Pre-Owned Omega Speedmaster 56 40960143/AS07575

WHY WE LOVE IT

–

3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Take a poll amongst wristwatch collectors, and we'd bet the consensus would be that there’s no timepiece more important or iconic than an Omega Speedmaster. 

Sure, chronographs such as the Rolex Daytona or the Heuer Carrera are classics — icons even — but neither can match the stature of the Speedy with regards to historical importance. In fact, arguably, no watch can.

Then, there is the matter of Speedmasters, and ‘Moonwatches.’ They are not the same.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Speedmaster, Omega went back to the Speedy's roots, creating virtually a 1:1 reissue of the very first Omega Speedmaster Reference 2915-1 that was originally released in 1957. The first Speedmaster was notable for a few reasons, the biggest being it was the first chronograph to move the tachymeter scale to the outside of the dial and onto the bezel. That's right — this was a major innovation in watch design, as chronographs of the era had their tachymeters printed on the outer edge of the dial. (We’re looking at you, Heuer Carrera.) 

This was the watch ‘For men who reckon time in seconds,’ as the advertisements showing two gentlemen behind the wheel of a sports car would declare. This was before it was selected by NASA, or was worn by Ed White, or became 'The Moonwatch'. At this point, it was also a wearable prototype — within three months of being introduced, the Speedmaster would undergo a series of changes before the Ref. 2915 was discontinued in 1959 to make way for the 2998. That makes original 2915s extremely rare and valuable beyond the reach of many of us enthusiasts. (Original 2915s have fetched as much at $400k at auction — and deservedly so, as there are far fewer 2915s in existence than Paul Newman Daytonas.)

Housed in a 38.6mm stainless steel 'straight-lug’ case with a Hesalite crystal, dual pushers, a signed crown, and a steel tachymeter ‘DO90’ bezel, it features a luminous matte black dial with ‘aged’ indices with an outer 1/5th-seconds track, a triple-register chronograph layout, and a standout matching ‘broad arrow’ handset. Powered by the hand-wound Calibre 1861, this piece comes fitted to its correct stainless steel flat-link bracelet with a signed deployant clasp.

This Speedmaster is a chance for us to look at the origins of an icon, and be able to wear and enjoy that design without the headache or fuss of a near-priceless original. That being said, this still isn't that common of a watch, as Omega only made 3,557 of them.

And while this timepiece might not be a ‘Moonwatch,’ it’s surely one of the coolest Speedmasters in recent Omega history. Historically inspired, beautiful, and as functional as ever - it would take pride of place in any collection.

Why not your collection?

OVERALL CONDITION

The case is in outstanding condition overall showing light signs of wear consistent with age and use. Luminous matte black dial is in as-new condition with matching 'broad-arrow' handset. Signed crown. Caseback numbered 0463/3557.