Some Replica Omega watches tend to stand out through brand name, others through durability and others through an out of this world design. The Omega Speedmaster is an icon among the icons. First introduced in 1957 under the reference CK2915, it had been updated several times in its life to now have a slightly distinct case and dial. This process is made on the entire watch (and not only the movement) and concerns its accuracy, its power reserve, its average daily precision in daily wearing conditions, its water-resistance and its resistance to magnetic fields. This nice watch was unfortunately not as faithful to the original as the collectors wanted to.
Nevertheless, back in 2013, Omega decided to introduce a re-issue of the very first Speedy, an upgraded edition that was keeping the overall identical look with a modern twist and innovative movement. This is now corrected, with the Omega Speedmaster 57 Co-Axial revisited with Broad Arrow Hands and a new dial (ref. 331.10.42.51.01.002).
No doubt it features Omega’s co-axial escapement with the silicium (Si 14) balance spring, a free-sprung screw balance and it’s chronometer rated – identical movement than the Seamaster 600m Chrono or the Speedmaster gray Side of The Moon.
The 2013 Omega Speedmaster 57 was using the identical recipe as the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial introduced last year, which means a classical inspired watch but not a simple re-edition. Omega chose to modernize the design – but still using some classical gimmicks – and to bring into the case a modern, efficient and reliable movement, the calibre 9300, instead of just recreating the exact identical watch. therefore, the Omega Speedmaster 57 features this bi-compax movement, with hours & minutes chronograph hands in a single sub-dial, a self-winding mechanism and 2 barrels for 60 hours of power reserve. The stainless steel case, with its straight lugs and its brushed metallic bezel – just like the original Omega Speedmaster CK2915 from 1957 – measures 41.5mm and has both polished and brushed surfaces. The dial is also updated, with beige transferred dial indications. Distinguishing this model from its 2013 counterpart are the recessed hour markers that are partially filled with classical Super-LumiNova that emits a green light instead of the applied indexes.
Alpha-shaped hands can be found in the small 60-minute and 12-hour recorder at 3 o’clock and the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The 2013 Omega Speedmaster 57 was coming with ‘Alpha’ hands – that refer to the 1959 Speedmaster CK2998 and not to the 1957 Speedmaster CK2915 – and applied indexes in white metal, filled with luminous paint.
The bracelet is also made in stainless steel and features polished external links and a central brushed link. The novelties for 2015 nevertheless are not here. You’ll have to take a closer to the hands and the dial to find out.