Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project, 2008
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 2008
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 42 mm
- Stock no.
- W-1683
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-1683)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-1683), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 2008. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
A limited polar white cocooned in red… This is a very cool and desirable Omega Alaska Project limited edition Speedmaster from 2008. The watch celebrates the first Alaska Project watch from the 1970s that was developed for protection against extreme temperatures. The 42mm steel case remains in outstanding condition. The white dial, with off-white lume, is also flawless and we love the red chrono hand. One iconic feature of the original, that is also present with this re-issue, is the external casing made of red anodised aluminium. The watch comes as a full collector set with special inner box, three cards, the red outer case, two fabric straps, tools for attaching the red case and a Project Alaska book. The cards mention that the watch was sold in Ireland in 2012. The manual wind calibre 1861 movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications: - Reference 311.32.42.30.04.001 - 42mm steel case - Dates to 2008 - Number 06xx out of an edition of 1970 pieces - White dial with off-white lume - Red outer case and strap - Omega steel bracelet ref 1998 / 849 - Calibre 1861 manual wind movement - Boxes, papers and all accessories - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.
Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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