The Pre-Lunar Racing Legacy

Long before the Speedmaster became the Moonwatch, it was born in the exhaust fumes of the racetrack. Launched in 1957 as part of the Professional trilogy, the Speedmaster was the first chronograph in the world to move the tachymeter scale from the dial to the outer bezel; a revolutionary engineering choice designed specifically for Grand Prix drivers. This allowed racers to calculate speed and distance with a single glance while keeping their eyes on the apex of a turn.

In the late 1950s, the Speedmaster wasn't an astronaut’s tool; it was a high-performance instrument for the gentleman racer. It was built for the vibration of a steering wheel and the heat of a cockpit, long before NASA ever subjected it to the vacuum of space. The 2017 60th Anniversary edition is a meticulous time capsule that returns the Speedmaster to this exact "pre-space" era.

The Original Racing DNA: Ref. 311.10.39.30.01.001

The ref. 311.10.39.30.01.001 is a 1:1 digital scan of the original 1957 CK2915, capturing the "Broad Arrow" aesthetic that predates the Moonwatch's more famous silhouette. It is a masterclass in nostalgic engineering, prioritizing the raw, mechanical feel of the early motorsport age.

• The Broad Arrow Aesthetic: The iconic hour hand and tropical faded dial are direct links to the 1950s paddock. Unlike the later baton hands used for space missions, these bold markers were designed for maximum legibility through the dusty goggles of an open-cockpit racer.

• The Steel Bezel: Unlike the black aluminum bezels of the lunar era, this 60th-anniversary model features the brushed stainless steel tachymeter bezel. This all-steel look is the hallmark of the original racing Speedmaster, giving it a rugged, industrial weight that feels more like a piece of engine machinery than a piece of aerospace equipment.

• The Motorsport Connection: This reference represents the pre-NASA purity of the Speedmaster. It utilizes a 38.6mm case; significantly more compact than the later Professional models, mirroring the slim, aerodynamic proportions of the 1950s sports cars it was meant to time. 

The 60th Anniversary Speedmaster is a reminder that while the moon gave the watch its fame, the racetrack gave it its soul. It is the ultimate choice for the purist who wants to experience the Speedmaster as it was first intended: a high-beat heart for the high-speed world of mid-century racing.

Maker: Omega
Model: Speedmaster 60th Anniversary
Reference: 311.10.39.30.01.001
Year: 2017
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 38.6mm diameter; 13.5mm thickness
Crystal: Hestalite
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Caliber: Omega 1861
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel bracelet, vintage brown leather strap, black NATO strap.
Lug Width: 19mm
Box/Papers: Original box / Manual / Stamped card

To be candid, this is a timepiece I would rather not part with; however, as the company grows, my focus must shift toward stock, even when it means letting go of a personal favorite. This Reference 311.10.39.30.01.001 is a 1:1 digital scan of the original 1957 CK2915, arguably the most significant Omega ever produced, yet it remains an oddly overlooked gem within the vast Speedmaster library.

At 38.6mm, the case is a revelation. It eschews the Professional twisted lugs we’ve grown accustomed to in favor of the straight-lug architecture that launched the legacy. The watch feels undeniably neo-vintage the moment it is strapped to the wrist, occupying that elusive sweet spot of sizing that balances mid-century charm with the uncompromising reliability of a modern Calibre 1861.

The dial features the broad-arrow handset and the Base 1000 tachymeter scale that defines the '57 aesthetic. While it appears as a deep, tropical-leaning black in most settings, the subtle matte texture catches the light to reveal a warmth that photos struggle to capture—an effect that mirrors the aging process of a museum-grade original without the fragile liability.

The Broad Arrow hands and the recessed sub-dials give the face an incredible sense of dimensionality. It is a design that, while commanding unobtainable prices in its original 1950s form, provides the exact same visual weight and historical gravity in this anniversary edition.

While this watch has been enjoyed on all its various straps, it has lived primarily on its original steel bracelet, which features the retro-inspired flat-link design and the vintage Omega logo. Offered in beautiful condition, the watch has been meticulously cared for as a personal cornerstone.