[Video] Two Speedmaster Broad Arrow Alternatives To The Speedmaster Calibre 321 In Canopus Gold

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Speedmaster, and Omega started the celebrations by showing us a beautiful Calibre 321 in Canopus (white) gold. However, even though we think it is a beautiful watch, it’s only available for the very lucky few due to its €80,000 price tag. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t an alternative available.

In this video, RJ talks about two alternative choices that feature the same Broad Arrow hands. The Speedmaster ref.3594.50 and the Speedmaster ’57 60th-anniversary edition. One is based on the 42mm Moonwatch case and the other has the same straight-lug case with a diameter of 38.6mm like the Calibre 321 in Canopus gold.

Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus gold

Speedmaster Broad Arrow 3594.50

In 1997, Omega introduced the Speedmaster’57 “Replica” (a poorly chosen name at the time for sure), to celebrate the first Speedmaster CK2915. It was an attempt to recreate something similar to that first Speedmaster Broad Arrow reference, but at the time Omega didn’t have the means to do it as they would today. Based on the 42mm case of the regular Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch”, Omega added a steel bezel, a non-Professional dial with applied Omega logo, and perhaps most important, a set of “Broad Arrow” hands. Omega only used the broad arrow hands in the first two years of production, followed by leaf hands, before they started using the white baton hands.

Speedmaster 3594.50

In 1997, Omega also introduced the 1861 movement for the Speedmaster (Professional) as the successor of the caliber 861. It makes this Speedmaster 3594.50 one of the first models to come with this movement. Note that the first Speedmaster Replica models came as part of the mission suitcase (50 pieces), featuring 23 watches each. 22 watches with a NASA mission patch model and this Speedmaster Replica model. Then, in 1998, Omega also started to sell this watch separately and did so until 2003. It was never a very popular model, and still today it is quite underrated and undervalued. In the video, RJ goes more into detail when it comes to today’s value of this reference, but it seems to be between €4,000 and €5,000 depending on its condition.

The Speedmaster’57 60th Anniversary next to the steel Calibre 321

Speedmaster’57 60th Anniversary

The other alternative RJ talks about in the video is the Speedmaster’57 reference 311.10.39.30.01.001 from 2017. This was a limited edition of 3557 pieces to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster. It was available as a separate watch but also as a “Trilogy” set featuring the Speedmaster, Seamaster 300, and Railmaster. The Speedmaster’57 is a wonderful attempt at recreating the original CK2915, using tomography technology to get the exact same case dimensions as the original Speedmaster. Inside, there’s no caliber 321 but instead still caliber 1861. Caliber 321 was only re-introduced in 2019, so Omega had no other option than to use the 1861 movement.

The dial and hands have some faux-patina, which has as many haters as it has fans. Originally, the watch was delivered on a steel bracelet that looked similar to the original bracelet on the Speedmaster CK2915, but much thicker and with less taper. Also, the folding clasp was quite bulky. On the Speedmaster’57 in this video, RJ mounted the bracelet of the Speedmaster Calibre 321 in stainless steel. He will elaborate on buying and mounting this movement as well in the video. The original retail price in 2017 was approximately €6,500, although the Omega website lists it today for €7,200. It has been long sold-out, but you might find yourself lucky at an authorized dealer or boutique. In the pre-owned market, these watches are in the range of €7,500 to €9,000, depending on their condition.

We hope you will enjoy this video. Make sure to check out our other videos as well on our YouTube channel, as from now on, we’re releasing a new video every Friday.