Disclaimer: As of January 2023, B&B is officially part of the Delugs Ambassador program. This article/video was not sponsored by Omega, or any related entity.

Straps Featured:

Delugs Black CTS Rubber Strap for Omega Speedmaster: https://delugs.com/collections/omega-speedmaster-straps/products/black-cts-rubber-watch-strap-for-omega-speedmaster

Video

Review

The Omega Speedmaster Professional, the Moonwatch, is undeniably one of the most celebrated watches on the planet, backed by one of the most recognized brands in the horological sphere. Given its extensive documentation and coverage across various media, I had previously seen little necessity to add to the vast amount of commentary surrounding this iconic watch. However, a new opportunity arose with my recent experience testing a prototype of Delugs’ Cut-to-Size (CTS) Rubber Strap designed specifically for the Speedmaster.

Over the past three to four months, I have been putting this strap through its paces, which prompted me to explore the Speedmaster from a fresh angle – focusing on wearability and comfort as influenced by this aftermarket option, rather than its well-regarded original bracelet. The current Speedmaster bracelet is notably popular and includes an adjustable clasp that, although limited to a single position of adjustment, is a significant enhancement. But this review will solely discuss the integration and comfort of the watch on the Delugs CTS Rubber Strap, with some mention of the OEM Rubber Strap option (typically seen on the precious metal watches), which I also purchased (for a steep $540 USD) prior to learning about this option.

Priced at approximately $220 USD, the CTS Rubber Strap from Delugs offers a tailored approach to customizing the Speedmaster’s fit. It is offered with a choice of clasps, quick-release spring bars, and straightforward instructions for sizing, all of which aim to enhance the wearer’s experience by focusing on precise comfort for everyday use.

Let’s check it out!

Case

The Speedy is a favorite of mine not only for its historical significance but also for its distinctive case design. The case measures 41.75mm in diameter, 47mm from lug to lug, 13.15mm in thickness, and a 20mm lug width, all crafted from stainless steel with a harmonious blend of brushed and polished finishes. This model retains the beloved lyre lug design and features a raised, cantilevered external tachymeter scale, which cleverly reduces the perceived thickness of the watch.

The integration of the CTS rubber strap adds a new dimension to the case. The strap flares outward from the case, increasing the effective width to about 52mm across the wrist. This might cause some overhang on wrists smaller than 52mm, so it’s important to consider this if you prefer a more contained fit. The sapphire crystal over the tachymeter scale is a modern nod to the vintage hesalite crystals, although it may not completely satisfy purists who favor the warmer tones of the original.

The redesigned crown and pushers of the 3861 era models are notably user-friendly, with a larger diameter and more pronounced teeth for better grip. While Omega’s case finishing has never been something I’ve held in high regard, this generation displays improved consistency in the brushed and polished sections, enhancing the overall aesthetic, with the well-executed transitions underscoring the quality of craftsmanship.

Regarding the straps, the OEM Omega rubber strap fits more snugly at the transition from case to wrist, suitable for narrower wrists, whereas the Delugs CTS rubber strap offers a more gradual contour that complements the midcase’s curvature, fitting as seamlessly as the original without any perceptible wiggle at the lugs.

Turning the watch over reveals a screwed-down case-back with a large sapphire exhibition window, showcasing the refined Omega 3861 caliber – a descendant of the historic Lemania 1873 movement. The Speedmaster Professional is rated for 50m of water resistance, which is a bit embarrassing for a modern sports watch, specially when other brands are able to deliver at least 100m of water resistance on similar watch styles (Seiko SRQ047), and some going even as far as 200m of water resistance (latest Sinn 903).

Dial

The Speedy dial doesn’t feel luxurious, but it is captivating in it’s own way. It proudly wears its classic dial, a design largely unchanged since its inception, a feature that significantly enhances its charm. The dial retains its straightforward layout with a sharp contrast between the bright white text and markings against a matte black background, ensuring outstanding legibility. And that impeccable legibility makes this watch a pleasure to have on wrist in my opinion.

