It’s not often we get excited over a specific movement outside of the watch it’s in, but when the icon of a mechanism that is Omega’s 321 calibre was relaunched, our inner horologists went wild – even more so when it was placed inside a stunning platinum Speedmaster.
Now Omega has decided to place the 321 back in its spiritual home: a steel Speedmaster, more specifically the Speedmaster ST 105.003: the watch worn by astronaut Edward White, the first American to walk in space.
The new Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Steel isn’t a direct rip from the archives. It has the same 39.70mm dimensions, moonwatch hands and tachymeter bezel, complete with a dot over the 90 (a collectors’ necessity) and an accent over the E. The difference is that the bezel is ceramic and white enamel. Otherwise the watch uses vintage nods throughout, right down to the logo.
Inside is, of course, the Omega 321 movement, a calibre that not only powered this watch but the first Speedmaster on the moon. It’s arguably the most iconic movement ever built and has been created from original specs in these new versions.
Everything about this watch is aimed squarely at collectors; it’s the closest thing you can get to a perfect 1957 Speedmaster without shelling out for an original and, now that it’s in steel rather than platinum (what purist would go for a precious metal Speedy anyway?) it’s a classic once again.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel
Reference: 311.30.40.30.01.001
Case/Dial: 39.7mm diameter x 14mm height, brushed and polished stainless steel, polished black ceramic bezel insert with tachymeter scale
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: In-house Omega Calibre 321, manual winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
Frequency: 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz)
Power Reserve: 55h
Strap: Steel bracelet on folding clasp
Price: CHF 13,000
More details at Omega’s website.