The Omega Speedmaster ’57 is the Speedmaster that most buyers walk past on their way to the Moonwatch—and that is precisely why it deserves a buying guide of its own. At $10,700 USD on a steel bracelet (as of October 2026), it actually costs more than the Professional Moonwatch, yet it remains far less visible in watch conversations. That gap between price and prominence is not an accident; it reflects a watch that rewards buyers who understand exactly what they are getting.
This guide covers every current reference, the complete case and movement specifications, how the ’57 compares to the Moonwatch and other alternatives at this price, and—most importantly—which variant to buy. Prices and specifications verified as of October 2026. Always confirm current pricing with an authorised Omega dealer before purchase.
What Is the Omega Speedmaster ’57?
The ‘57 takes its name from the year Omega introduced the first Speedmaster: the CK2998, released in 1957 as a motorsport timing tool. That original watch had a 38.5mm asymmetric steel case, an aluminium tachymeter bezel ring, and broad-arrow hands that were instantly recognisable at speed. NASA would not approve the Speedmaster for spaceflight until 1965—in 1957, this was a racing chronograph, full stop.
Omega revived the ’57 concept in modern form, then made a critical update in 2022: replacing the automatic Calibre 9300 with the hand-wound Calibre 9906. That swap trimmed case thickness from roughly 14.6mm to 12.99mm and brought the watch into closer alignment with the character of the original hand-wound Speedmasters. The result is a 40.5mm chronograph that wears more like a 38mm watch due to its straight lugs and asymmetric case design, and that costs more than the Moonwatch because it carries a METAS-certified co-axial movement in a slimmer, arguably more historically coherent package.
For a detailed hands-on evaluation, see our Omega Speedmaster ’57 Review (2026). This guide focuses on the buying decision: which reference, which dial, and whether the ’57 or an alternative is the right choice.
The Complete Reference Matrix (2026)
The current Speedmaster ’57 lineup comprises four dial executions, each available on either a flat-link steel bracelet or a leather strap. Eight references in total; the differences between them are exclusively cosmetic.
| Reference | Dial | Crystal | Bracelet/Strap | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 332.10.41.51.01.001 | Black (sandwich) | Sapphire | Steel bracelet | $10,700 |
| 332.12.41.51.01.001 | Black (sandwich) | Sapphire | Leather strap | Confirm with AD |
| 332.10.41.51.03.001 | Blue | Sapphire | Steel bracelet | Confirm with AD |
| 332.12.41.51.03.001 | Blue | Sapphire | Leather strap | Confirm with AD |
| 332.10.41.51.10.001 | Green | Sapphire | Steel bracelet | Confirm with AD |
| 332.12.41.51.10.001 | Green | Sapphire | Leather strap | Confirm with AD |
| 332.10.41.51.11.001 | Burgundy | Sapphire | Steel bracelet | Confirm with AD |
| 332.12.41.51.11.001 | Burgundy | Sapphire | Leather strap | Confirm with AD |
The reference numbering follows Omega’s standard convention: the “10” in the fifth segment denotes a steel bracelet, “12” denotes a strap. The sixth and seventh characters identify the dial colour. All eight references share identical case dimensions, movement, water resistance and METAS certification.
Calibre 9906: What the Movement Actually Means
The Calibre 9906 is a hand-wound co-axial master chronometer chronograph. That sentence carries several important claims, each of which affects what owning this watch is like in practice.
Hand-wound means you wind the watch manually through the crown. There is no rotor, so there is no weight oscillating in the caseback and no automatic self-winding mechanism. This is why the Calibre 9906 fits inside a 12.99mm case—roughly 1.6mm thinner than the automatic version it replaced. The trade-off: you will need to wind the crown every one to three days depending on how often you run the chronograph. For a watch inspired by a 1957 racing timer, this is a feature, not an oversight.
Co-axial escapement is Omega’s proprietary low-friction gear system that reduces lubricant breakdown over time. The practical implication is a longer service interval: Omega recommends service at around 8–10 years for co-axial watches rather than the 5–7 years typical of traditional lever escapements.
Master Chronometer is the designation Omega uses for movements that have been certified by METAS (the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) to meet a specific set of standards. These include:
- Rate accuracy of 0/+5 seconds per day in real-world conditions (tighter than COSC chronometer)
- Resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss (most mechanical watches fail above 60 gauss)
- Minimum 70% power reserve when fully wound
Calibre 9906 at a glance: 60 hours power reserve; 3.5Hz beat rate; column-wheel chronograph; instantaneous date; sapphire crystal caseback. The movement itself is visible from the back of the watch—worth examining if you have the opportunity before purchasing.
