Omega Speedmaster ’57 Review
The Omega Speedmaster ’57 is the vintage-inspired Speedmaster for buyers who want the original 1957 spirit, a slimmer modern case and Omega’s hand-wound Master Chronometer chronograph movement.
Quick verdict.
The Omega Speedmaster ’57 is not simply a smaller Moonwatch. It is a distinct Speedmaster with a cleaner two-register chronograph layout, broad-arrow hands, a date at 6 o’clock and a stronger visual link to the original 1957 model.
Its appeal is very specific: vintage energy, modern execution and a technically serious hand-wound movement. If the Moonwatch feels too familiar or too tied to NASA mythology, the Speedmaster ’57 gives you a different, more automotive and mid-century version of the Speedmaster story.
Key versions to consider.
Black Dial
The most classic and versatile choice. Black keeps the ’57 closest to the original Speedmaster spirit and works especially well on bracelet.
Blue Dial
The cooler contemporary option. Blue softens the vintage feel and gives the watch a refined, slightly dressier personality.
Green Dial
The richer collector choice. Green brings more character and makes the ’57 feel less like a Moonwatch alternative and more like its own watch.
Design and wearability.
The Speedmaster ’57 has a different feel from the Professional Moonwatch. The straight-lug case, broad-arrow hands and steel tachymeter bezel create a more overtly vintage look, while the two-register dial gives the watch a cleaner and more symmetrical face.
At 40.5mm and under 13mm thick, the current generation wears very well for a modern mechanical chronograph. It has enough wrist presence to feel substantial, but it avoids the bulk that can make automatic chronographs difficult to wear.
The design works particularly well on bracelet, where the vintage-inspired case gains a sharper modern edge. On leather, the watch leans more heavily into mid-century character and feels warmer and more relaxed.
Movement and performance.
The Speedmaster ’57 uses Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9906. It is a manual-winding chronograph movement with a column wheel, Co-Axial escapement, METAS certification and a 60-hour power reserve.
The movement is one of the main reasons to choose the ’57 over many other vintage-inspired chronographs. It gives you the ritual of hand winding, but with modern precision, anti-magnetic performance and a far more advanced technical platform than a simple heritage reissue.
Water resistance is 50 metres, so this is still not a true aquatic sports watch. It is fine for ordinary daily wear, but if swimming and travel water use are priorities, the Aqua Terra or Seamaster Diver 300M are more practical Omega choices.
Which Speedmaster ’57 should you buy?
For most buyers, the black dial on bracelet is the safest and strongest choice. It has the best long-term versatility, the clearest link to Speedmaster heritage and the most balanced visual identity.
Choose blue if you want a slightly dressier and more contemporary watch. It is less historically literal, but easier to wear with smart casual clothing.
Choose green or burgundy if you already own a black-dial chronograph and want the ’57 to feel more distinctive. These colours bring personality, but they are less neutral as one-watch choices.
Key specifications.
Pros and cons.
Pros
- Distinct vintage-inspired Speedmaster identity.
- Excellent 40.5mm case size and slimmer profile.
- Manual-wind Calibre 9906 is technically impressive.
- Cleaner two-register chronograph layout.
- Strong dial colour range across black, blue, green and burgundy.
Cons
- Less iconic than the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch.
- 50m water resistance limits true sports-watch use.
- Date window will divide purists.
- Priced close to more famous Omega models.
Alternatives to consider.
Omega Speedmaster Professional
The more iconic Moonwatch choice, with stronger NASA heritage and the definitive Speedmaster silhouette.
see alternative →
TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox
A more flamboyant vintage-inspired chronograph with strong 1960s racing character and a dramatic crystal profile.
see alternative →
Breitling Premier B01
A dressier Swiss chronograph with an in-house movement, strong finishing and more formal wrist presence.
see alternative →Final verdict.
The Omega Speedmaster ’57 is one of the most attractive alternatives to the Moonwatch within Omega’s own catalogue. It keeps the Speedmaster name, but shifts the emphasis from space-flight heritage to 1950s chronograph design.
The black dial on bracelet is the strongest all-round buy, while the blue, green and burgundy versions are better for collectors who want more colour and individuality. If you want a refined, slimmer, hand-wound chronograph with real heritage, the Speedmaster ’57 is a very compelling Omega.