The model offered here is one of the most sought-after and historically significant of OMEGA's legendary Speedmaster series. It is one of the so-called "Pre-Moon" Speedmasters, meaning it was made before the famous moon landing in 1969. Here is some important information about this model:
It was produced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The entire Ref. 2998 series was produced between 1959 and 1962 and included various sub-references (eg 2998-1 to 2998-6). This series is considered a further development of the original Speedmaster Ref. 2915, with particular changes in design and technical adjustments.
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- The watch has a 39 mm stainless steel case, which was rather large for the time, but is considered a classic size today.
- It has a straight horn attachment (Straight Lugs), in contrast to the curved horns introduced later on later models.
- The bezel features a tachymeter scale, which is the characteristic feature of the Speedmaster line. In this model, it is made of aluminum.
- The dial is matte black with applied, luminous indices.
- The Omega logo is printed and not yet applied, which is another feature of the early Speedmaster models.
- The watch has alpha hands for hours and minutes, while the chronograph seconds hand features a "lollipop" design (a round circle at the end of the hand), which is a rarity on some versions of the Ref. 2998.
- At the heart of the watch is the famous Caliber 321 , a hand-wound chronograph movement developed by Lemania. This movement is known for its reliability and precision and was used in many early Speedmaster models.
- The caliber 321 is particularly popular among collectors, as it was also used in the later "Moonwatch" models that were used in the Apollo mission. The watch is equipped with a hesalite glass , an acrylic glass that was often used in sports watches at that time.
The Ref. 2998-6 belongs to the Pre-Moon era of the Speedmaster series, which means that it was produced before the Apollo 11 moon landing. These watches enjoy a special status among collectors as they paved the way to the famous "Moonwatch" later worn by NASA astronauts during their missions. The Speedmaster Ref. 2998 is a milestone in the history of watchmaking as it was one of the first watches prepared for the moon.
It is a highly sought-after watch among collectors, particularly because of its historical value and the famous caliber 321. Models in good original condition fetch high prices at auctions, especially if they still have original parts such as the dial, hands and bezel.
In conclusion, the OMEGA Speedmaster Ref. 2998-6 is not only an important collector's item, but also a watch with great historical significance, part of the legacy of the famous Speedmaster series.
