Omega Speedmaster Mark II: owner reviews and feedback

The Omega Speedmaster Mark II, launched in 1969, represents the first major visual transformation of the Speedmaster Professional after the main codes of the Moonwatch had become established. Omega retained the three-register chronograph principle and the manually wound calibre 861 but installed the entire mechanism inside a new, considerably more substantial and protective tonneau-shaped case. This case, with almost integrated lugs, broad brushed surfaces and protected pushers, fully anticipates the watch design language of the 1970s. The tachymeter scale is no longer positioned on an external bezel: it is printed beneath the flat mineral crystal, protecting it from impacts and wear.

The Mark II was initially offered with a black dial closely related to that of the Speedmaster Moonwatch, but a spectacular grey Racing version with orange accents quickly became one of its most recognisable configurations. After the disappearance of this historical generation, Omega revived the Mark II in 2014 with a slightly enlarged case, sapphire crystal, date display, 100 metres of water resistance and the automatic Co-Axial calibre 3330 chronograph movement.

Design & legibility: the Speedmaster between Moonwatch and the 1970s

The Mark II retains enough Speedmaster codes to be immediately identifiable but transfers them into a very different architecture. The tonneau case virtually eliminates the visual separation between case and lugs and gives the watch a broad, horizontal silhouette highly characteristic of the late 1960s. The three counters remain positioned at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, with running seconds and the chronograph totalisers organised in a way close to the Speedmaster Professional. The major difference appears around the dial: the tachymeter scale is positioned beneath the crystal rather than on an external bezel. This tachymeter scale protected beneath the crystal is one of the fundamental distinguishing features of the Speedmaster Mark II. On the historical black dial, the result remains relatively restrained with white hands and luminous markers. The Racing variation instead uses a grey dial, a highly colourful minute track and several orange chronograph hands. The 2014 reissue reproduces this duality with a black model and a light-grey Racing version with orange and red accents. It adds a date at 6 o’clock and a tachymeter illuminated from beneath by a ring filled with Super-LumiNova. The flat sapphire crystal of the modern generation therefore preserves the impression of a scale integrated into the watch while allowing it to be read in darkness.

Case, bracelet and comfort: a tonneau shape that changes everything

The vintage Mark II measures approximately 41.7 mm wide, around 45 mm long and roughly 14 mm thick. These dimensions seem substantial for a watch born in 1969, but the almost complete absence of long conventional lugs limits its actual length on the wrist. The top of the case is characterised by spectacular radial brushing, sometimes described as sunburst finishing, visually radiating from the dial towards the edges. The case sides use different finishes and create a more sophisticated structure than a simple block of steel. Overly aggressive polishing can remove these transitions, which is why case condition has become an essential criterion on vintage examples. The 2014 generation increases to 42.4 mm wide, 46.2 mm long and approximately 14.85 mm thick. The relatively short length of the tonneau case allows the Mark II to wear more easily than its substantial width might suggest. The steel bracelet is an important part of the design, particularly on historical versions where it visually extends the case. Modern models receive a solid-link steel bracelet with an adjustable clasp. Their flat sapphire crystal offers better scratch resistance than the original mineral glass and their 100 metres of water resistance provides significantly greater versatility for everyday use.

Movement: from the manually wound calibre 861 to the automatic Co-Axial 3330

The 1969 Mark II uses the Omega calibre 861, a manually wound chronograph movement introduced into the Speedmaster family shortly beforehand. Derived from a Lemania architecture, it operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and uses 17 jewels in the historical generations. Its chronograph is cam-controlled rather than using a column wheel, and its power reserve is around two days depending on the condition and regulation of the movement. It provides hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph functions without a date display. The 2014 reissue changes philosophy radically with the automatic Omega calibre 3330. This movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, incorporates a column wheel, Co-Axial escapement and Si14 silicon balance spring, while adding a date at 6 o’clock. Its stated power reserve reaches 52 hours. The transition from the 861 to the 3330 therefore transforms the Mark II from a highly traditional manual chronograph into a modern automatic chronograph designed for everyday use. The 3330 is chronometer-certified in this generation and benefits from automatic winding when the watch is worn regularly. The 861 nevertheless retains particular appeal for enthusiasts of historical mechanics because of its close relationship with contemporary Speedmaster Professional models and the daily ritual of manual winding.

