Omega SA is currently based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, and was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The company originally operated as La Generale Watch Co. until the name Omega was incorporated in 1903, becoming Louis Brandt et Frère-Omega Watch & Co. The company name was officially changed to Omega SA in 1984, and is currently a subsidiary of The Swatch Group.
Alliance with Tissot
1930 saw Omega joining forces with Tissot in response to the global economic difficulties brought on by World War I, forming the Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère (SSIH) which resulted in an era of Tissot-Omega watches that bore the names of both companies on the dial. Later joined by Lemania and A. Lugrin Co in L’Orient, SSIH specialized in complications which would eventually prove to be an important step towards developing the Omega Speedmaster.
Michael Schumacher Speedmaster Chronographs
The Omega Speedmaster line is perhaps best known for its association with moon landings, but its motorsport heritage was given the spotlight through a number of Michael Schumacher editions that were released from 1996 to 2003.
The first Speedmaster ‘Schumacher’ model was based on the Speedmaster Reduced and introduced in 1996 and remained in production until 1999. Michael Schumacher and his brother Ralf were both Omega ambassadors during that time. The first Speedmaster Schumacher models featured dials in red, blue, and yellow, with either a matching strap or stainless steel bracelet. The box that they came in can only be described as a racing wheel sandwich. Other than different dials, hands, and straps, there was little else that visibly separated these from a standard Speedmaster Reduced.
Subsequent releases began to include Schumacher’s name and printed signature on the case back, such as the Speedmaster Racing Schumacher (ref. 3518.50) and the Speedmaster Day-Date Racing Michael Schumacher (ref. 3529.50.00).
Michael Schumacher at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix. (Photo: by Polmars, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons)
Later Omega Speedmaster Schumacher models did eventually come in a more standard 42mm case size, such as the Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Michael Schumacher Limited Edition (ref. 3159.50.00) in 2003 and the Omega Speedmaster Legend collection. There was also the reference 3559.32 that has been noted for its resemblance to a “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona (ref. 6241), as well as its much more exclusive counterpart (ref. 3553.32) that was gifted to Schumacher’s Scuderia Ferrari team after his sixth Formula 1 world title in 2003 with a limited run of 500 pieces.
Casino Royale Cameo
The red dial Speedmaster Legend (ref. 3506.61.00) has made a film cameo on the Omega Seamaster’s turf when it was worn by Andreas Daniel, who portrayed the high-stakes poker dealer in Casino Royale (2006).
Ducati Speedmaster
Photos of what appears to be a Ducati edition Omega Speedmaster Reduced with a Ducati-branded box can be found on Omega Watch Forums. The black dial has no additional branding beyond the standard “Omega Speedmaster Automatic”. However, “Ducati” and “Limited 044/100 Edition” appears on the case back in red.
Drake Moore of CountSunnyHours has compiled additional information and insights on its origins.
Related Pages
References
https://www.tissotwatches.com/media/downloadable/pocket_book_en.pdf
http://old-omegas.com/schuey.html
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-speedmaster-schumacher-yellow/
https://tambowatches.com/product/omega-speedmaster-schumacher-racing-3518-50/
https://www.fratellowatches.com/omega-speedmaster-michael-schumacher/
https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-omega-speedmaster-legend/
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-legend-35593200
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-broad-arrow-31595000
https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/omega-speedmaster-legend-michael-schumacher
https://chronotimepieces.com/shop/omega-speedmaster-legend-automatic-chronograph-42-ref-3507-51-00-michael-schumacher/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPBYyu3Gm4A
https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/formula-1-watches-p_23897/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/387840006549
https://italianwatchspotter.com/omega-and-michael-schumacher/?lang=en
https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-%E2%80%9Dducati%E2%80%9D-edition.92785/
https://countsunnyhours.com/ducati-and-watches-a-modern-guide/
https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/omega-speedmaster-reduced-so-called-ducati-lot-356-391