The Speedmaster Moonwatch is one of Omega’s most attractive series. After years of changes, this series has derived many colors and materials, and various styles are already very complete. This year, Omega upgraded one of its sub-series, the Speedmaster ’57. This series may not be as popular as the Moonwatch, but I think it was definitely underestimated before.
In 1957, Omega released three professional timepieces. Fortunately, all three watches later became extraordinary works of timeless classics. They are the Omega Seamaster 300, the Omega Railmaster and the Speedmaster. The inspiration of this Speedmaster ’57 comes from the first generation of the Speedmaster watch of that year. The 1957 Speedmaster was named CK2915. The purpose of its launch was purely to pursue the desire for speed and the design concept was created for car enthusiasts. In the era when space and moon landing were not yet associated with Speedmaster, CK2915 was the first watch with a tachymeter scale set on the rotating outer ring. With beautiful symmetrical appearance lines, broad arrow-shaped hands and other designs that facilitate clear reading, it has become one of the most popular styles in Omega’s watchmaking history. CK2915 and the CK2998 that later landed on the moon are both equipped with 321 movements. If 321 had not been technically modified during the moon landing, then CK2915 would also be able to enter space and circle the earth.
Omega launched the Speedmaster ’57 in 2013 and 2015 respectively. In comparison, the 2015 model is closer to the soul of CK2915, while the 2022 model has a stronger retro charm.
The case has been redesigned to be more similar to the original CK 2915 profile, with straight lugs, no crown guard, a brushed steel bezel with a tachymeter scale, and three-dimensional beveled broad arrow hands made of rhodium-plated material, showing a delicate polishing effect. The hour and minute hands and stick-shaped scales are filled with white Super-LumiNova luminous coating. The broad arrow-shaped inner filling of the hour hand is very particular, and the bottom edge of the triangle is also slightly inclined, which further enhances the openness of the pointer shape. These nostalgic details, combined with the double-eye layout on the dial, and the newly added date display, interweave this retro watch with advanced technical energy.
The crown treatment is also exactly the same as the CK2915. This type of timing button is the most popular among players. The touch of the chronograph in actual use should be like this, slightly heavy when pressed, and then crisply bounced when raised. In addition, the Greek letters “OMEGA” engraved on the outside of the crown are also the classic logo of Omega watches. This shape has evolved over time. The early “OMEGA” symbol had a narrower hole in the center, and the overall appearance was more slender. The modern “OMEGA” has been changed to a shape closer to a perfect circle.
Putting the watch’s tachymeter scale on the outer bezel actually started with CK2915. At that time, this chronograph built for racing enthusiasts became a best-selling work of the generation with its special design that was consistent with the appearance. This feature has also been continued on the 2022 Speedmaster ’57. The tachymeter and scale on the new stainless steel bezel are completely modern in craftsmanship. Omega describes this process as two independent processes, first engraving and then coloring, both of which are done by laser. Laser coloring is also a new technology for Omega. Please note that the maximum value of the scale is 1000, and the original French “tachymètre” is deliberately used at one o’clock.
The most striking thing about the new Speedmaster ’57 is that its proportions are excellent. Although it pays tribute to the 1957 CK 2915, the size has changed. The case is smaller, 40.5 mm, thinner, 12.99 mm, and the lug-to-lug distance is 49.6 mm. The reason why the case can be made thinner is that it is equipped with the 9906 manual movement. The thickness of the 9906 movement is only 6.4 mm. The thinning of the movement also makes Omega more confident. It is thinner than many mainstream manual-winding chronograph movements such as the 6.7 mm Omega 3861 movement, the 7 mm SW 510 M movement, and the 6.73 mm Breitling B09 movement. This is a highlight.
The 9906 movement is a manual-winding version of the 9900 movement. It is also a Master-certified coaxial Master Chronometer movement with a column wheel. Equipped with a double barrel, the power reserve is 60 hours.
On the back of the watch, the screw-in sapphire glass is very large. The three-quarter plate is decorated with Arabic Geneva waves, the solid balance bridge, the chamfered edges and the black screws and balance wheel, and the details of the movement are all visible. Speedmaster ’57 has also become the smallest Speedmaster certified by Master so far, because the movements used in the few Speedmasters under 40 mm currently in production are the 321 and 3330 models that have not yet been certified by Master.
The Speedmaster ’57 released by Omega this time has a total of four dial colors. In addition to this green one, there are also burgundy, black, and blue, which are matched with leather straps and chain straps respectively. The black model has a different dial treatment. It uses a sandwich dial with sunken scales and filled with beige luminous, thus achieving a more retro effect. In terms of price, the style with a leather strap is priced at 67,000, and the style with a chain strap is priced at 69,600.
Speedmaster ’57 is one of the most famous chronographs in the history of watchmaking. At the 2021 Phillips auction, an early Omega steel Speedmaster watch from 1957 was sold for more than 2.5 million pounds, equivalent to about 21 million yuan, breaking the previous record of Omega watches in the auction market. Therefore, the popularity in the auction market today is not limited to Rolex and Patek Philippe, but it is unrealistic for ordinary consumers to pursue CK 2915. The appearance of the 2022 Speedmaster ’57 has finally given countless watch fans the opportunity to participate in the event.
English 
Russian 
Italian 
German 
Danish 
French 
Swedish 
Dutch