The Omega Speedmaster 105.003, released just a year after the 105.002 version, was selected by NASA as an official piece of equipment for its astronauts, but was later discontinued and instead, replaced by the 145.003. A telemile scale could calculate distances in miles, a telemeter – in meters, a pulsometer could measure heartbeats per minute and, of course, the tachymeter for measuring speed based on time. For the first time, the black aluminium bezel was now available with different scales. Where previous Speedmaster watches had featured a 12-hour sub-counter at 6 o’clock, the 105.002 and 105.003 models replaced this function with the 1/10th of a second feature, but still kept hold of the 30-minute sub-counter at 3 o’clock and the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The top part of the diamond is filled with tritium, enabling it to glow in dark conditions. The hands of the chronograph sub-dials were executed in white to assist with legibility, while the central chronograph seconds hand is detectable via a spear-shaped or diamond-shaped tip and a teardrop-shaped counterweight. They were also made more prominent for use in dark conditions and were filled with tritium material. ![]() The first difference is the design of the hands, which transitioned from the “Alpha” style hands to the baton-style hands that we now see in modern-day versions of the Speedmaster watch. These two models did, however, feature some other changes to the dial. The first reference was reduced back down in size, measuring 38.6mm, but between this iteration and the ref: 105.003, the bezel of the latter had enlarged to measure 39.7mm. Aside from this, the design of the Speedmaster watch’s case remains essentially the same. Compared to the CK2915, the Omega Speedmaster ref: CK2998 is a little easier to find on the pre-owned market and comes with a lower price tag too.Īlthough both similar in design to the previous two models, when Omega launched the Speedmaster ref: 105.002 and 105.003, there was one subtle but key difference – the size of their bezels. Finally, the push-pieces located at 2 and 4 o’clock on the Speedmaster watch’s robust stainless steel case were fitted with O-ring gaskets to help the watch uphold a water-resistant environment for the Calibre 321 to perform within. Omega also increased the size of the watch case from the previous almost 39mm diameter to 40mm. A radium-filled circular motif at the end of the second hand became the recognisable lollipop hand featured in some CK2998 models – a design element, once again, intended to leverage readability in conditions with poor visibility. This time, the bezel had a black aluminium insert for improvising readability in dark conditions, as well as a set of “Alpha” style hands which became one of the most distinguishable features of the CK2998 model. It was equipped with the same case, dial and hands but with a new tachymeter bezel. The original model, however, features some subtle changes compared to the CK2915. The famous watch has since been redesigned in the form of the 2012 Omega Speedmaster FOIS (First Omega in Space watch). The Speedy CK2998 marked a pivotal point in Omega’s long and rich watchmaking heritage. Most importantly of all, this was the first Speedmaster to go to space. In 1959 Omega released the second step of the Speedmaster’s history with the model ref: CK2998, which went on to be worn on the wrist of Wally Schirra. Two stand-out features of the Speedmaster ref: CK2915 that differed from later editions were its metallic engraved tachymeter bezel and a simple baton second hand. The luminous hour markers and hands were filled with radium. The metallic tachymeter bezel featured engraved numbers, framing a black oxidised stepped dial that features a recessed edging along with three registers – each one recessed with a circular guilloche finish. The Speedmaster CK2915 was known as the “broad arrow” model because of its arrow-tipped hour hand – a feature shared at the time with Omega Seamaster watches and Omega Railmaster watches. Before then tachymeter scales had always featured on the dial itself. One of the most notable characteristics of this very first Speedy was the implementation of the world’s first-ever bezel-mounted tachymeter scale to feature outside the crystal. ![]() Alongside the Speedy CK2915, Omega launched the Seamaster 300 ref: CK2913 and the Railmaster ref: CK2914. Developed in 1957, it can now sell for over 40K euros because of its desirability and rarity. The incredibly rare timepiece is considered by serious Speedy aficionados as the holy grail to any Speedmaster collection. The Speedmaster ref: CK2915 is where the story of the icon really begins.
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