Fratello’s AAA+ Replica Omega Speedmaster Watches UK Guide

Are you looking to buy an Omega Speedmaster but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help! Over the past 65+ years, Omega has created many variations of one of the world’s most famous chronographs. The classic 42mm Moonwatch has been in the collection since 1965, and to the novice eye, little has changed since then. But if you look a bit closer, you will find that the Speedmaster evolved quite a bit in the decades that followed.

In this Speedmaster guide, we’ll give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedmaster (Professional) and some of its variations. Although this article isn’t meant as a pricing guide, we will give some hints, of course. If you’re already a knowledgeable Speedmaster collector, this article won’t likely contain any new information for you. But for those who are not, it will provide some basic information on the Speedmaster series.

Introduction to the Speedmaster buying guide

We first published this article nine years ago and keep it up to date to ensure that the latest versions of the Omega Speedmaster are also covered. Without going into great detail on each of the references mentioned in this article, we will link to articles in which we did. Since we launched the Speedy Tuesday features in 2012, we have reviewed and written about numerous top fake Omega watches and references. The longer, more focused articles on the site are a great resource, especially for newcomers to the hobby. You will find an overview of all the Speedmaster watches covered in separate articles here, per reference number.

Omega Speedmaster models

One of the questions we often receive is whether we can provide guidance on the various watches available. If you are new to Speedmaster watches, it might seem like a bit of a horological wilderness. If you’re looking for the actual Moonwatch model (the reference that went to the Moon), read this article validated by Omega. Alternatively, if you are seeking the current Omega Speedmaster Professional that most closely resembles the original Moonwatch. Sometimes it is so confusing that people wonder if the Speedmaster Reduced is a Moonwatch too (it isn’t).

In this Speedmaster buying guide, the focus is on the Speedmaster “Moonwatch” and some of its predecessors. The Speedmaster Mark-series, Racing watches, Dark Side of the Moon, X-33 editions, etc., will be covered in a separate series.

The Speedmaster (Professional) Moonwatch

Not all of the Speedmaster watches in this article are “Moonwatch” watches. Many of them debuted several years before NASA chose Omega to become the official timepiece for its astronauts on June 1st, 1965. Despite this, we will still use this category for them in this Speedmaster guide. These early cheap replica Omega watches are considered the forerunners of the Moonwatch. Their existence is vital to the history that was to come. And, to be frank, they are too beautiful to ignore.

Speedmaster CK2915

The very first Speedmaster that Omega introduced in 1957 was the reference CK2915. Together with the Seamaster 300 (CK2913) and Railmaster (CK2914), this model was part of a professional trio featuring a black dial and Broad Arrow hands. Initially, Omega designed the Speedmaster as a sports chronograph, using the dashboard clocks of Italian sports cars of that time as inspiration. The watch was advertised with racing cars, but the chronograph function was useful for many other sports as well. The complication was also useful for those who needed to time events and tasks outside of sports. The first Speedmaster has a 38.6mm diameter, a 48mm length, and a 19mm lug spacing. In the first three generations of Speedmasters, the length and lug spacing remain consistent.

The CK2915 has multiple versions (you will find a -1, -2, or -3 added to the reference number) that could, more or less, be considered small updates. If you are looking for a CK2915, expect to pay a fortune. More importantly, perhaps, try to find an original one that has not been tampered with. There is a significant amount of money involved in these early replica Omega watches UK, which also attracts individuals with less than honest intentions (newly manufactured cases, movements from other watches, refitted bezels from a later period, and so on). Be very cautious when you find one on offer.

The CK2915 houses Omega’s 321 chronograph caliber with a column wheel. This Lemania movement (based on the caliber 2310) went out of production in 1968 when Omega introduced the Speedmaster Professional 145.022. Then, in 2019, Omega announced the return of the caliber 321. It was first introduced in an all-platinum version of the Moonwatch and then, in January 2020, in a steel “Ed White” case.

Speedmaster CK2998 and 105.002

This is often considered the second-best thing when it comes to vintage Speedmasters. This particular reference number already bears a resemblance to the “Moonwatch” with its black bezel insert. The new bezel also caused a 1.1mm increase in size, giving the watch a 39.7mm diameter. The 19mm lug spacing remained, as did the 48mm length. There is considerable variation in the CK2998, and the different styles of hands are the most significant identifier. One of the most sought-after CK2998 watches is the one with the “lollipop” chronograph seconds hand.

The 105.002 needs to be mentioned as well. Except for the reference number, there is no actual difference between the last variation (the CK2998-62) and the 105.002. Omega changed the reference number syntax, which meant eliminating the “CK” identifier and four-digit numbers. The 105.002 was made for a very short period (1962) before its successor (105.003) was introduced. This makes the 105.002 perhaps even more collectible than some of the CK2998 perfect copy Omega watches.

There are many more Speedmaster models to discover

I only touched upon the most common Omega Speedmaster AAA+ replica Omega watches in this article, leaving aside many special and limited editions that Omega has introduced. Hopefully, it shows the evolution of the Speedmaster from 1957 to the current Moonwatch model(s). For the novice, there might not be much difference, but once you dive into the subject, there’s a lot to discover. Collectors can go crazy over the tiniest details and variations, making the Omega Speedmaster such an enjoyable watch to collect. Even in the current or modern black-dial Speedmaster Professional, you will find differences in the dials since its introduction in 2021.