Omega Speedmaster Watches

The story of Omega Speedmaster began with its reference CK2915 which is an ultimate grail for all the watch collectors. It was released as a big and sporty watch during the era when small gold and dress watches were more popular. The mind-boggling factor about this reference is that it still looks modern and resembles the present Speedmaster.

The Omega Speedmaster (ref. CK2915) was launched as one of the members of the iconic 1957’s trilogy which included the Omega Seamaster 300 (ref. CK2913) and Omega Railmaster (ref. CK2914). It acquired the name “Speed” due to its tachymeter ring that encircles the dial (which was indeed a world-premiere because the Speedmaster was the first to come up with a chronograph that had removed the tachymeter from the dial and placed it on a bezel outside the crystal). Whereas, its latter name, "Master", has been used for its professionally oriented watches, for instance, Omega Seamaster being a diving tool and the Omega Railmaster is an antimagnetic tool exclusively for engineers.

The CK2915 is popularly known as ‘broad arrow’ considering its hour hand which can also be spotted on its original Omega Seamaster and Omega Railmasters. The rest of the body is very much similar to the actual “Omega Moon watch” as it consists of 3-register dial and luminous baton indexes.

The Omega Speedmaster runs on a Calibre 321 which was made acquainted from Omega’s joint with Lemania in 1942. The chronograph functions of the Omega watch are controlled with a lateral clutch and a column-wheel. The timepiece also showcases an antimagnetic cover along with a shock-protection mechanism. The Omega CK2915 lasted for a time period of 2 years from 1957 to 1959 and later was replaced by the CK2998.

The Omega CK2998 was presented in the year 1959 with various improvements and aesthetic changes and was the very first “Omega Speedy” that was sent to space. Wally Schirra wore this watch during his Mercury 8 flight on October 3rd, 1962.

The modern vintage models of Omega Speedmaster was presented in 1962 and 1963 with the ref. 105.002 and 105.003, respectively. Both of these Omega watches possess similar design but have a minor technical difference. The diameter of the bezel has been made large from 38.6mm to 39.7mm amongst these two references. These timepieces are the first to feature the baton hands that continue to beautify the modern Omega Speedmasters.

The ref. 105.003 is the one which was initially tested and selected by NASA as a part of astronauts’ equipment. The manufacturing of this ref. was discontinued in the year 1966 and was further replaced by the 145.003 which was the last of the ‘straight lugs’.

The transitional Speedmaster watch came out with the ref. ST105.012 which is regarded as the first of Omega Moon watch. It is the one that went on the moon and was worn by Neil Armstrong as well as Buzz Aldrin when they landed during their Apollo XI mission which was administered on July 20th, 1969. The Omega Speedmaster Professional is not only the watch that has been worn in space, but it is the only one to remain as the ‘Moonwatch’. This ref. depicted the transformation between the old vintage Speedys and the modern ones. The case size of this ref. was presented in 42mm and was equipped with better mechanisms which improved its water resistant feature. It is the last timepiece to carry the magnificent 321 Calibre, along with the 145.012 as in the later years Omega moved to a cam-operated movement, the 861, which was brought in in its reference 145.022.

Given the place that this Omega watch occupies in the history (the Omega Moon watch), it justifies its name. When we come to speak about the endurance of the watch, there is no chronograph which is going to stand neck to neck with the Omega Chronograph. The readability and robustness of this watch are the features which have made the watch stand out. It also goes without saying that the watch is reliable since it has stood by the astronauts.

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch has made sure to create a line of its own and the one that has been able to garner the most amount of popularity is the Omega dark side of the moon "black black" which entices the onlooker with its matt black ceramic case body.

In recent years the Omega Speedmaster has been offered in a wide range of choices and consists not only of Omega men's watches but are also available for women. It is equipped with a complete package to take it from perpetual calendars to split-second versions to, aptly enough, moon phases. The Omega Speedmaster consists of more than 250 models, hence providing you with a diverse selection to suit each occasion.