Speedmaster

Omega launched the Speedmaster in 1957 as part of a triumvirate of professional watches, alongside the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. The first model, reference CK2915, featured the groundbreaking placement of a tachymeter scale on the bezel rather than the dial, powered by the legendary Calibre 321 movement. The original 39mm watch established the series’s hallmark three-register chronograph layout, domed Plexiglas crystal (called Hesalite), and high-contrast index markers.​

The Speedmaster achieved immortality when Buzz Aldrin wore one during the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, making it the first watch worn on the lunar surface. This cemented its nickname as the “Moonwatch” and its status as the only watch qualified by NASA for extravehicular activity (EVA).​

Core Collection Models

Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch

The core of the collection remains the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, which stays remarkably faithful to the original moon-landing design. Current models feature a 42mm stainless steel case, aluminum bezel with tachymeter scale, and the “Dot over 90” (DON) bezel detail that pays homage to pre-1970 models.​

The modern Moonwatch is powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, introduced in 2021 as a significant upgrade to the previous Calibre 1861. This hand-wound movement features a co-axial escapement, silicon balance spring, and resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, with accuracy certified to 0/+5 seconds per day. The movement provides 50 hours of power reserve and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour.​

Moonwatch configurations include hesalite crystal models (closer to the original astronaut watches) starting at $7,400-$7,800, sapphire crystal versions at $8,600-$9,000, and precious metal editions in Moonshine Gold, Sedna Gold, and Canopus Gold ranging from $34,000 to $62,500. The ultra-premium platinum models with the reissued Calibre 321 command $73,400 to $109,100.​

Speedmaster ’57

The Speedmaster ’57 collection honors the original 1957 design while incorporating modern technology. Current models measure 40.5mm (down from the earlier 41.5mm generation) and feature only two subdials instead of the traditional three, with a date display at 6 o’clock. This creates a cleaner, more vintage-inspired aesthetic.​

The ’57 line utilizes the hand-wound Calibre 9906, a Master Chronometer-certified movement with co-axial escapement, column-wheel chronograph, vertical clutch, and an impressive 60-hour power reserve. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers independently adjustable hour hand for time zone changes.​​

Available dial colors include black, blue, green, and red, with pricing starting around $6,800-$7,900 for steel models on leather or bracelet. The special 2017 Trilogy Edition (reference 311.10.39.30.01.001), limited to 3,557 pieces, recreated the original CK2915 with straight lugs and 38.6mm case, now trading around $9,000.​

Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon

The Dark Side of the Moon series, introduced in 2013, represents Omega’s high-tech approach with full ceramic cases. Recent 2025 updates brought three new variants: the Dark White, Dark Dark, and Dark Red.​​

The automatic models (Dark White and Dark Dark) measure 15.09mm thick and use the Calibre 9900, featuring co-axial escapement, column-wheel chronograph, and 60-hour power reserve. These include innovative dial construction with laser-brushed or sand-blasted finishes and date displays at 6 o’clock. The Dark Red variant employs the manually wound Calibre 9908, resulting in a thinner profile.​

Pricing for Dark Side of the Moon models ranges from approximately $10,000-$12,000 for standard variants. The Blue Side of the Moon with moon phase display and the Pitch Black edition offer additional variety within the ceramic case family.​

A related model, the Gray Side of the Moon (Apollo 8 tribute), features laser-ablated lunar surface decoration on the movement visible through a skeletonized dial, powered by the manually wound Calibre 3869 at 12.97mm thick.​

Speedmaster Racing

The Speedmaster Racing collection celebrates the watch’s motorsports heritage with bold, sporty aesthetics. Current models feature 44.25mm cases powered by the Calibre 9900 or 9901 Master Chronometer movements. These incorporate a unique two-subdial layout with stacked chronograph minutes and hours at 3 o’clock for improved readability.​

Racing models feature motorsport-inspired details including racing scales, orange accents, and chronograph counters with azurage patterns. Steel models start around $6,300-$7,300, while the flagship Sedna gold version commands approximately $20,500. Earlier 40mm and 42mm Racing models from previous generations remain available on the secondary market at more accessible prices.​

Speedmaster Chronoscope

The Speedmaster Chronoscope, introduced in 2021, presents a maximalist vintage-inspired design combining multiple measurement scales. The 43mm watch features a tachymeter scale on the bezel, plus telemeter and pulsometer scales printed on the dial—a throwback to 1940s chronographs.​​

Powered by the manually wound Calibre 9908 (essentially the automatic 9900 without the rotor), the Chronoscope offers 60-hour power reserve, column-wheel operation, and Master Chronometer certification. The two-register layout uses superimposed coaxial chronograph minute and hour hands at 3 o’clock.​​

Available in various dial colors including silver “panda” style and blue configurations, the Chronoscope is priced around $6,650-$6,800.​​

Speedmaster Reduced

The Speedmaster Reduced (officially “Speedmaster Automatic”), produced from 1988 to 2009, offers a more compact alternative at 39mm diameter and 44mm lug-to-lug. These watches feature automatic movements—originally Calibre 1140, later 3220—based on ETA 2890-A2 with Dubois Dépraz 2020 chronograph module.​

