The Omega Speedmaster ’57: A Modern Take on an Original

Before the Speedmaster became synonymous with NASA, Apollo, and the Moon, it was a racing-inspired chronograph introduced in 1957. The original Speedmaster established many of the design elements that would eventually become recognizable around the world, including its tachymeter scale and distinctive Broad Arrow hands. More than six decades later, the Speedmaster ’57 carries those early design cues forward while incorporating the modern technology and engineering that define Omega today.

The 40.5 mm stainless steel case gives the watch a contemporary presence while remaining closely tied to the proportions of its historical inspiration. At 12.99 mm thick with a 49.64 mm lug-to-lug measurement, it maintains a relatively compact profile for a mechanical chronograph. The brushed steel bezel is topped with a blackened tachymeter scale, preserving one of the most recognizable features of the Speedmaster's original design. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides protects the dial.

The black dial is where the vintage influence becomes particularly apparent. Recessed hour markers allow vintage-colored Super-LumiNova to show through, while rhodium-plated Broad Arrow hands provide another direct connection to early Speedmaster references. The layout also gives this model its own identity within the collection. A date window sits at 6 o'clock, small seconds occupies the 9 o'clock position, and the 3 o'clock subdial combines the 60-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters. The result is familiar as a Speedmaster but distinct from the configuration most people associate with the Moonwatch.

The brown leather strap reinforces that vintage-inspired character. Its relatively simple appearance keeps attention on the case and dial, while the steel pin buckle carries a raised Omega logo. Together, the strap and black dial give the watch a more traditional appearance than some of the sportier Speedmaster configurations, without making it feel like a reproduction of a vintage watch.

Inside is where the Speedmaster ’57 makes its biggest leap from its historical inspiration. The manual-winding Omega Calibre 9906 is a modern Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement featuring a column-wheel chronograph and a silicon balance spring. It provides approximately 60 hours of power reserve and includes a time-zone function that allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently when traveling. The movement is also visible through the sapphire caseback, where Omega has finished it with Geneva waves in arabesque.

The Master Chronometer certification adds another layer to the watch's modern specification. Rather than simply referring to the movement's accuracy, the certification involves testing by METAS that evaluates the finished watch's performance and resistance to magnetic fields. The Calibre 9906 is resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss, a level of protection that reflects how much modern watchmaking has evolved since the Speedmaster first appeared in 1957.

What makes the Speedmaster ’57 interesting is how naturally its two eras coexist. The Broad Arrow hands, tachymeter scale, and recessed markers recall the original Speedmaster, while the Co-Axial movement, Master Chronometer certification, magnetic resistance, and sapphire crystal reflect modern Omega engineering. It offers a look back at where the Speedmaster began while incorporating the technology of today.