The new watch makes use of the timemaker’s proprietary Canopus Gold.
Omega starts off 2022 by introducing a new Speedmaster Calibre 321, complete with vintage details and an 18K Canopus Gold design.
READ ALSO:
When this collection was first launched in 1957, it made an impact in the world of chronograph watchmaking forever. Created for professional racing car drivers, the timepiece (known as the CK2915-1) was easily readable and easy to use.
It was also the first in the world to feature a tachymeter scale on the bezel, as opposed to on the dial. This feature was ideal for timing average speeds on the track, and complemented the watch’s sturdy, precise and water-resistant make.
Taking inspiration from that first Speedmaster, this year’s release marks the collection’s 65th anniversary with a unique 38.6 mm case that has been crafted in 18K Canopus Gold. This exclusive material is Omega’s own white gold alloy and is distinguished by its high brilliance, whiteness and longevity.
Watch connoisseurs will also be able to pick out the NAIAD symbol on the watch’s crown, which was specifically used to reference water-resistance in some of the first CK2915 models.
Original movement
The watch has also been given a deep black onyx dial with an applied vintage Omega logo and typography featuring an oval “O.” This detail was typical for the first CK2915 models. There are also 18K white gold hands and indexes with a Canopus Gold PVD treatment. Three classic Speedmaster subdials are also used, including a small seconds display, 30-minute recorder and 12-hour recorder, along with the central chronograph function.
Of course, the popular tachymeter scale is there, too, along with black “Grand Feu” enamel on the bezel. If you look closely, you’ll also see two of the original Speedmaster’s most collector-worthy details: the famous dot over ninety (DON) and a dot diagonal to 70.
Perhaps most sought-after of all is the famous movement inside the watch. The Calibre 321 was the original movement used inside the Speedmaster in 1957. It also powered the watches worn during the Apollo missions, including all of history’s six moon landings.
Since 2019, OMEGA has brought the Calibre 321 back into production, carefully retaining all the authentic specifications. Adding it to this new release gives the watch added provenance and a genuine connection to the Speedmaster’s heritage.
Turning the watch over reveals a further tribute to the collection’s anniversary. An engraving of the Omega Seahorse, a brand icon used on the Speedmaster since 1957. It has been added to the inside of the sapphire crystal glass. Its eye has been made from a sparkling blue sapphire, a precious jewel that traditionally marks a 65-year celebration.
The Speedmaster Calibre 321 watch is set on an 18K Canopus GoldTM bracelet with a comfort release adjustment system and is presented in a special wooden box. Crafted with a Rosewood-like pattern in honor of the collection’s 65th anniversary, the shape and design of the box is inspired by the original Speedmaster boxes that customers would have received in 1957.
For more information, visit Omegawatches.com.
