Revisiting the Omega Seamaster Bullhead, and the Stunning 2013

Omega Seamaster Bullhead is one of the cornerstones of Omega's entire catalog. On multiple levels. It carries tradition and uniqueness, is instantly recognisable, and has been among the most sought-after Omega watches of all time since its introduction.

Knowing that Omega is proud of its vast diversity of watches, what makes Bullhead watches so interesting that it has attracted the attention of Omega fans for so many decades, and what is so special about this 2013 reissue? Let's discuss everything in closer detail.

Original aesthetics of Bullhead chronographs

Taking a first look at a Bullhead always yields surprise and excitement. Its quirky case shape is the first thing that catches attention. Then, the spectator spots the unusual crown placement, followed by an orthodox pusher position. And finally, the second crown at 6 O'clock catches the eye. All in all, a very unusual aesthetic for a chronograph watch, particularly back in 1969, when Omega introduced its premier Omega Seamaster with this unique design.

Was it to shock and shake the audience, make a bold move in the new design direction, and remain visible during the funky 70s? There must be something to it, too, but the major reason was to create a highly functional chronograph for a particular user in mind. The rally drivers.

Even if we set aside all technical features for a moment, the Omega Seamaster Bullhead 2013 reissue is still a genuine stunner!

Omega Bullhead chronograph's bold design and ingenious practicality

Imagine being behind the wheel of a rally car, storming down the race at high speed. Now, you need to turn on the timer. To do that with a classic design chronograph, you need to turn your wrist. It takes a fraction of time, but each millisecond counts at a rally pace. And this is where the revolutionary nature of a top-mounted placement of chronograph pushers comes to light.

Such positioning enables ease of access without taking eyes off the road. Consequently, it makes a world of difference for drivers in terms of functionality, resulting in much safer, yet faster, driving. A win-win situation, both for the drivers, their teams, and fans. The asymmetrical case, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, resembled a shield and was unlike any other chronograph case at the time.

With an upright chronograph subdial layout, the Omega Seamaster Bullhead 225.12.43.50.04.001 proves increasingly functional while driving.

Moreover, the Omega Seamaster Bullhead came with an internal rotating bezel, controlled by the crown at 6 O'clock, another unique feature for a chronograph back then. However, this revolutionary yet bold design did not take root, and production ceased soon after.

The edged surface of the bottom crown secures the precise setting of the Omega Seamaster Bullhead's bottom chronograph.

However, over the years, the Omega Seamaster Bullhead gained iconic status, becoming one of the most desired watches Omega ever made. As the years passed, demand for it rose steadily, and the watch became unattainable for the vast majority of its fans due to its scarcity and ever-rising price. Then came the year 2013.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead 225.12.43.50.04.001 is both a highly practical tool and a very elegant watch.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead 225.12.43.50.04.001

The long-awaited reissue of Bullhead finally happened in 2013, 40-plus years after its premiere. Such a long wait always yields plenty of expectations, and the Omega team behind the reissue was clearly well aware of it. Everything about the reissue models was taken into consideration down to the minute detail. The 2013 Omega Seamaster Bullhead reissue features three models, and the 225.12.43.50.04.001 is discussed here.

All three 2013 reissue Bullheads have identical technical features. When it comes to design aesthetics, each is easily distinguishable. Let's start with what separates the 225.12.43.50.04.001 model from its siblings, the dial design.

The beauty of the Omega Seamaster Bullhead 225.12.43.50.04.001 dial in all its glory. The dial arrangement, color choice, and angles are all designed to improve readability.

The dial on our featured model is in delicate white. Every detail and feature of the dial is designed with the best possible readability in mind. Thus, luminous gray and white hour markers and tops of hour and minute hands, their black bottoms, followed by a red seconds hand and the chronograph hand on the upper subdial, and a full black chronograph hand on the bottom subdial.

Moreover, the dial also features a white bi-directional bezel ring.  For improved contrast and visibility, the hour indexes are white and set on the black and blue background, making it easy to read whether it is AM or PM. The chronograph subdials are in an upright position and are scaled to ensure perfect readability without dominating the dial.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead hands and markers, their clever design, elegant and pristine manufacturing execution, in close detail.

There are several other notable case differences between the original Omega Bullhead and the 2013 reissue. The first one that's immediately noticeable is flat pushers. Given the more polished, beveled edges and more prominent brushed surfaces, this gentler pusher outline makes perfect sense. Finally, for a case feature that is not immediately apparent, the 2013 reissue is slightly larger than the original, at 43mm compared to 41.5, giving the watch an even more masculine appearance.

Every little thing matters in the overall design: the flattened, soft edges of the pushers and the crown detail, as well.

When it comes to technical differences, the 2013 Omega Seamaster Bullhead comes with several upgrades. The most significant change is that it is driven by the automatic Co-Axial Caliber 3113. Next, its chronograph is a column-wheel mechanism, and the power reserve is up to 52 hours. Finally, the glass is sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective layer on both sides, and waterproofing has been increased to 150 meters.

One of the most favored features of the 2013 Omega Seamaster Bullhead reissue is its increased comfort and wearability despite its hefty appearance and tactile feel.

There is one other notable case design change in 225.12.43.50.04.001. The top section of the caseback is slightly curved. The reason is to position the watch on the wrist at a specific angle to provide a clear view of the time without turning the wrist. Subtle, yet ingenious.

The deployment clasp fully brings the original 1969 Omega Seamaster Bullhead design to life, proving its timeless elegance.

The aftermath

When a watch is nicknamed by its users, it's a sure sign there's something truly special about it. For watches that achieve such iconic status, fans are often left disappointed by the reissue after such a long wait. It's either because no changes were made to the original at all or because too many innovations were applied. In the case of Omega Seamaster Bullhead, it's the exact opposite; the fans are thrilled.

The Omega logo proudly takes the center position in the crown design of the Bullhead 2013 reissue, just as it did in the original version.

Not only are they finally able to obtain a watch they have so long yearned for, but the reissue delivers on everything they hoped for. The Omega Seamaster Bullhead 2013 reissue stays true to the roots of its infamous ancestor while adding contemporary advancements and increased readability. The only downside from today's perspective is that the 225.12.43.50.04.001 was a limited edition series with only 669 watches produced.  However, they still show up for sale from time to time, so keep an eye out if you're looking for one.

Written by S.K, images by Toni