Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronograph
Confessions of a Collector: How Ryan Reynolds’ Met Gala Omega Speedmaster Ended Up on My Wrist
After a wild turn of events, the striking new green-dialed novelty worn by Ryan Reynolds to the Met Gala and Shaun White to the Oscars took a journey to Madrid with yours truly.
By Jessica “J.J.” Owens
Contributor
To celebrate the rich history of its women’s selection, Omega has curated a selection of timepieces from the past 100 years. Called “Her Time,” the exhibition is now on display in Madrid, Spain.
In Madrid, at the first stop on the “Her Time” exhibit’s world tour, it’s clear that the brand is making a concerted effort to educate and celebrate the women’s heritage aspect of Omega’s past.
My journey to Madrid began in Miami with a certain Speedmaster, but more on that later. So, with my trip to Spain only lasting 36 hours in Spain to spare, let’s get right to the “Her Time” exhibition.
A Modern Museum
At first glance, the exhibition, or more aptly, retrospective, showcases the brand’s legacy in women’s watchmaking. Covering the past one hundred plus years in an interactive way, visitors can explore everything from art deco designs to mid-century models and beyond.
Although I have long been a fan of vintage Omega, I never realized just how memorizing the enamel work, the gem-setting, and the overall craftsmanship of the art deco and art nouveau pieces could be. “Her Time” was the first horological showcase I have visited with a women’s focus, and it truly blew me away.
Hands down, my favorite part of the exhibition was at the last (or most chronologically recent) station: the green-dialed Omega Speedmaster in Moonshine gold. Besides being prominently displayed, it also happened to be the watch I was wearing.
More significantly, however, the simple fact of its inclusion in the “Her Time” exhibition made the ever-so important, yet still somehow subversive, statement that any watch can be a women’s watch.
A Star-Worn Speedmaster Goes to Spain
It’s no secret how much I love the green-dialed Omega Speedmaster. It was love at first sight after seeing the watch in Miami during the brand’s novelty preview this spring.
Instantly, I was struck by the dial’s changing hues, but I was also surprised by the eminent wearability of the 42mm gold watch. It just so happens that I share my current favorite Omega model with Shaun White and Ryan Reynolds. What can I say? I have good taste.
Having been described as “the most beautiful damn watch I’ve ever seen” by Ryan Reynolds after the actor wore it to this year’s Met Gala, my desire to be reunited with the green-dialed wonder I saw in Miami only strengthened. And as luck would have it, with there being only one press watch, the very watch those men wore on the red carpet was also the watch I wore to Madrid.
When looking at the watch, you can see it has been well-loved. It is no longer perfect, but that makes it so much better. I mean, the things this watch has seen since we first met in Miami…if it could talk, I couldn’t imagine the stories it would tell.
And that is exactly why I love watches: the stories behind them, whether they are told by a famous actor, an elite athlete, or a regular collector like me.
A Garden Dream
To finish the whirlwind of wonders (and women!), Omega hosted what can only be described as a whimsical, almost ethereal, evening at the Liria Palace. The elegant yet relaxed milieu of the villa aligned perfectly with the brand. Meanwhile, tapas and Omega-themed cocktails made it the ideal Spanish sendoff.
Ending the evening with a speech from guest of honor Alessandra Ambrosio and Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann, it was evident how much the industry is striving (slowly but surely) to be a more inclusive space.
If only I didn’t have to give the green-dialed Speedy back…
The Omega “Her Time” exhibition is currently on-display in Madrid, Spain. For more information, visit the Omega website.
(Photography by Watchonista. Images © OMEGA)
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