The Omega Speedmaster ’57, as Omega itself is calling it, strikes a certain chord with us as vintage lovers. It shares a few of the traits one might find in the original Speedmaster reference 2915-X such as a stainless steel bezel without black aluminum insert that is “base 1000”. The case features straight lugs and no crown-guards just like the earlier Speedies. Strangely, Omega chose not to give this watch “broad arrow” hands as was seen on the 1957-1959 Speedmasters, though there is a little arrow action going on in the hour counter at 3 o’clock. Here is a picture of an original 1957 Omega Speedmaser Reference 2915 K for your reference.
Another distinct difference between the new ’57 Speedmaster and the original is, of course, the layout of the dial. Certainly thanks to the difference in movements – the original was a manually wound three register Lemania-based movement while this new watch features Omega’s excelllent self-winding caliber 9300.
It’s a big change to a hard-core watch guy, but i don’t believe this 2013 reference ’57 Speedmaster is really aimed at the serious vintage guys (unlike last year’s “First Omega In Space” that featured a Lemania manual movement). To me, this watch offers a vintage look without going to hard into watch-nerd territory. One thing that made this obvious to me was the fact that this watch wasn’t shown to us only in steel with a black dial like the original Speedmaster (and what we’re used to seeing), but also in rose gold, full yellow-gold on a yellow gold bracelet (surprisingly awesome, no lie). two-tone, and even titanium! And in a variety of dial colors! Here she is in full rose gold: