Omega Speedmaster "Panda"

Panda Omega. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I do not know when Omega released its "Panda" dialed Speedmasters. I accompanied a friend of mine to an Omega dealer last Saturday, and saw, what in my opinion, was the most beautiful Omega Speedmaster I have ever seen: A Panda dialed Speedmaster Date. A visit to Omega's website shows three models are available.

The most famous Panda dialed chronograph is probably the Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 and 6241, known as the Paul Newman Daytona

Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241. Image from

100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger.

Tudor manufacture several Panda dialed chronograph watches over the years. Last year, Rolex released several versions of its current model Rolex Daytona with a Panda Dial. Apparently, Omega also has it own:


The Omega Speedmaster Date Ref. 323.30.40.40.04.001 is a self-winding chronograph watch power by a ETA based Omega 3304 movement. The date us displayed in a window at the 4 o'clock position. The case has a 40mm case diameter.

Omega offers the same watch with
a Cordura Fabric strap.

Omega also offers it Panda dial Speedmaster Date watch with a more contemporary dial arrangement, with the date the the 3 o'clock, and the sub-dials at the 6-9-12 o'clock positions. Instead of the Omega 3304 movement, these watches are powered by the Omega 1164 movement.

Omega Speedmaster Date Ref. 3211.31.00

Omega Speedmaster Date Ref. 3210.51.00

It is the Ref. 3211,31.00 which caught my attention at the Omega AD. Although the dial appeared to be more silvery or cream to me, in person, than white. The steel engrave dial does ape's the Rolex Daytona's design, but to be fair, Omega only offers this watch with the counters located in a different configuration from the 3-6-9 set-up as the Daytona, clearly distinguishing the two.

While the Speedmaster has been made in a dizzying array of dial styled, these Panda style models are both classic designs which look very contemporary. A young mans Speedmaster.

About Omega SA. The forerunner of Omega was founded 1848, by Louis Brandt. The name Omega was first used in 1894. It was used as the name of one of the Louis Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.