Chronological milestones and main models (1969–2025)

(1969) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Black:

The first Mark II transfers the movement and general organisation of the Speedmaster Professional into a completely new case. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II ST 145.014 receives a tonneau-shaped stainless-steel case measuring approximately 41.7 mm wide and around 45 mm long, with broad upper surfaces featuring radial brushing and sides using distinct finishes. Its matte black dial retains the three chronograph counters and a presentation relatively close to the Moonwatch, while the tachymeter scale is moved beneath the flat mineral crystal. This protects the scale against impacts and external wear. The manually wound calibre 861 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and powers the hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph. The watch was notably offered on a steel bracelet visually integrated with the case or on leather. For a current example, the condition of the case brushing, consistency of the hands, dial tritium and presence of a correctly graduated crystal are as important as the mechanical condition of the calibre.

(1970) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing Grey & Orange:

The Racing version uses exactly the same mechanical architecture and case as the black Mark II but completely transforms its personality. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II ST 145.014 here adopts a grey dial enlivened by a minute track combining colours including orange, red and white, together with several orange chronograph hands. The main hands use dark sections at their base that visually merge into the dial, making their lighter tips appear to float above the watch. Running seconds at 9 o’clock retains a light-coloured hand, while orange hands are reserved for the main chronograph information in the original configuration. The movement remains the manually wound 861 and the crystal is still flat mineral glass with the tachymeter printed on its inner surface. This variation is particularly sought after today because it expresses the experimental design language of the early 1970s much more clearly. When purchasing a vintage example, hand colours matter: some watches have been assembled over the decades with incorrect orange hands taken from other Omega references.

(1972) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Gold Plated:

The gold-toned Mark II gives a considerably more luxurious interpretation to a case originally conceived for a sporting chronograph. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II MD 145.034 uses a gold-plated case combined with a gold or champagne dial, applied hour markers and matching hands. The tachymeter scale positioned beneath the crystal generally adopts a burgundy or brown tone that produces a very different contrast from the black scale used on the steel versions. The numerals in the registers also use a specific orientation on several documented examples. The movement remains the manually wound calibre 861, meaning that the mechanical experience is very close to that of the ST 145.014 versions. Dimensions are similarly comparable, at around 41.7 mm wide and 45 mm long. This reference requires particular care on the vintage market because wear to the gold coating can reveal the underlying metal on corners and contact areas. Polishing intended to disguise such marks can also remove the characteristic brushing and sharp transitions of the case.

(2014) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial Black:

Forty-five years after the first generation, Omega relaunched the Mark II while preserving its overall silhouette with considerable accuracy but modernising almost every technical element. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II 327.10.43.50.01.001 has a stainless-steel case measuring 42.4 x 46.2 mm and approximately 14.85 mm thick. The matte black dial retains three counters but adds a date aperture at 6 o’clock. The crystal becomes flat scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The tachymeter remains positioned beneath the crystal and now receives Super-LumiNova illumination, allowing the graduations to be distinguished in darkness. The automatic Omega 3330 movement adds a column wheel, Co-Axial escapement, Si14 balance spring and chronometer certification, with 52 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is stated at 100 metres. The steel bracelet revisits the integrated appearance of the original while using modern construction and a clasp offering comfort adjustment. At close to 195 grams on steel, however, this generation has a significantly stronger wrist presence than the historical Mark II.

(2014) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial Racing:

The Racing variation is probably the version that provides the clearest tribute to the personality of the historical Mark II. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II 327.10.43.50.06.001 uses the same 42.4 x 46.2 mm stainless-steel case, flat sapphire crystal and automatic calibre 3330 as the black version but adopts a grey dial with orange and red details. Chronograph and minute-track indications create a much sportier display and directly recall the Racing dial of the ST 145.014 without reproducing it exactly. The date occupies the 6 o’clock position and the tachymeter scale beneath the crystal is illuminated by Super-LumiNova. Calibre 3330 provides 52 hours of power reserve and incorporates a Co-Axial escapement, silicon hairspring and column-wheel chronograph mechanism. Water resistance reaches 100 metres. This reference is particularly interesting for someone who appreciates the highly distinctive graphics of vintage Mark II watches but wants the convenience of an automatic movement, sapphire crystal and contemporary construction.

(2014) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Rio 2016:

Presented ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, this limited edition uses the modern Mark II as its base while adding a subtle reference to Olympic medals. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II 522.10.43.50.01.001 retains the 42.4 x 46.2 mm stainless-steel case, matte black dial, flat sapphire crystal, date at 6 o’clock and automatic calibre 3330. The three counters are, however, surrounded by different materials: bronze around the 30-minute counter, 18-carat yellow gold around the 12-hour counter and 925 silver around the small-seconds display. The arrangement therefore evokes the three positions on a podium without turning the dial into an overt advertising object. The tachymeter scale positioned beneath the crystal remains luminous. The screw-in caseback carries the Rio 2016 logo together with the individual edition number. Production is limited to 2,016 watches. With 100 metres of water resistance and 52 hours of power reserve, this edition retains exactly the same versatility as the standard modern Mark II while offering a considerably rarer dial configuration.

(2015) Omega Speedmaster Mark II Steel & Sedna Gold:

This two-tone variation moves the Mark II away from its traditional tool-watch image by combining stainless steel with Omega’s proprietary Sedna gold. The Omega Speedmaster Mark II 327.20.43.50.01.001 retains a case measuring 42.4 x 46.2 mm and approximately 14.85 mm thick, but its crown, pushers and several bracelet elements use 18-carat Sedna gold. The grey dial adopts hour markers and hands with matching tones and retains the date at 6 o’clock together with the three chronograph counters. The crystal is flat sapphire with anti-reflective treatment and the tachymeter scale remains integrated beneath it. The automatic Omega 3330 movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 52 hours of power reserve. Water resistance remains stated at 100 metres. With greater weight than the all-steel reference, this version has a stronger wrist presence. It is better suited to someone seeking the unusual Mark II design in a luxurious interpretation than to someone attempting to reproduce the strictly utilitarian spirit of the original 145.014.

Choosing the right version: generation, dial, bracelet and use

The first choice is between vintage experience and modern convenience. A Mark II from 1969 or 1970 is more compact and lighter and uses a manually wound calibre 861, but it requires greater attention to condition, water resistance and component authenticity. The 2014 generation is considerably easier to consider as an everyday watch, with sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance, automatic winding and a date display. It is, however, thicker and significantly heavier on its steel bracelet.

The black dial remains the most versatile choice. It more closely recalls the Speedmaster Professional and makes the unusual tonneau case slightly more discreet. The grey-and-orange Racing dial instead fully embraces the Mark II aesthetic. The Racing version is particularly interesting if a collection already contains a black-dial Speedmaster, because it provides a genuinely different personality without changing the fundamental chronograph architecture. On a vintage example, however, the authenticity of the coloured hands needs to be examined carefully.

The case is another decisive criterion on the pre-owned market. On a vintage Mark II, the broad upper surfaces should ideally preserve their radial brushing and clear transitions with the case sides. Many examples have been polished during their lifetime and can show surfaces that have become uniform or edges that are excessively rounded. A well-preserved case can be more important than a dial showing light and even patina, because correctly restoring the geometry and brushing of a Mark II requires genuine specialist skill.

The steel bracelet is central to the identity of the model but can make the modern version heavy. The 327.10.43.50.01.001 approaches 195 grams in its complete steel configuration, which can become noticeable during a long day. A leather or textile strap can reduce weight and make the Mark II easier to wear, although some of the visual continuity between the tonneau case and metal bracelet is then lost. On a vintage watch, retaining an Omega bracelet appropriate to the production period also adds to the historical consistency of the complete piece.

Finally, movement choice depends on the relationship desired with the watch. Calibre 861 requires regular manual winding and provides neither date nor automatic winding, but its straightforward operation is directly connected to the mechanical history of the Speedmaster. Calibre 3330 offers greater convenience, 52 hours of reserve, a date and a more modern chronograph architecture. The modern Mark II is better suited to someone prioritising ease of use, while the vintage version will appeal to enthusiasts of mechanical rituals and historical design. In both cases, a water-resistance check is recommended before significant exposure to water, particularly on an older watch. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Omega Speedmaster Mark II is aimed at Speedmaster enthusiasts who want to move beyond the traditional Moonwatch silhouette without abandoning Omega’s chronograph identity. Its tonneau case, tachymeter positioned beneath the crystal and broad brushed surfaces give it an immediately recognisable personality deeply connected with the design transition into the 1970s. Historical calibre 861 references provide a compact, manually wound experience mechanically close to contemporary Speedmaster Professional watches, while the generation introduced in 2014 adds automatic winding, date, sapphire crystal, improved water resistance and a luminous tachymeter. The black dial favours versatility, while Racing represents the most original expression of the model and Rio 2016 or Sedna Gold versions provide rarer alternatives.

To determine whether its weight, distinctive proportions and strongly defined design genuinely suit everyday wear, Dialicious customer reviews provide a useful complement to its history and technical specifications.

(Updated August 2026)