The dial base showcases a textured matte black surface with a subtle grainy effect, discernible only under close examination with a loupe. It features a slightly recessed and sloped outer minute track, delineated from the center by a distinct ridge, enhancing depth and focus. The minute track includes crisply printed minutes and seconds, and the hour indices are slightly recessed and generously filled with lume.

The Speedy retains the original classic 3 sub-register layout: a running seconds hand at the 9 o’clock position, an elapsed hour register at 6 o’clock, and a jumping minute counter at 3 o’clock. The transition from the matte, granular texture of the main dial to the concentric rings within each sub-dial is flawlessly executed, providing subtle yet effective contrast for easy legibility. The hands are traditionally designed in a painted matte white finish, with lumed sections that complement the dial’s emphasis on clarity. The quality of printing is excellent and the overall tidiness of the dial is very good.

While some might find the dial layout unexciting – lacking architectural applied markers, vibrant dial colors, intricate layering, or razor sharp hands, the Speedmaster’s dial captures the essence of its heritage with a focus on precision and modern materials. This approach may appear simple, yet it masterfully achieves its purpose as a highly practical and legible timepiece, respecting its storied past while meeting contemporary standards.

Movement

This watch uses the latest METAS Certified Omega Caliber 3861, which I personally believe is one of the best looking and best performing chronograph movements in the sub $10k range today. No doubt it did have some teething issues early on (as do most new movements, I’ve learned), but this movement has been running accurately and reliably since I purchased it over 8 months ago. I recommend reading this short article by Caliber Corner, as it highlights everything good about this movement and draws comparisons to it’s predecessors like the Lemania 1873, Omega 861 and Omega 1861/1863.

On The Wrist

Starting off with the OEM Omega Rubber Strap for the 3861 Speedmaster Professional, this accessory is often paired with the brand’s precious metal watches but can be bought separately for $540. The price might seem steep, with half of it attributed to the rubber component itself. This section is impressively crafted, featuring a moon terrain embossed on the inside and a brushed texture on the outside, mirroring the taper from 20mm to 16mm seen in the Delugs strap. However, it is relatively delicate due to its thinness. The remaining cost is assigned to the Omega deployant clasp, which, despite its stylish appearance, disappoints in terms of functionality. The clasp seems to suffer from either poor design or lax machining tolerances, resulting in the the rubber sections not sitting rigidly, thus allowing excess length to move around when worn. This aspect is particularly noticeable in the images below, and feels like a letdown for the otherwise well-made rubber parts.

In contrast, the Delugs Cut-to-Size (CTS) rubber strap flares out more significantly than the OEM version, which might not suit those with smaller wrists. However, as evident with the OEM strap, smaller wrists will still face issues with excess length protruding awkwardly out of the overall silhouette. The Delugs strap features a leaf spring clasp that is sleek and snaps into place effectively, requiring the rubber to be cut to size. This design choice results in a clean and tailored appearance, enhancing both comfort and fit, particularly for my wrist size of 6.75 inches, where the strap conforms very well.

Wrapping Up

This review takes a slight detour from my typical approach; instead of focusing solely on the watch, it emphasizes the interaction between the watch and its strap. The Omega Speedmaster Professional paired with the Delugs Cut-to-Size (CTS) rubber strap offered a unique opportunity to explore how these two components complement each other. I’ve found myself increasingly fond of the Delugs CTS straps, which I use across a variety of watches, from sporty to dressy. They seem to make any watch feel like home, and this is no different with the Speedmaster.

For those accustomed to the compact and conforming fit of the modern Speedmaster bracelet, especially on smaller wrists, a word of caution: the transition to the CTS rubber strap might feel a bit different. The strap may not hug very small wrists as snugly. However, for those with wrist sizes of 6.5 inches or larger, the CTS strap should typically offer a comfortable and secure fit, at a cost significantly lower than Omega’s OEM option. While you might miss the intricate lunar terrain embossing of the OEM strap, Delugs’ evolving approach to textures – as seen in their mosaic texture curved CTS straps – suggests exciting possibilities for future designs.