Review: Omega Bullhead Chronograph
It's safe to say that Omega is proud of its heritage. And it should be; with such achievements under its belt as the deep-diving PloProf and the space-travelling Speedmaster, it has a lot to be pleased about. Sometimes, though, it can all get a bit much, akin to a doting parent insisting he shows you photo after photo of his child.
So maybe I'm being overly cynical here, but it can be hard to get excited about yet another limited edition piece honouring Omega's gleaming history, so when the Bullhead Chronograph reissue appeared, it took me somewhat by surprise. I first saw it nestled in amongst a cabinet of limited edition Speedmasters and Seamasters, and even then it stood out; with its cock-eyed expression and glaring white dial with chequered chapter ring, it's hard to miss.
A little history: in 1969 (a good year for Omega), another chronograph was launched to sit alongside the headline-grabbing Speedmaster, but this time it catered for the Seamaster line. Developed for racing drivers - which makes the Seamaster branding confusing, but lets just ignore that - this chronograph was rearranged to make activation easier while manhandling a race car around a circuit. For the pushers now protruding from the top of the case in the fashion of a pair of horns, the name, 'Bullhead', was coined.
That was then, and this is now, so does the Bullhead still have a place in Omega's line up, or is it best left to the pages of history? Judging from the comments I received while wearing the watch, it's easily the former, because never has one watch grabbed attention quite like this without the need of gargantuan size, garish colours or ridiculous design. It's sporty yet classy, bold yet elegant - it's the nail hit squarely on the head.
As per Omega's drive to re-establish itself as a top-level watchmaker, the quality of the Bullhead is second to none. On the inside, the Frédéric Piguet-based calibre 3113 boasts Omega's co-axial technology, while the outside is assembled with exacting perfection - particularly the crown mechanisms. The one at six o'clock smoothly drives the rotating chapter ring, and the twelve o'clock one winds and sets. A particularly nice feature of that twelve o'clock crown is the locking thread, which holds the Omega logo perfectly aligned every time. More manufacturers should do this.
The downside to all this quality is, of course, the price, which tips the scales at £6,070. This isn't cheap by any standards, but it does still sit comfortably under the cost of a Rolex Daytona, the Bullhead's closest competitor. Is it worth it? If you can afford it, I would say yes, although there is a little problem: this is a fantastic vintage reissue, way beyond a simple rebadging and a limited edition engraving, but there will always be that nagging feeling that you could have spent less and bought an original 60s Bullhead instead.
Watch Spec | Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph
Case: Stainless steel Dimensions: 43mm dia, 14.9mm thick Crystal: Anti-reflective coated synthetic sapphire Water Resistance: 150m Movement: Frédéric Piguet-based cal. 3113, automatic Frequency: 28,800 vph Power Reserve: 52 hours Strap: Leather Functions: Time, date, chronograph, rotating inner bezel | Shop Now
