Introducing: The Seamaster Bullhead "Rio 2016"

August 05, 2015

The Olympics are almost upon us, and as a longstanding Olympic timekeeper, Omega was bound to introduce a plethora of event-oriented timepieces. Among them is the saucy Omega Seamaster Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition. Just watch this teaser trailer below and tell me if the samba doesnt get you into a frolicsome mood. For live photos of the parent model, be sure to check out Blakes review from a couple years ago on the original Bullheads release. Some readers had not heard of the original Bullhead prior to that coverage. Here is one on the bay for your reference. Originally released in 1969, the bullheads maiden name was the Rallye. Devoted fans coined the nickname bullhead over the years, and it not only stuck, but also branded all modern re-editions of the watch (both cool and strange). The Rio 2016 is a fresh take on the original design with an Olympic theme. Other than being bigger than its vintage counterpart (43 mm x 43 mm as opposed to 38 mm) the Rio 2016s configuration is rather appropriate for the venue. Its color scheme is without a doubt playful with bold hues that pop. Im not blaspheming against the purists here, but Ive found the original bullheads chronograph-pushers to be elusive and slippery (then again, Ive only handled it briefly). The modern Bullhead assuages any such issues without a doubt. The pushers on the Rio 2016 are rectangular and wide C theres no missing them. From a design aspect, they even share the same trapezoidal contours of the case and blend in better, aesthetically speaking.The dial seems to be clean and spacious, with center chronograph seconds and noon chronograph minutes in red. The date is true to the original, as is the bi-directional rotating bezel (spun by using the second crown at 6 oclock). Although the Seamaster Bullhead has a solid case-back, appropriately stamped to commemorate the 2016 games, inside it beats Omegas 3313. Its an automatic co-axial chronograph with column-wheel. Ill go slightly historical on it given the juxtaposition to the original that this release seems to have taken on midway. Originally, the Seamaster Rallye Bullhead from 1969 housed the Caliber 930. This was a manual cam-switched chronograph caliber found in a variety of models. Interestingly enough, while Omega has confirmed that 10,000 of the 930 were made, its not possible to trace each calibers final residence (Rallye, De Ville, etc.) and to get a sense as to how many 930 Bullheads might be out there. That having been said, the 3313 is a worthy successor of this model. While critics may come out of the woodwork to point out early versions' mechanical flaws from the last decade (there are actually three versions of the 3313 C A, B and C), the 3313 is a robust, co-axial, vertical-coupling, column-wheel chronograph with a free-sprung balance. Its often cited as being based on the Piguet 1185 (much like Audemars 2385, VCs 1137 and Breguets 576 are) and while thats kind-of true (its technically a Piguet 1285 ebauche unique to Omega) it is as decently finished and solid as any modern Omega offering.And now, back to the blue racer-strap on the Rio 2016. Stitching mimics colors of the Olympic rings, and the perforated leather strap will allow the wrist to breathe C a must have when you're at the warm, Olympic samba parties of Rio. Ah, to be young again.Only 316 of the Omega Bullhead Rio 2016 Chronograph Limited Edition will be made. Pricing has yet to be announced but were guessing that it might slightly crack the five figure mark.For more information, visit Omega online.