Welcome back dear watch enthusiasts! Today I am going to tell you about a wristwatch, which at its launch was an absolute success, then over time faded. For this reason, it is quite difficult to find today, and those who collect watches, know this well.
We are talking about the little-known Omega Dynamic, a watch, or rather, a series of watches, that originated in the late 1960s that tried to carve out a small space for itself in the market for innovative timepieces.
To better understand the philosophy behind these watches, all we can do is run the hands of our passion timepiece backwards and dive into Dynamic’s history to discover the how, when and why it came into being.
History and Design
It is 1967, when Omega’s sales director Rober Forster, after various research and studies, has a brilliant idea: to launch a watch that fits perfectly on the wrist and does not feel while wearing it.
Thanks to Raymond Thevenaz’s project, it was decided to entrust the creation of the “particular” case to Italian Fernando Fontana, known in Varese as “Nando,” a well-known entrepreneur specializing in the design and manufacture of watch cases and bracelets.
Thus in 1968 Omega’s Dynamic line was born, featuring only the Geneve models in the list. The design had to be accurate to ensure the success of this new model. Many studies were made regarding ergonomics and dial reading, trying to create a case with concentric time zones and contrasting spheres.
The line is distinguished by the special elliptical-shaped case, designed to have a high level of comfort on the wrist. In addition, a detail that immediately catches the eye is the absence of lugs. These are integrated with the case, giving the feeling that it sits directly on the strap.
An important detail of this watch is the one-piece case, which allows access to the movement, through removal of the glass, obviously using specific tools.
It is now 1970 and the Dynamic line leaves the Geneve model to embrace the DeVille, changing some details such as the bezel, which now has both polished (before it was only satin) and mixed, that is, polished and satin.
The “second generation” of the Dynamic was born, in 1984, and this time to feature the Seamaster model. The new direction will lead to a flop in sales and for this very reason not many can be found nowadays.
These Omega Seamaster Dynamic models are immediately recognizable by their unusual colors, such as red, black, and gold, and by the use, often, of rubber straps. The case is no longer one-piece elliptical, but classic, and the words “Dynamic” are engraved on the case back. The movements that equip these Seamaster Dynamic are mostly quartz.
Finally, after the lack of success of the second generation, the third generation named only Dynamic makes its entrance. In order to keep the focus on its readability, a “Pilot”-derived dial is opted for, with the introduction of Arabic numerals, flanked by “buckshot,” or rather, dare I say “dot” hour markers. We are talking about ref.5200.50.00.
The choice is made to abandon the classic concentric circles on the dial to make way for clean, uncluttered lines. The minute scale is enclosed between two rings, while the bezel is thinner for the benefit of the dial. A point in favor of the crown, this time larger, to facilitate a quicker change of date and time. On the other hand, as for the spheres, the “gladius” style was preferred to the classic “leaf” or “baton” style, while the seconds sphere attracts attention to it with its yellow coloring. In short, this time, nothing is left to chance.
5203
It is towards the end of the 1990s, when Omega chooses to create an “entry level” chronograph to flank the Speedmaster, with the aim of bringing the youth segment closer to the maison. The maison opts to evolve the Dynamic III, turning it into a true aviator’s watch.
If the classic model mounted a caliber 1108 automatic, this “chrono” version now mounts a modular caliber 1138, also called a “sandwich.” For ordinary mortals, a modular caliber consists of a “solo-time” caliber, combined with a modular part dedicated to the chronograph, as if to form precisely, a sandwich. Modular calibres are notable for their offset crown in relation to the chronograph pushers, this is because the two parts of the movement are offset.
Complicated to compete in the world of chronographs, when in your own list you are dealing with such sacred monsters of watchmaking as the Omega Speedmaster… and that is precisely why it has not been as successful as hoped. The Swiss watchmaker in 1997 launched a special version (limited run of 1973 pieces) of the watch, to dispose of the many cases left in stock, dedicating it to the famous Italian endurance race, the Targa Florio.
5291.51.07
Now the appearance of the Dynamic changes, taking on a racing connotation. What has changed, substantially, is the dial with a different font for the white Arabic numerals on a black background, the seconds sphere (now in red), and the case back, with an engraving in homage to the historic Italian race.
Final thoughts
Although not very popular as a series, the “Dynamic” left an indelible mark in the search for technical solutions, aimed at improving wearability and readability. The third series focused heavily on the revival of the “Dynamic” concept and succeeded, fully hitting the readability target, aiming toward a more “military” style.
Too bad about the lack of success of the chronograph model, which suffered from the influence of “I would like to but I can’t” thinking, overpowered by its big brother Speedmaster, which has always drawn attention and fascination to itself.
To date, the “Dynamic” chronograph is coming into the sights of many collectors, becoming a watchmaking unicorn, especially the limited Targa Florio series. Although we can say that the market still allows to grab it at a reasonable price.
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