Baselworld 2017 – The Omega 1957 Trilogy is Back (Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster 60th Anniversary)

There are icons, and there are legends… The Omega 1957 Trilogy is one of the few legends of watchmaking, a series of watches so important that it still defines the current Omega collection. These watches are capital, not only for the brand, but for the industry. The Omega 1957 Trilogy (Speedmaster CK2915, Seamaster 300 CK2913, Railmaster CK2914) celebrates its 60th anniversary with the launch for Baselworld 2017 of a simply stunning trilogy of commemorative watches. Believe us, these 3 will be the stars of the show. Introducing the Omega Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm, the Omega Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm and the Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm.

One word: FAITHFUL

In 1957, Omega Watches introduced an extremely important collection of professional timepieces, each dedicated to a specific type of users (and not collectors at that time): the Omega 1957 Trilogy, comprising the Omega Speedmaster CK2915 (for pilots and racing divers), the Omega Seamaster 300 CK2913 (for professional divers) and the Omega Railmaster CK2914 (for scientists and people working in magnetic environments). These watches would all go on to become absolute classics. They are rare, extremely collectible, very successful in auctions. But the most important is how capital these watches were for the Biel-based brand and for the industry.

With such a pedigree and knowing that the Omega 1957 Trilogy is celebrating its 60th anniversary, we knew that Omega was about to launch something. We even predicted the 60th anniversary Speedmaster a few weeks ago (with a result that is very close to the one introduced by Omega). Still, if we were expecting rather faithful reeditions, we were not close from the reality. To the exception of the movements and a few details, the Omega Seamaster 300, the Omega Railmaster and the Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary are some of the most faithful reeditions we’ve seen recently. It’s just insane. This Omega 1957 Trilogy 60th anniversary is beyond cool. It is stunning.

To achieve this level of faithfulness, Omega used a unique digital scanning technology, which supplied the brand with accurate representations of the original watches. All cross sections and dimensions have been measured, and then used as such in the new 1957 Trilogy. Every single aspect is equal to the original ones. Period. Evolutions are in the details, in the construction techniques, in the material used… But for the design, it is a proper reissue of the 1957 models.

All three watches are cased in brushed and polished stainless steel. Smaller diameters are used to respect the original concept of 1957 (38.6mm for the Speedmaster 60th Anniversary, 39mm for the Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary and 38mm for the Railmaster 60th Anniversary). All come with superb black “tropical” dials, meaning a slight worn-out, patinated color, matched with beige paint on the indexes and hands. It’s a bit gimmick for sure, but in this context, it just looks cool. The stainless steel bracelets have been updated for strength and feature a retro-style Omega logo on the clasp.

Each watch is limited to 3,557 pieces and delivered inside a presentation box inspired by the original 1957 packaging, right down to the Seahorse on the lid, a retro logo and red corduroy lining. The presentation box contains two spare straps; leather and NATO, as well as a tool to change them.

Omega Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm

First of the Omega 1957 Trilogy is the Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm – and with this name, you probably have all the required infos… So what we have is a super-faithful reissue, with the same 39mm as the original CK2913, the same dial, with same pointy indexes, same numerals, same thin Omega logo, the same “Automatic” mention, the same font for the “Seamaster 300” logo, the same broad arrow hands, the same bezel in two parts, with a thin black insert (but here made in aluminum and not in bakelite as the original), the same Naïad sign on the crown, the same 300m water resistance, a bracelet inspired by the original (with polished outer links and brushed central link), the same case with bevelled lugs… Visually, everything is in its right place. Impressive.

The dial of this Omega Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm shows a slight grey-brown color and the indexes are dark beige, an ode to vintage patina. A few concessions to modernity though: a sapphire crystal (which on the other hand has the logo in the center, just like old plexiglas) and the movement, an automatic Master Chronometer calibre 8806 (antimagnetic, 15,000 Gauss, co-axial escapement). It has ref. 234.10.39.20.01.001 and will be priced at CHF 6,500 (before taxes).

Omega Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm

Second watch in the Omega 1957 Trilogy is the Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm. Again, the recipe is the same. A true-as-hell copy of the vintage model. We find back the exact same case as the Railmaster CK2914, with a 38mm diameter, a polished bezel, the same bracelet (brushed in the center), and the same dial, with faithful inscriptions and of course, broad-arrow hands. This Railmaster 60th Anniversary looks a bit plain and simple, but the old model has always been. And it will certainly pop more in the metal. The dial is also slightly grey-brown.

This watch, specially designed for scientists, technicians or anyone who worked close to electrical fields, had a double case with internal antimagnetic protection. Something that is now useless, considering the automatic Master Chronometer calibre 8806 inside (which can withstand 15,000 Gauss). This Omega Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm has ref. 220.10.38.20.01.002 and will be priced at CHF 6,300 (before taxes).

Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm

Last but not least, certainly the most expected and most predictable one (we pledge guilty, we did predicted it): the Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm. And in all points (to just one exception), it is faithful to the original 1957 Speedmaster CK2915. Meaning: a 38.6mm straight case, with bevelled lugs, a brushed steel tachymeter bezel with engraved and black painted scale (base 1000 of course), large crown and pump pushers, a bracelet close to the original one. Only difference remains the use of the cam-operated 1861 calibre (but we’re not going to complain, as it could have been an automatic instead). The watch is small, toolish, vintage, there are no commemorative mentions on the dial. It might be the Speedmaster many were waiting for.

The dial of this Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm is also entirely true to the 1957 version: same layout, same steel broad arrow hands in the center, same white sword hands for the counters, same applied thin Omega logo, same “Speedmaster” font, a greyish color and beige indexes for the vintage feel. We actually can’t wait to strap it on the wrist. It has ref. 311.10.39.30.01.001 and will be priced at CHF 6,700 (before taxes).

The highly collectable Omega 1957 Trilogy Presentation Box

As we’ve seen, each of the watches of the Omega 1957 Trilogy will be available separately, each produced in 3,557 examples. Yet, there will be an even more collectible option: a 557 pieces limited edition bow with the 3 watches included. The outer-box, made of Swiss oak wood, has an engraving of the 1957 Seahorse on the lid and a front-plate engraved with “Trilogy 60th Anniversary, 001/557”. Opening the lid reveals a smaller box, inspired by the 1957 version, which contains all three watches. Each dial is printed with TRILOGY and the Limited Edition number; and each caseback is engraved with “LIMITED TO 557 TIMEPIECES”. The larger box also includes a leather watch roll, with three spare leather and NATO straps as well as a wooden spring bar changing tool.

All details about the Omega 1957 Trilogy to be seen on omegawatches.com.