Has the Omega Speedmaster '57 become a new icon that transcends its roots and speaks to the future?

The Speedmaster '57 inherits the iconic features of the original Speedmaster, which debuted in 1957, while incorporating the latest in coustical technology. We spent two days using this enthusiastic, cutting-edge bicompax chronograph to get our impressions, not only of its ease of use and accuracy, but also of how well it satisfies the aficionado's needs. Has the Speedmaster '57 gone beyond a return to its roots to become a new icon that speaks to the future?

A chronograph that can be used as a genuine instrument while deeply experiencing the history of the Speedmaster

　The Speedmaster '57 is based on the Speedmaster's ancestor, the Ref. 2915, and is named after its birth year, 195. While it stands out with its classic, iconic Broad Arrow hour hand and stainless steel tachymeter, inside it is the latest Co-Axial Master Chronometer Caliber 90, powered by a highly accurate vertical clutch, making it a timepiece that never runs out of buzz.

　If we were to compare the concept of the Speedmaster '57 to a car, we could say it's a "classic car remade with modern technology." The Speedmaster, as you know, has a Heritage line that perfectly reproduces the legendary caliber 321 and the cases and dials of the first, third, and fourth generations. The Speedmaster '57, on the other hand, retains the flavor of the original Speedmaster, but, as mentioned at the beginning, is powered by Omega's latest technology.

　If we were to compare it to a Porsche, it could be described as a "911 Sport Classic" modeled on the 1973 Carrera RS, with classic interior and exterior features such as a ducktail, but with a 3.7L horizontally opposed twin turbo (550PS) powertrain. Incidentally, this Porsche 911 is equipped with a 7-speed manual transmission, and even the high level of enjoyment in the effortless operation overlaps with the passion of the Speedmaster '57, which returned to manual winding.

　My first impression of the Speedmaster '57 when I put it on my wrist was, in one word, "big." However, that's not a negative thing. The case diameter is 40.5 mm, which is a standard size by modern standards. And because it's a manual-winding watch, its thickness is 12.99 mm, more than 3 mm thinner than previous models.

　However, the reason this chronograph appears larger than its actual size is that the polished, long lugs increase the overall length to 49.6 mm. While it looks like a charming iron pot from the side, when you look at it from above on your wrist, these long lugs accentuate its beauty.

　Furthermore, the vertical hour markers visually emphasize the size of the dial, and the two circles placed at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock assert the presence of the chronograph to the fullest extent within the frame. The visibility of the hands placed on the face is also extremely high. Not only is the large Broad Arrow physically easy to see, but each hand is mountain-folded, diamond-polished, and plated, so its reflection quickly indicates its location. Overall, the slightly large body and dial function as a pure instrument, which is very much like a Speedmaster.

　For this reason, it's important to adjust the bracelet carefully. Even though the design has been slimmed down, the head still has a high center of gravity, and coupled with the fact that the bracelet doesn't use a buckle as a counterweight, the inertia (inertial weight) caused by arm swing is still significant, even at a light weight of approximately 134g. This is why the Caterpillar bracelet, which is small, finely adjustable, and feels like it sticks to your arm, should be adjusted until you're happy with the fit. And if your arm swells, you can widen it by 2mm using the comfort release function, just one notch.

　The chronograph mechanism, synonymous with the Speedmaster, is as easy to use as you'd expect. The start/stop and zero reset buttons have a firm, solid feel, giving you the satisfaction of knowing you're operating a timekeeping device. They also prevent accidental operation during everyday use. My work often requires me to travel long distances—over an hour—to film locations and test drive venues. The coaxial 60-minute/12-hour counter intuitively lets me read the elapsed time while driving, making it incredibly easy to use. Accurately timing the 30 seconds it takes to steam coffee beans, or using the pushers to capture moments from everyday life, suddenly makes life that much more enjoyable. While this may not be unique to the Speedmaster '57, the ease of use of this watch has certainly led to a marked increase in the frequency with which I use the chronograph.

　The twin barrels, which provide approximately 60 hours of power, require a slightly longer winding time. The plated crown has a slightly slippery edge, and the bezel is prominent, making winding less than smooth. However, once you understand that this is what a Speedmaster is, you begin to appreciate the extra effort. I began to look forward to winding the watch about two days later. Incidentally, the daily rate on the second day of wearing it was +2 seconds, and the following day it was +3 seconds, demonstrating exceptional accuracy.

　The minute hand has just enough play to easily align with the scale on the outer edge of the dial. While a calendar without a quick change may seem inconvenient at first glance, the time zone function, which allows you to adjust only the hour hand, makes it easy to set the time when traveling. With a high level of magnetic resistance of 15,000 gauss and water resistance of 5 bar, sufficient for everyday use, the Speedmaster '57 is an extremely modern chronograph that allows you to enjoy the look and operability of a vintage model, while also being stress-free and suitable for everyday use. (Yamada Hiroki: Motor journalist)