The modular movement stacking results in distinctive design quirks: offset crown and pushers, and subdials pushed toward the bezel with flipped positions compared to the Moonwatch. Despite these differences, the Reduced remains popular for smaller wrists and offers easier daily wear with automatic winding.​

Secondary market prices for Speedmaster Reduced models range from $2,200 to $3,500depending on condition and variant, making them attractive entry points to Speedmaster ownership.​

Special Editions & Limited Releases

Silver Snoopy Award Editions

The Silver Snoopy Award Editions commemorate NASA’s prestigious award given to Omega after the Apollo 13 mission. Three versions exist: the 2003 original (limited to 5,441 pieces, now around $19,000), the 2015 white-dial edition (1,970 pieces, approximately $44,500), and the acclaimed 2020 50th Anniversary model featuring an animated caseback with Snoopy orbiting the moon, powered by Calibre 3861.​

Apollo 11 50th Anniversary

Apollo 11 50th Anniversary models from 2019 include a steel version limited to 6,969 pieces (around $9,650-$11,500) and a Moonshine Gold edition in 1,014 pieces featuring engraved imagery of Buzz Aldrin on the dial and Neil Armstrong’s footprint on the caseback.​​

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games edition (38mm) features a frosted blue dial, ceramic bezel with white enamel tachymeter, and Calibre 3330 automatic movement, priced at $6,600-$6,800.​

Specialty & Professional Models

Speedmaster Calibre 321

In 2020, Omega reintroduced the legendary Calibre 321, the original movement that went to the moon. This column-wheel chronograph with lateral clutch is now hand-assembled by individual watchmakers in a dedicated atelier within the Omega manufacture.​

The movement appears in several references, most notably the “Ed White” re-issue(311.30.40.30.01.001) with 39.7mm case and straight lugs, priced around $14,000-$19,000. Platinum versions with Calibre 321 reach $73,400-$109,100. Production is intentionally limited, making allocations relatively scarce.​

Speedmaster X-33

The Speedmaster X-33 series represents Omega’s digital-analog quartz chronographs developed for aerospace professionals. The current X-33 Skywalker features a 45mm Grade 2 titanium case with analog hands and LCD display, powered by thermocompensated quartz Calibre 5619.​

Functions include multiple time zones, mission elapsed time (MET), phase elapsed time (PET), chronograph, countdown timer, perpetual calendar, and an extremely loud 80dB alarm designed for noisy cockpit environments. The watch is ESA-qualified and priced at CHF 5,900 / €7,100.​

The X-33 Marstimer variant (Calibre 5622) adds Mars-specific functions including Mars Coordinated Time, Martian time zones, and True Solar Time for both Earth and Mars.​

Speedmaster Mark Series

The Mark series (Mark II through Mark V) represented Omega’s experimental period from 1969 to 1984, featuring distinctive cases and movements. The Mark II (1969-1972) offered an asymmetric barrel-shaped design, while the Mark III (1971-1973) introduced automatic chronograph Calibre 1040. These vintage models have become increasingly collectible, with modern reissues utilizing updated movements like the Co-Axial Calibre 3330.​

Speedmaster Broad Arrow

The Speedmaster Broad Arrow features distinctive broad arrow hands and typically larger 42-44mm cases. The name references the original 1957 models that used this hand style. Notable versions include the Speedmaster ’57 Broad Arrow 3594.50 with co-axial Calibre 3313, now discontinued but valued at $4,000-$5,500 on the secondary market.​

Accessible Alternatives

Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

In 2022, Omega partnered with Swatch to create the MoonSwatch, an affordable interpretation made from Bioceramic material with quartz chronograph movement. Priced around $260, these 42mm watches replicate Speedmaster design elements in vibrant colors representing celestial bodies, making the Speedmaster aesthetic accessible to mass audiences. While controversial among purists, the collaboration became a cultural phenomenon.​

Movement Evolution

The Speedmaster’s mechanical evolution traces through several key calibers:

• Calibre 321 (1957-1968): Original column-wheel movement based on Lemania 2310, the movement that went to the moon​
• Calibre 861 (1968-1996): Simplified cam-driven chronograph replacing the column wheel​
• Calibre 1861 (1996-2021): Rhodium-plated version of 861​
• Calibre 3861 (2021-present): Co-axial Master Chronometer upgrade with silicon balance spring​
• Calibre 9900/9901/9908 series: Modern automatic and manual movements with column wheel, 60-hour reserve​​
• Calibre 9906: Hand-wound movement for Speedmaster ’57 collection​​

Pricing Overview

Speedmaster prices span an extraordinary range reflecting the collection’s diversity:

• Entry-level: Pre-owned Reduced models from $1,900-$3,500​
• Current Moonwatch: $7,400-$9,000 (steel), $34,000-$62,500 (gold), $73,400-$109,100(platinum with 321)​
• Speedmaster ’57: $6,800-$7,900 (steel)​
• Dark Side of the Moon: $10,000-$12,000​
• Racing: $6,300-$20,500​
• Chronoscope: $6,650-$6,800​
• X-33: CHF 5,900 / €7,100​
• Special editions: $9,000-$44,500+ depending on rarity​
• Ultra-premium: Chrono Chime at $513,000​

The Speedmaster remains one of Omega’s most successful and historically significant collections, offering options from affordable automatic models to ultra-luxury platinum timepieces, united by shared design language and space exploration heritage.