Omega Speedmaster '57 Co-Axial Master Chronometer black dial steel bracelet 40.5 mm

A legend for 65 years

When we think of the Speedmaster, we immediately think of the classic Moonwatch, the professional model that went into space. But the history of the Speedmaster begins long before it went to the moon, in 1957 with the appearance of the CK 2915. This watch was originally designed to support automobile teams and engineers on the racetrack. With its distinctive Broad Arrow hands and chronograph display, it was the first watch to feature a tachymeter scale on the bezel.

Now, as part of the Speedmaster's 65th anniversary, Omega is giving the Speedmaster a complete facelift in the '57 collection launched in 2013. The programme includes a new Master Chronometer version with a slimmer case profile. The 40.5 mm collection consists of eight stainless steel models, all of which offer a clean look that combines historical details with new original colours.

Inspired by the past

Let's start with the design. The new Omega Speedmaster 57 stays true to the idea of paying homage to the CK 2975 while changing a lot of things compared to the previous version. Its steel case measures 40.5 mm and is 12.99 mm thick, making the watch very well balanced. The general design retains elements of the first Speedmasters. One can notably mention its symmetrical case with straight and pointed horns, its crown and its unprotected pushers or its satin-finished steel bezel including a blackened tachymetric scale.

On this reference 332.10.41.51.01.001, we find a black "sandwich" dial composed of a layer of hollowed-out hour-markers displaying the Super-LumiNova coating with its delicious vintage notes. Equipped with rhodium-plated "Broad Arrow" hands, the watch features a date window at 6 o'clock, a small seconds counter at 9 o'clock, and a chronograph hour and minute counter at 3 o'clock. The whole is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.

The watch is offered with a "flat-link" bracelet based on the straps of the Apollo 11 and Ed White models. It comes with a comfort micro-adjustment system patented by Omega.

A high-performance calibre

Visible through the sapphire caseback is the new hand-wound calibre 9906. Entirely manufactured by Omega, it has a power reserve of 60 hours thanks to its two barrels and operates at 28,800 vibrations per minute. It is of course certified Master Chronometer by the METAS, ensuring an accuracy of 0 to +5 seconds per day. The chronograph part is driven by a column wheel.