Reasons for Replica Omega and Breitling of “Greatest Hits” Release
Omega Replica just launched its Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition as we reported the other day. Even though some traits have been improved, it’s more or less a reissue of the original gold Speedmaster – which was also a limited edition, and itself a tribute to the original Moonwatch. The luxury watch is one of the most particular Speedmasters ever made. It says that it’s also part of a rising trend among heritage watchmakers like Omega to reissue famous timepieces from their archives. 
One of the most outstanding characteristic of the 50th Anniversary “Moonshine Gold” Speedy is its semi-transparent caseback, which features “1969-2019” and the limited edition number highlighted in burgundy, as well as the words “Master Chronometer” and an inner gold and PVD decorative ring. “The caseback was a long discussion,” Omega’s President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann tells the FT. The original “is very well-known for its engraving celebrating the Moon landing, but as the new watch uses the latest certified Master Chronometer movement with the co-axial escapement, the determination was taken to have a see-through back.”
Aeschlimann is at pains not to call this a “vintage” reboot. “I don’t call it vintage, I call it a link to an unbelievable history,” he tells the paper. “The Speedmaster was never discontinued – it is a special look. As much as I hate the word, it is a very modern iconic design: it was the first chronograph with the tachymeter scale on the bezel, and the watch community understands this is not just part of the DNA of Omega – it is part of the DNA of the chronograph wristwatch.”
He founds that the replica Omega keeps an eye on the burgeoning market for vintage Speedys, which partly encourage this reissue. Meanwhile Breitling is also getting in on the reissue action. The brand recently unveiled an almost exact watch of its black-dial 806 Navitimer from 1969, in both gold and stainless steel, which is set to officially debut at Baselworld this month. The texture and color of the hand-painted luminous numerals were specially mixed to the original, as was the number of “beads” on the bezel.
But, the case is 0.15mm thicker to make it totally water-resistant. “The fake Breitling has one of the richest and most beautiful back catalogues,” as the watchmaker’s CEO Georges Kern tells the FT. “I made up my mind to go for a limited series that honors one of the more mythical models.” Two amazing replica watches to be sure.