An Omega for Long Beach Grand Prix week!
You may recall my previous post where I declared Formula 1 is dead to me.
This has only strengthened my support for the American IndyCar series. I've been wearing my Omega Speedmaster CART Special Edition from 1997. Festivities begin on Thursday for the 49th Grand Prix of Long Beach (my hometown). Omega currently is not involved with F1 or any of its teams. In the late 1990s, Omega had a series of Special Edition Speedmaster watches made in partnership with F1 Champion Michael Schumacher. Another Special Edition was made in collaboration with American IndyCar star, Michael Andretti. This Edition included the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) logo in the 6 o'clock sub dial. CART/Champ Car was the premiere open wheel racing series in the USA, although this watch came out during the CART/IRL (Indy Racing League) split. This split would fracture and decimate American open wheel racing in the years to follow. The legendary Paul Newman bought several of these watches from Omega and gifted them to members of his Newman Haas race team.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/omega-speedmaster-gifted-by-paul-newman
When I was still racing over 15 years ago, Newman Haas racing would let us use their pit and equipment. This watch isn't a Paul Newman Rolex Daytona, but it still has some connection to racing history.
Professional Hollywood wardrobe stylist. Amateur watch collector. I'm also an Olympic Rifle and Pistol Shooter.
IndyCar is so good, I went to my first in person race last year and it was just unbelievably fun! That Cart Omega is wild, I love it
IndyCar is so good, I went to my first in person race last year and it was just unbelievably fun! That Cart Omega is wild, I love it
IndyCar has been getting better recently, but the 1990s was peak IndyCar. Tons of money to go around and great racing. The split between CART and the IRL really killed the sport and we still haven't fully recovered.
Recently discovered this ref and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Thanks for sharing some IRL photos!!
Recently discovered this ref and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Thanks for sharing some IRL photos!!
Its a great watch. If you can find one to add to your collection, just buy it. Not too many of these floating around anymore.