Design and Wearability
The ’57 case is 40.5mm in diameter, but it wears differently from other 40mm watches because of three design choices inherited from the original CK2998.
Asymmetric case. The left side of the case (where the crown and pushers sit) is extended to protect them from knocks. This asymmetry is deliberately faithful to the original and creates the watch’s most polarising visual element. Some buyers love it; others find it fussy. Either way, it means the watch sits differently on the wrist than a standard round case.
Straight lugs. The lugs extend from the case without a curve, which means the watch sits closer to the wrist and measures shorter from 12 to 6 o’clock than a watch of equivalent diameter with curved lugs. The 47.2mm lug-to-lug measurement is modest for a 40.5mm watch and is a primary reason the ’57 wears small.
Broad-arrow hands. The hands are shaped to match the 1957 original: arrow-shaped with a flattened tip, filled with Super-LumiNova. They are highly legible and distinctive. No other current Speedmaster uses this hand design at this price.
The bezel is an aluminium insert on a polished ring, printed with a tachymeter scale. This is period-correct (ceramic bezels did not exist in 1957), and the aluminium will scratch and fade over time. Whether that reads as authentic patina or wear depends on your perspective. The sapphire crystal on all current references is domed to match the convex dial, giving the watch a slightly bubble-fronted profile when viewed from the side.
Of the four dials, the black sandwich version is the most directly tied to the 1957 original. “Sandwich” refers to the layered dial construction: indices are cut into the top dial layer and backed by a luminous base layer, creating a window of lume that glows without any surface-applied paint. Blue, green and burgundy dials use a metallic finish without the sandwich construction and present as more contemporary interpretations of the same case.
Speedmaster ’57 vs Moonwatch Professional
This is the comparison that defines the ’57’s market position, and it is more nuanced than the price difference alone suggests. See our full Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Buying Guide for detailed Moonwatch reference coverage; the comparison below addresses the decision between the two collections.
| Speedmaster ’57 | Moonwatch Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference (steel bracelet) | 332.10.41.51.01.001 | 310.30.42.50.01.001 |
| Case diameter | 40.5mm | 42mm |
| Thickness | 12.99mm | 13.2mm |
| Movement | Cal. 9906 (hand-wound) | Cal. 3861 (hand-wound) |
| Winding | Manual only | Manual only |
| METAS certified | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | 60m | 50m |
| Crystal | Sapphire (domed) | Hesalite or sapphire |
| Dial options | 4 colours | Black only (standard) |
| NASA history | No | Yes |
| Price (Oct 2026) | $10,700 | Confirm with AD |
The Moonwatch is the correct choice if the NASA certification and spaceflight provenance matter to you. The Professional Moonwatch is the watch NASA has certified for spaceflight since 1965—that history cannot be transferred to the ’57, however good it is on its own terms. If you want the specific gravity of owning the exact watch that went to the moon, the Professional is the answer.
The Speedmaster ’57 is the correct choice if you want a more wearable form factor, colour dial options, or the specific 1957 racing heritage rather than the 1969 moon-landing story. The 1.5mm diameter reduction and the straight-lug design make a meaningful difference on smaller or medium-sized wrists. The ’57 also has better water resistance (60m vs 50m), which is a minor practical advantage for everyday use.
If you are undecided and have no preference for either story, try both on. The ’57 regularly surprises buyers who assumed the Moonwatch was the default—particularly anyone with a wrist under 17cm who finds 42mm watches sit awkwardly.
Which Reference to Buy
Buy the black sandwich dial (332.10.41.51.01.001) if: you want the most historically authentic version of the ’57, you prefer a versatile watch that reads as both sporty and dressy, or you are uncertain between the coloured options. The black dial is the most legible and the most faithful to the 1957 original. It is also the easiest to resell.
Buy the blue dial (332.10.41.51.03.001) if: you want a contemporary interpretation of the case with greater dial personality. The blue metallic finish is rich without being flashy and has proven popular since it was introduced. Blue dials on Speedmasters hold value well in the secondary market.
Buy the green dial (332.10.41.51.10.001) if: you want the most distinctive option in the lineup. The forest green is darker and more saturated than many green dials at this price point, and it photographs well. It is the most unusual choice among the four, which either appeals or does not.
Buy the burgundy dial (332.10.41.51.11.001) if: you are drawn to the most unusual combination of the brass-toned markers against the deep red-brown dial. The burgundy is the least expected option and tends to attract buyers who already own a black or blue Speedmaster variant.
Bracelet or strap? The steel flat-link bracelet is the more durable everyday choice and the one that best expresses the watch’s tool-watch character. The leather strap options (strap references use “332.12.” in their reference number) are worth considering if you run the chronograph frequently and want the bracelet weight off the wrist, or if you prefer a dressier presentation.
