Omega’s Unexpected New Speedmaster Introduces an Entirely New Kind of Cool

The moon landing. James Bond. The Olympics.

These are the three cornerstones of Omega’s marketing as a watch brand. And with no significant moon landing anniversaries for another few years and the search for the next 007 still ongoing, that makes Omega’s role as official timekeeper at the Winter Olympics next year in Italy the next major event for the brand.

To prepare, earlier this year Omega launched a special “Milano Cortina 2026” Seamaster 37mm, a vintage-inspired dress watch that is easily the brand’s best entrant into the category in decades. Now, it’s the Speedmaster’s turn to tour the snowy mountains of Italy with the chronograph’s own Milano Cortina 2026 edition.

Omega

Return of the Reduced?

The new Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026 is interesting in a couple of ways. First things first, this isn’t a Moonwatch. It’s a Speedmaster 38, which means it gets a smaller 38mm case and is powered by an automatic rather than a manually wound movement.

In this case, it’s powered by the Omega Cal. 3330, which does have a co-axial escapement and is COSC-certified but is not a METAS-certified Master Chronometer. It does, however, feature column-wheel action for the chronograph, which the Moonwatch lacks (except for the radically expensive Cal. 321-powered models).

But what’s interesting is how this watch doesn’t resemble any of Omega’s current lineup of Speedmaster 38s. Those watches have bizarre notched bezels, faceted hour markers, oval-shaped subdials and a butterfly-clasp bracelet, making them look decidedly different from a Speedmaster Professional.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

But it wasn’t always this way. From 1988 until 2010, Omega produced the Speedmaster “Reduced” — a 39mm automatic that more closely resembled a Moonwatch with the same bezel, similar printed hour markers and round subdials. It’s now regarded as a collector favorite (I previously owned two of them).

The new Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026 follows in the Reduced’s footsteps, bringing a Moonwatch feel to a smaller, automatic watch. The bezel is in the Moonwatch style and executed here in blue ceramic with white enamel, similar to the beloved Silver Snoopy.

Omega

The indices’ design is also pulled from the Moonwatch, though they are applied and dark blue, and the subdials are round and symmetrical, like on a Speedy Pro. Even the bracelet is effectively a smaller version of the Pro’s bracelet, just with polished center links. It has the same micro-adjustable clasp you’ll get on the modern Moonwatch.

Snowmega

There are also some extra touches that make this Speedmaster 38 unlike any other Speedy, big or small, vintage or modern.

Most obvious is the dial. To honor the Winter Games, Omega has given the watch a white varnished dial coated with a light blue “frosting.” There’s also a “finger trace” over the frosting that resembles the 2 in the Milano Cortina 26 logo. The overall wintry effect reminds me of some of Grand Seiko’s winter-inspired dial work and doesn’t resemble anything I’ve ever seen on a Speedmaster before. But it looks decidedly cool, in every sense of the word.

Omega

The subdials are also special. They’re varnished and sport an azurage pattern that’s meant to evoke the lines of a freshly groomed ski slope. This is a nod to the fact that Omega will be timing the ski mountaineering events at the Olympics for the first time ever. A skiing-inspired Speedmaster? Sign me up.

Next is the chronograph seconds hand, which has received a unique gradient treatment that darkens from light blue at the counterweight to navy at the tip. The date display tucked into the subdial at 6:00 features the radical typography used in the Milano Cortina 26 logo, and the stamped caseback features the full logo with a frosty background.

Omega

Pricing and availability

Whether you care about the Olympics or not, this is an easy Speedmaster to love. I can’t remember the last time a Speedmaster 38 actually got me excited — I’d probably have to go back to the Speedy Reduced — but this thing is awesome. I love that it looks like a Moonwatch in its general design, but all of the exclusive winter-inspired touches really make it something special.

If this were a Moonwatch receiving all of these special treatments, I’d expect the price to be approaching five figures. But because it’s still a non-METAS Speedy 38, it’s almost affordable — at least by modern Speedmaster standards. The Omega Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026 is priced at $6,800 and is not a limited edition.

Omega

Omega Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Omega Cal. 3330 automatic chronograph
Water Resistance	100m

• $6,800 at Omega

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