Omega Speedmaster Teutonic ref. 345.0803 Watch Only

Some watches are monoliths, and the Speedmaster is one of them. The mere utterance of the word “Speedy” to a watch nerd will immediately paint a picture of a 42mm Speedmaster Professional in their mind, but the Speedmaster has always been a lot more than that. Offered here, we have one of the wacky kinds of Speedmasters that could only have come from the 1980s, when the Quartz Crisis was ravaging the industry, and brands quickly found out that the only way to differentiate their offerings was through unique designs that gave a new lease of life to historic collections that had lost their lustre through the 1970s as quartz watches commanded attention.

Created for the German market, the Speedmaster Teutonic rebuilds the iconic Speedmaster with a blank slate that gave Omega the freedom to create a watch with a Genta-inspired tonneau-shaped case and integrated bracelet. Made of stainless steel but boasting a matte-blasted finish that gives it the appearance of titanium, the resulting aesthetic is decidedly sporty and tool watch-like. Powered by the manual-wind cal. 861 chronograph movement and featuring a matte black dial with gorgeous tritium lume in its hour markers and hands, the Teutonic, no matter the reference, is a symbol of where watchmaking was in the 1980s as brands sought to bring new designs to the fore and move past the designs that were left in the dust by cheap quartz watches throughout all of the 1970s. 

While the Teutonic is a love/hate watch for Speedy purists as an expression of Speedmaster heritage, there is no denying that the design itself is wonderfully interesting and easily able to stand on its own two feet as a watch that is full of personality. A satisfying combination of 1980s design DNA, authentic watchmaking heritage, and a timelessly sporty execution, the Teutonic is certainly deserving of more plaudits than it currently enjoys, at least in our humble opinion.

Presented in excellent condition for its age, this Teutonic’s sand-blasted matte finish is well-preserved, showing no obvious or large signs of damage that would otherwise compromise its delightfully consistent finish throughout the watch. Boasting a beautifully aged dial, its tritium lume in its hands and hour markers has turned into a delicious creamy colour. Its bezel’s tachymeter inscriptions have faded, as is common for this reference, but that lends into its rugged tool watch aesthetic. Powered by the manual-wind cal. 861 movement, this example runs and functions as it should, albeit its service history is unknown.

Brand: Omega
Model: Speedmaster Teutonic
Reference: 345.0803
Set: Watch only
Year: Circa 1970s
Dial: Black with black subdials
Material: Stainless steel
Movement: Manual-wind cal. 861
Case Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 13.54mm
Lug-to-lug: 47.5mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel bracelet