Buying New vs Pre-Owned
The Speedmaster ’57 is a relatively recent design in its current 2022+ Cal. 9906 form, which limits the pre-owned supply of the updated version. Earlier references (331.x.x.x series, running the automatic Cal. 9300) are available used at a meaningful discount—typically $4,000–$6,000 depending on condition and completeness—but they are thicker, heavier, and do not have the hand-wound character of the current lineup.
If you specifically want the current Cal. 9906 version (332.x.x series), pre-owned supply is limited and prices sit close to retail. Omega’s factory warranty does not transfer to pre-owned sales, so condition and provenance matter. Look for watches with box and papers from the 2022 production year or later, sold by authorised Omega pre-owned dealers where possible.
New from an authorised dealer: full two-year international warranty (Omega has extended most new watches to five years in recent years; confirm the current term with your dealer), factory-correct documentation, and the option to add further coverage through Omega’s extended warranty programme.
Alternatives to Consider
If the ’57’s price gives you pause, or if you want to check what else $10,000–$11,000 buys in this category, two comparisons matter most.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M: Around half the price of the ’57, the Diver 300M is a very different watch—a 42mm diver with a Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement and 300m water resistance. If you do not specifically need a chronograph or the vintage Speedmaster character, the Diver 300M offers more case metal and practical water resistance for substantially less money.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph: At a similar price point, the Portugieser Chronograph ($6,500–$8,000 depending on variant as of late 2025) offers a classic pilot-inspired manual-wind chronograph in 40mm—closer in spirit to the ’57 than most Swiss alternatives at this level. The IWC uses a Pellaton movement rather than a co-axial, but the wearability and chronograph execution are highly regarded. Worth considering if the Omega brand is not a requirement.
See all Omega models and our complete coverage at the Omega brand page.
Yes, for the right buyer. The ’57 is a 40.5mm hand-wound chronograph with a METAS-certified co-axial movement, four dial options, and a case design directly inspired by Omega’s 1957 CK2998. At $10,700 USD on a steel bracelet (as of October 2026), it costs more than the Moonwatch Professional, so it rewards buyers who specifically want a smaller, thinner, more historically-rooted Speedmaster rather than buyers looking for the most recognisable name in the family.
The Speedmaster ’57 is 40.5mm and 12.99mm thick, powered by the hand-wound Calibre 9906. The Moonwatch Professional is 42mm, approximately 13.2mm thick, and uses the hand-wound Calibre 3861. Both are METAS-certified Master Chronometers. The key differences: the ’57 is slightly smaller and thinner, offers four dial colours, has 60m water resistance (vs 50m for the Moonwatch), and carries 1957 racing heritage. The Moonwatch has the NASA spaceflight certification and 1969 moon-landing history, plus the option of a hesalite (acrylic) crystal.
The 2022-updated Cal. 9906 references (332.x.x series) are too recent for long-term resale data. The earlier Cal. 9300 versions (331.x.x series) sell pre-owned at significant discounts to their original retail prices, which is typical for modern Omega sports and dress watches. The ’57 is not a strong value-retention story compared to the Rolex Submariner or the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch in hesalite. Buy it because you want to wear it.
For most buyers, the black sandwich dial on a steel bracelet (332.10.41.51.01.001) is the strongest choice: historically accurate, versatile, and the easiest to resell. The blue dial (332.10.41.51.03.001) is a compelling alternative if you want more colour without deviating far from a classic look. The green and burgundy dials are for buyers who already have a black or blue Speedmaster and want something distinctly different.
Manual (hand-wound). The 2022 update specifically replaced the earlier automatic Calibre 9300 with the hand-wound Calibre 9906. This makes the current ’57 thinner (12.99mm vs approximately 14.6mm) and more historically consistent with the hand-wound originals from 1957. You will need to wind it manually, typically every one to three days.
The Verdict
The Speedmaster ’57 is a more considered purchase than the Moonwatch, not a more obvious one. It costs more, it is harder to find context for in a casual conversation, and it does not have the same cultural shorthand. What it offers in return is a slimmer, more wearable 40.5mm case, a hand-wound movement that puts you more directly in touch with the watch, and a design rooted in 1957 rather than 1969. The four dial options mean it serves a wider range of dress codes than the Moonwatch as well.
For a buyer who already knows they want a Speedmaster and wants something the next person at the table probably does not have, the ’57 earns its price. For a buyer who wants the most historically significant watch in the Speedmaster family, the Moonwatch Professional is still the correct answer. Both are excellent; the choice depends on which story you want to carry on your wrist.
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