change the engine
Let’s keep it short : collectors always had a crush on the original reference and the new Bullhead won’t change anything this. However, it doesn’t mean in any way that the 2013 version is not playing at the same level. In fact, on a technical point of view, it’s a better edition than its 1969 brother, simply beacuse Omega gained a lot of technical knowledge and skills over the last 45 years.
While the new model, with its characteristic symmetrical case and bezel, has all of the charm of the original, there are some modifications that give the new Bullhead its own personality.
Omega Seamaster Bullhead
What did not change ? As with the original Bullhead, there is a date window at 3 o’clock. The white dial is visible through a sapphire crystal with anti-resistant treatment on both sides. The screw-in caseback is stamped with the familiar polished Seamaster Seahorse. Its white bi-directional rotating inner bezel has a 24-hour scale.
The Bullhead’s shield-shaped brushed and polished case, the inner revolving bezel and the unusual placement of its chronograph pushers and crowns had also made it a favourite among watch aficionados. Its winding crown at 12 o’clock was flanked by two chronograph pushers and it was this unique configuration that gave the watch its nickname. There was also another crown at the 6 o’clock position that controlled the internal rotating bezel. The pushers on the new Omega Seamaster Bullhead are still mounted at the top, of course, but the round pushers on the original watch have been replaced with flat ones.
Omega Seamaster Bullhead
Perhaps the most significant change has been in the movement. The new Omega Seamaster Bullhead is powered by an automatic Co-Axial calibre 3113, which replaces the manually-wound calibre 930 found in the vintage model. This change allows a full three-year warranty. The movement is equipped with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism.
The new Omega Seamaster Bullhead comes in a limited edition of 669 pieces, at 7100 euros, street price.
A way to test the market for a collection rebirth in 2014 ?
More resource about the new Omega Seamaster Bullhead on Official Omega Website.
