Omega is a brand that’s synonymous with excellence in the world of watchmaking. While the Swiss brand has created a bevy of iconic pieces, one could argue that Omega’s most important contribution to the watchmaking space came with the introduction of the Speedmaster collection in 1957. The original Speedmaster was a purpose-built watch for professional drivers and was also the first watch to feature a tachymeter scale on the bezel. 65 years later, Omega is celebrating its legendary collection with a vintage-inspired Speedmaster Calibre 321 in 18K Canopus Gold.
Lauded for its readability and user-friendliness, the original Speedmaster, the CK2915-1, changed the trajectory of chronograph watchmaking by placing the tachymeter scale on the bezel, which led to easier track timing for racers. Moreover, the CK2915-1 featured one of Omega’s most famous movements, the Calibre 321, which also powered the Speedmasters NASA astronauts brought on all six of the moon landings. Using this iconic timepiece as both its muse and template, Omega designed the Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus Gold to mirror its heritage by incorporating the Calibre 321 movement, while also giving it a luxurious makeover. The watch sports a unique, retro-sized 38.6 mm case made from solid 18K Canopus Gold — Omega’s proprietary white gold alloy that’s known for its whiteness and longevity. The Canopus Gold case and three-link bracelet provide the perfect canvas to contrast the Calibre 321’s elegant onyx black dial, which features 18K white gold hands and indexes that feature a Canopus Gold PVD treatment.
Furthermore, the Calibre 321 also includes an exhibition case back and three classic Speedmaster subdials for recording its chronographic measurements. The designers at Omega even went as far as incorporating the NAIAD symbol on the Calibre 321’s crown, which was used to reference the water resistance in the first CK2915 pieces. This gorgeous timepiece embodies the brilliance of a trailblazing watch that helped immortalize Omega’s greatness. The Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus Gold retails for $81,000.
