If you asked me what I think about the Omega Speedmaster MK40, I would tell you it is an extremely nice watch. It wears comfortably on the wrist, goes well with many outfits, and is a very low key watch. It’s got a lot of quirky functions that make it a very unique -and colorful- Speedy. It might not be for everyone, given its busy dial, but it’s a lot of fun to wear and to look at. Is it perfect for a one watch collection? Perhaps not, but it sure adds a lot of versatility to any collection.

The Speedmaster MK40 has a Caliber 1151 movement with 44 hours of power reserve. The size is simply fantastic, at 39mm size (18mm lug to lug) it packs a lot of great functions. It’s a triple date watch: it displays the date and month in the central subdial, an extra hand -often confused with a GMT hand- points to the date in the outer rim of the dial. A different subdial on the left hand side, shows which half of the day you’re on (first half of the day is in light blue, second half is in black). Do I need to mention it’s a chronograph?

Some claim the dial is too busy and too colorful. However, in a world full of monochromatic color dials, the MK40 is a versatile timepiece that deserves much more attention. The dial is gray; the hours/minutes/seconds hands are all in white, while the three chronograph hands are in red. The Date hand is in black, with a very distinctive yellow tip. The numbers vary in color, depending on the watch, but mine has developed some patina that make them look yellowish.

Setting the date is a pain I’ve encountered with my Omega Speedmaster MK40. Sometimes it works, sometimes it makes me work hard to get it right. I read years ago in the forums that if you want to “quick set” the date, you have to place the hands at 4:40 a.m. to activate it. It works most of the time, but at times, it acts like a spoiled brat.
Check it out next time you see one! #mk40club