Speedmaster History

[shoota70]

Hello;

I am liking the Alaska Project Speedmasters that I have been seeing. But as a Rolex guy I don't have a lot of Omega knowledge.

Can someone point me to some place that has a good write up on the history of the Speedmaster and how the models have evolved to today? I've searched and searched but so far haven't been very successful.


Thank you very much!

[jmsrolls]

Here are some links that may help you:

http://www.chronomaddox.com/#Moonwatch

http://www.speedmaster-mission.net/

http://www.k4yk.com/watches/OmegaNAWCC.pdf

[shoota70]

Thank you.

Are all Speedmaster Professionals an 1861? Are all Speedmaster Pros manual wind?

Are the Speedmasters that aren't 1861s held in as high of a regard?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by shoota70

Thank you.

Are all Speedmaster Professionals an 1861? Are all Speedmaster Pros manual wind?

Are the Speedmasters that aren't 1861s held in as high of a regard?

All Speedmaster Professionals currently in production use a cal. 1861. This in itself is an evolution of the cal. 861, which has been used since the late 60s/early 70s. Before that, the Speedmaster Pro used the cal. 321.

Other Speedmasters use a variety of movements, some basic, some 1st gen Co-Axial, some 2nd gen Co-Axial. But for most collectors, the one to have would be a Professional with the superb 1861

[shoota70]

So the Alaska is a nice representation of this storied line?

[Kringkily]

The Alaska project was a special project that Omega took on in the 70's. It originally was based on the 861 but currently the anniversary model is 1861. The only different is the upgraded brake and rhodium plating. Pretty much the same watch but with a modern touch.

[shoota70]

Thank you.

Is there and original Alsaska Project watch, or only this anniversary piece commemorating the project from the 70s?

[Kringkily]

The original Alaska Project watch was a prototype so unless you can some how break into the Omega Museum or somehow find one in some hidden vault then most likely yes.

[shoota70]

On another site, I saw a Speed Pro with a stainless bezel. I have only seen them with black bezels. Has a stainless bezel been offered in the past?

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by shoota70

On another site, I saw a Speed Pro with a stainless bezel. I have only seen them with black bezels. Has a stainless bezel been offered in the past?

Early Speedy Pros had stainless bezels and Omega produced a commemorative "1957 Re-issue" model (ref 3594.50) with a stainless bezel like this:

[shoota70]

Can that bezel be purchased anywhere?

[shoota70]

Can this bezel be purchased?

[wjk_glynn]

Originally Posted by shoota70

Can this bezel be purchased?

Yes: http://www.ofrei.com/page663.html

Karl.