Omega doesn’t update its collections too often, but when it does, it does it with style. Offered in a massive, 18-karat rose gold body, the new Omega De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph (ref. 431.53.42.51.02.001) sports their fairly fresh Cal. 9301 co-axial automatic movement and features an extremely elegant dial layout.
The 2012 De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph features the same Co-Axial caliber 9301 in-house movement that also animated their gorgeous Speedmaster Moonwatch Chronograph that, too, was revealed at the beginning of the year.
The movement is exquisitely decorated with Omega’s signature “Geneva waves in Arabesque” pattern and has its oscillating weight, as well as the balance bridge, cut from solid gold. Sporting two spring barrels and a Si14 silicon balance spring, the movement will keep working for the whole 60 hours after being fully wound.
Like many timekeepers in this “sporty luxury” niche, the Omega De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph is offered in a medium-sized 18-karat rose gold case that measures around 42 millimeters in diameter.
Not terribly thick, the watch sports two pairs of flowing, slightly elongated lugs that add only eight millimeters to its total length and, surprisingly, make it even more comfortable to wear (perhaps, the main reason here is that the horns are curved to better match the anatomy of an average customer.)
Still, you should try one on your own wrist before buying one: first, like all medium-sized timepieces crafted from gold, this new De Ville feels heavy on a wrist and, while some may find its presence ahem reassuring, others may definitely loathe it; second, while men are created equal in a moral and legal sense, we have different anatomy and for some of us this nicely sculpted case may become a source of constant irritation.
So, again: try before you buy.
Although I personally prefer a version with a cobalt-colored dial (like the one in the commercial video above) as far as styling goes, the version with the opaline-silver face (pictured) certainly looks more versatile and, probably, quieter.
Like all recent members of the De Ville family, the new watch has its dial stripped of any luminous substance. Even the thin long hour and minute hands come in polished rose gold, while the large, manually applied rose gold Roman numerals are not accompanied by the usual luminous dots.
Still, this is a beautiful watch: a true must-have for those wealthy few who can afford one.
See also: Omega Speedmaster Racing Chronograph
Photos: Omega
Omega De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph (ref. 431.53.42.51.02.001) specification
Price: $29,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Omega Co-Axial caliber 9301, in-house, two spring barrels, silicon balance spring, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 54
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 60 hours
Movement decoration: Geneva waves in Arabesque, rose gold oscillating weight, and balance bridge
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Rose gold, 18-karat
Shape: Round
Size: 42.00 mm
Dial: Opaline silver
Numerals: Roman, rose gold, applied
Hour markers: Black
Hands: Rose gold
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Brown leather strap with gold buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire