The 2004 Omega Speedmaster Japan Racing (JR04 for short) is one of my personal favorite limited-edition Speedmasters. Its classic Speedmaster wearability coupled with its dashing colorful dial really make it a truly special experience to wear even without the “insiders-only” status it enjoys between those in the know. The touches of orange on the gray dial make it a lot of fun to wear when you feel like a break from a more classic, reserved look and yet the dial font is instantly recognizable to a vintage Speedmaster nerd like me.

Speaking of insider status, the 3570.40 Omega Speedmaster Japan Racing is an interesting case. It’s not like a regular limited edition – there are no special caseback markings, no certificates, no interesting extras in the kit. Yet only 2,004 were made. Because of its unusual genesis and Omega’s now-discontinued policy of selling spare dials and hands on the open market, there’s no way to outwardly distinguish a JR04 from a regular Speedmaster Pro with a dial and hands swap. So if you’re looking for one of these, you’ll want to see that it’s a full set with warranty cards from a Japanese dealer or even its original hang-tag. Fortunately, you can always check by getting the full serial number and asking your country’s Omega customer service rep for a reference check.

Quality: 8 – it’s a Speedmaster with an 1861 movement, enough said. (I’d reserve 9s and 10s for haute stuff like Lange)
Style: Easy 10. This watch is crazy cool.
Value: 6. It’s a great watch but values have recently shot up as collectors have really gone after them, so it’s a bit expensive.
Wearability: 7. It’s a Speedmaster so it’s comfortable as all get-out, but the dial doesn’t match every outfit or occasion (only the fun ones! 🙂 )

This watch is truly cool and one of the most-desired limited edition Speedmasters, and must be experienced in person!